fashion Archives - Don't Stop Now:

As a woman of (ahem) a certain age who has always had an interest in fashion, I struggle with redefining my personal style to reflect the passing years. Because I’m still active in the business world, I consider it important to look contemporary…to look like some thought went into my clothing selection…to look fashionable while still being age appropriate.

But as I get older, the challenge becomes greater. What exactly, constitutes age appropriate? Most of us know the obvious rules: avoid too-short skirts, too much skin. But what about wearing shorter skirts with tights in winter? Showing off toned arms in a sleeveless dress in summer? If you spend hours each week in the gym, should you be able to flaunt it a bit? And who decides the answers to these questions anyway?

Then there’s the issue of what elevates an outfit to sophisticated and what plunges it into the realm of frump. Here’s an example.

If you add a classic cardigan and a black 3-inch heel to this basic plaid wool sheath, the look is totally fine, but blah. However, if the dress is left uncovered, the cut-in sleeve (as opposed to classic sleeveless) reveals a more modern look. A higher heel helps keep it from looking too conservative, and a shoe with a pop of color, like the pair on the model, adds an unexpected punch.

If you feel the need to cover your arms, try a brightly colored cropped cardigan. Choose one with 3/4 sleeves, since showing a bit of forearm adds a feminine touch and prevents you from looking too covered up. Don’t match the sweater to your shoes, since matchy-matchy always looks contrived. In this case, opt for black stilettos instead. Toss a long necklace and a bracelet into the mix, and you have a look that’s elegant without looking grandmotherly.

I welcome suggestions from readers who’ve made it though their 50s, 60s, and beyond with fashion solutions that look fresh and interesting. We’re all in this together, and I think the best advice comes from women who’ve been there and figured it out.

Elle Gianforte is an award-winning writer and published author whose work includes non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, including adoption, fashion, food, design, healthcare, and memoir. She is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). You can see a complete list of books on her Amazon author page.

Fashion statements are no longer reserved for younger women. The book, Advanced Style: Older and Wiser, absolutely proves that.

For generations, other cultures have valued and esteemed the older woman. In America, however, she’s usually tossed aside with nary a glance—like an uninteresting magazine article or a day-old tuna sandwich.

And then along comes Ari Seth Cohen, whose mom clearly raised him well. Says Ari, “I hope that if we begin to see aging differently, we will start to treat older people with the respect and reverence they deserve. By refusing to accept the notion that growing older is something to be feared, we can begin to fully embrace our elderhood with as much joy, creative growth, and imagination as our childhood.”

Ari created a book entitled Advanced Style: Older and Wiser. It’s filled with photos of women—and a few men—in their sixties and well beyond. All of them are dressed fabulously, reflecting their individual styles. Many of them shared their stories, making it compelling reading for both fashion lovers and those who fear—wrongly—that their stylish years are behind them.

My friend Joy Venturini Bianchi is featured in the book. Joy is a five-year cancer survivor who is one of the most amazing women I know. Here she is looking dazzling in nonstop red:

I had the honor of attending a book-signed with Ari and Joy in San Francisco, and listening to them speak was nothing short of inspirational.

What I’ve learned from Joy is that age is truly just a number. Style is an outward expression of the inner self. And each of us is unique, precious, and special.

Don’t be afraid to show your true self to the world—whether that means dressed in a designer gown or decked out in jeans, your favorite tee, and Converse.

If you’re interested in checking out Ari’s book, you can find it on Amazon.