CLOTHING AND THE OLDER WOMAN

How do you dress now you are older?  It’s not easy is it?  Have you changed your ways from your younger days? 

Maureen sent us a list of questions wanting to know how we go about the way we choose our clothing. 

‘Clothing is a big deal as you grow older' she said, ‘and I’d love to find out if I am on the right track myself. I'd love to hear your answers to my questions.'

Thanks for writing in Maureen.  We know clothing for the older women is difficult to master as we are constantly grappling with it ourselves.

We have started your list of questions with one of our own.  We consider this should be the reason behind all our outfits.

What do you want to reflect or express about yourself?

GIGI:   I would really love to reflect joy because that is how I feel.   I don’t know if I pull it off because I am dictated by the colours and styles in the shops.  But I hope my clothing says I am happy, confident and up-to-date!

LANA: I also like to reflect my joy and my love of fashion. I also try to dress to impress! I’m a ‘try hard’ sometimes as I try hard to make myself look as though I know what the currents trends are...

Maureen:  What styles do you choose?

GIGI:  My favourite look is a blazer or well fitted top with a pretty skirt.  I just feel so comfortable when I put on this look.  And the skirts have to be mid calf so I can safely wear my flat shoes. 

I am really getting to grips with long tunic topics and leggings as well.  What a stroke of genius this ‘get-up’ is!  You can cover up a multitude of sins under the tunic.  It is also comfy if you are about to eat a large meal (no heavy lingerie required) and a dream outfit for travelling. 

LANA: I love to really glam up on special occasions with stilettos, a great clutch and a pair of fabulous, jaw dropping earrings. For everyday occasions I wear well cut jeans, a trendy top and a tailored jacket.  At home...I’m a disaster...daggy track pants, an oversized t-shirt and furry bed-socks...sorry girls...I may have let the team down.

Maureen:  What colours do you wear, and do you choose patterns?

GIGI:  Black, black and black again.  In fact, I need a light in my cupboard to see the individual items.  Yes, I do own coloured clothing as well but it is rare for me not to use black on the top or the bottom half of my outfit. 

LANA: I adore red. I can be feeling really down and I’ll put on something red and magically feel energised. I’m also very attracted to green, any shade. When I wear green I feel calm. I love black too for a dramatic, classy effect. Never under estimate the power of the little black dress!

And by the way a Swami once told me that women of age, should steer clear of black or white underwear. Instead we should choose bright, fun colours. I’ll leave her reasoning to your imagination. By the way, I rarely choose patterns, as they seem to make me appear even shorter.

Maureen:  What style of clothing appeals to you?

GIGI:  What I admire in other women’s outfits is the look of sophisticated chic, such as Lana's elegant outfits, but I don’t think that style suits me.  What I actually wear is more the soft romantic look.  Weird I know!  

I manage my own style in my own way and like to be creative with it all.  Friends probably think ‘goodness what on earth is she wearing’ but I am OK with that.   If I have spent ages putting it together, I usually feel good about it.  I may even look a little nutty at times, but I like that.  Being confident with your choices is very important.  Work out what you like wearing and go for it!!!

LANA: I love Gigi’s individuality and sense of fun when it comes to fashion (she always looks glam). On the other hand, I am a little on the conservative side, I think that comes from my strict corporate background and it’s hard for me to budge from that image.

I tend to wear suits – pant suits and skirt suits, even if I wear a dress or jeans, I always team it with a jacket. I guess wearing conservative clothing makes me feel ‘safe’. I do vary my clothing when I’m away on holidays and tend to live in shorts and ‘indian’ tops, jewelled thongs and long ‘hippy styled’ skirts.  

Maureen:  What is the most important thing when you choose a piece of clothing?

GIGI:  It must look better than anything I already have in the wardrobe, otherwise why would I buy it?

LANA: It must look good and feel comfortable. I always seek striking colours that project a ‘wow factor’. If my bum looks small enough in it and it enhances my boobs – I’m ¾ of the way to giving it a home!

 PS – Remember correct fitting undergarments can make or break and outfit – so make sure you have all the floppy bits under control.

Maureen:  Do you have favourite clothing labels that you know will work?

GIGI:  I love buying clothes from Relaunch.  Their clothes are a little bit different and the designers seem to have the ‘not so svelte figure’ in mind.  They use beautiful fabrics and interesting designs.  I know if I walk into their shop I will end up with something a little interesting and I like that. 

I love Veronica Maine’s soft look designs (I am not into her shaped and smart look on me, although I wish I felt comfortable wearing them).  I don’t mind buying jeans from Target and David Lawrence’s blazers and jumpers are stylish and well made. 

I have learnt a lot about myself over the years.  Tailored does not sit well with me although I do adore that look so much on others?  As I said before, I definitely go for the girly flounce and more romantic look and I think I have stepped up this style for myself the older I get.  I know, it says a lot about me – feminine, romantic…what can I say!

LANA: Gucci, Valentino.....just kidding....I wish. I find that certain chain boutiques have my size figured out and I can just buy off the rack and it fits right every time.

Jacqui E, Susan, Veronica Maine and Espirit seem to be my favourite haunts.

Maureen:  Can bargains be successful?

GIGI:  I would say my hobby is bargain hunting.  Do I get it right?  Well, I hope so. 

When I find an item I still look at it and ask myself ‘is it better than the clothing I have at home’ before I purchase. 

Or sometimes I buy something a little out there that I might not have bought at the full price.  If I get the right price I am willing to take the risk but I am afraid to admit my wardrobe has a few 'miss hits' lurking there.

There are women who buy expensive clothing because they think they must look good if it cost a lot.  They don’t really have to think because they allow the cost to dictate class but they might just end up looking bland.  Sure, the material and cut might be sharp, but maybe they should think about whether the style suits them or brings out or reflects their personality. 

LANA: Like Gigi, I just love bargain hunting – if I get a really great bargain, I feel like I have won some kind of shopping challenge and get an adrenaline rush that seems to last for hours....talk about retail therapy!!! I must admit, I have made some regrettable judgements that I leave lurking in the closet even though I will never wear them.

Maureen:  What do you look for when selecting shoes?

GIGI:  I must admit that comfort unfortunately plays a huge role in my selection.  I adore browsing the shoe stores and trying to wiggle my large feet into darling skimpy high heel monsters, but get me down on flats any day.  I’ll never do stilettos while I own these ankles.  But that’s OK, I try to wearing clothing that insists I wear flat shoes, so it all works a treat.

LANA: As a vertically challenged wise women, I feel very ‘down there’ in flats. I have to use some artificial height and am attracted to shoes with heels. My toes are not the prettiest looking digits, so I try to disguise them as much as possible. I do envy women with pretty, neatly shaped feet! If I try to wear flats I look like a cross between granny and the school girl look...not a good combination.

Maureen:  What sort of accessories do you use to jazz up your outfit?

GIGI:  I am very partial to jewellery.  Selecting the right piece can really lift an otherwise ordinary outfit.  It says a lot about you to.  If you are brave enough to wear some flash pieces, people will presume you have confidence and style.  A belt or scarf can also turn a look around from ordinary to stunning. 

If you usually steer clear of embellishments, experiment, play and have some fun by trialling some splashy pieces. 

I have a beautiful pewter bird necklace and get compliments whenever I wear it.  It cost me $2.00 at a sale.  My favourite scarf is a woolly thing.  It looks like two black poodles tails joined together but the tag says angora.  It is so soft and warm and from a distance it probably looks like I have two long pigtails – so absolutely girlie!!!  Its original price was close to $100 but I bought it at sale for $20 so you don't have to spend a lot of money to get something chic that works well with your outfits. 

LANA: Did you say accessories – I just love accessories! As you have probably worked out, I have a fetish for earrings and because I don’t have pierced ears, it’s very difficult getting a fabulous pair, however, when I do I feel like I have struck gold.

I also love scarfs.   You can really make an outfit look classy and up to date with a beautifully coloured silk scarf. A suitable hat can really make a statement but you must have the confidence to pull it off.

Maureen:  How regularly do you buy that extra item?

GIGI:  As I said before, shopping is my hobby - much to my husband’s dismay.   Some people attend relaxation classes, take me to the shops any day.  I cruise around and if something tempts me, I buy. 

For all those times when I HAD to buy something specific I don’t enjoy the experience at all because I end up paying full price.  I try to let the garment find me instead of trying to find the garment.

LANA: I find it difficult to go to a shopping mall without at least bagging a bargain...it’s all to do with the challenge and if I leave empty handed I feel as though I have failed the mission.

Maureen:  In your opinion, which is the best dressed movie star?

GIGI:    I noticed that People's choice of the Top 10 Best-Dressed Women of 2009 are:

Kate Winslet - Best Red Carpet, definitely classical and classy

Vanessa Hudgens - Best Hippie Chic, forgive my ignorance, but who is she!

Reese Witherspoon - Best Short Dresses, I would beg to differ

Cameron Diaz - Best Jeans, long legs, small butt, it works!

Michelle Obama - Best Accessible, I am still trying to work out what this means!

But I must say if I could walk into a room oozing stylish charisma like Helen Miriam, I would die a happy woman.

LANA: My comments on these winners would be:

Kate Winslet - Best Red Carpet, elegant, glamorous and not over the top.

Vanessa Hudgens - Best Hippie Chic, sorry, who?

Reese Witherspoon - Best Short Dresses, cute...

Cameron Diaz - Best Jeans, she’s a fun girl with a fun look and a nice bum!

Michelle Obama - Best Accessible, her husband???

My Choice is - Cate Blanchett – Always the movie star – dreamy, a glam fest.

Nichole Kidman – All Rounder – would make a potato sack look good.

Meryl Steep – She’s a Devil in Prada – at her best in this movie.

Helen Miriam – Most Elegant Wise Woman on the Red Carpet – Best all round Baby Boomer showing us all how to turn back the clock with style.

Maureen:  If you could alter one thing about your clothing style which you really think would make a difference, what would that be?

GIGI:  I love colour and glorious pieces of colourful patterned clothing.  I swoon over beautiful patterns, but do I buy them?  Rarely and I can’t explain why not. 

It could be that when I put on outrageous patterns I don’t think it really goes with my personality.  I am a very open person and I think I like my clothing to say that maybe I do also possess a decorous side. By choosing a solid colour I could be subconsciously expressing that underlying trait.  Or it may simply be habit or previous success with colours or styles.

I really would like to embrace completely ‘knock your socks off’ patterns and swirls though.   I’ll will have to inch forwards with that one.    

LANA: I’d love to try something non-conservative looking, maybe with a touch of cleavage showing and something flouncy that screams ‘femininity’... although I don’t think anyone would recognise me. I’m tempted to give it a go.

To all Wise women, enjoy creating your style, enjoy trying new looks and be daring when you are in the mood. 

Clothing has the capacity to lift you and help you feel fabulous.  You just have to look at the stars on the red carpet to see they are feeling divine in their Armani or Valentino. 

We don’t have to go that far, but clothing can definitely 'maketh the woman'. 

You have to buy clothes anyway, so think wisely and start aiming for clothes that make a difference to how you feel about yourself.

Goodluck…… 

Come and visit us at our Blogs now:

Gigi

Lana 
 
©Wisewomensworld.com