Clothes

 

  Many stores have eliminated stylish clothing lines for older women, despite the growing market.   What gives?  Women 60 and above still want attractive fashionable clothing.  It isn’t just a matter of availability though.  We all want to look nice but many of us just don’t know what to wear to achieve this objective without spending a fortune or second guessing which generation we want to identify with. 

 

There have been a number of books published recently about fashion for older women, but they all revolve around the idea of dressing to look younger.  Unfortunately this isn’t quite the look we are going for, because you have to admit that there comes a time when nothing is going to make you look younger.  Fashionable, stylish, and attractive is doable, but once you reach the point where comments about how good you look are tempered by the words “for your age,” you sort of get the idea.

 

There is nothing wrong with out age!  Vicky Katz Whitaker (Creators News Service) wrote an article for The Herald a few months ago called “Dress Your Age,” that discussed some ways to look good at any age.

 

There is nothing wrong with being trendy, unless you get carried away and try to dress like Britney Speaks instead of like Audrey Hepburn.  Ah, Audrey Hepburn…that is what we should be going for. 

 

Learn what looks good on you and stick to the lines that flatter your figure.  The real secret is having your clothes tailored to fit you perfectly.  Spend your money on having the tailoring done right, instead of paying for expensive name brands that may not be perfect for you.

 

She also suggested shopping in the right places.  Department stores are more apt to cater to wider appeal than the trendy specialty stores.  Accessories can make a difference so concentrate on the little things that will add a bit of panache.

 

Light colors soften so think lighter when choosing hair color, make-up and clothing.  As you get older you can stop fussing with your hair so a shorter cut is often recommended. Experts suggest layering and wearing complimentary colors.  The author recommended a complementary colored tee shirt under a sweater or open cotton shirt, and look for pleated front slacks or shorts so that the waist isn’t too tight.

 

Skin and hair lighten as we get older so it good to remember that beige and neutral colors make us look washed out.  Now is the time to indulge your whimsy for color and opt for pastels and other rich colors.  Generous cuts are more comfortable as skin gets thinner and weight redistributes.  Fashion designers have refused to recognize us, but keep in mind that a tailor just might be your best friend.  Ms. Whitaker also mentioned a website that markets shirts for seniors that I intend to check out (www.shirts4seniors.com) right now and I really hadn’t thought of the tailoring aspect before but can certainly see merit in her suggestions.  There may be hope for us yet.