50 shades of class and style for older women

Margaret Jennings talks to a former fashion editor who believes in dressing to match your unique style and not your age.

SAY hello to Generation Fab. That’s all you ladies who are aged Fifty And Beyond.

Your childbearing years may be over but, unlike previous generations that’s a liberating fact, not a negative put- downer about invisibility.

While the army of American baby boomers have lead the way, one woman this side of the ocean, who is celebrating being visible with panache, is British-based blogger and former fashion editor Alyson Walsh.

“Age is all the rage and it’s about time,” says Walsh.

“I’ve never really understood why women beyond their childbearing years are cast aside like last season’s It-bag.

"I’m 51 and I’m not interested in airbrushed images of teenage models and age-defying celebrities. I’m not going to mess with my face — I’d rather look old, than odd.”

Walsh confirms what we are all learning; she is not alone. There is a whole generation of women who are independent, intelligent and happy just the way they are, who refuse to be patronised by unrealistic images and prefer to see women who “look good and look like themselves”.

We know the fashion and beauty industry has copped this trend in recent years, hiring a growing list of older celebrities to front their brand campaigns for this lucrative audience.

To cater for those Fifty And Beyond women, Walsh, who is former fashion editor for Good Housekeeping magazine, has written a FABulously chatty and informative book, called Style Forever.

Far removed from the passé perspective that all women grow frumpishly old, she suggests many readers could well fall into one of her style camps or ‘tribes’: the casual glamourpuss, the older and bolder brigade, the superpower dresser, the gentlewoman, the fabulous femme, the scandinista, or the ageless rocker.

She gives style icons for each group, advice on how to build your look and where to get those wardrobe essentials — an encouraging formula for any older woman who might feel her wardrobe choice has become bland and boring.

However, the tribal concept is just one chapter in this entertaining book which includes how the older woman should colour co-ordinate, manage scent, skincare, make-up and body shape, as well as interviews and personal tips from stylish icons.

Whereas fashion was once a rarefied world, individuality and style has become more important than trends, which are just an online click away and easily covetable, says Walsh.

Because there is no specific ‘uniform’ , how confidently you adapt your look and wear your clothes is the essence of style; as we age we can really play around with this concept.

Here are some tips from her book:

If you must wear beige:

Choose warmer shades and team it with a strong colour — red, black or leopard print, or all of the above in winter, and turquoise and white in summer. And stick to natural fibres in the colour like wool, linen, silk or cashmere.

The face-flattering, outfit enhancing scarf:

Whether you wear one loose, looped or knotted, nonchalance is the key. Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF, adds interest to the power look with a scarf, while actress Judi Dench has even worn them on the red carpet.

Wishy-washy pastels:

They have no place in a grown-up woman’s wardrobe. Too insipid, too girly.

They will make you look 20 years older, says Walsh. Wear blocks of colour, mix them up or wear all one colour head-to toe and add really bright accessories.

Less is more:

Buy quality not quantity and experiment with what you have. Don’t save anything for best. It’s all about 24-hour Casual Glamour now.

Invest in a tunic dress:

It can be thrown over a T-shirt, or worn with great hosiery or leggings; it is a failsafe, throw-on outfit that suits all shapes and makes you look fabulous in five minutes.

Layering:

Get it right and look sassy and modern; get it wrong and look like a baglady. Though you aim to look effortless, it must be thought-out and not thrown together. Get the first layer right — a long- sleeved fine-knit T-shirt. Then you can top that with a shorter knit-top, cardigan or gilet.

Choose colours that work together but white or black T-shirt co-ordinate with everything. Good quality natural fabrics with a bit of lycra tend to drape better and last longer.

Head-to-toe matching colour gives a flattering shape. Add bling-tastic jewellery, at the base of the neck, or longer Chatelaine style.

On the subject of ageing, style and invisibility the last word might go to Coco Chanel: “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself”.

* Style Forever: The grown-up guide to Looking Fabulous, By Alyson Walsh, Hardie Grant Books, €13.87.