One of the benefits of advancing in years is that you tend to know what you like and what suits you. You’ve had plenty of time to try all sorts of fashion and develop your personal style.
But personal style isn’t something that is cast in stone once you reach a certain age. It’s always evolving, informed somewhat by current fashion but perhaps more importantly by your circumstances, attitudes and changing tastes. With thanks to some famous designers, here are some ideas to help you update – or find – your personal style.
Find inspiration everywhere
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. – Coco Chanel, fashion designer
There are numerous resources dedicated to style and trends, such as fashion magazines, books and TV shows, and of course it’s also easy to search for fashion content on social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram where tastemakers of all ages abound. But ideas are all around us in real life, too.
When you’re out and about, keep your eyes open and all your senses alert for style inspiration, whether it’s colour combinations at a gallery, a hairstyle in a movie or the decor and mood of a restaurant. And don’t forget about people watching – if you see someone whose style appeals, consider why. Is it their pared-back monochrome look that you admire? Or their eclectic mix of patterns? Maybe they’re wearing standout spectacles against an otherwise unassuming outfit, or it’s their bright lipstick that draws your eye. Whatever it is, keep it in mind as something to try next time you’re wondering what to wear.
As a woman gets older, it’s more about style than fashion. A woman knowing herself more and more, and looking for new things, is getting into her own personal style, being more than just a fashion addict. – Nicolas Ghesquière, fashion designer
Let your friends choose your day-to-day look
Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are the most intriguing. – Alexander Wang, fashion designer
Except for the most special and formal occasions, choosing an outfit tends to be a solitary business – it’s quite normal to seek advice from others about what to wear as mother of the bride (or groom!), or how to dress for a 50-year school reunion, for example. But it’s not so usual to ask friends, acquaintances or the hairdresser for their opinions on outfits to wear to the movies, brunch, or any of the other events that occur much more regularly in our lives. But it’s precisely because we dress much more regularly for these events that they offer such a good chance to road test any new styling angles.
Ask friends whose style you admire to suggest casual outfit combinations based on the items that are already in your wardrobe, or go shopping together for new pieces. Often friends will pick things out in colours or silhouettes we wouldn’t normally consider ourselves. Be open to trying on the items they choose, keeping in mind that understanding what you don’t like is as important as knowing what you do.
Start small – practice makes perfect
The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. – Iris Apfel, interior designer and fashion designer
Unless you’re an extremely confident dresser, it’s easier to start with small steps in your day-to-day outfitting than to completely overhaul your look for a major event. Wear a skirt and boots to do the supermarket shopping instead of pulling on those trusty jeans and sneakers, add a necklace even for a casual catch-up, or try a top in a colour you haven’t worn for a while next time you go out to dinner.
Often you’ll find items in your wardrobe that you’ve forgotten about or that may need only slight repairs, alterations or cleaning to come back into rotation; if you love how they make you look and feel, invest the time or money to bring them to life again. If they’re no longer for you but are still in relatively good nick, donate them to an op shop, give them to friends or exchange them for something ‘new to you’ at a clothes swap.
Organise a (temporary) clothes swap
Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends. – Kate Spade, fashion designer
Maybe you’ve always admired a friend’s bright turquoise jacket or been curious about how their ‘statement’ accessories such as a colourful necklace or big earrings would look on you. Why not get your friends or workmates together for an afternoon of clothes swapping? Clothes swaps have been popular for some time now, with the idea being that everyone brings a certain number of garments that are still in good condition but that they no longer wear.
Keep in mind that unless all attendees are the same size, not all clothes will fit everyone, so ask people to bring accessories such as scarves and bags as well.
Usually, everyone goes home with items that are ‘new’ to them, and any left over are donated to op shops. However, in this version, it’s simply a chance to experiment with someone else’s style for a few hours by dressing up and then returning things to their owners – unless, of course, they’re happy to part with them. It’s not a total makeover, but it might give you more of an idea about your style direction: trying your friends’ wardrobes on might make you realise turquoise isn’t ‘you’ after all, but that wearing bold jewellery is the perfect way to complete your look. At the very least, it’s a fun way to spend time with friends.
What are your personal style tips? Why not share them in the comments section below?
Also read: Five accessories to treasure at any age
