Sometimes being a blogger is a bit like being a teenager again (I once asked Peter Hook where he bought his leather biker jacket, Mick Hucknall where he got his hair cut and Joe Strummer if he'd like a bag of chips - but that's another story). So now, many years later and with a blog for an excuse, I'm once again overwhelmed by the urge to march up to famous people and start asking them questions. Fortunately, I wasn't invited to this year's Academy Awards ceremony, but it only took a glimpse of the still-so-beautiful Bianca Jagger at London Fashion Week and I was off. Would she like to offer some style tips for my blog blah blah? ' Don't let people tell you what to do,' said the woman who rode through Studio 54 on a white stallion, and we know she means every word, 'I've had a sense of what I wanted to wear since I was twenty.' You're not kidding. From Halston to Yves Saint Laurent, statement coats to snakeskin boots, Jagger's self-assured attitude and singular take on glamour has always looked effortlessly chic. But what about now that she's older? 'Know your pros and cons. Highlight your pros and disguise your cons - and don't let anyone take your photo from below!' The last instruction aimed at the hordes of photographers lurking nearby may have something to do with flattering lighting/the double chin scenario (not that BJ needs to worry about either). Sound advice from a style legend.
Expert number two, the fabulous Hilary Alexander says, ' Wear amazing jewellery and enjoy clothes, but not in a mutton dressed as lamb way.' And then, apparently quoting Barry Humphries, and in full agreement with Bianca Jagger, the Telegraph's fashion director adds, ' Cover up the bits that aren't flattering, fashion is just a matter of hiding the body and the older you get the more true that is.' This is an area That's Not My Age has a fair amount of experience in - each summer I show less and less flesh, this year I'll probably be lying on the beach in a slanket.
As there were more bloggers at London Fashion Week than Spanx pants at the Oscars, it wasn't long before The Sartorialist showed up. And I was in like Flynn. 'When you turn forty you know who you are, as opposed to following this trend and that trend,' points out Mr Schuman, 'you start dressing for your best attributes. I know I did.' The man with a penchant for classic tailoring likes to 'celebrate style through a wide variety of ages' by documenting real people looking good on the street (as well as a few glamorous fashion editors and Kanye West). As his photographs prove, Schuman is an expert on ageless style:
Do you have any expert tips for looking style at any age?
Photos
Bianca Jagger polaroid: Andy Warhol from the LA Times
Hilary Alexander: The Daily Telegraph
Scott Schuman: Wayne Tippetts
19 comments:
Great post and a topic near and dear to my heart. So many great role models out there now. Nice to have people to seek ideas from.
I just like to go with what feels right for me. Accentuate the positive, hide the parts that you would like to forget.
I am hooked on cashmere anyting since moving to England..found a great cape pull over yesterday that will work with everthing.
Accessories is the name of the game for me...
Gerat blog..look forward to following.
I found you thru Sarah@ Semi Expat.
Jeanne :)
PS...I obviously can not spell! Downside to the age thing :)
Another brilliant post
Great post. I agree with Hilarys comments although I am not a big fan of what she wears, other than her necklaces!
Jeanne - hello and welcome. You're right, I think it's good to follow your instincts, and to wear cashmere!
RG- I thank you.
Looking Fab - Ha! I do like Hilary's devil may care attitude and her fab selection of necklaces.
I have only one rule: Make sure it fits. No matter how wonderful something is, if it doesn't actually fit you (that is, not too tight and not hanging off the shoulders), you are going to look tired and feel schlumpy. Fit starts at the very top - in the shoulders. The older you get, the more you need a fitted shoulder (even with shoulder pads, the edge should be someplace in the close vicinity of the shoulder joint). And then it goes from there. I'm big in the bust and short, so this is crucial for me - which is why I do not wear things like golf shirts (shudder) - in order to get one that actually fits me in the bust, the shoulders hang halfway down my arm and make me look like a rather short T-rex. If I get one that fits in the shoulder, then it strains across the bust. Not a good look for me. So for me, fit is everything. Then I look pulled together, as if I really care how I look, and I'm pretty happy (which always improves one's look immensely).
Fascinating post. To feel comfortable is key for me, which means good tailoring, never too short or too tight, a little cleavage is good but not slit down the waist.
Dropped by from Semi Expat and glad I did.
If I wasn't happily married already I'd propose to that last guy. Don't know why but older (quite a lot older) guys are really doing it for me at the moment. Desperation creeping in?
Style is ageless, but when you're over 40 you have to concentrate on it a little more and you know what suits you and what doesn't. Plus you are very unlikely to wear anything really uncomfortable, and the fact that you're happy & comfortable shows. A theory...
I say wear whatever you want but stick to a few rules: Never wear a mini with a low neckline and high heels (or even a high neckline and high heels); always look for your still-young feature/s and play it/them up; be comfortable (or the tension will show in your neck), and don't wear shiny or glittery shadow on crepey eyelids! Great post :)
Hi there-a fabulous post, very useful tips and inspiration. I am trying to wear accessories more to accentuate existing outfits and I find I'm becoming more self confident with my outfit choices as I get older-I'll dress for me and not worry too much how I look as long as I feel stylish and comfortable.
Hi! Just stumbled across your blog as the lovely Sharon's awarded us both her Sunshine Award.
Got to say how much I've enjoyed reading your blog and admiring the beautiful photography.
My rule is that if I don't feel fabulous in something then it goes. I've got more confidence now, in my 40's, than I ever did.
Vix
xxx
Helene - I agree, fit is crucial and I think if you spend time (and a little extra money) getting it right your confidence is boosted.
NWLG - hello and welcome! As Mr Sartorialist shows, good tailoring is 'it.'
HH - I feel the same so it's obviously not desperation! Maybe it's the classy clothes, the lovely hair/beard, the bike?
Rosina - I am now channeling Helen Mirren and I don't think she would wear glittery eyeshadow!
SR - yeah as Hilary Alexander proves, accessories certainly liven up an outfit.
I FOUND YOU via Sharon, too! I'll work through your site but really liked this post!
'Know your pros and cons. Highlight your pros and disguise your cons'
'Cover up the bits that aren't flattering, fashion is just a matter of hiding the body and the older you get the more true that is.'
Those are TWO of my practices - and I had never actually read them in print before!
It's great to "meet" you!
How fantastic that you get to march up to these people and ask them questions! I am very impressed... love Hilary Alexander.. - she always seems so jolly too somehow. I think I would go with accentuate the positive and try not to worry about the negative. Spend more on things you know you will wear a lot and as much as you can afford on a swimsuit (or bikini if you can still wear them - sadly my bikini days are long gone.)
Rebecca - nice to meet you too!
S-E - not worrying about the negative is the approach I take with my varicose veins but then when summer comes I wish I'd done something about them!
Well I think no rules are the best advice really. Because if you get rule bound you can't adapt and then it goes horrible wrong. I have to agree with Bianca Jagger and add it is all about risk taking.
If you know you've got long legs flaunt them etc. And actually we do need more bonkers dressers in the world of women as we are in danger of all looking the same by striving for perfection.
I am 28 years old. I look young, but won't be caught dead in anything too revealing.
I think dress for your PERSONALITY and SHAPE, not for what you think you should be wearing for your age. Too many times I've seen people relatively young (40s?) dressed like they are 20 years older.
I have introduced my Mum to some clothes she would never have picked for herself, and she feels great in them.
I really enjoy your blog.
Can you share the Joe Strummer 'Bag of Chips' story please?
Tim
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