Women stylin’ well into their senior years, is now something we see more of every day. I remember when the conversation about aging began, over a decade ago. We boomers were not going to be our mothers, most especially in the way we dress.
On a recent visit to to see our sons, they took us to one of their favorite little French restaurants for breakfast. Rumored to have to-die-for pastries and the best coffee in all of Kansas City, we were eager to go along. Sadly, however, it was a holiday and they were only serving coffee. So we placed our order.
PEOPLE WATCHING
As we hovered around waiting for our coffee, I noticed a 70 something woman, sitting at a table by the window. She positively lit up the restaurant. White haired and slender she wore bright patterned stretch pants and a colorful stylish top. She reminded me of the Advanced Style model in the photo to the left. Behind the counter I also saw another gray-haired woman with bright purple streaks in her hair. Aging abundantly women are not holding back when it comes to style!
NATURAL BEAUTY
Beauty, style, color, and adornments. women, like proud male birds who capture our attention and give flight to our imaginations, are born with natural beauty. I will never endorse or promote the altered reality of the fashion industry. Instead, I honor the unique radiance of each individual female at any and every age; those who choose to search for their inner uniqueness and beauty and let it to spill over onto the canvass of their life. Some of the most beautiful women in the world right now are doused in wrinkles and scars, and have salt and pepper hair. It’s absolutely a part of their charm, the very essence of their charisma.
SOUL EXPRESSION
Today I wish to celebrate women who dig deep to find their souls and give it expression in their attire and their style. Blogs and websites by the dozens have popped up over the last decade, offering style and fashion advice for the woman over forty. I’m happy to see a trend toward real and away from Madison Avenue fashion models, even gray-haired ones. Real is more beautiful to me. Healthy is beautiful, regardless of size or proportion. Eyes that speak of a woman’s soul and reflect her history are beautiful. Hands decorated with age are beautiful, so filled with love and strength.
As my mother lay on her deathbed at ninety-seven years, her hands pulled on my heart-strings and the many years she used those hands to express her love. She was a hard working woman of grace and style, dedicated to her family and without pretense or airs. Her hands said it all.
WOMEN AGING ABUNDANTLY
The new “aging abundantly” woman is has a more realistic approach to style and fashion. She is not buying into cultural norms and dictates, but is instead taking a stand to help our culture redefine it’s understanding of beauty. Mrs. American Made who believes it is important to support the US economy when buying anything is a perfect example. Did you know that only 2% of the clothing sold in the U.S. is made here? I learned this stunning fact when I paid visit to Ana Bogusky’s website.
WOMEN STYLIN’ BLOGS & WEBSITES
Jody’s Touch of Style is styling “real” women in their 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. Her focus is on using what is already in our closet and finding a way to get creative with it. “How we dress echoes our visual voice!” she tells her followers. She presents her styles using three real models from three age groups, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and you can even vote on whether or not you like the outfit she puts together for each.
Then there is elegant Annette, who radiates style and class while sharing her personal outfits photographed in the beautiful countryside of Bavaria, Germany on her website Lady of Style. At 52 it is clear she loves a feminine, classic look and current trends. Her motto: “There is no age limit to style. Live healthy and look age-amazing!”
A Well-Styled Life by blogger Jennifer Connolly believes “style is more than what you wear, it’s how you live your life”. She offers plenty of shopping tips like her recent post about buying glasses online in The Modern Way to Order Glasses. Jennifer offers tips and advice for finding our inner beauty and confidence as well as our outer style.
You may also enjoy:
You may enjoy checking out these Aging Abundantly Pinterest Pages for tips and ideas:
Long Hair Styles for Women Over Fifty
Dorothy — I just have to say: I LOVED THIS POST!
Thank you, Laurie!
Why, Dorothy, what a spicy post today. The theme is timeless and the links wonderful. (I clicked on many of them.) I’m well over 50, but I’m not about to surrender to looking like a feedbag – ha!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I second Laurie’s response! I too just LOVED this post! And what a lovely, lovely sentiment: ” Eyes that reach into a woman’s soul and call forth her history are beautiful.” Ah! Wish I’da written that 🙂
This is just wonderful. Thank You!
Susan, I responded to your comment and others from my cell phone, but they’re not here! I don’t know why or if you received it, so I’m going to say again just in case, “Thanks!” Such a compliment coming from you is extra special!
I think it’s important to maintain our identity by how we feel comfortable dressing. Once we establish our own sense of style, and if that’s how we feel comfortable, then there is no set style for any age. And funny I was just talking with someone today about the good old days when much of the garment business was manufactured in New York. Again, the good old days. 🙂
I’ve been in Durango, CO that last few days and I am so, so, so enjoying the way the over fifty crowd dresses…expresses themselves. What a delight! There is definitely no set style!
What a wonderful and fabulous surprise to see my name in your post!!! Thanks for the “shout out”! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
My pleasure! I love what you are doing!
Dorothy,
What a fabulous surprise to see my name in your recommendations. Thank you so much for showing the love. I really appreciate it!
Have a great day,
Shellie