It's easy
to be fashionable and stylish regardless of how many candles are on your
birthday cake.
Now let's be honest: you
probably don't have the same body at 40, 50, or 60 that you did at 25. Time,
gravity, and pregnancy all take their toll on the female body, as does
menopause. And when you mix a mature body with fashions obviously made for a
younger person, it can lead to self-doubt, frustration, and confusion.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Getting older also means
getting wiser, and like a fine bottle of wine, you're improving with age. So
you don't have the same body as those twenty-somethings you see in magazines or
on TV. So what? Would you REALLY trade everything you've learned since your
twenties for the body you had back then?
So how can you be fashionable without wearing all those
body-conscious clothes so en vogue these days? By remembering the "3 C's"
when you dress: clean, classic, and coverage.
CLEAN
Clean lines create a clean silhouette which makes the body
appear more youthful by skimming the trouble spots instead of calling attention
to them. Complicated cuts, seams, and details usually call for a killer body to
pull off, so if you haven't got it, steer clear of those styles.
CLASSIC
Classic styles are called classic because they remain in style
year after year. Why? Because they look good on so many bodies! Sheathes,
A-line skirts, flat front pants - all tend to flatter a variety of shapes.
What's more, because they remain in style year after year, classics are easier
on the budget than trends.
COVERAGE
Covering appropriately is the key to aging gracefully. If your
upper arms, thighs, and décolletage have all seen better days, it's time to
cover them up a bit instead of sharing the wear-and-tear with the world. Now
I'm not talking about draping yourself in a tent for the rest of your life. Far
from it. I'm talking about wearing short sleeves instead of going sleeveless, Capri's instead of shorts, and modest necklines instead of plunging necklines.
Now I know that covering up the parts that used to turn heads
and draw envy can be tough to take for some women. Which is precisely why
beautiful jewelry and fine fabrics are the revenge tools of choice for many
well-dressed mature women. So your bust line isn't as perky as your twenty-something
daughter or granddaughter. So what? Add a beautiful necklace and draw envious
glances from women of all ages.
Don't have the same backside you did as a teen?
Encase it in a fine fabric and see how many men go out of the way to hold the
door open for you. People will look where you focus their attention, so use
that knowledge to redirect their interest to the parts you want them to see.
Don't flip through fashion magazines and bemoan the fact that
you don't look like the models. Instead, look at the various fashion elements
to determine what will and won't work for you. Are printed scarves all the rage
this year? Grab a few and be trendy. Are mini skirts the style of choice? Pass
and bank your money. See how easy this is?
"A woman has the age she deserves," Coco Chanel once
said. You don't have to go under cover and dress "like a little old
lady. If you remember to dress in clean lines and classic styles and
cover appropriately, you can still be fashionable!!
