Whatever you do, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t age gracefully and with style. Sure, some will say that if you’re over 35 you can’t wear this or do that, but that’s their hangup. Check your mirror and check with a trusted friend. If you are eating well and working out, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to wear form fitting clothes and even short skirts well into your 50s and 60s. Now, hold your horses. I did once see a woman at the airport wearing pigtails, pink sparkly tennis shoes, a bedazzled preteen angst Tshirt and 20 layers of makeup. She was tiny, so from the back she looked all of about 13. When she turned around and was at least 60, it was terrifying. No, that is not an exaggeration. I’m still traumatized by that one.
However, there is a major difference between aging gracefully and desperately holding on to a youth that is decades past. Whether you are 28 or 58, there is still much that can be learned from individuals who have perfected their own, unique style and carry it with them well into their 70s, 80s and beyond. True style is not about running after trends and endlessly adapting oneself to what’s “in” while abandoning what’s “out.” The truth is– fashion is cyclical. What no one wanted 5 years ago, everyone may covet tomorrow. As such, we’re all well advised to find what suits us personally and play with that, rather than deciding that we have to do this or not do that because of how old we are or what some magazine tells us. In the end, whether you’re 16 or 60, if you seek out looks that flatter your personally and make you feel good, you can’t go wrong.
Ari Seth Cohen totally gets where I am coming from and he created the blog “Advanced Style” (http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com) to document the fabulously dressed, gracefully aging ladies and gentlemen he encounters in New York City, in his hometown of San Diego and beyond. As Cohen puts it: “Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest.” Next time you find yourself thinking “I can’t do this” or “I can’t wear that” ask yourself if you feel that way because it just doesn’t suit you or if you’re afraid to break out and try. If it’s the latter, stop with the “I can’t”s and head over to “Advanced Style” for some inspiration. If 70 year old grandmothers can have fun with fashion, so can you, no matter your age.
Inspired by the pictures you see here? Head over to Wishlist Vintage on Facebook to see even more– and, of course, I’ve got plenty of timeless classics in the store for late summer and fall. Come play with eras, play with shapes and play with color– all ages are always welcome at Wishlist.