I have a thing for stylish women at certain age. I don’t know how to explain it, but I get genuinely intrigued and impressed by their cool (not elegant, that’s different type) outfits.

I also think that well-dressed mature ladies have the thing we all love in French women: confidence and knowing exactly what flatter their bodies. They don’t try too hard and know exactly what they like.

I remember few years ago in Chelsea, I saw a woman who was around 70. Slim and quite petite, she was supporting her hand on a walking cane and clearly struggled with her mobility. What struck me was her look. She was wearing straight leg indigo jeans, navy blazer, high quality leather loafers and beautiful fedora. I remember thinking, this lady paid so much more attention to how she presented herself than I did. I was amazed and until this day I regret I didn’t tell her that she was rocking that outfit.

Fashion and beauty industry used to favour very young women and it created unhealthy picture of a “perfect woman” in a “perfect world”. In this perfect world there was only room for young. Women over 50 were invisible, and for generations these women were only seen as grandmothers looking after their grandchildren or spending hours in their armchairs and knitting wool scarfs.

But in recent years designers as well as high street houses started employing plus size and mature models. This movement empowered many women and thankfully gave them courage and confidence to influence and inspire others.

And now we are seeing such a great change in mature women lifestyles. They embrace their bodies and want to celebrate their lives. They don’t stop being mothers, grandmothers and wifes but on top of that they start thinking about their own needs and likes. They want to feel and look beautiful just like when they were 20 or 30.

Age is just a number!

More and more mature women prove there is no need to be afraid of getting old. With a healthy diet and good amount of exercise, women over 50 can still feel and look young. Ageing is normal and it can be beautiful. I would be honoured and happy to live so long to say I’m 70 or 80!

Besides, age is just a number. It’s more about how you feel inside. I, for once, have problem with my age. I can never remember how old I am🙈 really!

What can we learn about fashion from our older sisters?

Personal style.

Being stylish doesn’t happen overnight. Well, maybe to 5% of us. But as a rule, it’s a lifetime process, learning what works for us and what doesn’t. Understanding our bodies and accepting them. With age come experience, life wisdom, sense of style and confidence. And I think, most of all, not feeling like we have to impress anyone.

Of course there are celebrities, like Carolina Herrera, Miucca Prada, Stella McCartney or Michelle Obama, that we can follow as a great source of inspiration. But there are so many beautiful, stylish women around us. Individuals who prove that we are only limited by our own imagination and not by our age.

There is a rapidly growing number of mature women on various social media talking about fashion, beauty and wellbeing from their perspective. It’s never been easier to learn tips and tricks from experienced women without even leaving your house.

Get inspired on Instagram by searching styleover50 styleover60 etc.

I approached 3 incredible women over 50 (and some over 60) on Instagram. Every time I check their accounts, I’m inspired and I feel better about myself. They are not only fabulously stylish but also charismatic, full of life and creativity. Let me introduce you:

Cheryl from @_ifitstuesday_
Kim from @kimbotanner and
Sybille from @sybillesworld

They were very sweet and answered 3 questions that I prepared for them about fashion and their style.

First of all I wanted to know what fashion means to them now, at this stage of their lives.

Cheryl:
What is fashion? To me, fashion is a joyful outlet. I appreciate a well thought out look, similarly to how I am drawn to a beautiful painting. What does it give to me? Finding the looks that appeal to my senses is a joy.

Kim:
I enjoy fashion and it’s one of my major interests, especially since I’ve retired and have more time on my hands. It’s my hobby!

Sybille:
First of all fashion is my passion and finally fashion is also my profession. So it is always a way to express myself. Fashion reflects my inner thoughts and feelings.

I asked them what are the most important styling tricks they have learnt in their lives.

Cheryl:
I suppose the most important thing I’ve learned is to follow my own instinct as opposed to what’s trending; to do what works for me. Oh, and to not take any of this too seriously. I’m grateful to be 65 and healthy. Having fun with this is an added bonus.

Kim:
I don't have any tips and if I make rules for myself, I break them! I've learnt to go with my own 'feel', and if I like something I won't be put off by someone else saying it doesn't suit me. I'm cautious of 'new trends'. Anything that's very 'in' tends to be very 'out' quickly. I wouldn't spend a lot on 'in' things. I would spend more on a good white t-shirt or shirt, because they can last for years. ‘I love bold patterns and would love to be more adventurous but I find patterns wear me, rather than I wear them - if that makes sense?

Sybille:
I think it is important to mix and match everything without any rules. The most important thing is, that fashion makes you happy.

When you find your personal style it’s relatively easy to point out pieces that are essential to your wardrobe and things you truly enjoy.

I asked my three chic ladies what is their signature piece of clothing that says…

“Oh that’s so Cheryl”:
I suppose it would have to be a stripe. Usually it’s a navy and white Breton in some form, but not always. A stripe makes me smile. In the winter, just add an Irish knit sweater and that’s a uniform.

“Oh that’s so Kim”
It’s probably the easiest to answer. Very me is a loose fit shirt or dress and a pair of sunglasses.

“Oh that’s so Sybille”
My looks are mostly inspired of Japan’s fashion and my favorite pieces are comfortable and oversized.

There are two stylish women who deserve an honourable mention for their unique inspiring style and their kindness. Sandra from @thisisfiftysomething proves with her every outfit that neutrals ARE NOT BORING. Oncel from @theautumnstiletto is incredibly adventurous with her colours and patterns and she always gets it so well!

In my observation, all these women, although presenting different styles, have few things in common and things we could learn from them:

Impeccable hairstyle - perfect cut and style that suits their features,
Attention to detail - their outfits are well thought out and perfectly styled in this nonchalant (I didn’t try too hard) way,
Beautiful curated accessories - good quality pieces that last (jewellery, handbags, glasses etc),
Having fun with fashion - first of all, they are not too serious, they don’t try to look like elegant ladies on their way to church. Instead, they play with proportions, styles, colours, they experiment and don’t get stuck in one outfit formula,
Choosing right colours for their skin tone. One of the most important elements of good wardrobe. They just get it so well!
Confidence - they know what looks good on them and they wear things because they make them feel empowered and beautiful,
They don’t follow fashion rules for women at a certain age. They don't accept conservative styling tips that only make you look older and boring.
they always choose comfort without compromising style! That’s enough for me to love them❤️

Next time you’re getting dressed in the morning and you are reaching for leggings and an oversized jumper for the 5th time in a week, go to their IG accounts and get inspired. I’m sure you can find something as comfortable but much more stylish than loungewear😜

Here are some other IG accounts that I think are worth following:

@lindavwright
@debora.carminati
@mayemusk
@greceghanem
@g.krabbenhoft
@bonpon511
@advancedstyle

Do you know any amazing fashion icons (maybe your grandma or grandpa!) that affected the way you look at fashion and think “I wanna be like them!”? Please share with us any stories and instagram accounts of stylish people of certain age 😉

Hi.

Mar 31 Let’s celebrate stylish women over 50

Hi.

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