Some girls are so certain of their style from the beginning. I remember, in my young days, these girls stood out from the rest and were an inspiration to me. I have been friendly with a lot of women throughout my life whose style has inspired me. Whatever age and size, their confidence and their flair shone through. There is nothing more fabulous than someone who is comfortable in their own skin. Style wise, they are such an inspiration and have no fear of looking a certain way or wearing something they really love and are not afraid of what people think, or say.
photographer – Viktor Hanacek
I loved nights out, in my younger years – the girls would turn up in their ‘get-ups’, which had been so meticulously put together. Of course, these were the late seventies, early eighties – the time of big shoulder pads and “New Romantics”. I also had a few mates who were “Punks” and “Goths” (now, that took time, effort and style). I wonder what they are doing, and where they are with their “style”, now. I don’t think you ever quite leave your young style behind as you get older – it’s part of who you are. As we get older, we have had time to rehearse and practise.
Photo by Sabina Ciesielska on Unsplash
I like to think I have a little bit of an idea when I’m trying on things that don’t suit me – they just feel so “wrong”. For example, in my younger years, I had some “not good” moments with woollen dresses which made me look like a giant snowball – think the whole colour block thing doesn’t agree with me, and the odd (very eighties) rah-rah skirt. This was the first successful attempt to revive the mini skirt and, hands up, I was a fan at the time! It wasn’t very forgiving if you know what I mean.
Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash
Oh, and there was the odd bad hair-do just to add to the overall mix. I once came back from the hairdressers looking like Tina Turner which, as much as I love Tina Turner, this was not my intention or what I had asked for. I think the hairdresser got a little bit carried away.
Me out for a saunter, in the direction of the pub! I do love “easy to wear” chilled out fashion that makes me feel good, though I’m not averse to a lovely little bit of dressing up!
I believe style in midlife years is continually a “work in progress”. For example, I will see a great outfit on someone, or in a shop and love it. Sometimes, I’ve been brave enough to ask the person where they had purchased it. But, on me, it will either look equally good or really terrible. I once read somewhere that style takes time and maybe that’s true. I believe, at this age, I am still trying to look good and that, for me, it’s on-going. Some women make wearing clothes look effortless. Whereas, for me, alas, that’s not always the case!!!
Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash
I also believe it is very important to be comfortable, and know what suits me. I’ve done this through trial and error, and taking good advice along the way from expert fashion stylists. There is a lot of great “style gurus” out there. I believe some of them are brilliant and give out great, constructive advice. But, I also believe that, whatever advice you read, you still must feel happy and relaxed in what you are wearing. Because style is such a personal thing! We all know people who wear something because of the label or because they think, if it’s one of the most expensive, exclusive garments in the shop, then it will have to look great on them. Unfortunately, as we know, that’s not always the case.
Thank you for reading, let me know if you have any comments and please subscribe to my blog.
Alison x
