The key to aging gracefully is to do it with style — and to know that you can’t (and shouldn’t) shop the junior department forever.
On this page, we introduce four women at various stages of their lives and on various levels of their style evolution. Each woman recognizes what works well for her changing body and circumstances.
Read on as these style makers tell us what style means in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Tawny Thieu, 31, Sylvan Lake
Occupation: Owner of the Pink Pump and P2 shoe, clothing and accessories stores.
Frequently seen in: Skinny black pants (she has 30-40 pairs) or dark jeans, a fitted blazer and platform heels or wedges.
Shops: BCBG, Neiman Marcus, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Club Monaco, Zara (which now has an online store) and, of course, the Pink Pump.
Past style regret: A spiral perm in high school. “I thought it was going to look good. It was horrible. I had to go get it straightened the next week,” she said.
On style in her 30s: “I turned 30. I said, ‘I don’t want to keep dressing like I’m in my 20s.’ I think my style has really evolved now into still trendy, but more comfort. I think now that I’m getting older, I am more conscious of the hem lengths of my skirts and dresses. Now I’m doing the fingertip thing. If the hemline doesn’t at least touch your fingertip, if you bend over, you’re going to be flashing someone.
“I wear a lot of skinny pants and skinny jeans with blazers. I have always been a jackets and blazers girl,” she said. “If you look in my closet, I have more jackets and blazers than anything else. When you can pull out a great jacket or blazer and make a pair of jeans look dressy. It’s the best way to be formal without being formal. It’s the one piece that you can wear and really transform your outfit just that quick.
“And, of course, shoes. We can’t forget the shoes. I love shoes. I used to teeter around in those really tall stilettos. Now I look for comfort — wedges. I’ve got a 9-, 12-hour day today, but I can’t do it in these stilettos.
“I don’t ever want to be that girl that thinks she’s younger and dresses way too young for her age,” Thieu said. “I see that a lot. It just makes you look older.”
Lisa Maas, 47, Royal Oak
Occupation: Owner, Publicity Works, a Royal Oak public relations firm.
Frequently seen in: A short black skirt, jacket and something with a leopard print motif, bangs and red lipstick.
Shops: Neiman Marcus, Linda Dresner, eBay, Barneys New York, lululemon.
Past style regret: Spiral perm circa 1980s, bright pink fingernails.
On style in her 40s: “I’m less focused on trends, and I’m more comfortable with my own look. I really know what works for me, and I know what makes me feel good. I just think of fashion as more of a form of communication and a way to make me feel good as opposed to how other people see me.
“I like European fashion. (Her favorite designers: Azzedine Alaia, Givenchy, Chanel and Dolce Gabbana). I like to have a little edge. It’s not really so sportswear-focused. It’s fashionable without looking like you’re trying to be fashionable. And usually there’s a special piece that stands out. It’s so special, it could be something that’s new or it could be something that’s 10 years old,” Maas said.
“But then I’m also drawn to the basics, like a great sweater, a great jacket. My look starts with a great jacket — a blazer or a leather jacket. My favorite jacket is the motorcycle style. I have it in leopard. I have a red one. I have a black one.
“I’m not a big fan of what I call disposable clothes because I think it’s a waste of money. By the time you buy a lot of things that are low quality, maybe you could have waited until something nice was on sale. I have to be really mindful of my budget. I have to think really carefully about my purchases.
“What I think the purpose of fashion is, is to make people feel good about themselves. It’s not about money or designers. It’s about how you feel and boosting your confidence.”
Linda Budd, 52, Rochester Hills
Occupation: Human resources consultant.
Frequently seen in: Tailored trousers — especially skinny jeans — boots and a blouse.
Shops: Macy’s, T.J. Maxx, Parisian, Lord Taylor, boutiques Up North on vacation, outlets — armed with coupons. “I’m a very good bargain shopper. I have to say, that’s probably my one claim to fame. I’ve got this great safari jacket: It’s Ralph Lauren. It was $199, and I bought it in August at Lord Taylor when it was all on clearance. It was 60% off and then half of that and then I had my 15% off. I got this $199 jacket for $30!”
Past style regret: Loud holiday sweaters. “I used to have a dozen of them. When the kids were younger, you had a Halloween sweater. … Now I wouldn’t be caught dead in them.”
On style in her 50s: “I’ve grown to appreciate black a little more. When I was in my 30s and early 40s, I didn’t own anything black. I would have had bright reds. In the summer, I would have had your lime green T-shirts, your fuchsia T-shirts. And now, a third of my wardrobe is black. It’s a flattering color — even though when I was younger, I didn’t necessarily agree with that. I still have some red, but it’s more of a deeper red, burgundy.
“Black is slimming. I have a lot of black shirts and sweaters and blouses. I think I have probably more solids than patterns nowadays. I have a lot of pins. So rather than overdo a printed blouse or printed sweater, you have a solid item you can dress up with a pretty scarf or a fancy pair of tights. I’ve got some real nice funky pins or vintage pins that I wear,” she said.
“I think a lot of people in general just wear clothes that are too tight. I don’t need to see every roll. I’m not going to run around with a skintight cami or tank top on. I don’t like how that looks. I don’t care if it’s fashionable or not. You can take a piece of fashion and make it work for you. But you don’t have to be a slave to fashion because it’s the style.”
Susan Maas, 68, Bloomfield Hills
Occupation: Retired elementary school teacher, mother of Lisa Maas, researcher for Publicity Works.
Frequently seen in: Tailored trousers, a sweater and a jacket or blazer and Chanel ballet slippers or Chanel boots.
Shops: Neiman Marcus, Saks.
Past style regret: “I think I wore my hair way too short for too many years. I always say when I look at past family pictures, ‘Why didn’t you guys tell me?’ ” she said. “It was over my ears short.”
On style in her 60s: “Sometimes women can try to stay so youthful, they can look silly. What a 20-year-old wears, a 68-year-old doesn’t wear,” Maas said.
“When women get a little older, they don’t need to show as much. Or they should not show as much because it doesn’t look as good. You like to put the accent on what still looks good on you, but not going to an extreme.
“I would never wear hot pants again or I’d never wear my skirts as short as I once did. My clothes are a little looser fitting than they used to be. The slit is not as high in my skirt as it might have been.
“I have a couple Dolce outfits that I like to wear. I have a Chanel suit that’s also another favorite of mine.
“I think that you try to maintain a look when you’re getting older that doesn’t make you look like you’re getting older — that you have accessories that make you stand out, that one good piece of jewelry that you like to wear.
“I grew up when Escada first came out and Valentino and Armani did their first tuxedos. I still have my first tuxedo jacket from Armani.”
For a 50th high school reunion, “I had my leather pants and my fur and suede vest and my belt that fastened on the outside. I felt pretty good about myself. I thought, ‘You know what? You don’t look like you’ve been out of high school 50 years.’ “
Contact Georgea Kovanis: 313-222-6842 or gkovanis@freepress.com
Article source: http://www.freep.com/article/20111030/FEATURES13/110300323/Women-their-30s-40s-50s-60s-tell-how-they-make-fashion-work-them
Filed Under Fashion News
Tags: Ladies Shoes Fashion
