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Older people often say they feel invisible to the world around them. Let me assure you that this is not the case in the world of fashion!
© Danielle Robertson Consulting Pty Ltd t/as DR Care Solutions
A new look for the new year
A new year ushers in the possibility of a new look.
It may be news to you that the fashion of stylish elders is far from invisible to the younger generations with many adopting the vogue of “coastal grandma” and “fancy grandma”. In 2024, the trend is “eclectic grandpa”[1], so listen up!
The sartorial savvy of senior women
The visibility of fashionable older people gained traction around 2008 through the work of the American photographer, filmmaker and fashion writer, Ari Seth Cohen[2].
To cope with the loss of a much-loved grandmother, Cohen started photographing fashionable people over 60 years of age on the streets of New York.
This led to creating a blog which then expanded into his Advanced Style project devoted “to capturing the sartorial savvy of the senior set.”[3] A full-length documentary, three books, and speaking engagements around the world followed.
You must know Iris
The groundswell of interest in stylish senior citizens rose to a new level when Iris Apfel[4], at 97 years of age, signed a modelling contract with a global agency in 2019 after previously releasing a book in 2016 and a documentary in 2014.
Worldwide there are now stylish senior influencers[5] with their own Instagram sites giving tips to their thousands, in some cases millions, of followers on dressing and releasing your inner style as an older woman. What fun!
Take inspiration and display your style in 2024
With the dawning of the new year, why not display our own sense of style in 2024 and, as many of those influencers will attest, build our self-confidence and mental health. Go ahead and enjoy your self-expression!
Make a start with these six tips
To help you on your way, I’ve extracted six tips from those influencers for your new year approach:
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You can change your style at any age. Follow the lead of influencer, Linda Rae Smith[6], who moved from the “coastal grandma” look of wearing a lot of beige and white to wearing colour and “feeling more alive” as a result.
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Go for loose-fitting clothes and flowing cuts. Wide-leg pants and lightweight dresses made from breathable fabrics like cotton and linen offer comfort and timeless elegance.
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Comfort is important so seek out those soft, natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Remember, tight and uncomfortable clothing can have the negative impact of physical discomfort and weight concerns so avoid those styles.
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Dress to your own style and ignore the fashion trends and external influences. As Cohen points out in a Vogue interview: “The most stylish older people don’t follow rules, and that’s part of the reason why they’re enduring style icons.”[7]
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Showcase your unique personal style, and like the influencers, refine it. Observe how they use accessories and embrace their eccentricities with the layering of beads, colourful statement sunglasses and reading glasses, and stylish headwear.
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A bright lipstick can brighten your day, and just in case you need a refresher, watch Judith Boyd[8] give three-minute make-up class.
Next week we’ll move on to fashion tips from the experts for the senior men in our lives.
Need help caring for a loved one? Please feel free to call me, Danielle Robertson, at any time for an initial discussion on how to set up the right care, support and assistance at the right time and in the right place.
Resources
[1] Pinterest: Electric Grandpa
[2] Wikipedia: Ari Seth Cohen
[3] Ari Seth Cohen's
> Website: Advanced Style
> TikTok: Advanced Style Official
[4] Wikipedia: Iris Apfel
[5]
Mature women over 50:
> Lyn Slater - @iconaccidental
> Grece Ghanem - @greceghanem
> Linda Rodin - @lindaandwinks
> Sophie Fontanel - @sophiefontanel
> Judith Boyd - @stylecrone
Stylish women over 90:
> Helen Ruth Elam - @baddiewinkle
> Iris Apfel - Instagram: @iris.apfel; TikTok: Iris Apfel
[6] Ari Seth Cohen: Embracing Colour
[7] Vogue: Don't Call Them Grandmas! The Enduring Appeal of the Senior Fashion Icon
[8] Ari Seth Cohen: Three Minute Make Up Challenge With 78-Year-Old Judith Boyd
