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Creating Your Personal Style After 60

By Margaret Manning January 09, 2014 Beauty

One of the most elaborate myths that the fashion world believes is that women don’t care about style after 60. Admittedly, it’s true that older women put a priority on comfort and quality over trendy looks. However, inside every 60-year-old woman is an individual that wants her clothing to be an expression of her personal values and character.

Style After 60 is Personal

A woman’s look might include bohemian elements from her twenties, classic items that she treasured in her thirties, a little sexy red dress that she wore in her forties, or a unique beaded accessory that she chose in her fifties. Creating our own personal style in our 60s is tricky.

The good news is that, while the mainstream fashion industry seems oblivious to our needs, there are plenty of amazingly creative blogs that have emerged to fill the gap.

These websites are written by women who have a passion for fashion and understand the challenges and opportunities that older women face when choosing clothes. Let’s shop for some ideas together!

Defining Your Personal Fashion Style Starts with Self-Knowledge

When we are young, our fashion choices are strongly influenced by the latest trends, as well as, what our friends are wearing. We feel confident when our clothes represent our community or sub-culture. As we get a little older, we become less interested in what others think of us.

On the one hand, this is empowering. On the other hand, not allowing others to define what is trendy leaves us with a lot of personal decisions to make. So, as we develop our personal style in our 60s, it’s important to start with self-knowledge.

What you wear is a reflection of who you are. As a result, defining your personal style is an opportunity to understand and celebrate who you are as a beautiful, complex woman. Some women are bold, like the Fabulous Fashionistas, a group of 80-year-old women who embrace colorful designs. Their fashion choices reflect their outgoing personalities – but, this is not for everyone.

So, with so many fashion choices available, how do you know which one is right for you? A great to start is with personality quiz like this one.

Or, ask your friends to help by describing you in two words! Then pull your wardrobe together around those two words. My two words are “cultured bohemian” and I tend to wear a lot of black, often with pearls or crystal jewelry. Your two words can become your personal fashion tagline. Remember, the only rules that are important for defining your style in your 60s are the ones that you set.

Where Will Your Personal Fashion Tagline Take You?

Judith Boyd, who I interviewed recently, has the most exquisite vintage style that reflects her eclectic, feminine, spiritual personality, with ethereal clothes and scarves and slinky dresses and amazing hats! She can provide endless inspiration for women who have the words vintage, sensual, or feminine in their self-description.

If you described yourself as chic or fashionable, you might want to take a look at Chic at 50. There, you’ll find classic looks and coordinated outfits.

If funky, colorful, dynamic, eclectic or bohemian were your words – check out Mis Papelicos, where you’ll find outrageously colorful and creative ensembles.

Une Femme D’un Certain Age is a great site if you chose words like stylish and adventurous. She offers style with a French twist.

If you chose words like comfort, style, classic, conservative, you might want to visit Flattering 50.

Whatever your two words, there are lots of websites and blogs to explore. Remember all that matters is how you feel about the image you project. If you are comfortable, you can pull off some amazing looks. Be totally honest in your own skin!

What two words describe your personal style? What do you think is the essence of style after 60? Please write your answers in the comments below.

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The Author

Margaret Manning is the founder of Sixty and Me. She is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. Margaret is passionate about building dynamic and engaged communities that improve lives and change perceptions. Margaret can be contacted at margaret@sixtyandme.com

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