FashionComeLately: "Mutton Dressed As Lamb" and Other Advice in Style

I recently read a piece about "age appropriate" dressing. That issue is the main reason I started this blog for women "of a certain age" -- for us, no matter what our ages are, that we dress with elegance and taste, yet express our individualism and flair.

As I've said before, there are a few guidelines for dressing:
1. You cannot wear a trend that you wore when you were younger. Yes, you probably wore tie-dyed shirts, mini skirts, cutoff short shorts, halter tops without a bra, and crop tops but you should not now.

2. You should never wear a young person's trend now. There's an English phrase that states this well: "Mutton dressed as Lamb." a way of describing an older woman who is dressed in a style that is more suitable for a younger woman.

3. You have to wear a hem length befitting your maturity. (Almost the same as #2 above) Yes, there are women "of a certain age" who wear mini skirts and short, short dresses but they are usually celebrities and we know that they need to appear young and trendy to stay relevant. It doesn't matter if you do have great looking legs, respect yourself by dressing appropriately. (And just a note: elbows and knees don't age well).

4. Look at yourself in the mirror from behind. From your hairstyle to your shoes' heels, look at the impression you leave behind. Sometimes that's the last someone will see of you as you walk away -- make it grand, not shabby or sloppy.

This morning I saw a television interview of the beautiful French actress, Catherine Deneuve who is in her 70s. She was a sexy young actress and now at her age, she is known as the most beautiful woman in the world. She is an icon to consider when you dress...and she's French!

Or Diane Sawyer

Or Helen Mirren

Or Roma Downey

Or Sally Field

I like to think of several of these elegant women and how would they wear what I am trying on. They are not arbiters of fashion but they help me to decide if I can, indeed, wear something with style and grace.

I'm not interested in looking like Madonna, Cher, Melanie Griffith or other women who are trying to compete with younger women. I like my life and where I am in it. I hope you feel the same way.

Plus, I never want to embarrass those family and friends who I love and want to have their respect and admiration.

I do observe the guidelines (okay, rules) of dressing age appropriately and encourage you to do so as well.
That doesn't mean you can't have fun with clothing and accessories. It does mean to be the best you can be with respect for yourself and others.