Seniors get a fashion makeover
There is a perception that people are supposed to outgrow fashion. Youthful look-at-me clothes are supposed to mature into dignified work attire that morphs into can't-be-bothered retirement clothes. There are exceptions, but the over-60 set is generally considered too wise (a euphemism) to enjoy fashion.
Fashion is for the young. Right? Just look at all the magazines. Yet, hardly a week goes by when I don't receive an e-mail from someone in their 60s, 70s, 80s and, yes, 90s who has a fashion question.
The fashion world may be focused on the young, but the reality is that as our population ages, the young aren't the only ones focusing on the fashion world. Hyper-trendy items that change with the season may not appeal to a mature audience that is probably more conscious of spending, but fashion is more than trends. Things that are truly fashionable are always in style.
And some seniors have discovered something invigorating about dressing up — actually, it's not just dressing up but dressing out loud, as in outspoken and occasionally outlandish.
A New York photographer and blogger, Ari Seth Cohen, has a popular street style site called Advanced Style devoted to “stylish and creative older folks.” A book of Cohen's photographs and style advice from his subjects is scheduled for an April release date. His site has become a popular, albeit unexpected, source of inspiration for women of all ages and has been applauded by nearly every major fashion outlet.
An 85-year-old woman, Anne Marie Bullen, was photographed for an April 25 blog post. She's wearing a expertly fitted houndstooth jacket and skirt and a French cuff shirt that has slim stripes. Her navy scarf tied at the neck matches her navy Hermes “Kelly” bag in the crook of her arm. Her silver hair is in soft sculpted curls, her makeup is picture perfect and although everything she's wearing is inherently formal, her demeanor makes it look surprisingly relaxed. You get the distinct impression from her appearance that she looks like this every day, rain or shine, Saturday morning or Tuesday midday. She confirms this in a short interview for Cohen.“I wear simple, formal clothes. I never wear pants. I don't dress up to impress anyone. I just feel better,” Bullen said. “I don't want to stand out; I just want to dress better than anyone else.”And there you have it. That last statement is marvelous because it's clear that Bullen doesn't care if you agree. For many, it's hard to imagine feeling that you can look your best at 85 years old. So it's refreshing to see someone doing just that. Other women photographed on the site do this by wearing caftans, turbans, harem pants and anything else that suits their fancy.Unlike the look-at-me clothes of youth, there's a certain optimism and carefree exuberance about the women on Cohen's blog. I mean really, who could stay in a bad mood while wearing a sequin turban? And with recent studies suggesting that optimists live longer and healthier lives, who wouldn't want to add a little fun to their wardrobe.
