Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Why can't a woman dress like a man?









So how can I dress in l'age without succumbing to fashion trends, spending needlessly, resorting to the cliche 'sexiness at any age' nonsense, or looking like a victim from another decade? How can I assemble timeless ensembles that are tweaked rather than overhauled every year or so? How can I manage this without looking eccentric like Madame below. I mean it's fine for her, but for me, darling ....








As these rare streetstyle photos of women in l'age illustrate, it's not about a suit and tie. It's about style & chic, with a strong dose of practicality.





I've long been frustrated by this dilemma (well, since turning 40)and it is challenging to find role models. Idiosyncratic style is just that, works for them not me (and more power to them), and so I go to the reliable sources for non-celebrity style, streetstyle blogs for inspiration and solutions. So few to be found of women in l'age - although Advanced Style is doing admirable work for the over 60 crowd (which dips down occasionally to include the lovely Jenny featured above in the fur-collared coat - gorgeous at 57).

Men in l'age, on the other hand, are well documented. Scott Schuman makes no bones about searching for role models to help define and refine his own style as he moves through l'age moyen. And he finds many fine examples. Women in l'age, not so much.

When I review his photos of men, many and perhaps most have little to do with fashion trends: They wear the tried and true, a great cut that fits their physique, reflects individual style, are fully functional, and most importantly helps to communicate something of their personalities.

Of all the women photographed on his site, I found only a very few who matched this criteria and I've shown them above.

Now there's nothing wrong with looking like this



or this



Yes, they are quite lovely, but these are expensive clothes, and not so practical - at least not for my life. I suppose if you are editor for Italian Vogue you need to dress the part. I forgive Carla. But a woman in l'age of modest means finds few photos for inspiration - plenty of women in their '20s looking chic on the cheap.

More to the point, I have no desire or need to buy from a certain store or sport a designer label to feel 'right' in my clothes. That's over and I'm very happy for that. Nor do I want to be fully dictated by traditional views of what is 'age appropriate'. But I detest the thought of trying to look 35 forever. Oh my.

And that, my friends, is the daily challenge and motivation.

Whom do you admire? What are you after and have you nailed it? Photos could be fun....

Advanced Style (fur collar)
The Sartorialist (all other photos)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Buenos Aires in my dreams

It may be -20c here but somewhere in Buenos Aires women in l'age are dancing the tango.


Love the leggings with the shoes.


A hit of red or two. And the smile - who wouldn't smile in the arms of that Leonard Cohen lookalike?


An evening dress in daytime.


It has long been my ambition to learn the tango and find a sunny plaza where a small band plays, sangria is served, and where I will dance away a Sunday afternoon. Can this happen in a northern clime? I have hope, but it's slim.

These evocative photos taken by the fabulous Mrs. V. (a photographer and so much more, see her blog here), capture a time and place where women in l'age scintillate with eclecticism, exude passion and capture the imagination of their stylish partners.

Sure, there's yoga, pilates, and bootcamp of all sorts - I'll take the tango.