More is Less

I subscribed to the magazine, More for awhile, hoping to find a publication that was really made for older women. It is not for me, however, because the purpose seems to be to convince women over forty that they can be as sexy and appealing as their younger sisters. The covers feature glamorous, thin celebrities, many of whom have had "work done." They look every bit the part of a younger woman--but looking like a younger woman is not really my goal. While I appreciated some of the articles about reconsidering life choices, I came to the conclusion that the magazine was really intended for forty-something women who were still in shock about their age. But what about us in our fifties, sixties, and beyond? Surely botox is not the only thing on our minds.

Age-Specific Insults

Words rooted in the Latin “matron” often show up to describe older women, or to chide younger woman who don’t dress stylishly. “Matronly” counts as a devastating critique on the reality show, “Project Runway.” Recently, I came across the word used as a verb. Style mavens Tracy London and Clinton Kelly advise women not to wear semi-sheer stockings because they can “matronize” an outfit in a hurry.

According to the OED, originally matron described a married woman of mature years. Only later did it pick up the unpleasant attributes of censorious, bossy, frumpy, and broad in the beam. But perhaps this is not surprising, since almost any word associated with age comes with negative baggage. Even to call someone “mature” can be read as an insult. This is why I think it is so important to find positive expressions for being a grown up woman.

Vintage Colors

As we age, should we change the colors that we wear? In her style book for boomers called Forever Cool, Sherrie Mathieson makes the case for rethinking the colors in your closet. She is not interested in the standard "seasonal" color palette that has gained great popularity in some circles. Instead, she argues for unusual combinations that reach beyond the ordinary. Here is some of her advice: avoid the overdone combinations of jewel tones and black, especially red and black; stay out of the way of teal, a color that cries out "1970s!"; and avoid like the plague retirement home or wannabe psychic colors like lavender and light pink.

After we have excised these staples from our wardrobe, what should we put in their place? Mathieson looks for the unexpected: greens, golds, and especially oranges that convey a sense of independence. She also advocates bold color combinations, like combining a green jacket with a bright orange bag.

Have I changed my style after reading this book? Well, lucky for me I already like orange, so I haven't had to add this color. I have no intension of throwing out my red and black combinations, despite her good advice. But I have invested in a few pairs of more colorful shoes.

Fashion versus Clothing

Fashion historians make the distinction between fashion, a constantly changing phenomenon, and clothing, a necessity for protection and propriety. Some have even gone so far as to insist that fashion is a distinctly “Western” phenomenon, since the clothing styles of less industrialized societies does not change much over time. Well, I say: Give me clothes over fashion any day.

I was reminded of this in a New York Times article about an Iranian designer, Simin Ghodstinat, who makes inspiring clothes based on traditional Asian patterns. Her aim is to make beautiful designs that are still modest. Although this is not her overt purpose, in the process she protects Iranian women from prosecution under the state regulated dress codes. Although she calls her line “Tradition,” she alters old lines significantly, changing the cut and the fit, sometimes transforming traditional men’s styles for women. Most of all, she has innovated with fabric, using the bright colors of Indian textiles. The result is timeless, not disposable.