As written for On The Coast – Over 55s
After 55 you’ve probably had plenty of experience with clothes and fashion. You may also have a much clearer sense of what you like, what suits your lifestyle and more importantly what you don’t want to wear anymore.
The joy of personal style isn’t about becoming someone else, dressing to a particular age, or fitting into an idea of what someone over 55 is “supposed” to look like, it’s about discovering what feels right for you.
Understanding your personal style can make getting dressed easier and more enjoyable. Instead of standing in front of your wardrobe wondering what you should wear, you begin to recognise what you want to wear. Dressing becomes less about rules and more about feeling comfortable, confident and at ease in your own skin.
There is no single way to dress after 55. We all have different personalities, cultures, backgrounds, body shapes, lifestyles, interests and life experiences – and that diversity and individuality is something to celebrate. We also have different relationships with clothing. Some people love fashion and enjoy experimenting with new looks and dressing up while others see clothes as primarily practical and prefer relaxed, comfortable and casual pieces.
Style has no rule book and for too long fashion has often been divided into rigid categories of what men, women or particular age groups or genders “should” wear. However, personal style isn’t a “one size fits all” it is a “what fits you” and feels most authentic to your individuality.
At 55 and beyond there is no reason to become less curious about your appearance or image. If anything, knowing yourself better can give you greater freedom to decide what feels authentic and comfortable. By the time we reach our mid-50s and beyond most of us have accumulated decades of experience with clothing. We know which fabrics we enjoy wearing, what feels comfortable, which colours make us feel good and which garments spend most of their time unworn in the wardrobe. We may also have experienced significant changes in our lives — new careers, retirement, travel, relationships, family life, changing bodies, heath issues, different priorities or simply a desire to do things differently. These things can all contribute to where we find our style today. The exciting thing is our style doesn’t have to be defined by these events or changes it can evolve alongside them.
So, where do you begin?
Here are six simple ways to start — or refresh — your personal style identity.
1. Notice the colours that make you feel good.
Notice the colours you naturally reach for. Perhaps you feel wonderful in rich jewel tones, soft neutrals, earthy shades, navy, black and white, or bright pops of colour. Look through your wardrobe and notice the colours you wear most often and the ones that make you feel particularly good. If colour confuses you have a professional personal Colour Analysis to eliminate the confusion and possibly help you embrace colours you may never have thought of or would like to try but never knew if they worked for you.
2. Look for inspiration everywhere.
Explore fashion, art, travel, architecture, different cultures and people with a variety of ages, body types, genders and personal styles. You don’t have to copy an outfit, simply notice what catches your attention and utilise this inspiration to help you discover your own preferences.
3. Identify your style words.
Choose three to five words that describe how you would like your clothes to feel. These might include comfortable, sophisticated, creative, relaxed, colourful, modern, timeless or playful. You may even find you are a combination of a few style categories. For example, maybe your style is classic with a creative edge or relaxed but polished. Let your “style words” guide you without restricting you to just one genre for every occasion.
4. Dress for your real life.
The best wardrobe is one that supports the life you actually live. If comfort matters, make it part of your style. If you love dressing up, don’t save it all for special occasions.
5. Work with what you already have.
Before buying something new “shop” your existing wardrobe with fresh eyes. Try combinations you haven’t worn before and mix formal and casual pieces together to make the most of all your items in your wardrobe. Also try experimenting with colour, different fabric textures and statement accessories. You may discover that your personal style is already there it simply needs a little attention and some creative time put to good use.
6. Give yourself permission to evolve.
Your style isn’t something you have to complete and keep the same forever. In fact, it can (and will) change as you do. You might discover new colours, different silhouettes or completely new ways of dressing as you experience different life stages and you may find that something you once loved no longer feels right. That’s not losing your style, that’s developing and evolving it.
Your style is part of your story, but it doesn’t have to tell the same story at every stage, it can change, surprise you and evolve with every new chapter.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that there is no single definition of what a person over 55 should look like and there is no dress code for being yourself — at any age. We are not one demographic with one wardrobe, we are individuals with different genders, identities, cultures, bodies, abilities, lifestyles, budgets, personalities and experiences and that truly needs to be expressed and celebrated- everyday!
Stylish yours,
Sam & Jordi xx