Adapting your wardrobe to your age: six tips from stylists

“As we get older, our style and fashion preferences can naturally change,” says Vivienne Dessurmont, stylist and founder of Maison Vivienne. “Updating your wardrobe will allow you to align your clothing choices with your current lifestyle, interests and personality, increasing your overall confidence.” And not only that. According to Dessurmont, the body changes with age, which means that some styles don’t suit you as well as they once did. “Updating your wardrobe will give you the opportunity to invest in well-cut and flattering pieces that will not only highlight your best features and hide your flaws, but also provide comfort throughout the day.” In this review, we learn from stylists how to adapt your clothes to your age.

Preference for high-quality materials

Stylists agree that some fabrics become less comfortable and fit better with age. “Natural materials with 2-5% stretch are our friends,” says Carol Davidson, a New York-based image and style coach. “Not only are they kind to the skin, but their slight stretch allows for better conformation and freedom of movement.” Coveted fabrics include cotton, linen, silk, and bamboo, all of which drape beautifully.

Versatility is a priority

As you age, it’s a good idea to learn how to mix and match the pieces you have at your disposal. And don’t forget about the “capsule” when you’re shopping. According to Desurmont, classic pieces like tailored blazers and trousers, as well as A-line skirts, can be combined for a variety of occasions. “Also, invest in ‘business’ colours like blue, grey and beige as they will give you ‘flexibility’ when creating your looks,” she adds.

A little bit of skin can’t hurt

As we age, it seems that the world needs to show less skin than before. So some people begin to wage a merciless war against miniskirts, plunging necklines, sleeveless items, etc., “fishing” them out of the closet and parting with them without any regret. But according to Carol Davidson, wrapping yourself in clothes from head to toe is a big mistake. “The eye is usually looking for a balance between the amount of clothing and the skin you’re showing,” she says. “Think V-necks instead of plunging necklines, cropped trousers instead of long ones, elbow or three-quarter sleeves instead of long ones, sandals instead of closed shoes. There’s nothing special about it, but a little skin can make the look more harmonious.”

Colourful Mood

“Add more colour and accessories to your wardrobe with statement jewellery, fun scarves or shawls and bright bags,” suggests Janelle Blair, fashion expert, stylist and creator of the Clicker Style app. “They’ll help you freshen up your looks and show off your taste.”

According to Davidson, some colors can add age and don’t go well with your skin tone, so she insists on medium-intensity shades. “Very dark and muted colors, like black, may not make you look stylish. As we age, we lose some pigmentation, like in our hair, so adding “soft” shades will help you look well-rested and energized.”

Focus on clean shapes and structured silhouettes

Stylists are confident that the current trends of oversized suits or puffy dresses in a “peasant” style can weigh down the looks of middle-aged and older women. They consider the main rule to be an emphasis on structured models. And as an added bonus, they never go out of style. “They create a neat, intelligent look,” says Desurmont. “Tailored blouses, dresses with an emphasized waist and jackets with clear lines will add elegance and impeccability to the wardrobe. They will also provide a good “fit” to the figure and thus “stretch” the whole image.”

Choosing well-fitting underwear

Don’t forget about the power of well-chosen underwear. The way a blouse, dress or sweater will fit will depend on the bra that forms a beautiful line of the chest. “Moreover, the wrong bra size will add age and make the figure as a whole unpresentable,” notes Davidson, recommending to always try on underwear before buying. “This is the easiest way to feel younger and radiate confidence.”