Classic styles for older women

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33253, 16 June 1973, Page 6

Classic styles for older women

(By

NORMAN HARTNELL)

LONDON. So you think that your days as a follower of fashion are over; that many of the clothes designed nowadays seem to eater exclusively for the very young or the very rich? In fact, there are many styles now available in the shops which are designed to cater for a far wider range of wearers than clothes did previously. If you are a grandmother you do not by any means

want to try to dress like a young mum with toddlers tugging at her hem. As your personality mellows with the coming of greater age and more experience, so should your clothes. With a dittle thought, the senior citizen can look as

attractive and spruce at 1 retirement age as she did when she faced her interviewers for her very first job. Or probably even more attractive, with the advantages of experience, poise which comes with maturity, and with a choice of beauty aids not available; a couple of decades ago. In days when there was less money around to spend, on clothes, a young woman soon learnt to be fashion-1 wise and penny-wise. Clotheswere bought to last, and to see the working girl or the young housewife through a wide variety of occasions. Classic styles were the i favourite, because they were, the ones which would see a girl through most eventualities. Today’s trend seems to be veering away from flamboyant styles towards: the classic shapes once again, I which is good news for the) older woman getting along' on a pension or small; income. MIX AND MATCH If you have a figure problem or find it a little, difficult to get hold of inexpensive suitable clothes,; 1 always think that a series of mix-and-match trousers; and tops goes a long way I towards filling up a sensible | woman’s wardrobe space. There are some very nice trouser outfits available to be bought as a complete suit, and they are formal and smart enough to be worn to the most conventional of events. Or for those who prefer! something less formal, why

not get a couple of gay, flowered or multi-coloured patterned tops to wear over a pair of tailored plain' slacks. There is simply no such thing as being “past the age for wearing trousers” these days. An extremely sensible fashion, they keep legs warm ■during the winter — and on (summer days when brisk sea ;breezes blow. SLACKS i Slacks are available in a ■ wide variety of fabrics.] Jersey is always very easy: Ito look after and to wear,, land the heavier fabrics such! las wool'and flannel need a I bit more care and attention/ , I would advise thinking twice if you feel you would like something as difficult to look after as a white or pastel coloured woollen material. Most fashions now seem to be tuned to an easy-care, ■ drip-dry programme—which leaves us all with a lot more itime to spend on leisure activities. After all. no one I wants to spend hours washing and ironing, or a mint of money on dry-cleaning bills. And if you still, after all these years, cannot quite bring yourself to get into trousers you can collect compliments with a perfectly adabtable series of skirt and top outfits. Both minis and calf-length midis have gone into decline, and it is knee-; length skirts which are at the forefront of fashion this year. Chosen with care, your: skirt and top will make you look as young and attractiveas you feel. Classic, simple separates are so easy to dress up with accessories, and the ability to wear jewellery with elegance and is a

fashion advantage which comes with age. Complete your outfit with a good belt, a nice pair of shoes, and the type df jewel- , lery which best suits the ensemble—which could be anything from the family heirloom cameo, to chunky, gilt, costume pieces or plastic beads and bangles from the nearest chain store. One of the most important things to bear in mind is that however smart your clothes, you are not going to be able to make the best of ithem unless you also look [after your hair, figure, and' [skin. By watching your diet and keeping your figure trim, you will look younger and | have a wider range of good; clothes to choose from.