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Jean Harrison, 61

WHY SHOULD YOUR STYLE HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE? Dressing for your age? Don’t go cutting your hair short and dashing down to Marks & Spencers for a whole new wardrobe just yet.

According to a recent survey released by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, roughly around 57% of women in the UK, aged 50 and over, claimed they lost confidence in the way they dressed by the age of 42. Reason being; they found it difficult to dress age appropriate. What defines age appropriate style? Since when did it become normal to dismiss ourselves from the things we love and enjoy because of our age?

In the 1960’s the fashion industry began to use much younger models to promote the latest trends in fashion and beauty. Twiggy took her 60’s supermodel title at the young age of 16, retiring from modeling just five years later. As of today the fashion industry continues to use very youthful models and only for a short period of time; Disposable models.

Are the standards set by the fashion industry, regarding age and appearance, influencing older people in how they look? The average age of a Vogue reader is 33, the average age of a model featured in Vogue is 20.

Are these younger models influencing the older readers in a good way or a bad way? The main reason

older women feel dismissive of fashion is because of the high expectations the fashion industry have for us to look youthful. 66-year old stylist and model Linda Rodin tells Vogue, “I don’t think 66 is old; it’s just that - in our culture - 26 is old”.

Although the majority of today’s models are very young, we are starting to see mature modeling brought to life. The fashion industry has began to address issues regarding age and ageism, some notable brands are choosing to feature more older models in campaigns and advertisements. Jacky O’Shaughnessy, 62 and Linda Rodin, 66 have managed to tastefully make a statement in fashion this year. Although there’s no denying that these older models stand out from the norm. It’s refreshing to see older women associating themselves with fashion, rather than rejecting it.

We like to see the older generation dressing on trend and taking risks, pushing the limits. That’s not to say we want to see 80-year olds wearing plunging necklines and hotpants. Embracing your own style as you get older is one of the key

things that will keep you looking and feeling youthful. After speaking with the 61-year old fashion fanatic and successful business woman Jean Harrison, she shares some of her thoughts about the term ‘age appropriate fashion’.

“It’s natural for our bodies to change as we get older, this scares some people and makes them question the way they dress. Many women come to a point when they feel it is no longer acceptable to follow fashion trends. This is not the case. Choose wisely, where what suits you, feel comfortable in what you wear and how you look.”

Older people who act on fashion make a statement. There is no such thing as ‘age appropriate style’. There are no rules in the fashion industry, boundaries are forever being pushed and by who? Karl Lagerfeld, 81. Ralph Lauren, 75. Vivienne Westwood, 73. Jean Paul Gaultier, 62. These are people who have been shaping fashion for decades.

The greatest thing about fashion is that it is constantly changing and moving forward, but sometimes you have to look back before you can move forward again. “Ageing is just another word for living”, says 63-year old Dolce and Gabanna model Cindy Joseph. Your style should only ripen with age, not disintegrate.

Award yourself with style that has a long lifespan.

Jean Harrison, 61

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