1. style and fashion

Fashion
for
grownups
choose clothes
that are chic
and spot-on at
e very stage of
your life
We’re not suggesting there are hardand-fast rules about
what you can and
can’t wear at any
given age (got great
legs? Flaunt them
forever). We are saying that just as your
life evolves over the
decades, so should
your fashion choices.
Want to look fabulous at 30, 40, 50 and
60? Here’s how.
stylist: ingrid ammann. celebrities: washington: jim smeal/beimages. paltrow: jon kopaloff/­
filmmagic. roitfeld: marc piasecki/wireimage. keaton: stephen lovekin/getty images
Dressing dos
by decade
1
whimsy in your
30s Mix prints, play with
proportion, give texture
a try. J.Crew wool top,
$298; jcrew.com.
What to wear in your...
30s
1
2
40s
style icon
Gwyneth Paltrow
style icon
Kerry Washington
60s
2
flexibility in your
40s Say yes to classic
styles; punctuate with
brights. Lauren Ralph
50s
3
Lauren wool crepe blazer,
$270; bloomingdales.com,
and cotton top, $30; macys
.com. Echo polyester wrap,
$48; echo​design.com.
3
sexiness in your
50s Try animal prints,
show skin, add some
shine. DKNY canvas
style icon
style icon
Diane Keaton
Carine Roitfeld
blend skirt, $545; lord​
andtaylor.com.
4
classicism in your
60s Invest in quality—
and highlight your best
feature. CH Carolina
4
Herrera cotton shirtdress,
$660; 212-744-2076.
photographed by Gisel Florez
march 2013
| more.com
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What to wear
in your 30s
30s
1
1 embrace novelt y This
romper (an all-in-one with
shorts) is totally frivolous and
deeply inappropriate for any
work-related event. But
perched on a barstool, with
strappy heels? Go for it. ra-
iN YOUR
chel rachel roy polyester
romper, $119; macys.com. prabal gurung for target
crystal necklace, $20; target.com.
2
this is the time to
­e xperiment. SHORT,
SHEER, SKINTIGHT—
FOR YOU, NOTHING iS
OUT OF BOUNDS
ke r ry was h i ngton
actress
2 be intrepid about trends
Printed jeans are hot this season, so go ahead and have a
fling. For maximum impact, pair
with a top in a wild pop of
color. Panty-line alert: The leg
is super slim, and the fabric is
weightless. michael mi-
3
3 5 play with accessories
At this life stage, more is more.
Layer on some glittery gold
(3) and add sky-high heels in
groovy crochet (5)—the point
is to have fun with fashion
rather than invest for the long
haul. Buy the things you love
right now, wear them into the
ground and then move on
to something else next season.
simply vera vera wang
metal necklace, $80; kohls.com.
vC signature crochet sandals,
$295; vincecamuto.com.
6
5
YES NO
Maybe
Never
4
yeS > Exaggerated shapes
NO > Matching accessories
MAYBE > Vintage sunglasses
NEVER > Fear
Fashion
flashback
38
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4 6 try boyish shapes Aah,
to be young, lithe and leggy.
The shorter length and boxy
shape of this shirtdress (4) are
perfect for you now on casual
Fridays. Then you can wear it
even more casually into your
forties and beyond, perhaps as
a beach cover-up. The cropped,
collarless, zip-front jacket (6)
puts an amusing spin on a traditional blazer, while the shell
makes a startling pattern play
that’s just on the right side of
wacky. canvas lands’ end
cotton shirtdress, $88; 877-8771963. boss orange cotton blend
jacket, $395; hugoboss.com. joe
fresh cotton blend top, $16;
joefresh.com for stores.
How 30-year-olds
dressed in the 1950s
How 30-yearolds dress now
Long on prim, short on individuality, this was not a time
of self-expression in fashion
(or anywhere else). Dresses
were the norm, and they
were generally fitted, belted
and full skirted.
Today’s 30-year-olds let
their moods dictate their
choices, and the only
rules are that there are no
rules. (Left: Lauren Santo
Domingo, founder of luxe
e-retailer Moda Operandi.)
PhotoS: washington: elizabeth goodenough/everett collection. bottom, from left: condé nast archive/corbis, amy sussman/getty images
chael kors cotton pants, $125;
bloomingdales.com.
She loves bold,
dramatic prints.
What to wear
in your 30s
7 swap out your leather
The carpetbag design is
slightly structured and somewhat serious but made less
stuffy by this multihued stripe.
7
this is the right
age to try . . .
rafe straw purse, $295;
bloomingdales.com.
a trendy nail polish.
Yves Saint Laurent nail
lacquer in Jade Impérial,
$25; yslbeautyus.com.
8 add unexpected color
Pencil skirts are awfully flattering, but avoid anything vaguely
corporate (or aging) by choosing a sunny cabana stripe. tal-
8
bots cotton and linen skirt, $99;
talbots.com.
10
9 13 mix textures Unlimited
color and pattern? It’s now or
never, and textural accessories
create yet another dimension
of interest. The platforms
(9) have a slightly Asian appeal
(another strong theme this
spring), while the pebbled bag
(13) is a striking emerald, declared the 2013 color of the
year by Pantone, the global
authority on color trends.
9
14
via spiga leather wedges, $250;
nordstrom.com. rebecca
minkoff stingray purse, $250;
rebeccaminkoff.com.
13
10 14 dare to bare Let us be
clear: Your skin is young, lovely
and elastic, so show it off in a
big way. The pattern on this
dress (10) draws the eye to a
trim waist, and the neon yellow
stripes give it some exuberance.
The sheer shell (14) can be worn
under a jacket or, if you’re feeling
fun and very fabulous, on its own
with a black bra underneath.
bcbgmaxazria silk blend dress,
$268; bcbg​​.com. Tt collection silk top, $234; ttcollection​
.com. sequin cord and metal
11
necklace, $68; sequin-nyc.com.
grass tote, $95; tommybahama
.com. coach leather slingbacks,
$228; coach.com.
30s shape saver
Snug and skimpy call for a bodysuit
with a plunging neckline.
Cosabella bamboo-fiber teddy,
$73; cosabella.com.
40
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Guide
Anthropologie, Loft
Great
for ikat prints, bright knits, colored
denim and scarves of every ilk.
Asos, Calypso
Asos, a
British-based brand, has chic,
super-trendy city clothes and
accessories. Calypso is all about
island brights. Asos.com, calypso​
stbarth.com.
Who to
bookmark
reluctant to drop two months’
salary on a special occasion?
Borrow something trendy
instead at renttherunway.com.
photos: nail polish: bryan mccay. shape saver: courtesy of cosabella
12
11 12 weave in some woven
The bag (11) and sandal (12)
make the most of this season’s
love affair with all things ethnic. You should give it a whirl.
You should give everything a
whirl. tommy bahama sea-
What to wear
in your 40s
40s
iN YOUR
1
2
You’re swamped by the
great work-family
wave . clothes that
are stylish and
­p ractical can help
1 3 vote for versatility
Nothing beats the ease of a
knit dress (1), and the longer
length here won’t provide a
peep show when you’re in and
out of a car all day or chasing
after your kids. The genius of
this machine-washable blouse
(3) is in the styling: The faux
wrap is actually stitched in
place, so it will stay put all
day long. The pretty cuff detail is a bonus. rachel ra-
chel roy rayon blend dress,
$79; macys.com. coldwater
creek metal and resin neck-
3
gwyneth paltrow
actress
lace, $70; coldwatercreek​​
.com. anne klein polyester
blouse, $99; anneklein.com.
2 6 accent with color
Harried and overscheduled? A
bright hue can wake up your
mood as well as your wardrobe. The classic styling of a
satchel (6) looks modern in
this neon (it’s available in neutral colors as well), and though
the price makes it a splurge,
we feel you’ll have this bag for
life. Pairing two cuffs (2) adds
oomph in an instant (we know
that’s all you have time for).
She’s made a uniform of skinny
jeans and classic blazers.
6
lands’ end metal bangles, $34
each; landsend.com. kate moss
for longchamp leather
satchel, $1,215; longchamp​​.com.
4 keep shoes casual Oversize gingham in red and white
would look campy (and show
every scuff), but in navy it’s a
chic option. kate spade new
5 break up with old jeans
’Tis the season for white
denim, and the tux stripe is the
right trend for you to try. These
jeans are made with lots of
stretch and a patented hiddentummy-control construction—
you can thank us later. Word to
the wise: Buy a size smaller to
get the fit just right. nydj cot-
5
ton blend jeans, $130; nydj.com.
4
Who to load
into your GPS
A good Tailor This is the decade to start building a wardrobe
you’ll keep for years. Perfect
fit can fix weight fluctuation
and upgrade the inexpensive.
42
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Madewell, Lands’ End Canvas
Perfect, priced-right daytime separates. Look for summer plaids, jeans
and canvas wedges. Madewell
.com, canvas.landsend.com.
J. M c laughlin
Known for
classic prints and stripes, this brand
offers wrap dresses, cardigans,
chinos and more.
40s shape saver
Wear the whisper-thin Power
Panty under all. Vanity
Fair nylon blend briefs, $10;
barenecessities.com.
Photos: paltrow: jon kopaloff/filmmagic. shape saver: courtesy of vanity fair
york gingham wedges, $258;
katespade.com.
7 Put a twist on a classic
The peacoat is back. In this
flashy version, the dark lower
third works its color-blocking
magic by hiding a tummy bulge
or wider hips, if that’s of any interest. Wear this over something narrow, such as pants or
a pencil skirt. ch carolina
7
8
this is the right
age to try . . .
lash enhancers.
Dior Diorshow Iconic
Overcurl mascara,
$29; dior.com.
herrera cotton jacket, $645;
212-744-2076.
8 9 be a stripe tease Don’t
fear horizontal lines. The dress
(8) is roomy enough that it won’t
cling (though if you’re short, skip
it), while the slightly A-line skirt
(9) is flattering to all. Pair it with a
T-shirt and thongs for day; dress
it up with a white blouse and
kitten heels. twenty tees
9
rayon blend dress, $158; twenty​
tees.com. target plastic
sunglasses, $17; target.com.
anne klein polyester skirt,
$129; anneklein.com.
10 Don’t be dull When a top
designer (Milly) collaborates
with a cult favorite (Sperry),
here’s what happens: style
and comfort in one chic package. milly for sperry
top-sider canvas espadrilles,
$100; milly​ny.com.
photos: mascara: bryan mccay. bottom, from left: © condé nast archive, charles eshelman/filmmagic
11 update your basics You’ve
YES NO
Maybe
Never
13
worn chinos in black and khaki
for years, so now opt for a youthful pop of something bright in a
slightly-roomier-but-still-narrow
leg. The cotton blend is practical:
shrink and wrinkle free. l.l.bean
signature cotton blend pants,
$79; llbeansignature.com.
12 invest in a good bag The
bucket will hold every little
thing and then some. The navy
hue is a lively alternative to
black that will hide all those
random smudges. coach
yeS > Bare legs
NO > Cutoff shorts
MAYBE > Jumpsuits
NEVER > College sweatshirt
12
10
leather purse, $398; coach.com.
13 find elongating toppers
This one is grab-and-go chic.
11
black label by chico’s
rayon blend cardigan, $119;
chicos.com.
Fashion
flashback
How 40-year-olds
dressed in the 1950s
Women adhered to strict
rules, which included lots
of fitted, tailored suiting.
(Comfort was not a concern.) Hats? Expected of
a lady. Gloves? De rigueur.
How 40-yearolds dress now
Forty-somethings want
style and comfort that go
from day to night. Gloves?
Only if they’re fun—or
it’s freezing. (Left: J.Crew
president Jenna Lyons.)
What to wear
in your 50s
50s
2
1
iN YOUR
minkoff leather and pavé cuff,
$128; bloomingdales.com.
2 don’t overlook leather
Everyone, and we mean everyone, should invest in a shapely,
chic leather jacket. This color
flatters skin tone, and the open
neckline shows it off. donna
your kids aren’t little
anymore. time to sex it
up, make investments
and add some edge
karan new york leather jacket,
$3,495; dkny.com for stores.
3 go for the gold After a few
seasons of square heels and
rounded toes, designers are
shifting back to pointy. Wear
gold now and with all your
whites and tans this summer.
carine roitfeld
french editor and
global style consultant
Her look? Sleek skirts, silk
button-downs, animal prints.
kate spade new york patent
leather flats, $258; katespade.com.
7
3
5
5 skimp on the sly Paired
with the right clothes (anything
on these pages), this clutch will
look like real leather even
though it’s faux. We won’t tell.
liz claiborne faux-leather
clutch, $20; jcp.com.
4
yeS > Side-slit skirts
NO > Ripped jeans
MAYBE > Strapless
NEVER > Leggings as pants
more.com | march 2013
7 don’t forget the drama If
you’re still experimenting with
novelty sunglasses (cat-eye,
etc.), stop it. We declare the
hexagon shape super chic, and
we love the decidedly retro vibe.
warby parker acetate sunglasses, $95; warbyparker.com.
How 50-year-olds
dressed in the 1950s
How 50-yearolds dress now
At that age, women were
officially deemed old and
were therefore expected to
keep their bodies shrouded.
On them, bright colors were
considered garish; loose
hair was out of the question.
Buh-bye, dark and drab;
there’s a new attitude in
town. Today’s fifty-­
something is power dressing in bright colors with,
yes, a slightly sexy vibe.
(Left: designer Lisa Perry.)
photos: roitfeld: marc piasecki/wireimage. bottom, from left: superstock/corbis, neil rasmus/bfanyc.com
YES NO
Maybe
Never
44
4 6 spend on core items
Now is the time to buy wellmade, highly designed pieces
that can be worn a multitude of
ways. Cases in point: this
dress (4) and blouse (6). Both
are ruched at the midsection;
both are in colors and luxe
fabrics you won’t tire of.
helmut silk blend dress, $345;
­bloomingdales​.com. donna
karan new york silk blouse,
$895; dkny.com for stores.
6
Fashion
flashback
1 step away from dainty
Only a style-savvy, self-assured
woman could make a rocker
bracelet like this look posh, not
punk. Yes, you. rebecca
8 throw caution to the wind
From the department of “You
only live once”: Pair these with
a black knit top for day; add
heels for nighttime glamour.
The only thing missing is the
cocktail. chico’s cotton blend
this is the right
age to try . . .
a skin illuminizer.
Laura Mercier Bonne Mine
Healthy Glow palette,
$48; sephora.com.
jeans, $99; chicos.com.
9 acquire some iconic bags
The shape isn’t new, but the
materials of this version (rubber
and leather) make it unique.
10
furla PVC and leather purse,
$428; furla.com.
10 14 use fit and flare wisely
A good dress is hard to find,
so look right here (10). It’s
deceptively structured­—­
seemingly simple but actually
engineered to lend control in
all the right places. The peplum top (14), so popular last
season, is trendy again, and
for good reason: It’s sleekly
feminine and tummy concealing. zspoke zac posen jersey
8
9
dress, $490; neimanmarcus.com.
14
eileen fisher silk georgette
top, $158; eileenfisher.com.
c. wonder stone and gold-plated
necklace, $98; cwonder.com.
11 replace your tote Yours
may last forever, but it looks its
age. We suggest this one:
beautifully designed, perfectly
sized, deliciously soft. Come
on, it’s time to treat yourself.
furla for saks fifth avenue leather shopper, $745; saks​
fifthavenue.com.
12 resist staid pumps You
own all the classic shoes you
need. Add an edgy surprise.
vince camuto leather and
­l acquered-cork sandals, $118;
vince​camuto.com.
11
Photos: skin illuminizer: bryan mccay. shape saver: courtesy of spanx
13 ditch your trench Instead
of the same old, same old,
choose something singular
and, dare we say, artistic. This
oversize duster will look great
over everything from sheaths to
jeans. tracy reese linen coat,
12
$448; amazon.com.
50s shape saver
Laws of physics, meet the
breast-boosting bra.
Spanx custom-fit foam
balconette, $68; spanx.com.
13
Who to have
on speed dial
A personal shopper Develop
a relationship with someone who
knows the designers and styles
that work for you. Bonus: They’ll
also give you early sale alerts.
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Banana Republic, Ann Taylor
Sleek suiting and mix-and-match
separates in wear-with-all neutrals
and on-trend brights.
The Corner
Edgy and a bit
expensive, but the designer pieces
will be in your closet (and on your
back) for years. Thecorner.com.
What to wear
in your 60s
1
60s
1 enjoy soft fabrics The
narrow folds of this skirt create
a textural look and keep bulk at
bay (you say pleats aren’t for
you? Then follow your instinct).
Choose a blouse to keep top
and bottom similarly voluminous; a formfitting upper will
make you look bottom heavy.
2
iN YOUR
coldwater creek polyester
blend skirt, $100; coldwater​
creek.com.
you know who you
are—and which body
parts are holding
up. flatter the best,
camouflage the rest
2 embrace the ease of pants
The palazzo style is plenty
comfortable, and this striped
take is more polished than, say,
a floral print. Worn with flats,
it’s a smart evening look (and
forgiving enough that you can
eat your dessert and his, too).
d iane keaton
actress
coldwater creek polyester
blend trousers, $80; ­coldwater​
creek.com.
A colorful character, she lives
her life in black and white.
3 substitute a sweater This
cardigan, an homage to Chanel, looks just as rich as the famous tweed jacket but can be
had at a fraction of the cost.
The lack of a lining will keep
you cool and leave you feeling
less constricted. Load up the
pearls and make Coco proud.
ann taylor cotton jacket, $98;
anntaylor.com. r.j. graziano
3
glass-bead necklaces, $55 to $75
each; rjgraziano.com for stores.
4 free your feet Let the
young ones flop around in
rubber thongs; you’ve earned
something snazzier (love the
feminine details). simply vera
5
vera wang synthetic sandals,
4
5 retire your old-lady bag
We know: If you buy another
purse, it’ll just hang in your
closet. But ask yourself, Is your
current, long-beloved bag aging you faster than fine lines
ever could? This one (lighter
than it looks) has stellar hardware and is versatile (carry it by
the handle or over your shoulder). bcbgmaxazria leather
satchel, $428; amazon.com.
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46
Talbots, brooks brothers
Both of these retailers are thoughtful about updating everything from
slacks to shirtdresses in an ageappropriate way.
Who to see
twice a week
Halsbrook
This newcomer has
a sharply focused selection. It’s
all about luxe fabrics and über-­
flattering cuts. Halsbrook.com
a good tr a iner In order to
create real change in your body
at this stage, you need the advice and motivation of someone
who’s paid to make you do it.
more.com | march 2013
60s shape saver
Avoid overheating with these
lightweight firming bike shorts.
Commando microfiber shorts,
$58; wearcommando.com.
photos: keaton: stephen lovekin/getty images. shape saver: courtesy of commando
$28; kohls.com.
What to wear
in your 60s
6 if you need room, get room
The allover print hides quite a
lot, if that’s your issue, but
this also looks great when
cinched with a wide belt (two
inches is ideal). The fabric is
divine—so soft and silky—that
you’ll wear the blouse repeatedly. For the slenderest silhouette, try with slim, anklelength pants; for fun, choose
a colorful shoe. lafayette
this is the right
age to try . . .
a signature fragrance.
Balenciaga Paris
eau de parfum, $95;
nordstrom.com.
148 ny silk blouse, $728;
­l afayette​​148​ny.com.
7
7 say yes to a statement
6
coat Enjoy an Audrey Hepburn
moment in this Parisian-inspired
beauty. And why would you suffer
buyer’s remorse? You’ll wear this
three seasons out of four. kate
spade new york cotton and silk
coat, $628; katespade.com.
8
8 10 try the new florals
No need to splash blooms
across your body when a trendy
accessory will let you do more
with less. Wear either the
cuff (8) or the shoe (10) but
never both at the same time.
H&M plastic cuff, $15; hm.com
for stores. talbots patent
leather pumps, $149; talbots.com.
11
9
YES NO
Maybe
Never
gabriele strehle silk dress,
$820; Anik NY, 212-249-2417.
11 bag the extraordinary
You already own basics and
classics, and if you take home
one more sensible tote, you’ll
scream. Well, you don’t own
one of these, and it will make
you happier than it should, we
promise. kate spade new
york rubber basket, $198;
katespade.com.
Fashion
flashback
yeS > Open necklines
NO > Exposed bra straps
MAYBE > Peplum tops
NEVER > Au naturel
10
How 60-year-olds
dressed in the 1950s
Styles were shapeless,
colors were drab, and the
choices were ridiculously
limited. Hats kept that
wash-and-set ’do in place.
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How 60-yearolds dress now
Whether with sleek suiting
or luxe loungewear, today’s
styles offer polish and versatility. The hair? Wash and
go. (Left: Hollywood powerhouse Sherry Lansing.)
photos: eau de parfum: bryan Mccay. bottom, from left: superstock/corbis, frederick m. brown/getty images
9 add one pretty dress Got
great arms? This shows ’em.
Arms not your favorite feature?
Then top the dress with a
jacket or cardigan. We’re mad
for the dots and appreciate the
lack of frump here. If you’ve
RSVP’d to a spring or summer
fête, you’re set. strenesse