"It means showing off your good points," says Hopkins, author of Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45.
"When do I think an outfit is inappropriate? When it's too tight or too revealing," he says.
"When do you know if an outfit's inappropriate? When you look in the mirror and you don't feel great. When in doubt, leave it out," he says.
Short, tight or revealing clothing on older women "is automatically aging," says Tara Stewart, fashion market editor at More magazine.
"But a classic dress in a modern print, or a chic shirt in the latest color, makes it obvious you're in the know, you appreciate fashion," she says.
"You've been around the block. You know what works for you. You don't need a plunging neckline to get attention. And you don't need to compete with teenagers," says Stewart.
Older women don't necessarily want to look young. They want to look youthful, which means dynamic and expressive, says style consultant Sherrie Mathieson in her book, Forever Cool: How to Achieve Ageless, Youthful and Modern Personal Style.
Her advice: Be current but not a slave to fashion. Mix classic dressing with contemporary styling and an element of the unexpected. Buy fewer clothes but better quality. Be covered but let the fit of your outfit reveal your figure.
In other words, as you leave your 20s and 30s behind, dress to showcase your taste and experience. Choose fashions that are sophisticated, interesting and uniquely you.
(c) 2008 Greensboro News Record. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
