Update Your Wardrobe -- Painlessly

I think that I understand [the idea of] being a bit "with it," without being a slave to fashion.

I also identify with [the need for] change [in one's style]. I used to be very resistant to change. Until recently, I used to wear my hair in the same way that I did in 1992.

Changing the way I have always dressed and had my hair was difficult for me. I didn't want to dress too young. I was worried that I would look stupid if I tried to keep up with the latest fashions.

But a good friend, who is very stylish, gave me some advice. She said that it was possible to stay stylish and with it, without looking like "mutton dressed as lamb." My friend encouraged me to give it a go ...

One of the first things I did was go through my wardrobe, and discard all of the clothes that were a bit dated. I asked my eldest daughter to help me. She was very honest to the point of being a bit rude -- you know how young people can be. But I needed that. She helped me get rid of the items that would make me look old-fashioned.

I kept some of them for sentimental reasons, but most of them, I was happy enough to take to [the thrift store].

When I looked at what was left, I saw that there were some obvious gaps. I only had one pair of pants left, after discarding all of the polyester, high-waisted pleat fronts, and elasticated ones. But instead of going to the usual store to get a new pair, I tried going to some of the more fashionable "young'' stores and designer boutiques.

I asked the shop assistants to find me styles of pants that would suit my age and figure. I tried many pairs on, in many stores. In the end I only bought two pairs. But I have to admit, they are much more flattering than the ones I have always worn. Even my daughter approved of them, so I knew I was on track.

Another thing I did was to borrow some fashion magazines from the library. I went through them carefully to identify outfits that I really liked.

Even though most of the models were very young, and very thin, I still learned a lot from the way the clothes were styled. I even sneaked a look in my youngest daughter's Cosmo one morning while I had a cup of coffee. There wasn't much that appealed (although there were some lovely young men in there.). But I did get some ideas for how I can style my jeans better. I think I might buy a pair of those funky casual trainers to go with them instead of my running shoes.

You know how I said that I hadn't changed my hair much since 1992?
Well, that was the most difficult change to make. I have a funny chin
and I thought my hair had always suited me just the way it was. It took
me a long time to admit that maybe my hair was a bit old-fashioned.
I also might buy a new handbag and a great
necklace. Accessories are easy to change, and not nearly as scary as a
whole new outfit.

But how to change it? Some advice a friend gave me was to go to
more than one hairdresser for a free consultation. She also suggested I
look to older movie stars, like Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep, for
stylish hair inspiration. Another friend suggested I buy one of those
hair magazines. I looked through all of the pictures to find styles
that might complement my natural hair texture

In the end, I decided to get rid of the perm I had always had and go for a shorter, textured crop.

The hairdresser showed me how to style it myself using some of
that "product'' they use. Now I can create to volume and fullness
without the "nanna-ish'' perm. I have to say it does look so much more
hip and my daughters think it's great. Even Dennis (my husband)
noticed, although he thought I was wearing a new top, and didn't
realize it was my hair that had changed.

I still feel like I could go further with changes, but I am not
going to rush it. For one, I can't afford to change my wardrobe
completely. But I have also realized that change is an ongoing thing
not just something you do once every 10 years.

So when I go to replace my jeans and buy some new spring
clothes, I will consider shopping at different places and looking for
outside inspiration before doing so. That way, I won't end up buying
the same sort of things I always do.

Well, I do hope that [other women] will find this helpful
advice. I guess in the end, it is up to them. But I hope they realize
that change is not scary; it's actually a lot of fun.

Most of all, "change'' is keeping me looking and feeling young.

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