Wearing: Mother black jeans, Jacket: Vintage Marithé + François Girbaud, Vagabond boots, Alexander Wang satin shirt, Vintage Earrings and Sonia Rykiel bag, Red Lips: Burberry Military Red
Welcome to all the new readers that found me due to a recent video on Buzzfeed. I would also like to thank all the people who emailed me and commented and due to the sheer volume I cannot possibly respond individually although I would very much like to. Know that I have read every one.
The video seemed to touch a great many people who for various reasons, needed some encouragement to forge their own path and follow their “red” when it comes to dressing the way that they want to dress. Pushing past fears or strong messages that define us and going against societal constraints is not easy and we all have different access to privilege which may make it easier or harder. So most times there is a risk involved. My risk in entering social media is that I may lose control of how I am represented. At times this makes me feel ambivalent about putting myself out there.
My platform is inclusive and not about a specific age or gender or body type or color or any other social category. In all honesty I did not start this project as any kind of crusade to champion or give advice to any one group or to start a movement of any kind, rather this is all about my “red”. Anything else has been “accidental”. My red is my love of fashion and my desire to take it on as a subject of study and interaction. It is my pleasure project that so far has been shared by others who share this same passion. It is for people who want to think and talk about fashion and how fashion can express our selves, lives, values and culture and be a form of art, creative expression or if you desire, rebellion. It is sometimes my, and their, reinvention adventure.
Often what happens in second semester is that I will get an influx of students into a class that has Part 1 and Part 2. Because the newcomers have not taken Part 1, I have to take the first class to review to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Because of the expectations and questions I read in some of the comments and emails I feel a need to let you know what you may expect here. I like to be transparent. It is always helpful to read my “About” page. This need has also made me think more about what I believe about personal style and saying it clearly.
Because personal style is just that in my book, PERSONAL, no one can tell you what to wear except you. So you will not find style advice from me, though the brilliant comments of my readers may give you some inspiration. There are many wonderful blogs that will give those kinds of suggestions in their posts, or link you to products shown or tell you what to wear when you travel or have a big event to attend, but that is not me. You will find encouragement to take a risk, experiment or try something new. The reason being that I believe that personal style is an equation that only you can calculate.
Personal Style = your personal identity now + personal identity you are experimenting with or aspiring to + the current culture and time of history you are living in + creativity + critical thinking
So here there will be much encouragement to express your personal style but in my view it comes from within you, not from outside. Here questions will be posed that may help you reflect and think about your own equation. When one looks at personal style from this equation anyone can have it and it does not equate to designer or expensive clothes, although for some that may be part of their personal equation. My wardrobe is a combination of thrift, vintage, gifts from the emerging designers I support, designer pieces I have gotten on sale or saved up for because they represent an essential part of me, consignment stores, sample sales, and pieces I have made myself. I wear pieces over and over again, like the Mother jeans in the photo above. I find the search for the items, the going to vintage shows and the looking through pages of on-line consignment to find exactly what I want, as part of the creative process. Clothing to me is raw material. Now I am taking the time and doing the work to learn construction so I can up cycle and create something modern and new. So your personal styling equation takes work like anything else worth having, But first you need to be clear about the question who am I and/or who do I wish to be?
So lets talk personal style and begin to answer the question: How does yours fit into the equation or not?
My “Red” and an Equation Inspiration
I’m so happy to have found you, your blog, and your community. I had already started on a similar journey of my own shortly after my 50th birthday and, frankly, I thought I was the only one. (Foolish, I know). I’m so glad to discover support, encouragement and inspiration here.
Welcome!
I happened across your site last year and am a dedicated reader. I love the equation for personal style and think that many will find each component matching their current journey. I’ve been restyling "me" for a few years now as a result of life, career, and physical changes. While some people long for their youthful years, I am appreciating my personal journey more each day as I approach things with a sense of maturity and yet maintain my more outrageous nature inside and out. This duality is expressed in my clothing, accessories and other choices I make each day.
Yes many emotional and psychological benefits to having some experience. Empowering for me too.
I think my personal style is always evolving. I have things that I’ve had for 20 years or more that get pulled out to wear on occasion and things I just got yesterday. I’ve never been into fads as much as comfort and what I think looks good on me. Right now, I’m into mostly jeans, flowing tops and soft, squishy sweaters. It’s cold up here in VT. I turned 60 last Sept, but I don’t feel or act 60, whatever that means. I believe life is a journey and each day is an opportunity to explore and expand. I love that whatever path I’m on, I stumble onto exactly what I need, when I need it. It’s how I found your blog. Looking forward to this part of my trip.
I can relate. When I went to shows at NYFW the one I really liked was Tibi. Maybe because I was tired but the clothes looked so easy and so comfortable but very New York and cool. Mainly comfy!
I’ve lost my personal style when my kids were born and as I ingrained myself into corporate culture. It is not longer a repression of me, rather it’s what a mom and a corporate person would wear. I am not making the journey to recovery of my personal style yet. It’s not time. But the time will come one day. In the mean time I’m collecting inspirational ideas from you and others like you.
I agree, the roles we have at different times in our life can change how we might dress but those roles are also expressions of who we are in that moment.
Beautifully, deeply said – thank you for your blog and this post ") You had me at self-expression, art, and creativity. Cheers to the ongoing blossoming of who we are in life, throughout our lives. Thank you again 🙂 Looking forward to more!
Trousers , wide, slim or cropped and a big V-neck pullover have been my personal style items since I was young ! Following your blog however I feel inspired to try to go beyond this way of dressing and be more creative. Thanks for your help! Ruth, London
Finding ones “Red” to me….is living your life in the passionate way that you choose to express yourself. My “Red” is love of life and all the beautiful – sometimes colourful – elements of it.
My “Red” isn’t the love of fashion but in exploring more about my self-expression I am now choosing to bring more of fashion into my life. Most of my life I have felt like I was just “wearing clothes and accessories” rather than expression of Self.
I look forward to hearing more about what you discover!
Omgosh! So glad I found you today on Facebook through your video!! I’m a semi retired hairstylist who just turned 68, loves fashion, moved to a 55+ community in Arizona from California and started to feel like I couldn’t dress the way I did because of the community that I was in. The ladies were all very casual and earthy. I’m not against that, but I was feeling like if I didn’t look like them, they might judge me.
You have inspired me to just be me!! I feel free and I want to thank you for this inspiration!!
Wonderful, if they judge you not worth having as friends, there will always be others who can appreciate your uniqueness go for it!
I have always loved the inclusiveness of your approach, Lyn, and now am very interested in the equation you have posted. "Personal identity now and what I am aspiring to" is influenced for me these days by my discovery on the eve of my 60th birthday that my biological father was someone different from the one I thought he was. I’ve had to ponder how that affects me, and in fact, how the memory of my (now deceased) father who nurtured me continues to influence and affect me. The current culture’s unsettled nature has joined with my own questions about myself to create a greater need for clarity in me. I am making more of my clothes these days, with strong attention to adding unique detail to classic. "dependable" outlines. I favor styles that communicate rather than obscure the basic, serviceable body I have earned at this point in my life. I like the thought of investing a lot of time in a garment I will wear through the next decade of my own evolution. Looking forward to seeing more of your "red" in the days to come.
This “unmooring” our culture is experiencing is of course something that can be both crisis and opportunity. To me it means we can all individually and culturally construct new ways of being, reflecting and expressing in the world. I like you prefer to see this as an exciting possibility.
I have tried on a lot of clothes to the point that I don’t dare wear them again because it’s either, it was ill- fitting & I still went for it or it wasn’t really my style & I felt I didn’t bring it well. I later learned, I also had to be comfortable in the clothes I wear. And after seeing you, I realized, there is no age limit as to what kind of clothes I have to put on – as well as shoes, accessories & even the color of lipstick. And I invited my daughter, sisters & nieces to your facebook page & IG . THANK YOU VERY MUCH, Ms Accidental Icon!!!
Thank you for coming and for participating. Clothes should be the vehicle to express how you feel and then you will be comfortable.
I do agree with your definition of style. There has been much in the British press/social media describing the difficulties older women have in finding clothes to suit them. My own theory matches yours in that I think this is more to do with women struggling to find their own style. Having used fashion trends to tell them what to wear many women get to 60+ and feel that they can no longer follow fashion but lack the confidence to go their own way. I think anyone can and should wear what they want at whatever age. There’s usually a way to adapt a trend if you want to wear it but feel that you’ll look like ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ (do you use that phrase?). For example a short dress can be worn over leggings or trousers. As to actual RED I rarely wore lipstick as a young woman but now love having bright lips as my only makeup.
Interesting theory, I wonder how to support those who are beginning the journey of self discovery while not telling them what to wear?
Your outfit is awesome!!! 😀 😀
I want to thank you so very much for bringing your light into my daily routine. I’m terminally ill and often times spend many days home bound or in bed feeling less 45 and more 105.
I have started a “Bucket List” and though 95% of it will never happen for me due to distance and cost your blog helps me feel like I’ve experienced a little bit more through your eyes and adventures then I could or would have experienced in my own in reality.
Thank you to the Moon & Back!
-Cori
StubsandTails@gmail.com
So happy you can enjoy what I have done! For me too it is a pleasure project.
HOLA CORI : Disfruta de todo lo que sea ganas de hacerlo . La satisfaccion es total. Un saludo desde España.
You are an inspiration to all women, and I love your spunk and attitude. Age is but a number… as someone who is just shy of 50, we tend to look at that as a milestone and think "oh God, I’m THAT old?" Thank you for showing the rest of us that we can all be who we want to be, no matter what age. Cheers.
Always.
It’s great to read you. I’m not fond of coachs ou advisers of any sort, and I really appreciate the way you don’t tell people what to do. Furthermore, I like very very much your… many words could fit here, lets call it simply, style.
Thanks so much for getting that I don’t tell people what to do (or wear) only you as a person have that right!
Very inspiring as I am now 58 and looking to reinvent my look.Thanks
The best way to lead is by personal example …something sooo obvious! The sophisticated look you achieve with a breath of fresh air is inspiring that it became a refreshing escape from the dullness of everyday life. I embraced the RED long time ago with no fear! Thanks Lyn!
I am a 44 Year old who loves fashion and always putting things together. I had lost my identity and was ready to hit 45 this year and act old. You are my inspiration. I work up when o saw you. So happy I discovered you. You are a treat to my life.
Ashferdias
I was a hot woman with a fairly good fashion sense & the resources & energy to look good. Then BAM! I’m a 40 pounds overweight 58 year old spinster. I wear steel toed boots to work & safety gear. Please just tell me what to wear & where to find it. My clothes don’t fit & I’ll be damned if I’ll look like every other frumpy 58 year old woman. In my city (Vancouver Canada) seems everyone except the (stylish) Asians dress in active wear & look like crap. I could possibly find the energy to lose the weight, but maybe even fat old ladies can find a way to dress well & look good too…on a tight budget…naw
It’s hopeless ?
I am thankful that i have found a column about you. You have proven that age doesn’t rule how we should dress up. Living in a Muslim country where a certain dress code needs to be followed, i put my mark by recreating my look and still following them. Looking forward for more articles from you.
I am turning 65 at the end of April, moving across the country to start the next chapter of my life. I always wore what I pretty much felt like (i still love my over alls) and really don’t care if people laugh. I love your style. Anything goes. Thanks for inspiring me to "just go with it". I’m artsy in my art, why not in my clothes!? Thank you! So glad I found you on Buzz feed!