What is style and are we too old to achieve it? - over 50'sstyle

I have been thinking a lot about what style actually is, who has it and whether we can all achieve it.

Walking through the streets of Milan, Rome, Verona and even the small town of Tarquinia in Italy, I am constantly struck by how stylish someone looks, but they are all differently dressed.

Yes, some of them are dressed “classically,” and that is more often than not how we imagine a stylish person to be. But, I recently saw a girl walking up to the college near my house and she was dressed in a black lace dress, with a purple jacket over the top, ripped tights and Doc Martin boots! She certainly had style, even if it wasn’t what I would wear!

To be stylish you don’t have to conform to any rules or regulations. In fact, the more stylish a person is, in my opinion, the less they obey the rules. It is all a matter of confidence and how comfortable they are in their own body and with their own way of dressing.

Of course, having style isn’t just about the clothes you wear, it is about how you carry yourself, how well-groomed you are, how you live your life, talk, decorate your house - the list is endless. But, the first thing we all notice are the clothes. These are the first chapters of the story you tell about yourself.

It also doesn’t matter what size or body shape you are. We tend to associate slim, “elegant”, figures with style, but a plus-size woman can be just as stylish if she knows how to dress for her body shape and is confident in her body.

So, yes style is something we can all achieve, but why is it important?

Well, style isn’t something you put on every time you dress. It isn’t a case of putting on a smart suit, or a large hat and tottering around in killer heels. I think it is an intrinsic part of who you are. Your style tells a story about you and lets everyone know what you think about yourself and also what you want them to think about you.

Most people don’t really care, or have time to think about other people - so what you portray on to them, (rather like screening a film or video onto a blank wall), is what they will think, 9 times out of 10.

This is why it is SO important to dress for who you are, your own personality, rather than how you think others think you should dress. You need to be comfortable in your own skin and in your own clothes. This is a huge part of being stylish.

Whatever your personal style, be it leggings and t-shirts, or classic shift dresses and heels, to be “stylish” means caring about your appearance and about yourself. If leggings are your thing, wear them “intentionally”, clean, well-fitting, matched with other items, modestly covering parts that shouldn’t be on display. Look at yourself in the mirror from all angles and make adjustments. Look as though you care, rather than as if you have thrown your outfit on for comfort.

The same goes for any other style you might wear. Remember that you are not always viewed from the front! You are in 3D and the back and side views are just as important.

Does it really matter? Oh yes - it really does!

If you give up on your clothes and therefore your style, you are giving up on yourself. And believe me when I say - you are the most important person in the world and you deserve the best. If you won’t give it to yourself, how do you expect anyone else to give it to you?

Want to read more about style? Why not try https://www.elinorsedit.com/post/why-is-style-so-important

Follow me on PINTEREST for loads of style ideas!

Confident, Fabulous & Flourishing Women over 50!

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that thinking about your style and image is wrong. Don’t let anyone tell you that thinking about clothes and how you look makes you “ditsy” and shallow. Don’t let anyone ever make you feel silly for adjusting your makeup during the day. And please, never, ever, let anyone make you feel you have tried too hard! You know what I mean - when you walk into a party or a cafe and the person you are meeting there says something like “oh, I didn’t realise we were dressing up!”, or “well of course, YOU”VE got the figure/time/money (fill in the blank!) to wear nice clothes!”. Immediately you feel “completely wrong” and start apologising and saying “oh, this old thing, I have had it for years!”. I am sure you have been there! I know I have on many occasions and it makes me feel awkward and as if I have been somehow less serious, less professional, less of a person for caring about how I look.

Isn’t it stupid!

The old cliche that you never get the chance at a first impression is so, so true. What you wear is the image that you are projecting on to the world at large. If you have lank hair, chipped nails, un-ironed clothes and scruffy shoes, you are telling the world that you don’t care about yourself and you are not worth bothering with - so that is how you are going to be treated.

On the flip side, if you present yourself with well cared for hair, nails, clothes and shoes - whatever your style and clothes choice - you are going to be treated as somebody who is worth it.

I mean it when I say whatever your clothes choice too. You don’t have to wear a power suit and high heeled shoes to be taken seriously. We had a period in the 80’s when “power dressing” was all the rage. Do you remember the sharp suits, huge shoulders, men’s ties, etc?!

Working Girl film - https://whysoblu.com/working-girl-blu-ray-review/

That was when we, as women, were trying to break into a man’s world. But now all the hard work has been done (although sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, does it!) and we can start being ourselves and being accepted for who we are.

So, if your style is jeans and a white t-shirt, you can still project an image of someone who cares about herself and should be taken seriously and respected. It is just a case of making sure that those jeans are clean, fit well and are appropriate for what you are doing. The white T needs to be clean, white and ironed. Pop on some jewellery that fits your personality and a pair of clean, well cared for shoes, in whatever style suits you and your lifestyle and you are good to go! Walk into that room/office/cafe with your head held high and tell the world that you love yourself and deserve the same respect and love back.

The fabulous Tania Stephens of https://50isnotold.com/how-to-wear-jeans-and-a-t-shirt-for-a-casual-summer-outfit/

So from now on I am going to keep reminding you of the three “F’s”!

Fiduciose, Favolose and Fiorenti - Italian for confident, fabulous and flourishing!

Let’s become “Le donne fiduciose, favolose e fiorenti”

Your next read? https://www.yourstylerenaissance.com/post/an-ideal-skirt-for-your-figure-type

SECRET SHOPPING IN MILAN

We all know Milan is the epicenter of fashion. The most iconic shops and designers are situated there and just walking through the streets, or sitting at a cafe “people watching”, you will be left in no doubt whatsoever that you are amongst the style elite.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is of course where most people head to shop when they visit Milan and rightly so - not only is it the most beautiful shopping centre in the world (in my opinion!), it also houses the best Designers. But if you only go here, you are missing out on so much and, again in my opinion, the true essence of Milanese style and what really makes them tick.

I will be writing about the different “street styles” of the different Italian cities in a later article, but there is a strong sense of colour, fun and irreverence about Milanese style.

So, here are a few of my favourite boutiques that are not loudly shouted about:-

GOODS MILANO

In the heart of the Brera district on Via Castelfidardo 2 is Goods Milano. The mother and daughter team who own it provide a wonderful mix of clothes and accessories, again colour is of the essence. You will find long flowing, silky kimonos, trousers, maxi dresses and skirts, all in wonderful prints and colour-ways. Shoes, bags, scarves and jewellery, which are out of the ordinary.

GOODS is a one-of-a-kind boutique, nestled in the historical district of Brera, it tells a story of unique fashion, style and taste in continuous research and development. A dynamic interpreted by Patrizia Magnasco and Elisabetta Casero through unique pieces, basic items, exclusive lines from Italian and foreign designers, carefully measured and mixed.

"We look at the world and we re-interpret it with fine lines, never too much, synonymous with an innate elegance" they say, "We also produce our own collection that was born and named after the boutique opened; blouses, dresses and skirts in 100% silk from Como (our hometown), is famous worldwide for its silk manufacturers".

https://www.instagram.com/goodsmilano

MORE SECRET BOUTIQUES

Wait and See

Situated in the 5 Vie neighbourhood, in an 18th century former convent, Wait and See is a vibrant, exciting and eclectic mix of styles. Founder, Uberta Zambeletti, has created a store which is more a lifestyle concept, where you can browse at your leisure, whilst sipping a cup of coffee.

They stock brands from all over the world, but the main thing you will notice about the store is colour - lots and lots of colour! In Uberta’s words “colour of joy! Colour is celebration!”. I defy anyone not to love this place and come away from it, maybe laden down by bags, but uplifted by joy!?

https://www.waitandsee.it/eu/en/looks

Atelier Bergnach

Set just outside the Quadrilatero della Moda on Via Alessandro Tadino, 15, is Bergnach - a homage to the skirt. Here you will find skirts of all shapes and sizes, lengths and designs. But also “non solo gonne” - there are the most wonderful silk jackets, tops and coats to complete the look. Well worth a visit!

http://www.atelierbergnach.com/

More favourites:-

Must Have Kilometro Zero

Must Have is situated on Viale Montenero 60. Founded by two lifelong friends and fashion experts, Graziella Contin Mancini and Vania Sommariva, have created a trendy store that is very unusual! Here you can find anything from the season’s “must haves” to timeless pieces with a modern twist - all set out amongst lemons, apples and peppers!! The layout of the shop pays tribute to the agricultural sector. The garments are all sewn and packaged in small artisan workshops in true Italian style.

https://www.musthavekm0.com/personal-styling/en/

Massimo Alba

On Via Brera 8, you will find Massimo Alba. Head here for the perfect knitwear and linen jackets - and a bit of old fashioned customer service!

https://www.massimoalba.com/en/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj- nJuNEG9qDmkAzwJ6m5rwfvzd1ZCGDWxDnmzA2ki-7nuCnov-1SjikaAilPEALw_wcB

Delphine Vintage

Found on Via Guglielmo Pepe, 16, this amazing vintage store is filled with goodies! From 40’s and 50’s day dresses, to floaty, ruffled Edwardian dresses, it is a vintage lover’s dream. You can also rent the outfits too!

https://delphinevintage.com/

Bivio

Have you ever wondered where those stylish Milanese get rid of their unwanted seasons? Well now you know (but don’t tell anyone else!!).

“BIVIO Milano has three stores in two vibrant and lively neighborhoods in central Milan: Porta Ticinese and Porta Venezia.

Each store contains thousands of unique pieces, selected one at a time, with new items arriving daily. The inventory in the shops changes constantly, naturally reflecting the character of the neighborhood and the individual clients who come in to sell.

For a one-of-a-kind second-hand shopping experience, we suggest a trip to all three BIVIOs!”

https://biviomilano.it/en/store-locations/

La Tenda

Via Solferino is home to La Tenda womenswear. Marco Longoni opened his first boutique in Milan in 1965 and Via Solferino was the second. The concept is art, fashion and culture fused together in one boutique.

https://www.latendamilano.com