From Red Carpets To Runways: The Rise Of Stylish Older Women

So, did you watch the red carpet for this week’s Met Gala, where celebrities from all over dress in couture and costumes to meet the theme of the Gala? This year’s theme was “Fashion as Art,” and a range of ages, faces, and body types strutted the temporary runway at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to show off their style and art appreciation. Click here to see how some celebrities interpreted this year’s theme. And take a look here at some of the fabulous outfits on fabulous older women who demonstrated that style has nothing to do with age. Of course, looking at many of these costumed celebrities will make you wonder exactly how they achieved the looks they have at the ages they purport to be.

But stylish women are not just a phenomenon on red carpets anymore. It seems that fashion runways are now replete with “older” women, often referred to in the industry as “generational” models. While in previous eras, a model more than 30 would be considered past her prime, these days, women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond are in demand at fashion shows. Why is that so? Beyond interesting visual presentations, these “older” models reflect something essential for the fashion industry: those with the wealth to purchase high-end fashion creations are themselves often older women, who look for inspiration and fashion opportunities that are modeled on women they can more relate to. The New York Times reported that the top 20 fashion brands all had “older” models in their runway shows this past season, although one might wonder exactly what kind of representation this reflects of older women, since size “diversity”- that is, anyone more than stick thin- continues to be absent on fashion runways. Ironically, many of the older models now regularly strutting their stuff don’t exactly look like someone you would encounter at that chronological age. So, is the message women are to receive that yes, older women can embrace style- but just don’t look like an ordinary “older woman?” By the way, some older men are now also strutting their stuff on runways and in advertising campaigns.

And speaking of messages for women from the fashion choices available, a recent study published in the Journal of Macromarketing found that an older woman’s satisfaction with the clothing choices available to her is a strong predictor of the woman’s overall well-being. As the post on this study made clear, “Fashion is an important aspect of life, and impacts people’s sense of belonging, well-being, self-esteem, behavior, cognition, and emotions.” In essence, well-fitting, appropriate clothing can be an important part of an older woman’s mental health perspective. So let’s raise a glass to fashion houses that offer older women stylish, comfortable, and wearable options that inspire them to feel confident and proud to be out and about.

And, in fact, older women are not only regulars on the runway but are now the faces of many ad campaigns. So, for example, the mainstream retailer Old Navy recently collaborated to produce a line of clothing in conjunction with the new movie, The Devil Wears Prada II (which features the fabulously stylish 76-year-old Meryl Streep), and employed an older model who looks wonderful but is not trying to hide her aging features. So strut your stuff and look here and here. And older women are regularly featured on such social media platforms as Instagram and TikTok, sharing advice and good humor, as they embrace their status as “grayfluencers” while dispensing wisdom about authenticity and style regardless of age. For some new examples you may want to follow, take a look at 74-year-old Kathe “Sunny” Sherman, who is known by the handle “oldfashionguru” to the over 150,000 followers who hang on her fashion advice. Or follow the doings of the ladies from The Ministry of Style: British best friends Jane and Beryl, who don’t take themselves too seriously but do offer legitimate fashion advice designed to be fun and spirited. You can follow them on TikTok or Instagram.

Finally, if you’re looking for some advice regarding trends this Spring fashion season, there are plenty of older women ready to give you their assessments. So, for example, former fashion designer for, among other clients, Princess Diana, 63-year-old Amanda Wakely offers tips to help you keep your cool and look cool this season. Among her suggestions? Put away your floral midi dresses and embrace a slightly more androgenous look. Also, ditch the matchy-matchy looks which instantly age you, and go for more boldness and usual colors. Also, identify some style icons to follow and map out some outfits in advance, so you’re ready for future events. For some recommendations from this side of the pond, consider the suggestions of Chris Freytag, a 60-year-old personal trainer who has lots of affordable suggestions from Amazon, in keeping with her recommendations for comfortable, practical options that include elevated athleisure looks, breathable fabrics, and supportive but stylish footwear. Finally, for a bit more bold fashion advice tailored for the over-50 woman for this Spring, consider the suggestions of Who What Wear, which urges you to dress to the image you want to project, not reflect the age you are. They recommend such options as bold statement jewelry, even for daytime, unexpected color pairings that will catch the eye, skirts that will make a statement when you walk, and the color khaki, considered universally wearable.

As the photographer Bill Cunningham once said, “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” So arm yourself well, and have some fun in the process!