Fashion over 40? Absolutely!

 

At this point in our lives, suffice it to say: we have been through some stuff. I mean, a lot of stuff. And one might ask, who cares about fashion at this point? There are so many other things we have to worry about. Isn't fashion a trivial concern in the face of everything going on around us - in the world and even in our own personal lives? 

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Fashion has never been trivial and never will be. Do you know why? Because fashion is art. The drive to create art is one of our deepest, most basic human drives. We may not all express ourselves composing music, painting landscapes or writing poetry, but our drive to express ourselves often manifests in how we clothe, groom and decorate our bodies.

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You don't have to be extravagant - combine vintage finds at local consignment shops with a few good pieces. Good style can be had on any budget. I've known as many starving fashionistas as starving artists -- and they share in common an ability to make the world a more beautiful space.

 

I shamelessly proclaim it to the world: I LOVE fashion. Everything to do with it. I find absolute joy leafing through all the latest (or the old) magazines, reading forecasts about trends -- and people watching. Of course, I own a clothing boutique, and as a buyer, staying on top of the trends is a part of my job. I know myself though. Even if I were in another profession, I would still feel the same way about fashion.

 

We make a statement about who we are with what we wear. Some of us even choose to not make a statement with what we wear -- and that says something about us too. Either way, our clothing reflects who we are and where we are. Each pair of earrings or shoes or gloves we choose tells the world something about what we find beautiful in the world, what colors, what shapes, what textures delight our souls.

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In my 20s, I had fun with my clothes. In my 30s, I eventually started to grow into the adult I was supposed to be, and my wardrobe reflected that. I still had fun with my choice of clothing, but I became less daring. And that's ok. Your style evolves with you and tends to represent where you are at that time in your life.

 

It actually wasn't until I hit my 40s that I finally felt confident with my style. I decided that "fun" would always remain an essential part of my wardrobe. I call it "Function with Flair.  I tend to wear classic silhouettes, but add a whimsical print, an eye catching piece of jewelry or sometimes a brightly colored pair of shoes. And that is enough.

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I have always admired the style of the 1960s. I might have emulated Twiggy in my 20's by wearing Mod clothing (I even drove a Vespa back then). Now, I try more to emulate Jackie Onassis. Classic and effortless. (I try.)

 

We live in an era where we can be whatever we want and dress however we want to. Maybe you like the Greta Garbo look. Maybe you have a style that is all your own. Follow the trail to whatever style appeals to you and make it yours. What I notice in other women (and admire) is if a woman feels good in an outfit, it shows. That's my goal everyday...to feel good in what I wear. When we delight ourselves, we usually delight the people around us.

 

When I look back at my style throughout the decades, I have noticed that -- more than anything -- I have stayed true to myself.

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Who were you as a child? What did you like to wear? Were scarves your thing? Hats? High heels? What fabrics did you most like to touch? Solid colors or prints? Who were you as a teenager? Who did you become as a young woman in your twenties, your thirties, forties?

 

Who are you now? Ask yourself that question. Find yourself - all over again. Be true to yourself. Become the work of art only you can create.

                                                         Siobhan

Siobhan Gilbride Deeds

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Did you know velvet and cactus are all the rage this fall? Turn the page and see for yourself.  Click here to turn the page and enjoy photographs of my recent finds for you.