https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:56:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628940 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 21:49:03 +0000 Barbara Diane 1628940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really didn't have an older role models, fashion wise, growing up. But the first time I had lunch with a friend in her early 80's I realized that I was under dressed compared to her, and I started dressing nicer for our meetings. And that slowly led to upgrading my style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628929 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 21:26:30 +0000 Laurie 1628929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The most fashionable older woman I know is my mother's cousin, and my godmother. &nbsp;She's in her early 70's but due to her fashion and style, trim figure (and a little work) she looks many years younger. &nbsp; &nbsp;She has always been <u>very </u>glamorous. &nbsp;She is also a career role model for me, having been one of the relatively few women of her era to excel in science, earn a PhD and spend many years at a leading cancer research hospital running a lab, and publishing her research findings. She has retired from the lab, but now heads a department dedicated to diversity at this institution. I saw her recently when she came to DC to speak at a conference, and was struck again &nbsp;by how timelessly stylish she has been.</p> <p>I can remember Christmas Eve's in the '60's which were spent at her parents' modest home. She would blow in from England or Washington DC or Charleston SC, platinum hair swept across her eyes and short skirts and boots. &nbsp;Or midi vests. &nbsp;Or whatever the style was. &nbsp;She gave me wildly age-inappropriate gifts, including a bronze lame bomber jacket when I was about 12 and chunky and awkward. &nbsp;I would kill for that jacket now!</p> <p>My mother, now 78, was very stylish through her 50's, but my sister and I now lament how &nbsp;she has dressed for the last 15 or 20 years. &nbsp; She has that "Florida snowbird" look now ("snowbirds" are people from the northern states in the US who spend 2 or 3 winter months in Florida) - bright colors and wrong-length capris, and not flattering shapes. &nbsp; I have tried (lord, have I tried) to get her into flared jeans to balance &nbsp;generous hips, and faux tucks, to show her small waistline. &nbsp;Alas! &nbsp;She still has a great figure that most women her age and younger would envy. My goal is to get her to Angie one day soon!!!</p> <p>I've been re-watching "MadMen" episode after episode. I really relate to that show. &nbsp;My Mom was Betty, and my godmother was one of those glamorous women who had made it into the working world with style. &nbsp;(I was Sally....)</p> <p>I remain inspired by my godmother to whom I also owe a very huge debt of gratitude for opening her home to me 20 years ago, and having me seen by world-renowned specialists, &nbsp;when I was diagnosed with cancer. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628779 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 14:45:01 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1628779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! Thank you for this reminder Angie. My biggest style icon and influence is my 86 year mother. She wears what she wants in order to portray her artistic soul (she's a musician). She doesn't try to hide or fit in - it's all about pleasing herself with her style. I've always admired that confidence. She especially loves embellished denim jackets, funky coloured shoes, dangly earrings, scarves, and flowing skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628777 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 14:38:42 +0000 JAileen 1628777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Initially I thought I didn't have any stylish older women to emulate. My 90 YO mother's style isn't what I would want to emulate. It works for her, but wouldn't work for me (polyester stretch pants with elastic waists, and no jeans).</p> <p>Then I realized I know A LOT of older women. I'm a volunteer in a non profit organization whose members are, for the most part, older than me. Some of them don't care what they wear at all. That doesn't mean they aren't lovely women, very giving of their time. Others, I just remembered, have a very good sense of fashion. One in particular looks wonderful no matter what she's doing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628746 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 13:38:19 +0000 Sheila 1628746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Karen's style. </p> <p>I might have to look a bit closer here for older role models. </p> <p>There is a lady at work with a fantastic sense of style but a very different body type than myself. I often look at here and wonder how she pulls to gether such different outfits and colors. </p> <p>Her hair is cut in a modern style that suits her and her makeup is great- she has lovely skin and always does her eyes up more than her lips or cheeks. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628728 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 12:37:07 +0000 dakotacheryl 1628728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread to read through!!</p> <p>I'll turn 59 this September...WHAT??? &nbsp; How did this happen so soon??? &nbsp;I had my yearly physical on Friday, and as the nurse was typing in my info, she said she had no idea I was that old...LOL...don't know if that was a compliment or not.</p> <p>And I absolutely love looking through the photos posted here. I get such great ideas on how to combine pieces for new looks, great shoes and boots/booties...heck, even the new hair style posts.</p> <p>I was also thrilled to see Lauren Hutton in the new JCrew catalog.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628661 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 03:51:28 +0000 Jaime 1628661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well YLF is truly my biggest balm for aging anxiety and has carried me through my 40s with more confidence now than when I started. When I was still working in New York, I had a boss that was exactly 10 years older than me who could party me under the table. Perhaps a bit oddly, that really inspired me not to fear aging. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628594 Sun, 13 Mar 2016 00:00:38 +0000 L'Abeille 1628594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Linda Rodin, Dianne Keaton, Christiane Lagarde are on my Pinterest board as role models. I think they are roughly 10 years ahead of me? And of course our own Joy.</p> <p>I<br /> was thrilled when I first discovered the contingent of over-40 bloggers, but so many of them are too different to function as inspiration... many skew urban polished casual, whereas I'm rural RATE professional. (and not retired)</p> <p>That's why finding YLF felt like coming home, with a diversity of ages, lifestyles, and style preferences, and Angie's generous heart and wise advice to knit us into community. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628559 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 21:53:37 +0000 Cerinda 1628559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christine Lagarde inspires me, though her style is certainly not mine. &nbsp;Laurie Anderson for sure. Judi Dench and Ines de La Fressange, my age exactly. &nbsp;And did you see Helen Mirren on the Tonight Show last week?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628558 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 21:32:53 +0000 Lyn D. 1628558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My Grandmother was a stylish lady- I wish I had had a chance to see her wardrobe before it all went.<br />Also my MIL &nbsp;still wears dresses to Church when others her age have given-up on them and only dress for comfort 'at their age'. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628526 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:21:02 +0000 MsMaven 1628526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the photos, Vix. Inspirational.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628513 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:07:08 +0000 Vix 1628513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm loving reading about everyone's style inspirations, and agree we need to see more images of older women who aren't afraid to be visible!</p> <p>[Oh: as I'm in my late 40s, guess I may BE an older woman to many!]</p> <p>My two key inspirations these days are below, and they're very different.</p> <p><b>#1 is my grandmother at 90; </b>turns out we both arrived in deep blues. [She hated that the shoes she planned to wear wouldn't fit her fit at the last minute, and now hates that some additional health problems mean no heels.] </p> <p>She retired *very* late in life and so had a great excuse to stay a sharp dresser. My mom skews more sporty/girlish but my grandmother always has this womanly sass to her style and rocked a pantsuit back in the day.</p> <p><b>#2 is my friend The Gilded Lily at 70 </b>(in 2011 -- she's obsessed with trends and wouldn't want me to post this without giving the date!). She doesn't give a flying fig what anyone thinks of her dressing sense (she says she's Forever21 at heart and thus deserves to shop there, hahaha).&nbsp;</p> <p>She's constantly giving me faux-crap about being such a classic dresser and/or obsessing about finding the perfect X but loves to say, "ok now I get it that is so YOU." I love seeing how playful she is with fashion.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628395 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 15:36:23 +0000 Anonymous 1628395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like others, I love seeing Karen on the blog, Angie. I'm inspired by her strong sense of her signature style and what works for her life. I hope I can get there too. My style is so higgledy-piggledy (though I am having lots of fun with fashion). Karen's a great role model. </p> <p>My grandmother was like Karen, a woman with a signature look that projected her strong sense of identity. Since interest in fashion skipped a generation in our family (my mum has never cared about how she looks), I'm thrilled to hear you have a client in her 80s. I always admire the well-dressed women in Mum's retirement community. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628388 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 15:15:25 +0000 kkards 1628388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IRL, i have no everyday stylish older than me role models. but i do have YLF, and the memory of 2 great aunts, who were fashionable to the end.</p> <p>and funny, but just this week one of the 20somethings i work with told me i was one of her fashion role models…..so i may not have a stylish older role model, but apparently i am one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628370 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:49:20 +0000 MTBGirl 1628370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am constantly inspired by stylish women older, and younger, than myself, (I'll be 50 in August) especially you Angie, your clients and all those on YLF. Even when style preferences are somewhat different, I find there is always something to be gleaned.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628359 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 14:26:13 +0000 Anonymous 1628359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mum is a great style model, not just because of her great style, but also because she has the body type that I anticipate having when I'm older (apple) and I think she dresses it well.</p> <p>ETA: I should add that the thing I like most about my mother is that she does her own thing, does not follow trends, but always is so successful in looking absolutely impeccable in everything she wears. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628343 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 13:44:55 +0000 Colette 1628343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so true Angie. I am fortunate to have strong female role models in my life. My Mom (74), Aunt, Cousin, my late Grandmother and Great Aunt too. They are all stylish in their own unique way and continue to inspire and amaze me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models/page/2#post-1628318 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 12:47:41 +0000 Helen11 1628318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, Chirico, you and me both!<br /> Everything Chirico said, and I'm the same age : )<br /> I have a work colleague who inspires me. She's in her mid 50s, and always wears modern styles, hair and makeup done but not overly-so.<br /> Thanks, Angie! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628274 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 06:37:33 +0000 chirico (Chiara) 1628274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for writing this. I'll be 42 next July, and it's fantastic to be part of this community where older women show me that:<br /> Age is not an excuse for not being stilish and<br /> How to wear most trends!<br /> I find I am more conservative and fearful of trends than anyone else here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628255 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 04:58:41 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1628255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this! I am inspired on this forum and in real life by women who continue to change and evolve, rather than stay stuck in a style/look that suited them at a time in the past. There is so much beauty in the vulnerability that comes with embracing something new and taking risks. I find that kind of humility (of letting go of ones own opinions and preconceived notions) to be inspiring and worth emulating. This is the reason why your posts on Karen are among my all time favorite. She gives me such hope! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628235 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 04:03:53 +0000 Karie 1628235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My very stylish 79 year old mother-in-law is definitely a role model to me. It is nice to see people at every age with class and style.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628220 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 03:19:16 +0000 Anonymous 1628220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, like Suz said, I would not be enjoying fashion and shopping now if it weren't for you. I do not know any older-than-I role models but wish I did. For that reason, your posts on the beautiful Karen are very important to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628217 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 02:57:09 +0000 Debbie 1628217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am 61 and I will say that I have have never felt better style wise. One of my biggest role models is Joy. She makes it easy. I love seeing Karen on the blog because she makes me think. I want to continue to evolve myself fashion included. If you become stagnant in one area of your life. I firmly believe that you will become stagnant in other areas to.<br /> Thank you Angie for sharing your clients with us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628200 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 02:27:06 +0000 Style Fan 1628200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am always learning new ideas about fashion.&nbsp; I love looking at the styles for the next season and what people are wearing.&nbsp; My style is pretty constant but is also evolving.&nbsp; I have a clearer sense of what my style is now than when I was in my twenties.&nbsp; In my twenties and thirties I was an emotional shopper.&nbsp; Now I am much more certain of what I am looking for.&nbsp; A big part of that certainty comes from reading Angie's advice.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628164 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:30:41 +0000 LaPed 1628164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just turned 30! It's an odd time in the sense that I feel I can't dress like just any young sprout anymore, but I'm also not quite ready to embrace, uh, "maturity"... I'm at a crossroads where apparently it is necessary to make jeans and t-shirts look intentional. Hmm.&nbsp;</p> <p>I love frequenting sites like YLF where there's a diversity of ages and backgrounds; it is much better fodder than blogs and forums that target a specific aesthetic and/or demographic.&nbsp;</p> <p>Most of my favorite ladies to look at are older than me, and most of the blogs I check in on regularly are 40+. One of the biggest reasons is that the quality of the&nbsp;<b>writing&nbsp;</b>is head and shoulders above that of blogs written by younger women (this isn't always true, but often). Lisa over at Amid Privilege and Sally at Already Pretty come to mind -- great writing, great style. And Angie of course. ;)</p> <p>Many of my icons, fashion and otherwise, belong to previous generations. Susan Sontag is way up at the top of my list in every way. Patti Smith, too. Neko Case. Hollywood-wise, I have huge crushes on Helen Mirren, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, others I can't think of right now.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both my grandmothers have provided me with endless sartorial inspiration, not to mention hand-me-downs. They're the ones who taught me anything I can claim to know about posture, bearing, elegance, enunciation, holding your head up high, smiling unless there's a good reason not to, etc. Wonderful women! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628123 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 22:51:40 +0000 Aida 1628123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of many things that is brilliant about this forum and community &lt;3 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628121 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 22:49:31 +0000 April 1628121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How I wish my own mother (78) realized that a tiny bit of attention to her own style would be so inspiring.</p> <p>She is firmly in the "I'm old and I have aches and pains, mind your own business" school of appearances. &nbsp;It is, frankly, pretty depressing, and makes her seem closer to 90.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628115 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 22:24:20 +0000 Anonymous 1628115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This resonates with me as I am 46! It is also an empowering attitude that strives to overcome the prevailing societal attitudes. Thank you for reminding us that style is ageless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628102 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 21:58:49 +0000 Mochi 1628102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I"m momentarily blanking out on a specific role model from my life (apart from the fabulous women here). But just wanted to say that it was a repost on Karen, in the blog Already Pretty, that brought me to YLF in the first place. My breath was taken away by her killer style. I'm still vividly recalling the black J. Crew blazer and the Kenna-T moto jacket, LOL. I wanted a piece of that flair! : )&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/important-stylish-older-than-you-role-models#post-1628097 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 21:52:52 +0000 Suz 1628097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to you, <b>Angie</b>, and YLF, &nbsp;I feel more confident in my own style than ever before in my life. It helps that I have a bit more money to spend and recommendations from online friends that help my improve my shopping efficiency. As I perused some new spring footwear today, I reflected that I would not have owned the high shaft booties or the cropped jeans I was wearing without YLF suggestions (<b>LisaP, Angie</b>), and I would not have made the BR order I made earlier in the day without the blog post on <b>Karen</b>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Before YLF, one of my biggest role models was a teacher I met in my second year on the job. She was about 20 years older than me and even though I haven't seen her in about a decade because she moved away, I still think about her amazing style. She knew just how to dress her shape and exactly what colours suited her. She always had fabulous hair. She never looked as if she was "trying too hard" (whatever that means) and always looked appropriate, even though she regularly wore the latest trends.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>