https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:31:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641296 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 04:07:24 +0000 rachylou 1641296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good sleuthing, Gaylene! </p> <p>I'm wondering about now the decrease in real earnings over the decades v. the increase in consumerism that I hear about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641273 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 03:02:05 +0000 deb 1641273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not me. It just keeps on going and I love it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641264 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 02:39:48 +0000 always trying 1641264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am spending more in the last 3 to 4 years than I had for a while. I have always loved shoes, but for a while it was not easy to find much besides old lady shoes and too high heels for occasions when I needed something other than sneakers or flip flops. Now there are so many lower heels, wedgies, and very stylish flats, &nbsp;etc.&nbsp; since I retired I wear jeans almost every day, at least part of the day.&nbsp; They do not actually make any suited for older women, so we have to keep trying and searching.&nbsp; I do not think it is just me from what I read on here, but it used to be easy to just put on our Levis or Calvins and feel comfortable.&nbsp; </p> <p>maybe some of the older petite women would shop more and spend more if someone would make bigger selections of stylish, non frumpy clothing.&nbsp;&nbsp; I see so many women every time I go to Macys (not that frequently) looking hoplessly at the selections in Karen Scott and such. </p> <p>Probably my biggest reason for buying and wearing more at my age is I do not know how many more years I have to be able to wear the things I want to.&nbsp; I keep telling DH every time I buy another pair of shoes--gotta do it while I can walk in them because when I have to use a walker I will have to wear something u-g-l-y.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641240 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 01:41:39 +0000 Isabel 1641240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How fascinating.. I will have to mull this over and come back to it. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641166 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 23:06:21 +0000 Vildy 1641166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Besides the suspect factoid, I had looked at their shopping site and really found the tone patronizing, especially when talking to mature women who are busy, accomplished, experienced at life.&nbsp; A lot of "here, let me hold your hand and help you over your insecurities (that we're going to make sure you feel)." It's true they run some profiles of middle-aged successful women and I didn't bother reading any because I don't want to be her - whoever she is - I want to continue to be me. Doesn't seem different to me from any typical woman's magazine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641157 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:54:28 +0000 Gaylene 1641157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, if you look at the figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the data gets a bit clearer. </p> <p>"For the under-25 age group, the average amount spent on clothing was not statistically different from the amount spent by the 25–34 age group—$1,513 and $1,832, respectively. While the greatest amount spent on clothing was $1,960 for the 35–44 age group, this amount was not statistically different from the $1,832 for the 25–34 age group and the $1,826 for the 45–54 age group. Spending, however, declined to $1,563 for the 55–64 years group to $1,222 for the 65–74 years group to $768 for the 75 years and older group. These differences were statistically different."</p> <p><a href="http://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-4/consumer-expenditures-vary-by-age.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/vo.....by-age.htm</a></p> <p>The author of the article fudged her data by grouping the 45-54 year old group with the 55+ groups since, statistically speaking, the decline in clothing expenditure doesn't kick in until retirement, with the big drop-off really starting in the 65-74 group. Coincidently (?) it's also in those 65 and beyond groups when the proportion of income spent on health increases and net income declines because of retirement. </p> <p>Maybe the fashion challenge that really needs to be addressed is how to dress stylishly on a retiree budget when health issues loom as a priority? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641137 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:54:39 +0000 Angie 1641137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I question the data too - what Liz said.&nbsp;</p> <p>90% of my clientele are over the age of 45 and are shopping more now than ever. I'm almost 46 and am shopping more too.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641128 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:47:55 +0000 Suz 1641128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I certainly don't fit the description. I spend more than I ever did. In my 20s I thrifted and bought any new items on deep discount. In my 30s and 40s I literally bought very little at all. I'm spending more now than I ever did.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>I think without YLF's help I might find this more difficult. But it hasn't been too hard so far to find the kinds of clothes I want to wear. I agree with April that as I age, there are some portions of my body I feel less than fab about putting on display, but the truth is, I was more self-conscious when younger and I'm also relatively modest, so most of those areas were never on display in the first place!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1641079 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 20:50:24 +0000 Helena 1641079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think approprio nailed it - when I read "demographic x is not engaged with a product group", I hear " new group to market to!! Quick, create a "need"!!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640937 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 17:11:26 +0000 rabbit 1640937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm agreeing with all the comments, also <b>approprio</b> questioning the data. &nbsp;I also think that people buy clothes when they are transitioning. &nbsp;Transitioning into a new job, or into the workforce for the first time, into or out of pregnancy, etc. &nbsp;After the 40's you may already have a wardrobe with a lot of clothes in, sometimes any major weight alterations have already happened. &nbsp;Even if you are job hunting it might not be a new career. &nbsp; </p> <p>The last few years I also spent less (partly because of availability at that price point, partly because of learning how to shop and spending more time doing it), and bought more clothes. &nbsp;I'm also thinking maybe that while following fashion can be seen as fun and self-empowering by larger society, it's not seen so much as a necessity but rather a choice? &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640927 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 16:54:58 +0000 rachylou 1640927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is an excellent point, approprio, about the relative cost. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640907 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 16:35:18 +0000 Anonymous 1640907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After 45, we're savvier shoppers and we've learned (it is hoped) to control our impulse buying.&nbsp; We've usually found our styles and aren't experimenting quite as much.&nbsp; And yes, we have kids in college, or cats that need dental surgery </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640885 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 16:12:14 +0000 approprio 1640885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm very suspicious of this data. What are they measuring? Shopping history over the last ten years? Comparison of demographics? I want to see numbers to back up these sweeping statements!</p> <p>Clothes are getting cheaper and quality declining. We spend a lower proportion of our income on clothes than previous generations, but we buy many, many more or them.&nbsp;The message seems to be "women over 45 aren't shopping as much as we'd like them to, how can we get them to spend more on disposable clothing?"</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640877 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 16:04:25 +0000 Ledonna N. 1640877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Almost 45 Yes!!!!!&nbsp; Now I feel comfortable and pretty in what I wear.&nbsp; I just fill wardrobe holes and pretty much wear uniforms that I switch up the looks with.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640870 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:57:45 +0000 rachylou 1640870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first thought is: I have amassed a huge amount of clothing and need to purge, not add. Second, this is the age group that's carrying the weight of the world; therefore no time and this no fuss is the order of the day. Third, how many years do the data cover? Could be the global economic retraction we've been experiencing the last 20 years and/or the reduction in buying power over the last 50. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640786 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:39:22 +0000 Anonymous 1640786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The spending less part is a surprise, frankly. I can see buying less, but spending the same , or more, as being the case. That said, maybe it speaks to our success in figuring out what we want and like and feeling less inclined to buy everything we see that we think we should have &nbsp;.</p> <p>&nbsp;I know I used to buy &nbsp;"<b>all of the clothes</b>&nbsp;" when I was in my 30's and early 40's. Just tons of pieces , and I could go practically all summer (for example) without wearing the same work outfit twice. &nbsp;I like to think I matured a bit in the interim, and no longer feel as inclined to do so. Also, I could fit into and wear anything in those years - literally. &nbsp;Clothes looked good, fit well, and I was very thin and toned - so I had fun shopping and trying stuff on. Now, the reverse is true.</p> <p>I don't think it's for lack of clothes out there to buy, is it? &nbsp; Although I complain about it endlessly, US consumers have a wealth of choice at hand, and at all price points. Or at least it seems that way to this sad little Canadian &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640785 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:34:34 +0000 April 1640785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's my two cents.&nbsp;</p> <p>At 52, I find it getting harder and harder to find clothing that fits my needs. &nbsp;I'm between clothing that feels too young and clothing that feels too old, in a defeated way.</p> <p>Things I will no longer consider: heels; anything that doesn't allow for a serious bra underneath; anything that exposes too much increasingly-veiny leg and saggy knees; anything that exposes a lot of decolletage. </p> <p>Things I'm not yet ready to consider: shapeless sacks; living in track suits; ugly "I give up" shoes (you know the ones). </p> <p>That still leaves tons of options, I agree. &nbsp;Where it gets really challenging is when there's a special occasion. &nbsp;Special occasion dresses lurch pretty rapidly from clubwear to grandmother-of-the-bride. &nbsp;</p> <p>So now that I have the budget, I just find less and less that I want to buy. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640775 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:17:20 +0000 BrieN 1640775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think some of us over 40's don't "get" a lot of the clothing on offer. A lot of us are still playing by the old rule book--the one we grew up with where flattering your shape was the ultimate goal. The style buffet is open but we are used to meat and potatoes.</p> <p>Cropped flares are a great example. If I'm juggling teenagers and home and job and I don't spend time on YLF I don't spend a lot of time thinking about pant length and flare. As Angie indicates it can take a while for your eye to adjust. So I take a look at the weird short pants at the mall, wrinkle my forehead in confusion, and think gosh glad I can still wear those comfortable jeans I got on discount a few years ago... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640770 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:57:25 +0000 Helena 1640770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sort of agree that retailers don't cater well to the over-40 set, particularly if you live a casual lifestyle. However I also think it's a non sequitur to say lower spending means less interest ... Approprio gave some great suggestions - perhaps older women make less mistakes, do more with less, buy pieces that last longer, are less focused on fast-churning trends. The fact that marketers don't like this doesn't mean the women themselves don't! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640750 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:08:05 +0000 El Cee 1640750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think, as others have said, that a lot of this is due to having other financial priorities… raising children, owning a house (which can be a money pit) and saving for retirement. I also notice that as I age I am more sure in my own personal style and spend less money "experimenting" with different styles than I did in my 20's and 30's. I am still rather eclectic in my tastes and not, by any means, a minimalist -- but I am less drawn to "trends of the moment" than I used to be.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640742 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 12:32:32 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1640742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I pasted the while thing in above but it's a big mess. To summarize, and skip the promotion for thr Apprecier website they mention, their answer seems to be poor efforts by designers and retailers to offer clothes for a particular demographic of busy women with specific clothing needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640739 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 12:18:04 +0000 Jaime 1640739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with that it is partly a financial thing-&nbsp; I would say that at least half of my friends have kids in some kind of travel team.&nbsp;These cost a fortune in both time and money.&nbsp;In addition to this they are all on community and school teams too.&nbsp;Parents are spending money many of them don't have so that their kids can have fun-often neglecting their own needs and even saving for college.&nbsp; </p> <p>For myself, I have to say that the poor quality of most clothing hinders me.&nbsp; I realize now that any sweater I buy at a mall retailer will last but a season so I have become more picky.&nbsp; I also feel too young to identify with many retailers that target my age but too old to wear a lot of the stuff you see at the mall(short shorts!).&nbsp; For me this is not as much of a problem because I love fashion and enjoy shopping so can research and still find what I need.&nbsp; However I&nbsp;find that most average women actually do not like to shop or care much about following fashion. With that, they are more likely to wear what they have than to buy more.&nbsp; The only thing I do notice is that many do still want to carry a nice bag.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640729 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:55:46 +0000 Anonymous 1640729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto what Approprio said. I actually spend more, but that's because I hardly spent anything when I was young. My mother sewed for me and my oldest DD (she sewed for all of her grandchildren), so I didn't have the need to fork out cash for quick fashion that wouldn't last. I never got in the habit of spending like that. And yes, putting all of our DDs through college has been expensive, even though they all had scholarships that paid for their tuition. Books and fees are incredibly expensive. Throughout our entire marriage, my DH and I also provided financial help to his parents, and they even lived with us for 4 years. Let me add, too, that medical and dental costs might be a factor for some.</p> <p>Now I think I pretty much know what suits me, and am less experimental, so I spend on better quality merchandise. It's hard to buy cheap stuff anyway after always being able to wear well-made garments. I think my mother spoiled me in that regard, but at the same time she taught me a lot. </p> <p>I would say that if retailers want women our age to spend more on fashion, they need to create garments that "get" our bodies, which are not like they were when we were young. For me at least, they need to look sophisticated and be made for my curvy body that has a bit of a tummy from having 4 children. I try my best to disguise my tummy as best I can, but only certain types of garments do that for me. IOW, I need clothes that do the work for me. They do exist, but they're hard to come by.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640725 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:52:49 +0000 Anonymous 1640725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not true of me, either. I don't have a WSJ account, but I'm guessing UmmLila posted the full text above. </p> <p>I'll posit a reason for this drop in fashion spending: Friends and colleagues in their 40s and early 50s have kids in college, which is insanely expensive in the US. At the same time, they are trying to play catchup saving for retirement as companies contribute less toward employee retirement programmes (anyone recall the quaint concept of pensions plans?). For people in my age bracket, the kids are off on their own (hopefully) and we can indulge a little more--if we're not worried about losing our jobs, of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640723 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:49:01 +0000 Anonymous 1640723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't open the article either. &nbsp;I agree with everything that Approprio stated above. &nbsp;</p> <p>I certainly don't spend less. &nbsp;In fact, I have reached an age that I can <u>comfortably</u> spend <u>more</u> money on my favorite hobby, fashion. &nbsp;But I don't subscribe to fast fashion or fads. &nbsp;I focus on my signature style and buy the best quality I can find. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640720 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:42:31 +0000 approprio 1640720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't get at the article to evaluate the data, so let me hazard a guess...</p> <p>Is it because the fashion industry is so focused on the spending habits of the demographic below that women in this group struggle to find things that they want to spend money on?</p> <p>Maybe they're too sensible to drop a load of cash every week on fast fashion.&nbsp;They could be disappointed with the quality and hate the shopping experience.&nbsp;Are they in so tune with their tastes that they make fewer mistakes? Do they feel like they have enough stuff already? </p> <p>I can think of all sorts of reasons. It's true I shop less than I used to, but I'm better at it and more likely to target the high end for fewer items than I used to be. Hasn't stopped me loving fashion though.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640716 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:32:11 +0000 Mochi 1640716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haven't opened link yet, but could not be further from the truth for me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wsj---why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45#post-1640713 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:27:05 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1640713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-do-women-spend-less-on-fashion-after-45-1459983312">http://www.wsj.com/articles/wh.....1459983312</a></p> <p>Pas moi</p> <p></p> <p>By CHRISTINA BINKLEY</p> <p> Updated April 6, 2016 6:59 p.m. ET<br /> 7 COMMENTS<br /> Women’s spending on apparel peaks at age 44 and then enters a long slump, according to a Goldman Sachs research report. The question is, why?</p> <p>Why would a woman’s enthusiasm for fashion slow just as her household income is reaching its highest level and her career and social requirements are at their most demanding?</p> <p>When Cynthia Weber-Cleary, InStyle magazine’s former fashion director, launched her “Age-Wise Style” blog at the magazine in 2014, she heard from readers that most marketing seemed obsessed with younger women. Fortysomething mothers with young children didn’t see themselves as matronly. Older women didn’t want to look dowdy at their children’s weddings.</p> <p>Ms. Weber-Cleary spied a business opportunity. She found a business partner in Stephanie Stahl, former head of marketing at leather-goods maker Coach.</p> <p>The duo, based in New York City, recently launched Apprécier.com, (pronounced Ap-reesh-she-ay), a retail site offering style advice and fashions aimed at women over 45. The site never mentions the A-word, or anything related to age. The site’s relationships with retailers enable users to click through to buy on the retailers’ sites, while Apprécier takes a slice of the revenue—a standard model for such sites.</p> <p> How can women over age 45 be enticed to be enthusiastic about fashion? Apprécier.com co-founder Cindy Weber-Cleary joins Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero, along with WSJ's Christina Binkley, to explain how the site is solving the challenge. Photo: James Robert Fuller for The Wall Street Journal<br /> “Age is where the opportunity is,” says Ms. Stahl, who discusses the age strategy with investors. But “the kiss of death is to be labeled as the site for 45 and over. The only place on our site that mentions age is our bios.” Ms. Stahl is 49. Ms. Weber-Cleary is 58.</p> <p>Women don’t want to be stuck in a ghetto with conservative or dumbed-down fashions that assume they want to hide their knees. Brands at all price ranges, from St. John to Talbots to Chico’s, have struggled not to be identified with women of a certain age, which could translate as stuffy or boring. Forth and Towne, Gap’s attempt at the over-35 market, went out of business in 2007 after less than two years.</p> <p>Apprécier offers up-to-date fashion features such as “It’s Pajama time. Yes, Really!” on the pajamas-as-streetwear trend, and profiles stylish women. There are links to apparel from 600 brands and 200 online retailers, from Tory Burch to Intermix. Prices range widely. Recently, the main “boutique” page was dominated by an $88 Madewell denim shirt, with a smaller highlight of $525 Golden Goose sneakers, at Farfetch, and $395 Rag and Bone track pants, at Net-a-Porter. Another page offered an $1,890 Carolina Herrera top.</p> <p>Apprécier's ‘Wear it Your Way’ page. ENLARGE<br /> Apprécier's ‘Wear it Your Way’ page. PHOTO: APPRÉCIER<br /> The site still lacks a single shopping cart that lets you buy from several retailers in one order. The founders say that is coming.</p> <p>Older women have plenty of spending power. Women over 45 who are in the top 30% of U.S. household income spend $35 billion a year on apparel, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys. But how much are they not spending in their wealthiest years? While Americans’ overall household spending remains relatively steady until age 65, women’s fashion spending tails off after 45. The average life expectancy for a U.S. woman is 85.</p> <p>Apprécier focuses on style without discussing age. A view of its home page. ENLARGE<br /> Apprécier focuses on style without discussing age. A view of its home page. PHOTO: APPRÉCIER<br /> It may be a sign of this demographic’s neglect that little research has been done on their spending. The statistic on American women’s peak spending at 44 was a tiny nugget in a 2013 Goldman Sachs research report on specialty apparel and accessories.</p> <p>Apprécier isn’t the only fashion venture catering to older women. Armarium, a site set to launch this spring, will rent expensive, high-fashion statement pieces to women who want a constant rotation of fashions without “the sting of being stuck with something that may not be right,” says co-founder Trisha Gregory, a former public relations executive at Ferragamo. Armarium, which had a prelaunch pop-up shop at New York’s St. Regis hotel in February, never mentions age but notes clients are often juggling motherhood and work and seek the convenience and know-how of the service to outfit themselvesfor many engagements.</p> <p>There are also plenty of blogs, such as Not Dead Yet, Not Dressed As Lamb, and Style Crone, that address the A-word with more daring.</p> <p>Gretchen Pace, general manager of Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, says she sees mature women as a prime opportunity. She is considering creating concierges trained to help connect these clients with knowledgeable salespeople. “It isn’t that women over 45 don’t want to shop anymore,” Ms. Pace says. “It just isn’t easy.”</p> <p>That feeling affects even the best-connected women. “I hate shopping!” says Cornelia Guest, a socialite and entrepreneur, as well as the daughter of the late style doyenne CZ Guest. “There’s so much stuff and ooof, it’s so hard to get through it.”</p> <p>An Apprécier profile of Dana Roc. ENLARGE<br /> An Apprécier profile of Dana Roc. PHOTO: APPRÉCIER<br /> Mature women don’t have a lot of time to shop as they juggle multiple demands. As they age, women also become choosier, and more aware of what doesn’t work for their style. “Chic is not a young girl’s game,” says Veronica Webb, the model and actress, who is 51. “It’s something that is acquired not with money, but with time and trial and error.”</p> <p>There is satisfaction in arriving at an age of confidence. “I love the fact that I know what works for me and what doesn’t,” says Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington, who is 65. She says she is less fearful about certain taboos. “I love the fact that I have no problem wearing the same thing again and again and again if I love it.”</p> <p>Ms. Guest, who is in her early 50s, says her mother had a better relationship with fashion as she aged. “My mother spent more after age 45. Her whole generation did,” says Ms. Guest, who says it is harder for her to find clothes she likes. “If I find a dress that works, I’ll buy four or five because I know I might not find another for a couple of years.”</p> <p>Appreciér doesn’t shy away from advising women who are searching for a mother-of-the-bride dress. ENLARGE<br /> Appreciér doesn’t shy away from advising women who are searching for a mother-of-the-bride dress. PHOTO: APPRÉCIER<br /> Apprécier won’t divvy up fashions by decade. “Those horrible what-to-wear-when-you’re-30-40-50-60!” says Ms. Weber-Cleary. “It’s a false construct.” The site does edit out too-youthful styles, such as overalls, she says.</p> <p>Yet it embraces one fearsome fashion dilemma. “Mother-of-the-bride is a phrase that designers hate. It’s a taboo to talk about it,” says Ms. Weber-Cleary. Yet it is one of the most important special-occasion outfits a woman buys, after her own wedding dress, and most women are ready to spend big on it. Apprécier tackles it head-on, with suggestions including a floral Thakoon gown, from Bergdorf Goodman, and a black Tibi dress embellished with feathers, from Net-a-Porter.</p> <p></p>