The most fashionable older woman I know is my mother's cousin, and my godmother. 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. She has always been very glamorous. 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 by how timelessly stylish she has been.
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. Or midi vests. Or whatever the style was. She gave me wildly age-inappropriate gifts, including a bronze lame bomber jacket when I was about 12 and chunky and awkward. I would kill for that jacket now!
My mother, now 78, was very stylish through her 50's, but my sister and I now lament how she has dressed for the last 15 or 20 years. 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. I have tried (lord, have I tried) to get her into flared jeans to balance generous hips, and faux tucks, to show her small waistline. Alas! 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!!!
I've been re-watching "MadMen" episode after episode. I really relate to that show. My Mom was Betty, and my godmother was one of those glamorous women who had made it into the working world with style. (I was Sally....)
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, when I was diagnosed with cancer.