This is how I want to look when I grow up! - YouLookFab Forum

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This is how I want to look when I grow up!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

This is Daphne Selfe & she is 81. Apart from the fact that we are completely different body types & I look terrible in black I think recreating this look should be easy. Joking aside though, I find this really inspirational. Does anyone else love this look?

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, she looks great! Cool and modern.

Deborah

Veteran

I think I have seen this woman before. She looks fantastic. Caro, I'm with you, if I could be her when I grow up I'd bee a very happy, not to mention cool and edgy woman.

For 81 she rocks this look and doesn't look contrived or that she is trying to be someone she is not. Love it.

Vildy

Veteran

Astrid's evaluation interested me, coupled with the body type observation.
Are there any cool and modern hourglasses or pears? How much is body type
style destiny?

Sharon

Veteran

Very cool. Curse my breasts-they seem to preclude me from wearing a lot of looks that appeal to me.

Astrid

Veteran

Vildy, I actually think it's more difficult as an hourglass or pear. Many of the 'cool' and 'edgy' looks that are around work with slouch and volume and draping and androgyny and what not and these are all things that are difficult to get right when you have curves.

ETA
Of course that doesn't mean that there are no cool and modern pears and hourglasses around. I just think it takes much more work and you have to really want that kind of style to make a commitment to work towards the look.

lyn67

Veteran

She's too cute, a real style icon- but yes, I think it's mainly due to her great slim shape that she can pull this sort of style no matter her age....so better focusing us on perpetual working out, I guess-than only clothes:-)...

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

She is a great example of a woman who continues to be stylish and fab as she ages.

April

Veteran

FWIW, I feel the same about curly hair as you hourglass/pear ladies do about body shape. It's hard to pull off certain looks with any sort of edge if you have curls. It just is.

I'm guessing this will even more true in later age, when a curly do is often part a classic Little Old Lady look:

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Sharon

Veteran

Vildy, you have expressed a frustration I have felt for a long time. Even at my thinnest I am still very busty, and large breasts just do not work with a lot of the more "fashiony" type looks. It has taken me a long time to be able to recognize that sometimes, part of the reason an outfit looks great is that the model is quite flat-chested and it will NOT look like that on me. I have had to reconcile myself to the "bombshell" aspects of my style, because I think that to some extent body type DOES influence style.

Anonymous

She looks fabulous! I love the pointed toe oxfords on her. Looks like she's found a comfortable shoe (I hope!) that also has style.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was just thinking what Claire was thinking and wondering where I could find my mom a pair of shoes like that, LOL!

I do think that body shape influences what kinds of clothes will work. Definitely. Just as colouring does. And hair - yup, that, too.

I guess that's what makes it such a challenge to develop our personal styles.

teeandcee

I noticed those shoes right away too and love them and how they bookend her hair. In fact, I love this whole look no matter what age but especially on this lady.

While I'm of the not-so-curvy body type, I'm not androgynous or gamine, which I think is part of this lady's success in pulling off this outfit without it looking like a costume. I'd love to see how Angie would wear this.

MNsara

Veteran

She's looking pretty cool! I wouldn't mind growing up this way either. And those nicely pointy, not too high, shoes cuaght my eye also right away!

Okay, so far it sounds like we're thinking we'd have trouble recreating this sort of style if we have: fuller breasts, fuller hips/thighs, or curly hair. Have I missed anything?

**teeandcee - Angie definitely has the right figure type for rocking this style - and she already has the uber cool black jacket, black skinnies, and snakeskin booties too

I'm off now to Manders thread to get inspiration for my curvy self!

Ariadne

Veteran

I love this look. I really agree that body type influences her ability to pull it off. That's something I've sensed for a long time. I LOVE this kind of style but when I try to recreate it (well, the equivalent for my age!) it often doesn't work and I do think my size and body type (hourglass, size 10/12) is a BIG part of that.

shiny

Veteran

If your body type is different you just swap out some pieces for more flattering items, while still retaining the edge and overall vibe. For example the pear could swap the skinnies for black trousers and tucked in or shorter top, i.e., reverse the volume so it's worn below, not above the waist. The hourglass could swap the top/skinnies for a wrap dress. If moto jacket doesn't work on fuller chest, always wear it open, or just go for a different style jacket.

I'm most envious of her hair. I hope I go silver or white rather than gray, and that my hair doesn't thin out too much.

MsMary

Veteran

She looks great!

April, I totally agree about the curly hair! When I leave my hair curly I almost always feel old-ladyish!

shiny

Veteran

It seems to me this woman does have curly hair, but she's blown it dry using a big round brush, achieving volume and height. Not so easy to do with straight hair.

Lisa

Veteran

She looks fabulous!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

A lot of it seems to be attitude too - you can tell this lady has plenty of attitude - in her hairstyle, her pose, AND her clothes of course. I live in a retirement area so most of the people I meet are in their late 60's to mid 80's. A few of them still strive to be stylish and have fun with their looks and that is continual inspiration to me. I don't want to grow old and forget about looking good, you know?

rachylou

Veteran

Ohmigosh. Me too!

Anonymous

If I could just look like Helen Mirren all would be right with the world. That's all I ask ...

cciele

Veteran

Oh yes, definitely something to aspire too! Thanks for posting caro!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone you've clearly expressed what I was groping towards.
In my mind it's a body type/personality conundrum. I have more curves & I'm not as slim BUT I don't feel like me in more bombshell type clothes. I can see my body looks good in them but my mind does not feel right. It's ladylike androgyny all the way for me.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think what makes an older woman look fabulous is knowing her own body and owning her chosen style. I'm starting to think that copying works when you are young because the world accepts the experimentation. By the time you reach your 50s and 60s, it seems a bit un-nerving when a woman looks like she is still searching for her identity.

I'd say a curvy hourglass with curly hair could look pretty fantastic if she wore her wrap dress and curls defiantly and with sass. Much better than if she was trying to pull off a boyish, edgy look just because her friend looked good in it. Just my two cents.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I understand what you are are saying Gaylene, but I don't feel I'm searching for an identity. I feel I'm trying to narrow down my clothing choices to always feel that I'm the best me I can be & that surely means only wearing clothes that feel right.

IMO the curvy hourglass might "look" great in the wrap dress but she won't feel great unless it matches her personality.

Gaylene

Veteran

Sorry, caro, I probably didn't express myself very well. What I was trying to say is that I think that an older woman NEEDS to dress in a way that feels right for her, regardless of her body shape or her age. I think that is the secret to looking fabulous as we age.

Personally I think a curvy hourglass can pull off the androgynous, edgy look every bit as well as the slim, boyish figure. Her appearance may not resemble that of her slim, boyish friend, but, as long as she owns her look, that curvy hourglass will look every bit as fabulous in her interpretation. But, to my mind, the key is interpretation, not direct imitation.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Oh I couldn't agree more Gaylene. I want to be me (I feel a song coming on) not an imitation of someone else. I think the thing that drew me to that particular photo was the fact that she did look so comfortable with herself & that she is wearing clothing I do wear myself, even though the so called experts always said it wasn't for my body-type.

That's why I love it here there is so much help for people to formulate their own look.
It's like Shiny said - swap out some of the pieces to suit your particular body type.

I will get my SO to take some photos this weekend & will post them next week - let the wine flow.

Oh, & for all the ladies who think curly hair doesn't work with this look I've attached a photo. I'd personally leave off the hat & the cigarette but if you feel inclined....go for it.

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Astrid

Veteran

Oh, I love Marlene Dietrich! I have to say, I agree with you on the curly hair. I think it's true that it's difficult to get an edgy haircut with curls, but even so it's possible to have an adrogynous and edgy style with curls. I actually think it can add some interest to the look.