By
Georgia Donovan
It's
a sad but true fact that so many women over forty feel invisible.
Changing this has become my passion. One of the things that inspired
me to do what I now do, after having had an executive position with
a telecom giant, was an experience I had one day following one of my
seminars.
An
attractive, well-dressed woman came up to me and told me that the
thing she hated most about becoming older was that she felt
invisible. She explained how, everywhere you look, you see woman in
their twenties and thirties being presented as role models for
beauty and style. Rarely do you see mature women in TV and print ads
and some of the fashion magazines feature teenagers as models.
There's only one magazine devoted entirely to the mature woman -
More Magazine.
Just
because we're getting older doesn't mean we have to become an
invisible part of society. It doesn't mean we have to let ourselves
go, gain weight and start looking frumpy. My late aunt Josie, while
in her eighties, looked like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue
whenever she went out. A woman can still look great as she ages if .
. . she learns how to do it.
Many
of the makeup techniques that work on a twenty or thirty year old,
are a disaster on the face of a forty five year old woman.
Unfortunately, many older women have not yet learned this. As we
age, one of the makeup secrets we need to know is that "Less is
better."
Mistakes
in wardrobe are even more apparent. Recently, I was asked by a
national magazine to comment on some celebrity women. Here's what I
had to say about an outfit that Kim Catrall, who I happen to adore,
was wearing:
"Belly
bearing cutoffs and lace up top are not for the over forty woman.
Longer, boy cut shorts and a fuller cut tank with a built-in bra
would give her the same bare look."
Some
fashion anchors every woman over forty should have in her wardrobe
are a “Little Black Dress”, a Black/Navy Pencil or A-Line Skirt,
some Black/Navy Slacks/Trousers, a Black Cashmere Sweater, q White
Shirt, some Comfortable yet Chic Black 2” heels, and a Classic
Trench Coat.
Fashion
tips: Pants with clean lines, no pockets, no pleats look best on
almost every woman because they are slimming.
Black
or navy will make you look thinner, but add some color with
accessories to give your look some flair. Elastic waist pants or
skirts are to be avoided at all costs because they flatter no
one.
Develop
a signature. Wear a favorite ring or special bracelet all the time.
Something people will always identify and remember about
you.
The
scarf should be a wardrobe staple. Learn how to use it and wear it
many ways, such as, looped through your pants as a belt, or tied on
the handle of your handbag.
Until
next time, keep looking your best and claim your
power.