If there’s one style mantra I have it’s …
Clothes do not come with an age tag!
Repeat after me, please.
Clothes do not come with an age tag!
In a couple of months, I’ll be hitting the big 50. Yikes, when,what,how the heck did that happen so fast!?!
I know, I know, I don’t look a day over 32. *cough* *cough* small voice of reason nearly chokes on her vodka tonic!
This landmark age doesn’t mean I’ll be limiting my wardrobes choices. In fact, I think the opposite may well be true. I’ll be growing ever more confident in my choices.
I always feel saddened (and slightly annoyed, if truth be told), when I hear women say that they don’t feel confident wearing a leather skirt anymore or distressed jeans or mini skirt or whatever garment they’ve deemed verboten now, simply because they’ve traversed into another decade. I completely understand that
– they don’t want to feel like mutton dressed as lamb or worse
– an aging rock star or
– like they’re trying too hard.
How they wear a leather skirt, distressed jeans, or mini skirt or whatever garment they’ve deemed verboten now, might be different in mid-life, as to how they wore it in their 20’s, but seriously,
Clothes do not come with an age tag!
Right, now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s be digging down into the outfit. Due to my 52 week Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge I’m almost half way through (yikes, when,what,how the heck did that happen so fast!?!), I’ve not worn many skirts on the blog. Time to display some skirtage, I thought, especially as my working week is spent encased in Pilates leggings.
Although it’s March, t’was definitely a case of ‘the North Wind doth blow’ on Sunday. I stayed warm and snug in my faux Astrakhan coat, first worn on the blog back in December, in my Tessalation Celebration post.
Tall Brown Fox and I were off to the Serpentine Galleries in London’s Kensington Gardens, to see the Hilma af Klint exhibition.
And hiding underneath the coat and leopard print scarf was my leather skirt – not quite a mini but definitely above the knee. Heavens! A nearly 50 year old woman sporting a leather skirt and a hint of knee! Gladys, where are the smelling salts?
A wee spot of pattern mixing with my check (plaid) shirt, leopard print scarf and polka dots gloves and a pop of colour with my turquoise bag, because as I mentioned in last Thursday’s Fringe Benefits post, accessories should be fun.
Before we went inside, I braved the bracing temperatures and the beginning of rain – which as we were taking photos turned into hail! – so good timing on our part – and whipped off the coat.
Tip – if you don’t want to stuff your scarf into your bag, tie it round one of the handles of your bag for extra decoration!
Leather, whether real as here, or faux is so versatile to wear. It looks smokin’ when dressed up and stylish when dressed down for a weekend / casual look. But how to style it without worrying you’ll be mutton or a ‘I’ve outstayed my welcome 70’s, aging rockstar’?
Most of us have plaid /check or tartan shirts and statement necklaces in our wardrobe and they’re a no brainer for easy pairing with a leather skirt. For contrast, I picked out the red in the shirt with my boyfriend cardigan.
I debated whether to wear black or patterned tights and I know the rule about keeping the colour of your tights the same as your shoes to give the illusion of longer legs but I’m a contrary creature and more often than not say ‘pah’ to rules! Besides, I liked the slight shimmer in the grey tights, which picked up the grey of the gloves.
I could’ve easily styled the skirt with;
– a chunky knit and biker boots or
– a high necked blouse and velvet jacket or
– a polo neck and furry gilet or
– a denim shirt and tweed blazer.
The options are endless. Don’t believe me? Well, check out Jodie as she, Nancy, her Step-mum and Charlotte, Jodie’s Mum, respectively in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s no less (!) all rock their Leather Skirts and Lace looks.
By now, poor photographer, Tall Brown Fox was being pelted with hail and I was 30 seconds away from severe frostbite, plus the work of the female, Swedish artist – cos I knew you were thinking where does a name like Hilma af Klint come from??? – was calling, so we scuttled inside.
Amazingly, we were able to take photos of the exhibition, which is very rare – although, understandably without flash – so apologies for the quality of light. I’ll be posting later this week on the exhibition because it really was quite extraordinary and her work will be seen in all its colourful, abstract glory.
Faux Fur Astrakhan Coat (old from an indie boutique)
Warehouse Leather Skirt A/W 15 Petite Faux Leather Quilted Skirt or Petite Faux Leather Mini. Regular size: Panelled Faux Leather Skirt
New Look Boyfriend Cardigan
TKMaxx Plaid Shirt (old) Petite Teal Checked Shirt or Petite Emerald Plaid Shirt Regular size: Dark Blue Checked Shirt
New Look Necklace
New Look Turquoise Mini Tote (seen here and here with the plaid shirt and polka dot gloves)
H&M Leopard Print Scarf (old)
Polka Dots Gloves bought in France
Suede Fringe Boots bought in France. Not leather but suedette Matt Fringe Boots or leather upper Suede Fringe Boots
Moral of the story is
Clothes do not come with an age tag!
So rock your leather skirts, distressed jeans & minis with confidence and a smile!
Leopard print scarf is optional.
Linking with Visible Monday / Creative Monday Blog Hop / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Garay Treasures / JerseyGirlTexanHeart / ColorandGrace / Style Story / FashionShouldBeFun /
I am here to reassure you – 50 is fabulous! (60 is good too : >). Make your own "rules" and have fun. Love this leather skirt, xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you Patti, that's good to know! Indeed, it's all about having fun.
That exhibit looks amazing!
I agree, there is no expiry date for clothing. Confidence will take you anywhere as you plainly show here.
We are almost the same age! Any big plans for the special day?
bisous
Suzanne
It was. Her private paintings were quite ahead of their time, even more so considering the era she lived in and that she was female. It would've been quite radical the kind of work she was doing.
Not only are we beret twins but age twins! No plans at the moment other than trying to ignore the whole thing!
My choice of clothes hasn't changed much with age and I hope it will stay so. Indeed, you don't look 50, so fit and young and playful. Nice and interesting styling of this leather skirt, and as always easy and entertaining writing 🙂
Thank you, Olga, I try to keep myself in relatively good order, and with a youthful outlook. And I'm glad to hear your clothes haven't changed much as you've got older. Long may it stay that way!
Oooh, that is a cool exhibit there!!! Your posts are always so entertaining!!! I love reading them. I confess that leather clothes except for shoes have never appealed to me but I think they look so so so cool on! Your skirt is brilliant!!x
Thank you Kezzie. If I put a smile on someone's face that's made my day!
So true, clothes do not come with an age limit. We should all choose whatever makes us feel our best and forget any idea of age appropriate as it is a complete nonsense.
Enjoy your fifties , it really is a wonderful time and you have the right attitude to embrace all it has to offer.
Exactly, embrace your own style is the way to go and you're a fabulous advocate for that Jill. Thank you for your kind words.
Imagine my surprise as I'm reading your post and see my blog listed—-how spectacular for the shout out!!!
Maybe I'll have to do leather skirt & plaid next year? You could be the 50's model by then!! And I could retire to the background!!!
And funny…because I just said that same thing to my mom recently—(about clothes and an age tag). I almost think we are hardest on ourselves, and others look at us and think "cool" (hopefully).
Love this look (of course) and I'm thinking I may need a bag that color—it's just so happy! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was going to pop over and let you know but you beat me to it! My pleasure to do a shout out – you deserved it!
I'd love to become a model in my 50s! Never say never. It's true – we're too quick to find fault in ourselves when others don't see it.
And yes, put a turquoise bag on your shopping list!
All great ways to dress up a leather skirt, very nice on you !
Thank you Andy.
I so agree and love your statement that clothes do not come with an age tag! For me, I like to dress somewhat modestly, but beyond that all trends and clothes are fair game! Love this leather skirt on you!
Glad you agree. Of course we all have our own style and preferences but I never let my age dictate what I wear. If I like it and it suits me, I'll wear it!
Looks great – and I love your bag – totally agree that clothes don't come with an age tag! Stopping by from #creativemondays
Thank you for popping over, Stephanie. The bag is one of my favourites!
Hooray,you know I'm a huge advocate of style being ageless 🙂 I love that you've thumbed your nose at that nonsense, and you look killer in that leather skirt xoxo
Knew you would totally get my view,Sheela as you're a wonderful advocate of style being ageless. Thanks for your lovely words.
I totally agree with you and I think this skirt looks very good on you. Love the coat too. Last week I saw an over eighty year old lady in a black wide leather skirt which looked beautiful on her. Indeed no age tag.
Greetje
Absolutely Greetje. Age should not be a barrier. And good on that over 80 year old for rockin' her leather skirt!
That skirt does look fabulous on you my friend! I agree with you on the same color tights lengthening your leg thing because let's be realistic, I'm 5'2". I do not have long legs. So why fret over pretending that I do?
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Exactly Debbie! We're shorties – ain't nothing gonna change that! Glad you like the skirt.
I agree with you (with enthusiasm!) about all that 'age appropriate' stupid advices, which are absolutely dreary!. You rock your leather skirt, love your mixed prints, your accessorizing (such a pretty bag!) and your fabulous attitude!
besos
Hurrah! It is so dreary, isn't it? Wear what you want to wear and enjoy it. Thank you for your kind words.
Age is just a number not a limitation. – this is my new motto and I find it very liberating. Although you're looking pretty liberated already! Love the pixie boots with this leather skirt giving such a cute rather than overtly sexy look – good move. And that bag. Boom! Such a great zap of colour. Lovely outfit Jacqueline x
Anna
Anna's Island Style
It is liberating isn't it? We can get too bogged down in worrying about our age. Yes, the favourite bag is back out again! I can't keep it inside for long.
Absolutely love the leather skirt on you! I have recently bought a leather biker jacket and I am well into my 50s! I actually feel more liberated with my styling choices the older I get and I am discovering so many fabulously dressed and stylish women over 40, 50, 60 and well into their 70s and 80s in the blogging world. Take it from me, hitting 50 really isn't so bad and you will definitely do it with pizzazz! Love your friendly blog, style and attitude!
Thank you Astrid, what lovely compliments from you. I absolutely agree with you – I too, am feeling more liberated with my style choices and long may that continue into future decades!