One of the most common questions we get…
These over 40 models are from the UK
Dear Glam Gals,
I am really enjoying your blog and the information that you provide. I was just wondering why you continually use young models to display the clothes and styles you suggest women wear who are 40 and over? It seems counter intuitive to suggest that we embrace our age and aging bodies, yet all the styles are shown on young models, who have no bodies and are not anywhere near the age of 40! Of course we all know that clothes look better on models without curves, but doesn’t that just make it harder to embrace our age, our style, and reality? Just wondering…:-)
Thanks. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Sincerely, Wendy B
Hi Wendy,
We get this question all the time and we are frustrated too… you see to there are just no photos of “real women” out there in current clothes that you can buy! We want to be able to show you things that you can go out and buy, but all the stores insists on using ultra young and super skinny models!
A few years back, we were excited to start working with a NYC modeling agency for women over 40, but they went out of business!
That is why we try to find women on the street photos, but it can be frustrating for our readers, since most of the time the outfits the women are wearing was purchased a last season and can’t be found now.
One note, most of the styles that we suggest can be worn on most body types, it is just that they are being modeled by young, thin women!
If anyone has suggestions or ideas we would love to hear them!
Why not do your own model search? Ask 40+ women to send in photos of themselves in current style trends and signed releases to use those photos on your web site? Maybe a contest twice a year to encourage it? Stores like Talbots, JJill and others may be interested in sponsoring some sort of award as a means to get marketing awareness. Many women over 40 (esp. over 60) are likely to have disposable income for fashion.
Hi Kelly,
Great suggestion! We just might do that!! Thanks!
I hope you will! I’ve been researching it for some time and you are so right that there are very few modeling agencies focusing on the 40-80 market. I have friends and family in their 70′s who have not given up on current fashion and would LOVE to see some models they can relate to.
Hi Kelly,
Yes we agree! Thanks for encouraging us! Maybe someone will see this post and contact us!!
I agree with Kelly, maybe do a Glamour on the street outfit ideas. Photos of real women, in real clothes that fit, look good, and are in style! So what if it’s last season, one season back should not hurt, many still look NICE! Who needs a release, random photos of dos and don’ts. Who doesn’t want their picture taken?
Hi Davon,
Ok… you have us inspired! We will get out there with our cameras and start shooting! If anyone else wants to submit photos of themselves or friends and give us permission to use them we will post them!!
So true, taking a woman’s photo and telling her it will be posted as inspiration of a fashion site, always seems to make her day!!!
I’m willing to be a gineau pig! See my photos at above–I try styles and am posting them on my blog. If you’d like, just let me know what you’d like me to try and I will!
Paula Ruta
Ladies,
Just saw this article. I was one of the “lucky ” ladies that did go to the call for the division of over 40 models, and was selected as one of the models at the tender age of 50! So very disappointed when we did close. I think the voice of these women need to be heard, and seen!! We are looking great at this age, but more importantly ….. feeling great. And, I might add more confident and self assured. No longer is there competition , we embrace and empower each other at this age. I far more wonderful feeling than the competitiveness of our younger years. I would love to sent my photo. Love this age!
Hi Mary,
Please send us your photo. We’d love to post it.
Isn’t it crazy that there are no women in ads over 40 except for the odd token boomer. We can see her now. She always has very short sporty gray hair and a perfect body..not that there’s anything wrong with grey hair, but this sterotype is only a tiny sliver of how women 40, 50 and beyond really look. When are they going to wake up?
Are there agencies looking for women over 40? I’m 48 and have friends over 40 who are quite fashionable……How do you get involved?
Well the Red Agency in NYC was hiring models… (see our own Andrea Bond past post) however I believe that it went out of business. You might contact model Judy Goss author of How to Break Into Modeling for under $20.00
We will keep everyone posted as soon as we hear more!
I think this is an excellent idea!!
It is always disappointing to see teenagers in ads or catalogs that are targeting the over 40 demographic.
I was a 12+ model with Wilhelmina Ford and Brand until I took a break after having my daughter. She is now four years old. And it often times feels like its too difficult to even start back.
Seeing these kinds of shows and contests are fun. I think it gives women a chance to dream again, reinvent themselves and remember how beautiful they are inside and out.