Tim Gunn’s 6 Fashion Don’ts?
Sounds like Project Runway’s Tim Gunn assumes that all women over 40 are overweight and out of shape!
His now famous list on Oprah of The Six Things Women over 40 Should Never Wear, might as well have been called, The Six Things Fat Middle Aged Women Should Never Wear!
We totally agree that horizontal stripes, jackets that hit at mid-thigh, pleated pants, double breasted blazers, Capri length pants, and low rise jeans do not flatter heavy or matronly bodies.
But if you’re still looking fit and trim after 40, which many of us are these days, some of these styles will still work.
It’s really more about the shape you are in rather than your age your age. Let your body be your guide.
For example, a pair of cute Capri length pants on a boomer body is a great alternative to shorts. A double breasted jacket can still look classy and fashionable on a slim, mature woman.
A classic horizontal striped top (we’re thinking of the cute navy nautical ones this spring) looks smart and sporty if you’re toned up top and not overly busty.
As for pleated pants, well they look terrible on any woman with a tummy regardless of age, and since flat front pants are what’s in style anyway, why even bother.
Ditto for jackets that fall at mid-thigh.
Low rise jeans, it’s true, are most always best left to young tight bodies, but we think that slightly lower jeans, rather than those frumpy high waisted ones make you look more hip and they flatter most figures.
So go ahead break a few rules. Let your shape, not simply your age, help determine what you should and shouldn’t wear if you want to be stylish at any age.
Thank god someone thinks this way besides me….I think that if you are in shape, as long as you aren’t wearing the low, low jeans, and acting as if you were still 20, you can still wear what is attractive. Capris, double breasted, and horizontal stripes are classic looks and I think that most women (who aren’t overweight) can pull them off flawlessly…Tim Gunn needs to remember that all women over 40 aren’t fat!
I totally agree with you…especially about the capris (pants that several inches above the ankle) and low-rise jeans. And I was under the impression that horizontal stripes were only to be avoided if your broader, or heavier. What does age have to do with it?
I’m a big fan of Tim’s and am a bit surprised to hear him generalize about women over 40. A woman should definitely be mindful of her age and body shape, but not worry about questionable parameters set by someone else.
It’s really more about the shape you are in rather than your age your age. Let your body be your guide.
I whole-heartedly agree. I’m in excellent shape, don’t have awful arms, legs, and my neck is fine. I’m 44. I’m tired of blanket generalizations about what women over 40 shouldn’t wear, as if we’re all the same. I never hear about what women over 20 shouldn’t wear. In fact, 20-somethings are told to go all out. Never mind if they’re out of shape, or a particular style doesn’t work for them.
In fact, I feel “age-appropriate” dressing is ridiculous once you’re past 21. What’s most important is occasion appropriate, lifestyle appropriate and perhaps most importantly, body shape appropriate.
In the 4 years I’ve been over forty I have worn almost all the no-nos. Baby dolls, low rise jeans, capris, tank tops, spaghetti straps, you name it. What I have sense to never wear are the clearly teenaged styles like the shrunken parkas, uggs, shrunken blazers, wildly embellished denim, sparkly message tee shirts, belly shirts, etc. Other than that, I stay contemporary and find it easy to do so.
Hey, I’m 44, I know what looks good on me, I know to mix classic with contemporary to not look too stodgy. I actually don’t need Tim Gunn’s specious advice and I don’t think any of us grown up girl’s do. Tim needs some advice himself. LOL.