The Art of Dressing Elegantly: For Women of a Certain Age (Introduction)

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Aging can be traumatic for both men and women. The pressure to look good, however, is mostly placed upon women by an unforgiving society. Magazines, TV programs all feature women with flawless skin, lustrous hair, and gleaming smiles, wrapped (or unwrapped) in clothes that emphasize their shapely figures.

The process of getting old is unavoidable. No matter how much we fight nature’s course, time will make its mark on our faces, hair, and bodies. Those who can afford it spend a fortune on plastic surgery or regular non-invasive procedures to slow or counter the aging process. Some look terribly different from their former selves; others just look worse than ever.

Yet, women don’t have to take that direction. There are more reasonable options available to us. We really need to correct our attitude towards aging, but we don’t have to surrender to it. We can fight it gracefully. Mature women no longer struggle with the meaning of life or agonize over what they want in life. We know what we want. It doesn’t matter that we weren’t blessed with great beauty. We want to look good!

Sure, women have different tastes and styles in clothing. What we strive to achieve is elegance, whether casual or not. How does one explain elegance? Merriam-Webster defines it as refined grace or dignified propriety; dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style. It basically means propriety in both dress and manners. This article will attempt to focus on how we can dress elegantly without breaking the bank.

Whether we are in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, or older, we need to take care of our health. Practice good grooming, eat right, exercise, and stay active. Wear pajamas all day if you want, as long as you’re in the privacy of your homes. Once you’re outside those boundaries, you need to consider the propriety of your appearance. Make sure your clothes are clean and free from wrinkles; and your shoes clean. A little vanity never hurts. It can motivate us to take pride in ourselves.

We do not have to be slaves to fashion or spend a lot of money to look good. Choose clothes in classic styles that fit well and hide the flaws in your body. A simple wardrobe can consist of tops, skirts, and trousers in neutral hues (black, brown, gray, white); a few dresses, and jeans for casual wear. Your shoes and handbags can be in any color that will match or even enhance your clothes. What you buy depends on your personal style and finances.

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