RHYS BOWEN: Have you tried to buy clothes recently? It seems that everywhere is now catering to the young woman—the very young woman. I was in Macy’s the other day, looking for a pair of tailored black pants. Good luck with that. Leggings, jeggings, beggings…. It is my supreme belief that nobody over the age of 18, or a top-level athlete looks good in leggings unless they are worn with a tunic top over them. Most people’s behinds are not flattering . And most tops now stop at the waist instead of being long enough to hide a multitude of sins.
Even my go-to dress store, Chico’s has started making slimmer and slimmer pants and is clearly going for a younger market. And Talbots now makes its dresses above the knee. It seems that nobody cares about us oldies, which is stupid because WE ACTUALLY HAVE MONEY TO SPEND AND LEISURE TIME TO SPEND IT.
I was in a London department store once and overheard a very posh British voice saying to the sales clerk “Don’t you have any proper, normal clothes?” I know how she felt. She was a lady of certain age, wanting to look classic and dignified only to find that all dresses end way above the knee, all waists are now right below the boobs and there is no shaping or tailoring.
And don't get me started on ripped jeans. My granddaughters look as if they are about to go begging on the street in jeans that cost a fortune!
And even the best stores have no idea what looks good on older women. When my mom was shopping for an outfit to wear to daughter Jane’s wedding we were at Nordstroms, in the upscale part and the woman brought out the most unflattering outfits—ballooning tops that were gathered in at the hip, thus giving the impression of Humpty Dumpty, and usually with an enormous silk flower on one boob. My mom, never one to be subtle, put her finger in her mouth and made gagging noises.
I once thought that if I had time I’d open a chain of stores called SILVER FOX, catering only to my peers. There would be a trained advisor for shapewear on hand. A trained beautician to advise of cosmetics, and the clothes would be designed for our age, to flatter a figure that has a few more bulges than it used to. Long draped jackets, tunics, flowing dresses, well cut pants that come up to the natural waist, attractive bright silky blouses to wear with simple suits. We don’t want to look dowdy, we want to look smart, fashionable, businesslike. And we don’t want to be called DEAR by the sales clerk.
I actually have the means to do this… a nephew who is a fashion designer, who once had his own line but now works for big houses. I’m sure he could design fabulous outfits. It’s just the time and energy I don’t have. But it would be fabulous, wouldn’t it? Do you think it would be a big hit or do you think that oldies don’t shop often enough to make it viable?
So where is your go-to shop? Eileen Fisher but her colors often don’t look good on me. J Jill occasionally. Soft Surroundings? Otherwise?
