Style, Confidence & Age: Fashion Tips for Plus-Size Women and the Rise of Fabulous Older Women
Gone are the days when fashion left out plus-size women. Not long ago, curvy women had few options and were often excluded from the latest trends available to their slimmer counterparts. Fortunately, the fashion industry has evolved—and today, there's a stylish world of flattering options for every body type. Here are ten practical tips for dressing with confidence and style:
Plus-Size Fashion Tips
Tip #1: Stick with Dark, Solid Colors
Black is a classic slimming color, but navy blue and deep jewel tones work just as well to create a leaner look.
Tip #2: Embrace Princess Seams
These curved seams create a structured silhouette that enhances your figure beautifully.
Tip #3: Choose Long Sleeves When Needed
If you're self-conscious about your arms or wrists, long sleeves can subtly minimize those areas without sacrificing style.
Tip #4: Highlight Your Ankles
Instead of shorts, opt for capri pants paired with a delicate ankle bracelet to draw attention downward and balance your proportions.
Tip #5: Skip the Baggy Clothes
Loose, oversized outfits may feel like a safe choice—but they often add bulk. Choose fitted, not tight, clothes that accentuate your curves.
Tip #6: Pair Jeans with Flowing Tops
If you're concerned about love handles, avoid tight shirts. A-line or flutter tops work beautifully with jeans to create a chic, balanced look.
Tip #7: Say No to Overly Tight Clothing
Too-tight clothes are uncomfortable and unflattering—style should never come at the cost of comfort and taste.
Tip #8: Try a Monochromatic Outfit
Wearing a single color from head to toe—like a black top and black pants—creates a streamlined, elongating effect. Add a belt for flair.
Tip #9: Use a Sun-Kissed Glow to Your Advantage
A natural-looking tan can provide a healthy, slimming glow. Skip tanning beds and try a quality self-tanner for a safe option.
Tip #10: Invest in Tummy Control Pieces
Control-top pantyhose or shaping panties help smooth your figure and give you a polished silhouette under clothes.
Older Women & Younger Men: A Modern Love Story
When actress Demi Moore, then 43, married 27-year-old Ashton Kutcher, it sparked headlines and divided opinions: Is she a trailblazer? A cradle robber? The truth is, their union symbolized a broader shift in societal norms—one that challenges the outdated taboo of older women dating younger men.
While younger women with older men have long been accepted, older women still face stigma—unless, of course, they’re wealthy or famous. But that’s beginning to change.
I once gave a talk to a group of older women, and a radiant 84-year-old attendee named Betty excitedly told me she only dates younger men—never older than 60. She had a trim figure, sparkling eyes, and smooth skin. Frankly, she looked closer to 60 than 84. Why settle for someone cranky and aging when she’s full of life?
But here’s Betty’s challenge: when age comes up, potential suitors disappear. She suspects—and rightly so—that if she were rich or a celebrity, they’d stick around.
I’ve experienced this bias too. After a newspaper article mentioned I was 76, the dynamic at my workplace shifted. A previously flirty customer, "Mr. Smooth," was stunned by my age and never returned. Male coworkers began avoiding me. Why? Because society often equates aging in women with invisibility.
Yet the double standard persists. When a man is 81 and dates an 18-year-old, people nod approvingly. But an older woman with a younger man? That still raises eyebrows—unless she’s on the red carpet.
Thankfully, women like Joan Collins, Susan Sarandon, Tina Turner, Mary Tyler Moore, and now Demi Moore are changing the narrative. Eventually, fabulous older women without celebrity or wealth will be seen as desirable, not just by a select few, but by society at large.
Dr. Helen Harkness, in her book Don’t Stop the Career Clock, offers a new way to think about age:
-
Young adulthood: 20–40
-
First midlife: 40–60
-
Second midlife: 60–80
-
Young-old: 80–90
-
Elderly: 90+
-
Old-old: Final 2–3 years
This redefinition helps us see age not as a decline but as an evolution. Women like Betty aren’t just aging gracefully—they’re living boldly.
So, to all the vibrant, confident older women out there: embrace your beauty, chase what you want, and never feel the need to reveal your age unless you want to. The world is finally catching up.
Happy hunting—and stay fabulous.
Comments
Post a Comment