“Indeed, the older you get, the less you can do prim, girlish, preppy, and cute, and the more you can do defined, striking, architectural, and subtle.”

This quote is from an article that originally appeared in the April 2015 issue of Harper’s BAZAAR by Lisa Armstrong the Fashion Director of The Telegraph.

While this article is a year old I mention it because this theme is still prevalent in the media. I just read one that told me at my age I should wear a swimsuit with sleeves because I really should be covering myself up. In 90 degrees.

I am not sure what some of the terms above mean: defined (does that require a lot of black?), striking (again hmm maybe more black?), architectural (definition: “having or conceived of as having a single unified overall design, form, or structure”) sorry still confused.

Here are my thoughts after reading the Harper’s BAZAAR article:

• I may not wear hair bands or frilly flared mini skirts anymore but will always like a classic preppy look.
• I will not throw out my leather skinny pants because I literally just bought my first pair (as in ever in my whole entire life) and my husband and I love me in them. I know they are a far cry from preppy and I am according to this article too old for them but that is just an arbitrary rule that I choose to ignore. After all, what are all those hours at the gym for if not to wear leather pants? Oh yes and a swimsuit without sleeves.
• I was raised to believe that as a woman I deserved equal rights and opportunities to men (my dad wisely said “never admit you can type!”) – but honestly, I don’t recall specifics about Gloria Steinam or Betty Friedan. Did they have something to do with the pant suit?
• Yes thank you for the advice to go bigger with patterns and blooms but to quote my dear friend  “I’m a grown ass woman” (love this, love her) so will pass on flowers. “No crazy patterns or wild colors for me”.
• It is appreciated, the advice that the opposite is true with animal prints as you age. Actually, I’ve never been crazy about animal prints except for animals…maybe accessories.
• “And revel in the moment when you can justify shopping for labels like Céline, Calvin Klein, Jill Sander, and the Row because not all sweaters are created equal” – that’s what The Outnet is for (Love Isabel Marant at 65% off and Todd’s loafers at 45% off).

I try to avoid wearing the same exact sandals or any exact replicas of my teenage daughter’s. My Adidas are an exception for no good reason other than I like them. They are cute (oops sorry I forgot I am supposedly too old for cute).

Click here to read the full article Dressing your Age.

Or click here for current edgy fun fashion inspiration entertainment 10 things Olivia Palermo & Kendall Jenner have in their closets. 

Click here for feminine fashion inspiration from my favorite prep blog Classy Girls Wear Pearls. Lisa Armstrong will disapprove but oh well.

Harpers BAZAAR image