5 Stylish Women Who Refuse to Dress Their Age

The old adage that one should dress according to their age is questionable in this era, especially for these stylish women.

Perhaps during no other period in human history have we ever looked so good as the result of taking care of our bodies, eating healthy and exercising regularly. And, with advances in cosmetic procedures, some of us have helped Mother Nature along, with various procedures from simple injectables to major surgery.

Our lifestyles are also different from a generation ago and we are living longer, more productive lives. The end result is that we look damn good and age is now merely a number. A 60-year-old today does not, for the most part, look like a 60-year-old from your mother’s era.

However, we still have preconceived notions of what a 50, 60 or even a 70-year-old should wear. But because we can no longer tell how old someone is, we should abolish the old dress-your-age rule. Rather, we should be dressing to suit our body type. Other factors like lifestyle and confidence levels might play minor parts to the style equation.

Kris Jenner, 62

Mother-of-six and matriarch of the Kardashian and Jenner clan, she’s reportedly responsible for instilling drive and ambition in her daughters and for building the empire that has ensued from their reality television show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. So, not surprisingly, wherever her girls are, she’s found nearby but hardly receding in the shadows. She often wears clothing from the same designers as her daughters—Balmain remains a favourite of the family—but her choices stop short of being vulgar.

Jane Fonda, 80

Here’s a perfect example of two women close in age but with completely different approaches to matters of wardrobe and style. Jane Fonda and her then 76-year-old co-star, Lily Tomlin, are seen here at the premiere of season two of their Netflix Original series, Grace & Frankie, dressed for the red carpet but suitably attired for their different body types. The talented Tomlin adheres to a common style adopted by many women her age, dressing in billowy loose fitting garments that are not only comfortable looking but hides various parts of the body a woman her age might not want to bring attention to—like a less than trim waistline or sagging arms. And most likely her trousers might be elasticized waist. And there is nothing wrong with any of those comfort features.

Madonna, 59

Citizens of the social media universe heaped a load of criticism upon the Material Girl for this racy lacy custom made Givenchy outfit she wore to the Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this year. The general consensus was she looked like she was trying too hard.

The dress, which revealed her bare bum and breasts, was perhaps better suited on an ingenue trying to get some media attention on this heavily populated red carpet that features tons of A-listers. But is that just ageism?

Cher, 71

The indefatigable Cher, truly seems like she can turn back time. Seen here in June in Portofino, Italy, enjoying a gelato like any regular tourist, the entertainer looks like she’s dressed for sight-seeing comfort but with that Cher-like rock-n-roll sensibility. There is the skin tight black leggings—which she makes no attempt to cover her rear or stomach with a long t-shirt like most women her age might be prone to do. Her butt is taut, her legs are toned and her stomach looks flat, so she’s not covering up. And no tent-like t-shirt for her. It’s a little rocker tank with skull and crossbones and worn layered over a sheer long sleeve top.

Carine Roitfeld, 63

With her signature tousled hair and smudged eye liner, this former editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue, looks more like a rockstar than the fashion stylist, mother and grandmother she is today. She is prone to wearing pencil skirts, sheer blouses, leather pants, biker jackets and stilettos.