The Year of Helen

Derick Chetty | August 15th, 2013

Dame Helen Mirren is having a stellar sartorial year.

The 67-year-old actress has been hitting so many fashion home runs for each of her red carpet appearances this year, she could be coaching some of Hollywood’s much younger starlets on how to wow when it comes to dressing like a high-calibre actress.

In her most recent outing – on the red carpet of the London premier of her latest movie, Reds 2 – she looked fiery hot in a ruby-coloured beaded dress by Jenny Packham, proving that older women can look alluring in siren red hues.

What else can we learn from the Oscar-winning actress when it comes to dressing for special occasions?

She favours figure-skimming sheath dresses. While most women her age might opt for looser style dresses (which often just makes them look bigger, and shapeless dresses can also be dowdy), Mirren cuts a svelte figure and shows off her curves – which can be achieved with some good foundation garments.

Her dresses are often cinched in at the waist, which not only gives her definition but also has a slimming effect.

Like most women her age, she rarely goes sleeveless. Whether it’s three-quarter length or down to her wrists, her sleeves still give her outfits the illusion of lightness with sheer fabrics like chiffon or lace. And on some occasions, she covers up with a short cardigan.

But like most self-assured fashionistas, Mirren can also break style rules to please herself. Earlier this year, she stepped out on a red carpet with her hair dyed a candy pink colour. Her reason? She saw the shade on a model, decades younger than herself, but loved it and wanted to try it.

And most recently, at one of her movie premieres, she wore an expensive Elie Saab gown with a pair of cheap clear Perspex platform heels – the kind favoured by strippers. Her reason could have been a practical one – the extra high platforms gave her some much-needed height to avoid tripping over her extra-long gown.

Or maybe this Dame was just game to have fun – stripper heels and all. Because at the end of the day, regardless of age, fashion should be fun.

Red 2 Premiere at Empire Leicester Square on July 22, 2013 in London, England

July 16, 1013 in New York City.

: Premiere of Summit Entertainment’s ‘RED-2’ at Westwood Village on July 11, 2013 in Los Angeles, California

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 11, 2013

The Laurence Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House on April 28, 2013 in London, England

Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards at Odeon Leicester Square on March 26, 2013 in London England

Jameson Empire Awards 2013 at Grosvenor House Hotel on March 24,2013

March 5, 2013 in London, England

EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 10, 2013 in London, England

FOX Golden Globe After Party at the FOX Pavilion at the Golden Globes on January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California

24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala at Palm

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony held on January 3, 2013