Be Fabulous After 50! 5 Ways to Ensure Your Clothing Sends the Right Message
If your clothes could speak, what message would they be sending the world? Hopefully it’s something positive, like:
“Take me seriously. I’m a force to be reckoned with.”
“I love life and live every day to its fullest.”
But too many women – especially plus size women – have fallen into the trap of hiding behind their clothing. Their outfits whisper, “I’m ashamed of myself and my body and just hope I go unnoticed.”
It’s sad, but societal stereotypes about mature and plus size women only make it worse. But you can support the women around you and send a positive message about personal beauty and acceptance to the world. How? Let your clothes do the talking.
Step 1 – Personal Acceptance
It can be hard to say what you feel. We live in a highly critical society where others tend to dictate what is modern and trendy. Sometimes our voice gets lost in the crowd.
If you’re a plus size woman of any age, let your clothes say loud and clear how beautiful you are, inside and out. Let them express the value of diverse beauty and that you don’t have to look the same as everyone else just to be gorgeous.
Inspiring… but how do you get that message out there? Don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Instead of trying to fit into the mold of others, invent your own style. Put on clothes that make you feel good about yourself.
Fashion lets you speak volumes just by feeling comfortable in your own skin!
Step 2 – Feel Good
As a general rule, if you don’t feel good about your clothing at home in front of the mirror, you won’t feel any better when you go out in public. So take a few extra minutes to choose your outfit before you head out the door.
Everyone has positive features about their shape. Think of what you want people to notice. Maybe it’s those toned legs. Wearing a shorter skirt would tell everyone: “I can pull this off because it not only looks good on me, but I feel great inside!”
Mature women can send a similar message with soft fabrics that give you the comfort you long for while showing off your shape.
Step 3 – Feeling Visible
We all want to be noticed. Feeling like you are invisible in a crowd is a lonely place to be. So let fashion come to your aid!
Instead of wearing that same old dress you’ve had for years, try something a little more outgoing. Get that off-the-shoulder top with the ruffled trim that you’ve been eyeing. It will tell others that you are not afraid to leave your comfort zone.
Or maybe a plus size kimono in a bold batik print or unique and colorful patchwork plus size tunic that has people thinking you are not content to just blend in with the crowd. If you aren’t getting the attention you want and deserve, it’s time to break that pattern.
That’s not to say you should don a flashy, out-of-style outfit just to make a statement. Be yourself! Go for a more modern look that catches the eye, turns a few heads, and sends the message, “I look and feel amazing!”
Step 4 – Happiness
“Beauty comes in all sizes”
“I can pull this off!”
“Look at me!”
If your clothing isn’t saying this, you won’t be able to show off your inner joy. So, remember the steps! You can’t have one without the other.
A simple change in colors can make all the difference between feeling OK about yourself and being ready to take on the world. Wearing vibrant yellows and radiant reds tell the world: “I’m happy with who I am!” Add a beautiful smile and the message couldn’t be clearer.
Of course, darker colors don’t have to exude negativity either. It’s all about being true to your personality, sense of style and individual beauty.
Step 5 – Good Health
Some women immediately link the word ‘health’ with the words ‘diet’ and ‘exercise.’ But good health goes far deeper than that. Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your physical well-being.
That’s why you should wear clothes that make you feel valuable and attractive. Love yourself for who you are. Splurge a little and buy something new. It will do wonders for you and motivate you to make changes.
Make sure you’re choosing outfits because they’re what you like, not because of pressure from toxic people in your life or society in general. While some elements of the fashion industry would use style to put down women, we can make a change and use it to lift all women up.
No More Mixed Messages
Remember, let your clothes do the talking. Put on attire that makes you feel like you can conquer the world – yet is as comfortable as an old pair of jeans.
Don’t be a wallflower; let everyone know you are in the room. Look for colors and styles that make you bubble over with happiness and bolster your self-esteem.
Put these easy steps into place and you’ll send the message you want people to hear. Loud, clear, inspiring and beautiful.
If you want to try some of our plus size clothes, we are offering a 10% discount for our Sixty and Me sisters in our Etsy Shop.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you think that the clothes you wear communicate your true personality? How do you think you can fix the mixed messages? Please share your insights in the comments below.
What I “heard” as I read the article is to be who you are. Take some chances to find out what truly makes you feel beautiful. One area I have tried a range is colors for my hair since turned white. First I colored with artist chalk for very temporary color(s). Now I am using color conditioner(s). These wild colors have been going on asymmetrical haircut. I do get compliments frequently from women and often enough from men.
I have been told my wardrobe is eclectic. I enjoy doing things a little differently. It balances all of other part of my life as an engineer where everything must be done according to the rule and standards.
I know I have come to my own that I can do my own thing with fashion and still have the professional respect because it was earned with knowledge, experience and skill.
Thank you!!! This age is being a challenge.
Great ideas—but we are not all “plus sized” ladies!
jen, I don’t think Margaret was speaking only to a larger woman—that’s how I heard her talk anyway. It seemed directed to all women, of all sizes, imho. But having had overweight due to a health problem, where all of my life I was slender before, I have come to have a great deal of empathy with women who go into a department store only to find there is nothing in their size amongst the most desirable of the clothes. Weight is an area where fashion truly does exclude such a population, and since in the UK, for example, the average woman is a size 16, (I believe that is either 14 or 16 in the US). which is considered a so-called “plus size”, in a way it is worthwhile to pay some attention this group, where the industry is geared toward thin, youthful, fit women. This is true in both advertisements and the actual clothes available. Of course, many mature women are fit and thin, or not in the size 14-on group, all of whom are considered extra large.