Women come in all shapes and sizes and, as such, there is no one-style-fits-all approach when it comes to fashion after 60. Pear-shaped women such as Marilyn Monroe are renowned for their tiny waists and full-figured, feminine silhouettes. If you have ever looked at your reflection and had a mini-Marilyn moment, you will enjoy today’s video with Melanie Payge!

Fashion expert Melanie Payge joins Margaret Manning in Milan to discuss the best ways to accentuate and get the most out of your gorgeous pear-shaped figure.

Fashion For Mature Women: Hourglass Accenting 101

If you want to learn how to accentuate your itty-bitty waist, get your pens out and be ready to take notes ladies! In today’s Fashion after 60 video, Melanie lets you know the simplest ways to show off your old-school Hollywood curves.

If you have a pear-shaped figure, chances are one of your best assets is your waist. Melanie feels that specific cuts of jackets highlight this area well. They should be cut in at the waist, with any detailing positioned at the back, particularly for longer styles.

Waist-length jackets are a fantastic choice to emphasize your waist, and no matter the length you choose, the jacket should be tailored with a broad, straight shoulder!

Of course, no fashion over 60 outfit is complete without the right top! Tailored tops with a close or slim fit are lovely for a pear-shaped figure, with special care taken to highlight your décolletage area.

Lengthening Your Lovely Legs

Fashion for older women is about experimenting, letting loose and seeing what you like; however, naturally, some styles will suit different figures better than others. Melanie recommends women with hourglass figures should avoid leggings as they disrupt the silhouette, emphasizing the wrong areas.

Straight-leg pants that fall from your hip area bring your look together, showing off your lovely full figure and lengthening your legs.

Keep It Simple!

Accessories can be a minefield for some of us, and if you feel this way, Melanie has some good news for you!

For pear-shaped figures, she recommends the best way to approach accessorizing is to keep it simple. She recommends avoiding scarves and chunky accessories, leaving your look simple, accentuating your natural beauty.

Don’t Wait for Weight

You would be hard-pressed to find a woman who hasn’t shopped with her so-called ‘perfect future figure’ in mind. For some of us, it can mean putting on weight, but, as Margaret says, “Many women shop with anticipation of losing weight.”

This is a silly attitude at any age, but we should really know better by now! Fashion after 60 should be about buying clothes that help express who you are, help you live in the moment, and help you enjoy life! As Melanie says, fashion isn’t about losing weight, “It’s about accepting your body type, dressing correctly for that type and enhancing the things that are positive about your body.”

We all lose weight differently at different ages, so you may even find your shape isn’t what you assumed it would be! The bottom line is, you should never shop in anticipation of your idealized perfect weight. Carpe diem!

Do you dress for your body shape? Do you shop in anticipation of your ideal weight? Which pear-shaped movie stars do you think show their figures well? Join in the conversation!