Fashion is putting an end to the ‘dress your age’ mentality and you should too

Because life is too short to dress boring.

May 19, 2023 4:34pm
By Isabelle Knevett
We've all heard the saying "mutton dressed as lamb" being thrown around when talking about celebrities, strangers on the street or even friends - hell we're sure we've been guilty of it ourselves.

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Once women reach a certain age, they seem to be expected to don the frumpy and modest and say goodbye to the sparkles, short hemlines and fun of their youth. But why should bold and beautiful dressing be left to the younger generations?
Recently, we've seen a tidal wave of mature style icons and fashion influencers hit our social media pages, and brands have started to pay attention.
You'll find influencers such as Grece Ghanem in the FROW of international fashion weeks, collaborating with well-known brands like Farfetch, Mango and Luisa Via Roma (to name a few). The 57-year-old fashion aficionado styles baby tees, plunging necklines and mini skirts in bold colours and patterns, cementing her place as a fashion force to be reckoned with.
57-year-old Grece Ghanem has become a staple of the international fashion scene, known for her bold sense of style and age defying dressing. (Getty: Edward Berthelot, Valentina Frugiuele)
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is the new face of La Mer and actress Vanessa Redgrave was spotted in Burberry's rebrand campaign with their new creative director Daniel Lee.
At this year's Australian Afterpay Fashion Week, onlookers were thrilled to see an increase of diversity on the runway across the board, including mature-age models storming the catwalks of top Aussie designers like Mariam Seddiq, Ngali, Alemais and Henne.
These models braced the runway in bold hues, sheer fabrics and edgy silhouettes - a far cry from the boring and basic we now expect to see from brands who cater to mature consumers. For Australian label, Cue, Lena Holt modelled a head-turning sheer metallic knitted maxi for their show, whilst Henne showed an edgy and modern unbuttoned denim jumpsuit on Abigail O'Neill.
Mature models graced the runways of Australian designers such as BLANCA, Henne, Cue and Ngali at the 2023 Australian Afterpay Fashion Week in Sydney. (Images: Getty)
When looking to cast her show, Australian couture designer, Mariam Seddiq, wanted to ensure she represented who she envisioned in her clothing with who walked the runway.
"We cater and design for all types, ages, shapes, cultures and sizes", Mariam told Now To Love. "We as a label do what we want and how we want, diversity is second nature to us we don't follow trends [and] we do what we like. Brands should be more open to working with all demographics, everyone deserves to feel beautiful."
On casting mature models Jan Jacobsen and Lena Holt she said, "Jan had this elegance with a bit of edge which is the Mariam Seddiq women, elegant and edgy with a bit of sass. Lena exudes confidence like no other, she can wear anything and your jaw drops, she has the vibes and presence. Both were standouts and fitted the mood I was going for perfectly."
Models Jan Jacobsen and Lena Holt on the runway of Mariam Seddiq at AAFW. (Images: Getty)
Rachel Waller, a model who graced the runways of Bianca Spender, Gary Bigeni, and Alemais (to name a few), is in her sixties. Her unique sense of style has garnered her a following of over 10,000 on Instagram, and she has also led campaigns for brands like Emma Lewisham and NAK.
"Throughout my life, I've never been interested in listening to or adhering to what other people think regarding how I dress", Rachel tells Now To Love.
Rachel's style is anything but boring, the model regularly is seen sporting bold-coloured suits, tie-dye and tartan - she recently posted a photo of herself enjoying her morning coffee while wearing a stunning off-the-shoulder, figure-hugging vintage evening gown in her garden.
"Don't be afraid to try new things. As we age a lot can change, our hair colour, skin tones and body shape but we might still love a certain look," says Rachel.
As for her own style inspirations, Rachel looks to the past and is an avid collector of vintage clothes, "I scour vintage stores for 70 per cent of my wardrobe. The only thing I buy a lot of that I didn't when I was younger is trainers. I love them."
"I've always bought quality pieces in beautiful fabrics and looked after them. Cashmere sweaters, tailored coats, great leather goods, wool suits, silk scarves, shirts, and trousers. I learnt quite early on in my life what suits me and I don't deviate from that, that is key."
Rachel Waller has found herself a following of fashion fans who flock to her socials to take inspiration from her bold outfits. (Instagram @inhersixties)

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What does the future of mature dressing look like?

It seems that lately there has been a shift in the idea that women, even as they get older, should dress how they like - no matter how bold. And no one seems to champion this movement more than their daughters, nieces or even granddaughters.
In late 2022 a TikTok trend took the app by storm which found Gen Z users dressing up their mothers in their own wardrobe to roaring applause.
"Ok all the moms are killin' it in this trend!!!"
"All these moms need to dress like this all the time"
"I WANNA BE HER WHEN I GROW UP"
Said commenters.
WATCH: TikTok trend of daughters dressing their Mum's in their clothes (article continues after video)
This societal peer pressure to dress to fit a certain standard seems to be a self-enforced one, so how can women fight against this and embrace dressing how they want?

How to break the fashion mould as you age

"My advice is to wear it if you like it…" says Mariam on the 'dressing your age' rule.
"I think as long as they are not uncomfortable and they love what they are wearing and don't care what anyone thinks… life is too short to be dull and boring."
If you're on the lookout for mature style icons to inspire and dare you to dress bolder, you need not look far. Australian fashion designer, Jenny Kee AO, is well-known for her love of colour, texture and print. Whilst journalist Jess Rowe is a rainbow-coloured light in the often beige and basic world of mature fashion.
Australian fashion icons Jess Rowe and Jenny Kee AO, alongside 101 year old interior designer Iris Apfel, make the case that fashion doesn't need to change as you age. (Getty, Instagram @iris.apfel)
We could hardly forget 101-year-old interior designer and fashion icon, Iris Apfel, who lives by the phrase "more is more and less is a bore", and whose eclectic maximalist style has been an inspiration for fashion fanatics for decades.
It seems the idea of "dressing your age" is one for the history books, and personally, we couldn't be gladder. Ageing is inevitable and something to enjoy, rather than hide and shy away from and what better way to do that then with your wardrobe?
So next time it comes to getting changed, no need to shy away from leathers and plunging necklines - say hello to print and goodbye to beige. Opt for a risque cut out if the occasion calls for it or dye your hair blue like Dame Helen Mirren. Bring on the sequins and the glamour, who says fashion has to be boring once you hit 50?
It's time to enjoy fashion again!
Feeling inspired? Below we are taking a look at some of our favourite pieces to add to your wardrobe, no matter your age - because fashion is about fun and these pieces are anything but dull.

Shop our favourite bold and beautiful fashion pieces of 2023

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Acler Flint dress, 210 (usually $350) at THE ICONIC

Go bold with this fuschia knit dress that hugs your curves and flatters with a cheeky keyhole on the chest.

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Dazie True Calling faux leather pants, $89.99 at THE ICONIC

Once a staple in the wardrobe of club goers and rock and roll lovers, the leather pants have become one of our favourite style staples. Who says leather has to be hung up once the clubbing days are over?

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Long-sleeved mini dress, $135 at COS

Kill two birds with one stone with this bright mini dress. It allows you to experiment with colour and a rising hemline without going too, hard too fast. Pair with some knee high boots for added coverage if you are still a bit nervous about baring your lovely legs.

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Forever New Desi chain one shoulder top, $69.99 at Myer

Many women avoid tops that show off their arms as they age, however we think this stunning feminine one shoulder top is too cute to miss.

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Blanca Dana jacket, $174 (usually $349) at THE ICONIC

Some people find that the new trend of baggy, slouchy suiting is reserved for millennials and younger - however we find this style flattering regardless of age. It feels very fresh and cool, not to mention comfortable!

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Lurex crochet maxi dress, $325 at Cue

Cue sent stunning mature model Lena Holt down the runway rocking this sheer metallic maxi at their latest Australian Fashion Week show, and now you can consider this top of our wish list. Pair it with some high waisted briefs and a bra underneath or even a slip for some added coverage.

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Aere Cut out asymmetrical dress, $120 (usually $180) at THE ICONIC

Cutouts are a controversial choice of statement when it comes to fashion, however we think a stunning and flattering dress with cut outs in just the right places should be rocked by anyone of any age.

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Slim-fit merino wool turtleneck, $79 at COS

When we say go bright, we mean go bright. This electric lime green turtleneck adds a much needed injection of colour to your wardrobe.

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IRO Lith ruched metallic knitted mini, $71 (usually $352) at The Outnet

The perfect night out mini, this metallic skirt works for a bold outfit on your next date night.

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Jag Frankie denim short, $90 at David Jones

Shorts in particular are often the first to go out of women's wardrobes when they feel they have 'outgrown' them, we think a good pair of denim shorts is a must - especially come summer time.

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Bias slip dress, $699 at Camilla

Camilla has made a hard and fast fan base with Australian women, and with these eye-catching designs it's easy to see why. Some find slip dresses a stunning but difficult wardrobe piece to style, however we love this bold printed slip that feels like fun exemplified.

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Celestine sculptural heel mules, $93 at Charles & Keith

No need to hang up your favourite heels just yet, accessories are the way to complete a good outfit and these electric blue mules are not only comfy (thanks to their broader heel base and padded footbed) they're also stunning.

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580 sneakers, $220 at New Balance

If you are on the hunt for some sneakers that don't feel matronly or boring, don't shy away from colour - these bold New Balance sneakers are equal parts trendy and comfortable for sore feet.

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Heart shaped rhinestone earrings, $24.99 at H&M

Don't stop at your clothes! These sweet heart shaped earrings just make us feel like kids again.

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Tortoiseshell heart sunglasses, $42.90 at Hardtofind

Keep the whimsy going and add these adorable heart shaped sunnies to your accessories line up.

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M.A.C Cosmetics Ruby Woo matte lipstick, $34 at Adore Beauty

Sometimes women feel like they have to stick to nudes and pinks on their lips as they age, but a bold red is the key to feeling your best and most confident self - and what better lipstick to wear than M.A.C's iconic Ruby Woo.

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LEAD IMAGE: Getty / Marc Piasecki, Astrid Stawiarz, Amy Sussman, Kevin Winter, Edward Berthelot. Leon Bennett, Samir Hussein

  • Isabelle Knevett

    Isabelle is a senior digital content producer across Who, New Idea and Now To Love, covering all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle and shopping.

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