Tag Archives: style

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Stylish fashion for mature women

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I recently came upon The Bias Cut an online store based in the UK that features stylish fashion for mature women that’s neither frumpy nor mumsy.

The accessibly-priced clothes are cut to fit a woman’s body and range in sizes from UK 8-16 (US 2-12) in most pieces, although some go to UK 22 (US 16). The site’s founder is on a mission to offer a greater size range and is working with brands to encourage them to be more inclusive.

What I love about the Bias Cut is its mission to ensure that ageism is addressed by designers and shops.

Ageism is never in style

The Bias Cut sells these buttons as part of a movement against ageism

From tokenism in campaigns, to patronising and offensive language, to frumpy and dreary styles, the Fashion Industry refuses to fully acknowledge the damaging and insulting message it perpetuates. 

So it’s time to come together and take a stance. Once and for all.

–The Bias Cut website

So what about the fashion?

I ordered a lovely bronze knit top to see the quality and fit, and was not disappointed. The fabric and finishing is high quality and the price-points are accessible. And, yes, they do ship internationally. All clothing on the site is modelled by “real women” (not professional models).

Bias Cut narelle_dress_front_grande

Narelle dress £158

Bias Cut nathalie_vleeschouwer_blue_mini_dress_grande

Martina Tunic dress on sale for £42

 

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My favourite brands

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vintage shoppingDo you have favourite brands that you gravitate to when shopping? Is it the fit? The silhouette? The style?

Most often it’s all three, but many women don’t consciously understand why the choose the styles they do. Fit is king. It’s the absolute number one criterion for selecting clothes. Silhouette and style are related to your style personality: how you express yourself through fashion.

When you understand your style personality, you can quickly see the brands who make styles to suit you. For me, I’m a cross between an Elegant and a Romantic.*

Elegants are chic dressers, typically in monochrome, for whom pearls, diamonds and gold are accessory musts. Elegants love high fashion brands with sophisticated styling:

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St. John

CH spring 2013

Carolina Herrara

Chanel, Hermes, Carolina Herrara, Oscar de la Renta, Burberry and St. John. These are my “dream” brands. When that lottery win comes in, I know where I’m headed! In the meantime, I can achieve similar looks with Ann Taylor, Elie Tahari, Anne Klein dresses, or the Ralph Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein mass lines.

 

Romantics love lace, ruffles, florals, and details, details, details. It takes a practised eye to ensure that fashion choices don’t migrate to boho or costume – something that can easily happen. Romantics look to Marchesa for inspiration, and shop at Anthropologie, and Francesca’s whenever I’m in the US.

Ted Baker sheath

Ted Baker

Ted Baker is probably the ultimate Romantic brand, known for its use of florals. I tend to express my romantic style through accessories and layers that might include a lace topper, for example, or a feminine Ted Baker floral handbag or pumps. Kate Spade also carries feminine, and sometimes quirky, looks that can make fun additions to an outfit.

 

*There are seven universally accepted style personalities: Sporty, Traditional, Elegant, Romantic, Dramatic and Alluring. If you want to understand your style personality, book a consultation.