The fashion industry has long been focused on the idea that women over 60 are supposed to dress in a certain way – and if they don’t, they shouldn’t be wearing anything at all! But fortunately, there are plenty of women who have turned this idea on its head and proven that it doesn’t matter what age you are – as long as you feel great about the way you look, you can wear whatever you want! Here are five of these incredible women to inspire your own fashion choices!
Here are five people who prove age is just a number
As the saying goes, age is just a number. And these seven over-60 fashion influencers are here to prove it. From modern takes on classic styles to boundary-pushing ensembles, they show that fashion is for everyone – no matter their age.
1. Lauren Hutton
2. Norma Kamali
3. Jane Fonda
4. Eileen Fisher
5. Helen Mirren
1) Lauren Hutton
At 73, Lauren Hutton is one of the most recognizable models in the world. She's also one of the most interesting, with a life story that includes stints as a motorcycle mechanic and mathematics student. Hutton has been modeling since the early 1970s, when she was discovered by American Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. She quickly became a fashion icon, known for her gap-toothed smile and tomboyish style. In 1999, TIME magazine named her one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. Though Hutton has retired from modeling, she remains an ambassador for L'Oreal Paris and continues to model on occasion. Today, her Instagram account offers a glimpse into her current lifestyle: hiking in Costa Rica, playing guitar on stage with Mavis Staples and dancing on Broadway. She even makes time for charitable work, including serving as honorary chairwoman of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s annual benefit dinner. She posed for Louis Vuitton's F/W 2018 campaign alongside artist Chuck Close and actors Patricia Clarkson and Catherine Deneuve. The campaign marked Louis Vuitton's first global cast ever. I wanted this project to be really beautiful but not at all 'grandma,' says creative director Nicolas Ghesquière. I wanted people who would not be seen as old fashioned or retouched.
2) Norma Kamali
As the founder of her own eponymous fashion label, Norma Kamali has been dressing women of all ages for decades. In recent years, she's become something of an icon for older women who want to dress stylishly and age gracefully. I want you to feel young, she told Teen Vogue in 2018. I want you to feel like there are no boundaries.
In 2015, Kamali collaborated with Donna Karan on DKNY Women, an exclusive collection available only at Neiman Marcus; it's since been rebranded as Norma Kamali Donna Karan.
We're working together because we both believe that people over 60 have so much wisdom and know-how, said Kamali at the time. If you make clothes for them, they'll come back to you forever. That's why I'm doing this—to help them enjoy their bodies and what they can do. To get dressedand get out into the world
In addition to her fashion line, Kamali is also an active philanthropist who founded The Norma Kamali Fund for Sustainable Living, which promotes sustainable design and architecture.
3) Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, producer, political activist, and former fashion model. She is a two-time Academy Award winner and two-time BAFTA Award winner. In 2014, she was the recipient of the American Film Institute AFI Life Achievement Award. As of 2019, Fonda is the oldest nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her credits include They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), Julia (1977), On Golden Pond (1981), The Morning After (1986) and Monster-in-Law (2005). Along with her daughter Vanessa Vadim, she co-wrote and starred in the exercise video series Jane Fonda's Workout. The program includes strength training with hand weights. It also has aerobics portions, such as leg lifts while doing crunches or lunges while holding hand weights. Some exercises use elastic bands instead of hand weights. Jane Fonda has been married four times to three husbands: actor Roger Vadim; Tom Hayden, a U.S. politician; and billionaire Ted Turner - who had been married twice before they wed in 1991 . Fonda and Turner were married for 10 years before divorcing in 2001.
4) Eileen Fisher
With her clean lines and simple shapes, Eileen Fisher has been creating timeless clothing for women since 1984. The designer, who is now in her early 70s, has built a fashion empire on the idea that clothes should make you feel comfortable and confident. Her designs are beloved by women of all ages, but she has particularly strong appeal among those over 60. And they're not just buying one or two pieces from her collection — they're stocking up. Women over 60 spend an average of $5,000 annually at Eileen Fisher's stores according to a recent study. And when it comes to spending money, this demographic leads the pack. But what makes these customers different? Research suggests that women over 60 buy more than other generations because they care about quality and craftsmanship more than trends. They also have a greater need for wardrobe basics that can be worn with anything because of limited mobility and changing body sizes due to menopause. To accommodate their needs, many designers create special collections designed specifically for older shoppers. These collections may include wider cuts, easier-to-wear styles and skirtsmade out of lighter fabrics. Despite the popularity of certain older brands like Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Kate Spade New York, it's still difficult for most brands to adjust sizing as well as offer diverse colors in order to attract this important demographic. These seven influencers prove that age is just a number, whether you're starting out your career or nearing retirement age.
5) Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren is an English actor. She has won an Academy Award for Best Actress, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and two Cannes Film Festival Best Actress awards. In 2003, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) under Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. Mirren's numerous acting credits include The Queen, Calendar Girls, Gosford Park, and Hitchcock.
In 2007, she became the oldest actress to be nominated for a Tony Award as well as winning one.
Mirren played Miss Marple in the ITV's Agatha Christie's Marple series which ran from 2004 until 2013. Mirren starred alongside Meryl Streep in the 2008 film The Devil Wears Prada. For her performance, she earned both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
Helen Mirren is a true fashion icon and she is definitely proving that you can continue to look great at any age. She had some iconic fashion moments and show no signs of slowing down. Her outfits created some timeless moments in Hollywood and around the world. Where ever Helen went high fashion followed. She was never afraid to be a bit edgy or bold when walking the red carpet or going out on the town. Take a page out of Helen's book by creating your own style and don't worry about your age because its only a number.