Retiree beige? Not for me!

Why is it that women over 60 are often associated with non-colors such as gray and beige? Is it because we are invisible to men anyway? In my experience, that is not true at all. At least, it cannot be generalized. This opinion may apply to many German representatives of the so-called stronger sex. In southern Europe, it is quite different. In my adopted home of Italy, I often receive compliments on my appearance and style. Attraente e sexy! And that includes from women who like my look. And it has nothing to do with mouse gray and pensioner beige. I love unconventional fashion and clothes that not everyone wears..

“Beige is like a mental illness”

I recently read an online comment that said: “Beige is like a mental illness that you have to fight with your mind. Beige is dying while you’re still alive.” There’s some truth to that. Non-colors like this don’t flatter your complexion or your age. They are often described as timeless, classic, and versatile. But: “Beige and gray tend to make many women look pale, and that doesn’t change even at 70,” say Beate and Jutta Ilzhöfer, the two designers behind the fashion label Ana Alcazar, known for its colorful creations. And they’re right.

Anyone who thinks that gray-beige is a safe bet when it comes to fashion and embodies timeless elegance is mistaken. “Unfortunately, the opposite is true: women dressed in these colors do stand out—usually in a negative way,” confirms stylist and personal shopper Sonja Grau. If you really want to wear these colors, you should definitely add accents with bold tones, for example in the form of accessories, or freshen up the neutral colors with tops and patterns.

Let’s be colorful!

“The late style icon Iris Apfel stood for bright colors and eye-catching style. This should inspire other older people to be a little daring,” says fashion expert Carl Tillessen. XXL glasses, fashionable jewelry, red lipstick. Iris Apfel didn’t care at all what others thought of her or whether they might even laugh at her. We should follow her example.

Who says that over-the-knee boots, trendy fashion, and long hair are obsolete after a certain age? I’ve just grown my hair back out again, simply because I like it better than the boring, run-of-the-mill bob. There’s no expiration date on fashion and style, especially “if the woman has a youthful appearance and figure,” says Grau.

Every woman has the right to “fall in love with a T-shirt that is 20 years younger than herself,” agrees author Elke Krüsmann. In her book „Endlich Lady! Älter werden muss nicht beige sein“ (Mosaik Verlag), she describes the pitfalls of aging in a cheerful and philosophical way and talks about boring fashion. Her recommendation: try something new more often.

I only have to please myself

Coming back to men. What adult woman still dresses up for them? We don’t have to prove anything to anyone! We don’t want to pick up guys anymore! That’s why we should only make ourselves look pretty for ourselves. I only have to please myself (and maybe my husband, but not always!). Because one thing is clear: if you feel attractive, you feel better. And colors are good for our psyche; they lift our mood. After all, we don’t want to hide. On the contrary. We say: look all you want, and if you don’t like what you see, you can look away. It doesn’t matter!

When it comes to self-confidence, we older people have a definite advantage. Our taste and sense of style are much more pronounced than they were when we were younger. After all, we’ve had decades to work on them and discover our individual strengths and assets. And yes, clothing has a lot to do with expressing your personality. In any case, I attach great importance to styling and fashion that doesn’t make me invisible. However, I don’t compromise when it comes to materials. I prefer to buy just a few high-quality garments rather than lots of cheap, trendy rags. Class is a must!

Photos: Stephanie Neubert @heyday_magazine