Style never goes out of fashion and nor does it age. As you get older you start to wonder why exactly the women/girls on the catwalks and in fashion magazines are often just so young – aside from the odd guest appearance by a famous actress or ‘former’ supermodel. You wonder why, exactly, when there are women of all ages who exude glorious style.
You know that feeling when you're out and about and you see a woman (age not relevant) who looks fabulous? You try to discreetly do a quick assessment to work out exactly how she's doing it. Is it the shade of lipstick? Her coat? Her shoes? The way she has paired that dress with that blazer?
Our discreet assessments have come up with the following general truths: Those women have an innate sense of style that is not to do with following trends. Whilst they borrow elements of the latest fashions, their looks come from dressing in what they know suits them. This in turn creates confidence which in turn makes you smile and carry yourself well.
The formula (patent pending) seems to be: experiment with necklines, hemlines, cut and colour until you put something on that makes you think, yes! Should you feel inclined, add in the odd hot trend as a nod to what is currently cool and walk out of the door feeling good about yourself.
To be inspired without having to stalk well-dressed women around shops (not even an option during lockdown, anyway!), turn to the magic of Instagram where you can discover real women, just like you, with fabulous style.
Here we celebrate the styles of some of our favourite grown-up women - make a cup of tea and scroll their stylish lives at your leisure.
GROWN-UP STYLE INSPIRATION STARTS HERE
Anna Cascarina @annacascarina is great for age-inclusive style advice. Her signature look centres around looser silhouettes: flowing dresses, wide leg trousers and oversized tailoring. Mixes up new finds with favourites from her wardrobe. Loves a knit.
Designer and fashion writer Fran Bacon The Fashion Lift @thefashion_lift delivers mood-boosting pops of colour and is good on high street picks. Her signature from-the-shoulder-down selfies display outfits to best effect. Warning: likely to induce fringe envy.
Take a trip to the big apple via fashion You Tuber Karen Blanchard Karen Brit Chick @karenbritchick who delivers hip NY style with a British edge. Think cardigans, dresses, boots… and a gorgeous bit of home renovation thrown in, too.
Style coach Janine Coney Own Your Style @ownyourstyleuk gives real-life advice on how to buy well and make the most of your wardrobe. Great for IG lives and online masterclasses filled with practical tips. Lots of blazers and sequins, which is never a bad thing.
Former London-dwelling fashion industry insider Paula Sutton Hill House Vintage @hillhousevintage now lives the rural life in Norfolk complete with vintage summer dresses and jewel-coloured coats. Documented from her beautiful Georgian home and fabulous garden, her feed is a feast for the senses.
TV fashion stylist Gemma Sheppard Sheppard Style @sheppardstyle loves scarves, structure and collars and champions great fitting underwear to transform your style. Loves black and white staples but isn't afraid to stand out in colour or print.
Style blogger and You Tuber Jess Seaman Fashion and Style Edit @fashionandstyleedit documents her love of neutrals with an OOTD (outfit of the day) style grid. Makes looking chic, elegant and put together appear effortless. Lots of high street inspiration for everyday fabulousness.
Celebrating the fact you don’t have to be 20 years old and a size 8 to rock your style, Hayley Hall @hayleyhall_uk has a keen eye for a beautiful dress (and a relatable hatred of tights). Good on finding a bargain and reworking what’s already in your wardrobe to glamorous effect.
A fashion insider for over 25 years, having worked for Selfridges and Prada, Anna Berkeley @annaberkeleystyling is an expert on how to dress for your shape. Also good on how to wear colour. Grown-up sophistication that oozes confidence, with a cool fashion twist.
Motherhood in monochrome with a rock and roll edge is the covetable signature style of Karran The Mama Edits @themamaedits. Added bonus: gives great everyday smoky eye make-up and check out her beautifully delicate tattoos.
As a fashion editor of nearly 20 years and author of ‘Leopard Is a Neutral: A Really Useful Style Guide’, Erica Davies @erica_davies lives her advice. Which, in a (leopard print) nutshell is all about ripping up the ‘rules’ and wearing clothes that simply make you feel great.
With a life-enhancing smile, Frédérique Harrel Freddie Harrel @freddieharrel is a French/British/US fashion influencer with a fledgling beauty empire (RadSwan Afro-hair extensions). She does a great line in sharp suits, wish-I-had-that dresses and café culture casual looks.
We’ve been Trinny fans since the What Not to Wear days. Although now heading up her eponymous beauty company, Trinny Woodall @trinnywoodall still has a passion for fashion as evidenced in the fun-filled, practical ‘how to wear’ workshops beamed direct from her closet. And we love her regular, must-watch trips to check out what’s in Zara.
Approaching her 100th birthday, Iris Apfel is our poster girl for not giving in to beige as we age. Interior designer, model and fashion muse, @iris.apfel in her signature bold colours, oversized glasses and jewellery believes that when it comes to clothes: “it’s better to be happy than well dressed”.
Willowberry is ‘Nutritious Natural’ skincare for grown-ups for your best skin. Loved by top make-up artists and facialists, Willowberry’s luxurious award-winning products protect skin’s natural barrier function, to nourish and transform grown-up skin. As seen in Vogue, The Independent, The Telegraph, This Morning and more.