The 100 Years Club Installment #96: Costumes

I recently wrote about what’s INSIDE our bodies.

But what about what’s OUTSIDE?

This week, I got a new hairstyle, taught a workshop about personal branding, attended a couple of events with total strangers, had a photo shoot, and recorded two episodes of my podcast. And, of course, I am putting myself “out there” with this blog series.

In 2022, I wrote about costumes—their history, my own “dress-up moments,” and how our styles and fashion fantasies can be very telling.

“Aren’t You Too Old to Be Wearing That?”

My own fashion (costume) style has evolved over the years, and I’m now hyper-aware of three things:

• The media loves to publish articles about what’s appropriate and flattering for women over 50. You know what? I really don’t care! I will continue to wear what makes me feel good and is a solid reflection of my personality (aka brand persona).
• Each geography has its own fashion style. Although I now own cowboy boots (glittery Fryes) and a cowboy hat (Gigi Pip), I have not quite assimilated into the Arizona look. My style has been described as bohemian chic, and I will always be more Soho than Sun City.
• Many fashion brands focus exclusively on the youth market, missing a huge opportunity to generate revenue from my generation, which controls $19T (yup, trillion) in spending.

As I’ve gotten older, I am more concerned with comfort and convenience than rocking the room, although we can do both.

Some ways to channel your inner fashionista (or bring out that devil this Halloween):

1. Work with a style coach to examine what works best on your body at this stage of your life. When I embarked on my speaking career, my advisor and I zoomed in on my fashion persona, making packing for business trips WAY simpler. I also had a guest on my podcast who compelled me to add a Moto jacket to my wardrobe. (I was due for an update, and her “stellar beauty assessment” was frighteningly accurate in a good way.)
2. Organize your closet so that getting ready in the morning is simpler and faster. I worked with this awesome woman; her “bin system” was a game changer. When I moved to my apartment, I invested in a hanging system and shelving that helped eliminate mess. It’s the first room I walk into when getting ready for the day, so it’s a pretty important space!
3. Experiment with new looks and trust professionals and close friends to advise you on what looks good on you. Take risks. You can always try on temporary styles until you find one that fits your face and body. (I was skeptical about the Moto jacket, but now it’s one of my fave pieces!)
4. As our bodies change, certain styles may be more flattering and comfortable than others. For example, I’m eliminating the “muffin tops” I baked during my summer travels so I can rock a midriff top again on my 69th birthday. Find a gym or trainer specializing in diet and exercise for our generation and avoid weight-loss drugs unless you’re obese.
5. Don’t let the kids in your life dress up as “old people” on Halloween. It’s as insulting as blackface or other costumes that stereotype a particular population.
6. Ignore what the media says about age-appropriate fashion. You do you.

Stay tuned for my Halloween 2024 pix and some of the shots from this event, where I’ll continue to work on building confidence—from the skeleton to the shoes!

Enjoy more Halloween and year-round treats about costuming, below!

	Love this brand! They showcase intergenerational models. Their website proclaims, “We believe fashion has no age limit + you should wear whatever the f#$k you want!”
	Even legit scientists are looking at the role of style in first impressions.
	Ageism in the fashion industry is so out-of-style!
	The most popular 2024 Halloween costume searches.