STYLE - JUST WHAT IS IT, AND HOW CAN WE HAVE IT OR GET IT?

According to my Dictionary, Style or Stylish means:  distinction; conforming to fashionable standard of dress.

We already know we are women of distinction (RoseMary’s already said so in her book of the same name!).  

Well, I guess that’s a start.  So where to now.   How to gain “style”?   

It’s quite simple really - find what suits you and then experiment.  

Begin with clothes.   Take the following list and use them to compile a list of items that may appeal to you.  That will give you the basis on which to work to not only discover but to add to your knowledge of a wardrobe that is simply YOU.

• Colours, 
• designs, 
• fads, trends, 
• classic
• conservative; 
• casual; 
• flambouyant;
• plain.  
• florals, 
• pastels, 
• stripes (for my lovely American friends, perhaps even the “stars and stripes”?)
• diagonal designs
• spots  
• cottons,
• linens,
• peach-skin 
• corduroys, 
• velvets, 
• silks, 
• chiffons,
• satins.  
• laces. 
• frills,
• flounces.  
• crew necks, 
• round necks, 
• square necks, 
• v necks.
• cowl necklines
• halter neck
• off the shoulder
• strapless
• backless
• skirts
• dresses
• slacks
• jeans.

Should I keep going?  Perhaps not, for amongst all these items there has to be something that suggests itself to your code of dress.  Something that takes your eye and that you can imagine you’re wearing.   Let your imagination soar, don’t waste precious time.

For it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are, you can still dress in style.  More importantly you can discover your own “style”.   Cultivate your thoughts along the lines of what you like, and what you see in the mirror.    

Now my girl-friend Jill loves dressing up.  even on a freezing Winter’s day, she turns up looking like the Snow Queen.    

Me, well I just turned out my wardrobe and found a lovely purple heavy-knit sweater.  I love the colour.  See if you agree.

So where do you sit in all of this?   Write and let me know how being a “Silver Generation” girl allows you to continually experiment with clothes - styles and designs - and colours. 

For those of us who ARE the Silver Generation, this is NOT the time to sit in a corner and wish we'd been more adventurous in our dress code.   This is the time to kick up our heels and do what we want, how we want, when we want and where we want.  

Don’t let anyone tell us to "behave";  this is OUR time, so let’s enjoy it!

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO “ATTITUDE”!

It simply astounds me to hear the derogatory way in which women of (all) ages speak about “growing old!” (Do men talk the same way?) Don’t some people realise that growing older occurs from the moment of inception? It’s almost as though a sagging, drooping body, wrinkles, grey/white hair indicates that a person has not only fallen off her perch but also lost her “marbles”!

Aaah, the arrogance of being young! And when you think about it, we were somewhat guilty in years gone by as we watched people we knew “growing older”. We smiled to ourselves as we saw them attempt to hide the deep wrinkles that appeared almost overnight on their faces; the loss of muscle and the increase of flesh (I won’t say “fat” because without exception, that word is used to bring us down); how they stumbled over and forgot words; forgot someone they previously knew well or forgot somewhere they’d been or had to go to (as in appointments and the like).

Was it arrogance on our part back then? Or was it folly? For whatever we thought in years gone by (when we we’re “young” and even entering middle age) we WANTED to grow older and to be recognised for our talents and achievements, we WANTED experiences, we WANTED adventures, we WANTED love (to be loved and to love).  We sought to “live” and create our  own history. We wanted it IMMEDIATELY and we didn’t give a thought to our bodies ageing.

So it all comes down to this. Those of us who now gratefully and willingly saying “we’re growing older” have learned (or at the very least to be still learning) that it has been “attitude” that has gotten us through and it still provides us with the ability to know what we’re doing and to know what we want and to know what’s best for us (at this present time). Thank God.

There are quite a few blogs now dealing with “style”, “how to dress to suit your colouring”, “wardrobe hints”, “how to disguise your body faults” and things of that nature. They’re everywhere on digital devices - FaceBook, Pinterest; all sorts of places. Well, I can say with some pride that I’ve covered the majority of these very same subjects within the pages and blogs of “Big Issues” and RoseMary’s NoteBook© over the past 25 years. I don’t think it’s logical or sensible to revisit subjects that I’ve gotten my teeth into and dealt with previously - sometimes with amusement and sometimes with justified anger. Yet always, those subjects were dealt with having a special focus and emphasis on the building of self-esteem for women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Including the more curvaceous woman. As I’ve often said, and still do - “Knowledge is empowerment.”

However the focus of “the Silver Generation©” is to show how growing older women deal with the years, with the decrease in spending power and with what in many instances is clothing that still sits in her wardrobe, as well as the life changes that are called for during the “growing older” years. The Silver Generation© woman is now more aware of who and what she is, and what she intends to do about making life even more interesting and adventurous. Even if she has limited mobility.

If I’m honest, what with many if not most women of today being on and to some extent living their lives through FaceBook, my naîve email “blog” may seem to be completely out-of-date. Yet, not to me. I still maintain the majority of my friends still see the worth of reading and seeing things of simplicity and basic beauty.

I bring to you today a photo of a new friend that I have made during the past couple of years - Jill. Jill is truly a woman of worth. Her presence uplifts our

thoughts and she always gives us something to seriously think about. Even to go shopping Jill makes a statement. Some of us wish we had her style, but then maybe “style” is something we’re born with, not necessarily something we find along the way.


Not being boastful, and I can see the weathering on this body and face of mine, but I also attach a photo that I took of myself this morning. Aren’t computers “clever” in being able to take photos of ourselves - I know mobile phones do a great job but I don’t always come out looking as good as I would like! Maybe I’ve become conceited in my “growing older” years!

Now, I’d like you to take time to consider this. We’ve all been through the “wringer” at some time or another. We’ve all had successes, we’ve all had failures. We’ve had moments of extreme happiness; we’ve experienced moments of great sadness. But we’re “women”, and we have inner-strengths that surprise even us.

Let’s be content with, and in, our “growing older” years. Use the knowledge gained from previous experiences to reinforce our confidence today. Let’s “grow older” gracefully - or outrageously for that matter; it’s up to us.

How about some photos from my ever loyal and faithful readers to be a part of my portfolio of wonderful “Silver Generation” women? Ready for the challenge?

’til next time

Rosemary 

A COLOUR FILLED LIFE

Young people seem to have the knack of dressing according to how they want to express themselves. Those of us who are a little older tend to be more conservative - at times!

So it was with some fascination as well as admiration when I met Anne the other day at my local shopping centre.  I was sitting some distance from her and while I sipped my favourite lemon and ginger tea, I couldn't quite take my eyes away from her.   Her face just sparkles with fun.

Finishing my tea, I went across and introduced myself to Anne, and asked if I could please take a photograph of her.  Her use of colours, reflected and repeated in her hair as well as shoes, caught my fancy.

Anne laughingly said she wished she'd put on some of her bling that morning, but I thought she had captured her own "statement" of who she is quite well, and she is telling the world she KNOWS who she is.

We all need the courage to be as distinctive as we would like to be, yet sometimes we hold back.

'til next time

TAKING TIME TO OBSERVE PEOPLE AROUND US

I'm a great observer of places and people.  Particularly women.   When it comes to seeing someone who takes your eye and is an example of a person who is comfortable with who and what she is, then this shows in their dress as well as demeanour.

Take Jill for example.  A woman in her 70s and very proud of it.  I have only known her for about 3 years, yet she astounds me with her dress sense and style every time I see her.  Her co-ordination skills are reflective of the many different ways she presents herself to others.

Take time to visit our sister-blog RoseMary's NoteBook©

LETTERS from INSTANBUL ..... from Helen

After a year in and out of hospital having ovarian cancer, a stroke and now a brain tumour, and all its attendant procedures, and trials, chemotherapy, hair loss, physiotherapy and so on, I decided I was well enough to go to Spain and travel around at my own pace, a bit rushed really but manageable, by car.  I have a sympathy stick to assist my walking and to warn inattentive tourists not to push me over!  My younger sister went with me to supervise which was really good.

We went to Malaga for a few days to swim in the crystal clear cool Mediterranean, then drove to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Madrid and Barcelona.  A journey of about 15 days. We stayed in inexpensive hotels and even had a little apartment to ourselves in Barcelona.

I died with delight at the intricately decorated royal apartments of the Islamic age and the elegant shady gardens of the Alhambra (which I thought I would never see) and even managed to throw away the stick and dance a little flamenco with the gypsies.

Now I have planned out a piece of spare land at the back of my home in Melbourne to include elements of those beautiful gardens for me to enjoy and remember in my old age, whenever that might be.

I will be 74 on 1st September.

COUNT ME IN ......

Yipee, I agree :)

I've just finished a book about my experiences of growing up in the 1950's. I began it for a number of reasons, mainly because all the old traditions, domestic chores and so on have totally changed.

No one gets milk from the churn on the back of a horse and cart nowadays. I used to stand holding the jug whilst the milkman poured a stream of milk from a long ladle.

Who uses the mangle and posser, the copper and creel? 

So because I wanted my descendants to know about life in those days, I knocked out 95,00 words about life, school, festivals and traditions in Bradford, Yorkshire just after the war.

It won't be published, but I may get it printed up.

I'm also into new experiences as well as old ones, and here's me, silver hair, bib and all, enjoying crab for the first time.

Followed by dessert, of course!

Lynda, New Zealand

HERE WE COME - YOU'D BETTER WATCH OUT!

Gen X, Y and Z better watch out, for the Silver Generation is about to become the generation that speaks with authority and responsibility, but has it’s own expectations on how we should and need to be treated and dealt with in today’s society.   

Dame Judi Dench has apparently overtaken the Queen as the most popular female in Britain.   Whether that’s true or not, it does bear the question.  When is old, too old?  For what?  Why?   Is there literally if not technically an age when a person becomes of no importance?  If so, what is that age, and why is it deemed to be so?

Judi Dench was born in 1934, and she is still the drawcard for today’s films.  Even discounting the wonderful Bond movies in which she played the part of “M”  and the two Most Exotic Marigold Hotel films, she has also recently starred in a lovely little romantic comedy for the BBS starring Dustin Hoffman called Esio Trot (a play on the word tortoise).   Her work schedule would overwhelm any woman and yet she is still ever eager for the next script to land on her desk.  And I ask a simple question - why shouldn’t we all have the same enthusiasm for any new idea or project?