classic casual with some quirky touches – a style interview with Judith

Judith is one of the members of the 40+Style Club and she enjoys styling her classic looks with accessories like necklaces and scarves. Let’s discover more about her style in today’s interview!

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I live in a regional city in south eastern Australia with my husband. I am retired and have three grown up children and three grandchildren. As well as having an interest in fashion and style I like travelling , cooking, reading and researching family and military history. I also volunteer for a women’s hospital in Cambodia and for a local refugee group.

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I will be 69 in November but feel at least 10 years younger most days!

Can you tell us a bit more about why you joined the 40+ style club?

I had already done the 21 Steps Style Course so joining the club seemed to be a natural progression. The Style Course was another step in my style journey, and the Club is helping me to refine my style choices and to assess them more critically with an eye to shape, colour and silhouette.

Do you feel you have a signature style?

My personal style is a classic casual style with some quirky touches. When I was younger I used to dress in a more Boho style and elements of that still remain.

I am a big fan of animal prints, love accessories and have many scarves and lots of jewellery. Of course being married to a jeweller helps, so I have custom made earrings and necklaces for some outfits.

Do you feel you have a signature style?

If I were to describe anything unique about my style is would be that I always accessorise. The other aspect of my signature style is my short pixie cut hair and colourful glasses frames.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your style journey?

I’ve always been interested in looking “good” but was not always sure how to go about that. In the last few years I‘ve utilized a couple of wardrobe consultants (in fact it was one of them, SallyMcKinnon from Styled by Sally in Melbourne, who told me about Sylvia and 40+Style) and found their advice useful but needed more than help with a one off shopping expedition.

The 40+ Style course armed me with some solid principles to look more critically at clothes and to guide me in shopping choices.

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

Where I live is very hot in summer (up to 45C) and cold in winter (10C and below) so I need a separate summer and winter wardrobe. Our capital city Melbourne is considered the style capital of Australia and although I only live 150kms from there, our rural lifestyle however is quite casual and relaxed.

Because I am no longer in the workforce I don’t require corporate type clothes and generally people do not dress up for theatre or dinner here (although I sometimes do!). Living in a smaller community means that you can never be anonymous and there is always the chance you will bump into someone you know so going out looking frumpy and badly dressed is always a risk.

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

My outfit choices are decided by the obvious things like the cost, weather and activity, but also by my body shape and colours.

Do you take things like colour profiling or bodytype into account when you dress?

I’ve recently had colour profiling done again and have found that very useful.

What is your current body type and height and what are your best tips for dressing for these?

I am 163cms and an inverted triangle shape, and since my bust is bigger than my hips I need to avoid fussy frills or bulky detail that draws attention to my chest.

My legs are amongst my best assets so I tend to wear skinny jeans and narrow skirts, and also like to wear jackets and tops that finish at the waist to elongate my legs.

Unfortunately I can no longer wear high heels because of my problematic feet so I try and choose flattish shoes with some interesting trim or a funky colour.

Do you have any favourite brands?

I am fairly eclectic when it comes to brands but I do like the Australian brands Veronika Maine and Frankie 4 shoes. I am also a fan of Romyda Keth, a French Cambodian designer. A local friend of mine has just started a new fashion label, Mimi the Label, and although I only have one garment from the current collection I hope to purchase more.

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

My style didn’t really change when I turned 40. I would say it has evolved over the years as I have aged and my lifestyle has changed. Although looking back at old photos I can see that I still wear a similar colour palette than when I was younger but have a much better idea of proportion and silhouette than I did when I was younger and now dress more suitably for my body shape.

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

Not so much dressing “age appropriately” but dressing appropriately. That is dressing smartly for the occasion in clothes that make you feel confident and happy. Attention to detail is more important as we age. Clean, pressed well-chosen clothes, no loose buttons and shiny shoes all say “I think I matter and l want to look good”.

A good cut by a professional hair stylist is really important as one ages. I think once you are retired it’s important to dress well every day with makeup, and not get into a rut of wearing track pants and looking frumpy around the house. Age is, after all, just a number!

Why is the way you look important to you?

How you look is a reflection of who you are. The look I try to capture is of a confident older woman who is approachable and friendly but who also has a bit of a quirky side.

What is your beauty routine and what are your favourite beauty products?

My beauty routine is pretty simple. I have been lucky to have inherited great skin and hair. I always  use a cheap moisturiser and remove make up with Enjo makeup remover pads. Avoiding going out in the hot sun or wearing a hat are both critical in Australia.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I do not really follow trends but do keep an eye on fashion websites and blogs for things I might like to try. Having said that I really like the pale and blush pinks that are everywhere in the stores right now. It’s one of my favourite colours.

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

Dress for yourself not for others, and read as much as you can about fashion and style. A Pinterest board is a good place to start collecting suggestions and putting outfits together. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. It is also important to keep yourself fit and heathy as you age.

What are some of the main things you learned through your style training in the club?

I have learned to be more adventurous and to try different things like colour and pattern mixing. I’ve also been inspired by some of the wonderful handbags owned by some of the American women in the club and I am actively looking for more colourful bags.

The style club is a great place to experiment with new outfits and ideas. The members are all super supportive and nonjudgmental.

The mentors are encouraging, full of suggestions and helpful hints. I’ve learned how important it is to take a photos to get a different perspective instead of just looking in the mirror. Since being a member of the style club I look more critically at clothes in the stores and have more of an idea of what suits me and what is trending.

I am also encouraged to move out of my comfort zone and try things that I would not have otherwise. Moreover I feel I have friends all around the world who are on a style journey with me.

Who would you recommend the style club to?

Any woman who is looking to freshen up or reinvent their style. I’m possibly one of the older members of the club and the hints and suggestions are just as relevant to me as to a 41 year old. If you join you won’t regret it!

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