A while ago 40+Style photographer Denton photographed Dayle in a bright and colorful outfit and I featured the image on this site and on Instagram. The owner of a shop which Dayle frequents regularly noticed and shared the image with her.
She contacted Denton and they decided to meet up more regularly to photograph her fabulous outfits. This woman has great style so of course I wanted to meet her in New York as well to find out her style secrets. Enjoy!
You may like to start by watching this video interview where I asked her about her style and her hair!
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
When I was working, I had a wonderful double life–advocate and public speaker on health care and consumer protection issues by day, and singer/dancer in cabaret acts by night. I am now retired and pursuing my passion for the arts working as a docent at a New York art museum.
As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?
I’m in my 60’s.
How would you describe your style?
My style is really my art. Although I’ve dabbled in the visual arts and have a good sense of color, my real art is putting myself together in a unique way. I would say my style is artistic and dramatic.
What would you consider the most important components of your style?
I like asymmetrical lines and the use of multiple fabrics in a single garment. I am drawn to the shape of clothing and like dresses, pants and tops that have unusual silhouettes. Accessories are key for me. Often, I will build an outfit around a scarf or piece of jewelry. I have numerous pairs of eyeglasses, which also play into how I create a look.
Where do you live and how does that influence your style?
I live in New York City, which allows a lot of liberties in terms of dress. There are also more opportunities to find stores with unusual merchandise. I grew up in the Midwest. One couldn’t really find unusual clothing there when I was growing up, and conformity was expected. My husband always says that it was a cosmic mistake that I wasn’t born in Manhattan. I thrive on the pace and excitement of the city.
Do you feel you have a signature style?
Accessories are the key to my look. I could wear the same black dress every day and make it look different. I always wear multiple bangles on my right arm and am particularly fond of earrings that go together but don’t match. I like to wear unusual eyeglasses. I wear a lot of black–I do live in New York, after all– but I also love bright colors. I get a lot of jewelry and clothing at craft fairs. I love knowing who made my clothes and jewelry and like having pieces that are one of a kind and hand-made.
What inspires your outfit choices the most?
Accessories, accessories, accessories. Often, I start with the accessories I want to wear and build the outfit from there.
Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?
I once had my colors done, when that was in vogue. I was told that I should be wearing pastels because of my skin tone. I left feeling very depressed since pastels don’t really suit my personality and I have never been drawn to them. And then it hit me that I didn’t have to follow that advice. That was very liberating.
So, I wear the colors that make me happy. Body type is an extremely important consideration in how I dress. Since I have narrow shoulders, I often wear shoulder pads (even though they are not in fashion) to balance out my body. As a tall woman, I also have to pay attention to where pants, skirts and dresses hit me to make sure lines are flattering.
Has your style changed at all after turning 40?
My style really changed the most after I retired. When I was working, I didn’t want my clothing to get in the way of my message as an advocate and public speaker. Now that I am retired and work at an art museum, I feel freer to express myself through my clothing. And, as I’ve gotten older, I have gotten far less concerned about conformity.
Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?
I do believe in dressing age appropriately in that after a certain age, midriff baring and micro-mini skirts seem inappropriate. I will still push the envelope a bit in terms of how I dress, but I don’t want to look ridiculous for my age and do think about that when I am putting myself together.
Would you say that at this stage of your life you are now more, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?
I am probably more interested in style and the way I look because I have more freedom in terms of being able to dress the way I want to.
Why is the way you look important to you?
Putting myself together is fun for me. It’s a way of expressing myself. It is a form of creativity. The other day, a man in the elevator in my apartment building asked where I was going all dressed up, and I was just going out in the neighborhood. It makes me feel good about myself and more confident when I put myself together. I love being stopped in the street over something I am wearing. I have met some interesting people that way. Conversely, I have stopped women in the street whose style I have admired. I once saw an older woman with a gorgeous hat. I ran after her to ask about the hat. She had retired as a milliner and had made the hat, and offered to make me one as well—which she did!!
Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?
I don’t really follow trends. I never really wanted to look like anyone else. If a clerk in a store tells me that something is their most popular item, I will be sure not to buy it!
Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?
I really believe that anyone can wear anything if they feel confident about putting it on. I have had friends that have said that they couldn’t wear big earrings. I truly believe that they could if they felt confident doing it. I do, though, believe in age appropriate dressing, so some judgment is involved. Women develop their own styles. It is all about discovering what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and happy.
Anything further you would like to add?
It was a real pleasure meeting you. It is nice to know that there is someone out there who appreciates the fact that women over 40 can have great style and that style and fashion are not just the province of the young.
I also want to mention that I am starting an Instagram account. (I have to admit I have been a bit averse to social media until now.) I have been working with Denton Taylor, a talented fashion photographer, who discovered me on the streets of New York City, and I want to have a place to show off the wonderful photos he has taken of me. My account is artfulcitystyle, and I hope to use it not only to feature my own fashion ideas, but also to share the works of artists whom I admire.
Thank you Dayle for taking part in this style interview series. It was great fun to meet you!
Which of Dayle’s outfits is your favorite?
Like this post? Share it on Pinterest!
P.S. You may notice that Dayle wears the same shoes in different colors with many of her outfits. She told me that they are the most comfortable shoes that she can walk in all day. I thought they are the funkiest ‘comfort’ shoes I had seen so I got myself a pair too and got them in black! You can order them in many different colors from Amazon. There is also a great selection for winter from the Fly London brand at Nordstrom.
Photography by Denton Taylor
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Where can I get glasses you are wearing
Inspired!
Congrats Dayle for having your own style!
I am a collage mixed media artist, this title gives me the “oK “ to dress uniquely. For those readers who want to emulate this type of style a bit of advice:
It is important when creating collage art to EDIT. The same with dressing, too many items creates confusion to the eye. A simply shaped dress will create a palette for wonderful accessories. A unique dress needs simple jewelry or all is lost .
Sooo love the eyeglasses!
Ann
I love your style. I dress in a similar manner.
Glasses, where to purchase, I have 18-20 pairs , but I want off the wall, like hers
Check her Instagram account (link in article at bottom). She frequently mentions where she purchases her glasses.
Dayle, You are an inspiration. Your phenomenal sense of self and style is marvelous.
You look like you are having so much fun too!
Barbara
Dale seems to be a very interesting woman. She can articulate very precisely why she does what she does, something that I admire.
I like the colorfulness and consistency of her style.
Dayle’s look appears effortless, elegant chic….Like an extention of her personality that invites you to know her a little better, her style comes accross as authentic, genuine and playful.
And what’s not to love about that?!!!!!! She’s really nailed an inspiring look that’s real and also rocks!
Fly London shoes sound amazing, Thank you Dayle and Sylvia for the tip! After your glowing endorsment, I will be purchasing a pair for myself!
Your comments for why you dress the way you do was like you took everything straight out of my head. I am 71 and now live in a small town which makes finding unusual garments a major challenge. Which is why I can’t seem to leave a pair of jeans alone! I love doing artsy stuff on them.
You look FABULOUS Dayle. Your sense of colour coordination, fabric textures, glasses shapes, etc are sublime
There is no one like Dalye, what style and what an example of how to be expressive.
I love Dayle’s style. She is absolutely correct. There is something about living in New York that can bring out the artist in anyone. Her white outfit is my favorite. It is bold in its simplicity. Thank you Sylvia for all that you do to keep us inspired.
Dayle is gorgeous and interesting. Like you Sylvia, and love your hat!
I haven’t got a favourite outfit. They all look equally good on her. And yes, you can immediately recognize her style in all the outfits. Fun and colourful. ,y cup of tea. I love that scarf with all the red tassles….
By the way, do I know that fun top you are wearing?
No you don’t 🙂 It’s another item I found in a consignment store….
Dayle looks wonderful in all of these pictures! We always look forward to her visits to PONO!
I would love to see more of Dayle’s look. I am sure it goes on for days and days!
She is fantastic!
Love Dayle’s style. Lucky enough to be her friend and get to see her create her wonderful outfits!. She has always had an artistic approach to dressing. All “older” women should strive to create their own styles and not try so hard to wear the new raves geared to appeal to the under 30 generation.
What a great lady Dayle is – and such style! Thank you for introducing her. I too work in the art world and loved to see her flamboyant clothes and jewellery. Age does seem to be such a liberator for so many of us older ladies and isn’t it great that we have access to blogs like yours to share and celebrate the joys of expressive dressing. Hurrah!
The way she is carrying herself is awesome! She is looking dam cool!
Dayle is a head-turner–gorgeous, stylish and sophisticated. Thank you for featuring such her. Cheers!
Dayle’s style is wonderful but it is her so creative use of different accessories that makes her style her own. Her glasses collection must be truly something.
Thankyou for introducing this wonderful creative lady.
Another terrific interview with Dayle. Her style is dramatic and fun.
I would wear every item that Dayle is wearing in this post. We share a love of unusual, sculptural shapes and the amazing fly London shoes (I have two pairs of that style, and will likely get more). She has an enviable eyeglass collection! I’d love to run into her when I’m in New York in October.
I really love her look. She is young enough to pull this off. Still not a fan of the “clown” look. This, however, is really done well.
What a fabulous woman – she has terrific style. Thanks for featuring her. It would be great to see her in person as I walk around NYC!
Dayle is an old friend from DC. Thank goodness she moved to NYC where her fabulous style is appreciated!
I adore her style. Funny enough, I have a necklace similar to the one she is wearing in the last photo.
She also has some truly fantastic glasses.
bisous
Suzanne
I was so glad to meet and become friends with Dayle. She is such an amazing woman in so many ways!
Love this lady! Her style is something I aspire to. Arty and stylish.
Thanks so much im like her and ppl like my outfits the envy ones criticise me..now i dobt feel alone..im working to become an artistisan, went to university BA in Business n going to harvard to finish law. What an inspirational story,keep going..thanks. Dont let anybody put you down,follow your heart.