40-plus fashionistas

By the time a woman is 40 and above, she has more money, has a refined taste and has travelled a lot. She makes for a finicky but a discerning client. She’s familiar with mature design concepts and emphasises quality,” says fashion designer Deepika Govind, while talking about those women who have figured out the perfect balance when it comes to fashion and appearance.

Designer Anu Nagappa agrees. “Independent women above 40 have better disposable income. And their tastes develop to make them opt for classic, tailored clothes that are smart and elegant,” she says. And with a sizeable segment of her clientele in this age group, she should know.

Govind enjoys working for this segment as she feels they are far more interesting to dress up. “By this age they know what works and what doesn’t. They are able to define what they want — from colour palette to silhouettes. But they also can get a bit non-experimental,” rues Govind.

She feels that Indian women over 40 are no longer willing to resort to kurtis and saris. “The actresses changed the game and age doesn’t deter you from looking good anymore,” she says.

So what makes for a winning formula at this age? Take care of your skin, hair and figure and you have won half the battle, feels Govind. Both designers vote for natural fabrics over cheaper lycras and the like. “Personally, I feel denims do not work well at this age. And it’s time to shun the nylon kind of lycra too — they look and are cheap. Cotton or linen and other natural fibres are the way to go,” says Govind. And the teen trends, like logo tee-shirts and so on, are best avoided, no matter what Madonna seems to think. It is important to go for classic cuts, feels Nagappa and she suggests that an all-out skin show should be shunned. “If you have long sleeves and a conservative neckline, go for a shorter length. If you are wearing a halter necked or a shoulder-less piece, go for longer lengths. Do not combine a plunging neck with a short hemline,” she cautions. Govind feels that the body type should determine the kind of clothes one wears. “If you have a great pair of legs, flaunt them. But I am not very comfortable with exposure just for its own sake,” she says.

But do not for a moment think that classic elegance means that you’ll have to bypass trends completely.

“To make things more interesting, go for colours and prints that are in vogue. And your accessories, like shoes and bags, should be in keeping with what is in fashion at the moment,” says Nagappa.