The best fashion influencers aren’t in their 20s
A little lie was told centuries ago, and it is still in circulation today. One would like to imagine that generations past have evolved and society has upgraded in thoughts and values so that this lie would no longer be the case, but alas, it is a rot that still spreads.
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say it, maybe even to you or somebody you know. I’ve heard it so many times and yet, I am still confused and surprised when the words are spoken.
“A woman over the age of 25 is past her prime.”
I remember going through a course in fashion history and finding out that at some point between the 1920s and 40s, fashion was something only considered for older women. At that time, children and younger girls wore the same thing (a uniform of sorts), while fashion magazines sported various styles and trends all catering to mature women. You only need to take a look at a couple of vintage magazines to see that this is true. I found it really interesting as it seems that in modern times, the reverse is mostly the case.
Fashion, of course, is for everybody, we all know that. But isn’t it so interesting that the muse back then was what one would consider an “old” woman? Of course, there is the serious topic of ageism culture to be discussed, but that is hardly necessary in this article. While I see nothing wrong with promoting the concepts of youth and having tight skin and abs, that’s not all there is to fashion and style. I believe that everyone interested in fashion will be interested in it throughout their lifetime, so rather than base style choices only on what’s new and what’s hot, why not model it towards something that we all will become? Older!
No one can escape getting older (except, y’know, through unaliving yourself); that’s a fact. So why don’t we embrace it more often?
Can you remember when you fell in love with fashion? I do, and I remember it quite clearly. For me, it wasn’t when Tyra and Yasmeen were giving us the hottest struts on the runway. It was watching my mother get dressed for work, outings, and weddings. It’s kind of cliche, I know. But for me as a little girl, it was everything. The beauty, the elegance, and the grace of getting ready. I remember sneaking into her room on countless occasions to admire her jewellery, makeup, perfumes, and high heels. It was bliss!
It’s safe to say that even in her 50s, she is still my number one style icon. Recently, I’ve realized that some of my biggest fashion influencers and stylists are 40+ women. Here’s why:
1. There’s nothing sexier than a woman comfortable in her own skin
Really, what in the world is sexier than a confident woman?
Please, tell me, because I truly do not know! Of course, a woman can be comfortable in her own skin at any age, but to me, there’s nothing quite like the grace and beauty of a more mature lady. There is a certain quality she exudes that cannot be replicated or even fully explained. It doesn’t matter what size, colour or shape she is, she knows that she is herself and there is nothing better in the world than that. That is not to say that she doesn’t have insecurities or bad days, it just means that they don’t really matter to her as much as living her absolute best life. She doesn’t need to chase trends or try to fit in. Ladies and gentlemen, she is the moment.
2. These women are collectors
Go through a fashionable woman’s closet and you will probably get blinded by the sheer amount of treasures she has accumulated over time.
“I picked this up while shopping at *insert exotic country*”
“I was gifted this by the Queen of England’s third cousin, who is friends with my brother in law”
They have stories with almost every piece, and their collection is just stunning to go through. The items usually range from low to high-end, basic to couture, contemporary pieces that then became vintage, and it goes on and on. More than just having a bunch of stuff, I consider these women historians in their own right; collectors of art and beauty.
3. They embody divinity: these women are goddesses!
This somewhat goes in line with the first point but I felt it needed a category of its own. A woman is not a monolith. She is a conspiracy of stars dancing in infinity. A woman is everything she desires to be; that is a goddess.
A goddess is much more than a confident woman. She is a reflection of femininity in all its forms. Whether that looks like elegance or wildness is of her own making. She is a creatrix, an alchemist. She is a breaker of illusions and a pioneer in turning everything she touches into gold. The identity of a woman is not several cute words that make you feel fuzzy inside, it is everything good and bad that she already is. That is why she catches our attention, that is why we are eager to learn from her triumphs and losses, that is why she turns us on, that is why she is the ultimate muse—there is no end to her!
It is for these reasons and more that I really admire the women below. I adore their style and have fallen in love with their unique energy and personalities. For me, these women are the epitome of grace and style that transcends all barriers.
The stylists/fashion influencers
Carla Rockmore
Gaining vast popularity on TikTok during the lockdown, Carla is a showstopper! With so much experience in styling and jewellery, she combines her fashion knowledge with effortless grace and verve. Plus, her closet is to die for! Her storytelling makes you feel like you’ve known her forever and she’s your best friend. When I think of her style, I think of elegance mixed in with the comfort and functionality of a woman who has got important things to do! Her simple and graceful aura is far from boring as she also has a chicness and playfulness to her style that keeps her looking fresh and radiant.
Angelica Debrouwer
Angelica is a lively woman with an accent to die for! In one word, I would describe her as cute! When it comes to style, she tends to choose more modern and trendy looks with tons of pieces from places like Zara. I love to see women that shop from everywhere, from designer to mid-priced stores to thrift items–and if you keep an eye out on her stories, you can watch her purchasing journey and the joy of retail therapy.
With sleeve and neck tattoos that I am not bold enough to try, she is an accessory all by herself. My favourite looks on her are flowy bohemian styles and casual outfits. She is also a makeup artist, and though her skin tone is far lighter than mine, a lot of the tips she shares are easy and applicable to everyone.
Audrey Coyne
I am so grateful that I found Audrey when I did! Also, I should mention that at this time, she’s just 36 and not 40+ but I just had to put her on this list as her energy captures the essence of the idea I’m conveying.
By far the most minimal in style on this list, I discovered Audrey at a time when I had a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. We’ve all been there. Her minimal approach to style taught me a lot about the type of clothes I was buying and made me aware that quality is certainly better than quantity. She made me appreciate my clothes a lot more and I learned to be intentional while shopping and curating my closet. I am in no way a minimalist, but the principles she teaches are exquisite, and she does so in a soft, calming voice that pulls you in and embraces the fashionista within you.
Iris Apfel
While I don’t follow Iris as intimately as I do the ladies above, she is an icon that I greatly admire. Since I’ve known her, Iris has been old (she’s currently 101), but that doesn’t stop her from being the most dressed-up person in the room. This businesswoman clearly doesn’t care what anyone thinks and I live for that fiery spirit! At her age, many people say that her dressing is too colourful, too loud, too inappropriate, too crazy. But what has sanity done for any of us?
I live for the drama and heavily endorse her message: “More is more and less is a bore”. At my current age, I feel free to experiment with anything I please, but seeing women like her just gives me the freedom to keep doing that even when I get older and the conservative “dress your age” police come knocking on my door as they are sure to do.
Folake Huntoon
I can’t be the only one who remembers the Folake Huntoon era, right?
Better known as Style Pantry, this blogger was serving looks like no one’s business on social media, and her presentation became a format to follow. For me, seeing a black woman dish out these versatile and chic looks was something to take notes on and keep track of. As the saying goes, black don’t crack and she has modelled that so gracefully over the span of her influencer career in fashion and design. She definitely isn’t one to follow trends and a tiny look at her socials shows how well she understands herself, her body, and the people that she styles.
What’s the bottom line?
Eternal youth is something yet to be found but style is ageless and beauty is divine. With that, we become immortal, a constellation of muses and boundlessness.
Of course, I don’t only follow 40+ female influencers, I am a young stylist myself and enjoy the work that my peers do immensely, but I don’t think we’ve reached our prime at all. In my mid-20s, I am only just starting, and I hope that at whatever stage you’re at, you’re able to draw inspiration from the experience and style of the older women around you!
