It may seem that as we age, style becomes less and less important for us. The idea of sitting around in warm cardigans is not necessarily a bad choice but it’s important to remember that age is just a number. How you feel inside is more of an indication of the kind of person you are.
One of the best ways to help anyone who feels ‘their time is passed’ is to help them unlock their style and begin enjoying fashion again – determining what this means to them. Of course, this is a discovery process, and dictating what our relatives or friends might like to wear is definitely not the best way to proceed.
If they’ve trusted you to help sort out their estate or even purchase installations from Memorials.com, then I’m sure you can be trusted to help with their style. Your fashion sense and style can help your relative or friend get a feel for what they may like. In this post we’ll discuss how to assist an older relative unlock their style, get an idea of their taste and what they’d be interested in.
Educate Them In Designers, Labels & Fashion Brand
It’s understandable someone in their golden years wouldn’t want to keep up with the latest designer trends however designers add textures, colors, patterns, prints, and exciting details to appeal to all ages.
They tend to curate high-quality garments and goods. Some of these can be perfect for your elderly relative to focus on. If they know who’s designing, what the trending focus is, and designers who’ve managed to keep their collections fresh despite designing for decades. The older clientele may feel more confident when making buying decisions and knowing where to find their styles and value.
You can begin this by sharing a few stores you believe are worth their time, taste, and budget permitting. Some of the best brands for women over 50, for example, are Madewell, Nordstrom, casual outlets like Nic+Zoe, and more.
Go On A Shopping Trip!
Fashion is fun when it’s shared with a companion. Bringing your relative or friend along to one of your favorite boutiques can be a wonderful idea. You’re able to share your perspective on what you wear and how you decide which clothes are worth it. Timeless pieces versatile pieces would be a good start.
Helping them feel ‘current,’ as well as letting them know there’s no such thing as a ‘stupid question,’ can ease them back into the fun of fashion. A shopping trip can also pre-date a large event such as a family gathering, or perhaps a more unique occasion like a wedding.
Help Them Sort Through Their Wardrobe
It may be harder to organize your household affairs as you get older. Your relative may have a large wardrobe stuffed with clothes that are begging to be sorted through
You may organize these pieces into worthwhile folded piles – perhaps some could be sold online through an app like DePop or an auction site like eBay. Others may donate to charity stores, doing something nice for others and finding an opportunity for the garment itself – you never know how you may find value in it.
Then, you can neatly bring together a few lovely outfits that can be worn at all times of the day or whether they’re hoping to go out or stay inside. Then you’re able to decide what needs to change, such as opting for a nicer winter coat if the current one is tatty and shabby.
Your friend is likely to have some great talents. They may have some exceptional skills like sewing or knitting. It might be worth going through which garments could use a touch-up. It’s quite amazing to see the value in a well-curated, static wardrobe, many of the garments may have come back into fashion again.
Help Them Gain ‘A Touch Up’
Provided it’s completely voluntary and consensual on their part, it can be nice to help your older relative find themselves a newer look from a makeover or treatments that help them feel more refreshed. It may have been a while since they’ve had their hair attended to outside of a simple trim. Perhaps taking them along with you to a coloring appointment (if they genuinely want it and their hair can support it) can be nice.
Note that it’s important not to make them feel as if they’re out-of-style without that kind of treatment. It can be a nice thing to offer them should you have a treatment of your own. In some cases, this touch-up could mean helping them have certain clothes fitted once more – especially items they love. A nice gesture may help them have an accessory as a ring resized. This can be lovely if they haven’t been able to wear it for some time.
Bodies change in both size and shape as we age and go through life, and so helping them to unlock their style via correctly-fitting clothes and accessories is very worthwhile and helpful.
Let Them Dictate The Pace
Of course, offering to help your older friend with their style again doesn’t mean spouting all of your knowledge on their behalf, or ignoring their desires so you can put your ideas forward.
It might be they’re happier to dress simply or wear less expensive brands, and that’s fine too. They may be secure in who they are and just want to dress up nicely for the fun of it.
There’s a big difference between telling someone how to look their best and inviting them to shop alongside you, even if your interests and priorities are different. If you love fashion (as we do), then sharing some of that enthusiasm can be engaging and inspiring no matter where they fall on that spectrum.
Sometimes it could be providing them with a nice gift, like a hat or a brooch which can mean so much to them. So – this is a bonding process first and foremost.
With this advice hopefully, you’re sure to help an older relative unlock their style.
XOXO,
