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Yes, I’m coming out swinging in this Spring 2023 Fashion Report! And, yes, I am mad as H-E-Double Toothpick, ladies! The same disregard held for older women by the fashion industry and society hasn’t changed one bit since I started this blog in 2013.
It is true, dear fashion industry, we do not spend as much money as our younger sisters. But don’t forget, dear fashion industry, we are still deserving of your respect. Further, as a segment of society, we are one of the wealthiest: we’ve either earned it, married it, or inherited it, or any or all of these.
Some of the best-known brands in the fashion industry disown us as soon as we quit working or retire to less money-making jobs. A few—to their credit—include older models in their promotional materials. It’s really obvious the companies have abandoned us when none of their models have gray hair and nary a wrinkle.
So, ladies, it’s tough out there. Why should we even care about fashion?
These are important reasons for me:
- Don’t play society’s “Invisible Game.” All females are valued! Strut your stuff, ladies!
- As the Girl Scouts used to say when I worked for them in the 1980s, “Our money is as green as anyone’s!” Spend your fashion dollars where you are respected as an older woman.
- Ten years later, as one of the American Cancer Society’s communications directors, I was humbled to promote the “Look Good Feel Better” program for female cancer survivors. This program recognized that we all feel better when we take the time to look our best.
On with the Spring 2023 Fashion Report
First, I want you to know that I receive no financial compensation for the fashion reports or any of my blogs.
Second, my information comes from many sources, such as fashion magazines web sites, retailers, and various news sources. Also, I check out a few stores in my area. I always visit Target because I have found them to be a beacon of fashion trends. Then, I summarize my findings and tell you what is in my closet for this season.
Third, I offer a quick fashion summary at the beginning of this blog in case your time is limited for a thorough read.
Fourth, I include these three questions in each report to help you determine what will make you feel best to wear: 1. What is your fashion personality? 2. What colors work best for you? 3. What are your practical considerations?
Abbreviated Spring Fashion 2023 Summary
Bright colors
Goodbye slim-cut pants
Hello, flared and straight-leg paints
Goodbye, long tops
Hello, short or waist-cut tops
Pearls
Two-toned jewelry
Bangles
Traditional purse styles
Ballet shoes
Long hair
Light makeup with brows and lashes accentuated
Vivid and colorful lips
Natural nails
Three Pertinent Questions for What’s Best For You
1. What is your fashion personality? There are seven predominant style personalities. The labels change sometimes, but the descriptions don’t. Once you know your fashion personality, you can quickly determine which of the new trends will work for you.
If you don’t know your fashion personality, take this fun quiz.
I have a casual classic style, so frilly, bling or edgy trends don’t work for me.
2 . We all have specific colors that naturally make us look and feel better. These colors in the fashion industry are often referred to as seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Once you know what colors are best, you can peruse the current hottest colors for the ones you like, and they will look good on you. If you don’t know your season, here is a fun, no-cost quiz to take. I am in the winter season. Besides knowing which colors are your best, you will also find which colors to avoid wearing, especially next to your face: For example, black is beautiful if you are in the winter season, and orange only if you are part of the fall season. Silver jewelry works best for summer and winter seasons, and gold for the others.
3. I call this question the practical one. It has three parts: a. Do you know what is already in your closet? b. Do you need clothes for a particular reason? 3. What is your budget? Like most women our age, you probably have lots of clothes. Maybe you don’t need or want any. Perhaps, you have a special event coming up. These practical considerations will help you determine what to wear or buy this season.
Now, here is a summary of my findings for Spring 2023. I hope they are helpful for you in choosing what to wear now.
Spring Fashion 2003 Summary
Color
Each season, the Pantone Institute determines the top colors for clothes and products, including paint and appliances. Below is a list of the 2023 spring colors I have summarized for you. Click on the above link for a description and the actual names of their colors.
Bright red
Vivid Fuchsia
Bright orange
Browned peach
Intense radiant yellow
Pink
Vivid green
Yellow-green
Soft medium blue
Soft blue gray
Light sky
Vanilla
Medium gray
Soft olive green
Tan
Clothes — (Please note: I left off the see-throughs, sheer clothing, tailored corsets, and bustiers because I don’t know one lady of a certain age that would wear them. )
Jean jackets
Bomber jackets
Blazers
Dots
Fringe
Sequins
Big bows
Baggy jeans
Cargo pants
Wide-leg jeans and pants
Draw-string pants
Drop-waist dresses and skirts
Bubble skirts and sleeves
Short tops – just below or just above the waist
Short-sleeve knit tops and shirts
Jewelry
Pearls
Bangles
Cuffs
Shoulder-grazing earrings
Emeralds
Mixed metals
Chunky chains
Signet and pinky rings
Heart jewelry
Watches
Purses
Top handle bags
Hobo
Oversized tote
Wristlets
Baguettes
Metallics
Totes
Bright colors
Shoes
Ballet flats
Lace-ups (shoes with straps that are intertwined around the calf)
Metallic
Pointed toe!!
Clogs
Slouchy boots
Mary Janes
Soccer shoes
Cowboy boots
Fisherman sandals
Hairstyles
Shags—curly, long, shaggy
Straight hair with a middle part
French twists
Buns and ponytails
Side part mid-length bob
Bobs
Makeup
Natural looking makeup
Black eyeliner and mascara
Lots and lots of mascara
Smudged liner
Angular arched eyebrows
Bleached eyebrows
Smokey black eyeshadow
Vinyl lips – highly glossed red, purple, orange, brown, and gray lipstick
Hot pink blush
Clean, simple nails
Soft chrome nail polish
Minimal French manicure
Glitter and rhinestone accents
What’s in my closet
I always “shop my closet” first. It reflects my traditional fashion personality—classic, casual—and the colors of the winter season. While at it, I purge my closet of worn clothing and donate it.
This year I am particularly aware of proportions because of my petite size and age. I am telling you this because the lines our clothes make are important no matter what your size. You see, about 15 years ago, I developed scoliosis. Since the sixth grade, I measured 5.5 feet. Now, I stand up tall to reach 5 feet. Also, I have lost weight and have gone from 120 pounds to just over 100. I no longer wear regular size, but petite size clothing. I have found on Pinterest a couple of helpful articles on petite dressing.
Further, at age 76, I am more aware of the importance of safety, particularly how it relates to balance. I love the curvy heels I see, but—even if I had a place to wear them—I don’t think it would be wise. But it was so fun to shoe shop for the two very rich women in my latest mystery, Murder and a Blue Spruce.
I live in a small town in Western Colorado. Like many retirees, I moved away from a big city. What’s in my closet reflects the laid-back lifestyle of my community.
Clothes
Mostly I need clothes for pickleball, gardening, relaxed times with friends, and yoga. The only special occasion I have on my calendar is my grandson’s graduation, which will be a casual affair. During the summer, it gets very hot here, and the dangerous rays of the sun are a concern. I like wearing linen because it gives me protection. I am “a blue jean baby” and often wear denim.
Style has changed this season. Fortunately, I have a couple of pairs of cream wide-leg pants and straight-leg jeans. I will buy another pair of jeans, and straight-leg black knit pants. Last year, my dermatologist dug out a chunk of cancer in my right leg, so I am now keeping my legs mostly covered.
I’m looking forward to wearing my two jean jackets: a beloved 20-year-plus Ralph Loren and a white linen Tommy Bahama, a thrift store find! I do have short sleeve, waist-length or just-below tops in the fashion colors of fuchsia, blue, green, and a multi-mix of blue. In addition, I am scouting for a couple of red tops. (After all, I was born under the sign of Aires, and red is my astrological color!)
Jewelry
These days I look for necklaces with easy clasps.
One of my favorites is a multi-metal by Christopher Poly, which secures with magnets. I am going to buy another one.
I have strands of pearls in various lengths, and pearl earrings
Bangles are not my thing; cuffs have fallen off my tiny wrists.
Purses
Yep, shopping my closet paid off. I have my choice between a cream Coach hobo or a gray Steve Madden tote.
Shoes
My tootsies will be graced with pointed black flats, or they will love the freedom of my Sketchers Women’s Seager Stat Slip-On or chunky sandals.
Hairstyle
I’ve added a side part to my tapered bob and am growing out the front just a little.
Makeup
Safety—not beauty or fashion—is my number one goal when it comes to my eyes. Several years ago, I had an inner eyelid condition caused by makeup. I am not outlining my eyes this season but will use smoky gray eyeshadow and a couple of layers of mascara. Vinyl lips are not for me but will wear pink or red lip gloss. I am so grateful I have full eyebrows. I am not going to do anything to them.
Nails
Fushia color nail polish for my toes and nude for my fingernails.
Strut your stuff, sisters. It is fun!
Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, February 14, 2023
