“Find your fashion DNA”
Guido Maria Kretschmer reveals what really looks good on women over 50
© Christoph Köstlin / Guido
In the course of life you keep asking yourself the question: does it suit me? can i still wear this Guido Maria Kretschmer clears up fashion myths in old age and reveals what really suits women over 50: self-confidence.
Fashion accompanies us throughout our lives. It changes as we change. Not only our bodies, also our tastes develop. With our absolute must-have 20 years ago, we might not take to the streets today – while the next generation is already wearing it with flying colors. That’s a nice side effect of fashion: it helps us to reinvent ourselves in different phases of life.
But if we are in one of these discovery phases again, they can be quite frightening. The older you get, the earlier generations are more likely to whisper their beliefs in our ears: Can I still wear that at my age? Why doesn’t my stomach look like it used to? Do I have to dress … appropriately for my age now? And if so, what does that even mean?
Guido Maria Kretschmer keeps getting questions of this nature. In an interview, he cleared up the biggest fashion myths surrounding the 50th birthday – and revealed a few tips for your own style at any age.
Don’t believe fashion myths
“First of all, I don’t think there’s a woman over 50,” says Guido, “it’s more like a feeling that you think you’ve outgrown your time.” In any case, there are no general regulations as to what one is allowed to wear in which phase of life.
invite individuality
“What I would always say is to develop an individual style”, advises the designer. Because that would be a great way to counteract the negative thoughts that visit us from time to time: “It protects you from those holes that you suddenly fall into when you get old: ‘I’m not modern anymore. It looks like my daughter’, or so.”
show color
Just think about it: what colors are you magically drawn to in the shop right now? “You can try using the colors you like in such a way that they somehow suit your body so that you feel comfortable,” says Guido and recommends trying out new colors from time to time.
To call for advice
Guido Maria Kretschmer is not a fan of online shopping – at least when it comes to discovering a new style for yourself. Instead, go straight to the store and try, try, try. His tip: “And then you choose a saleswoman who makes you think: Ah, she has taste.'” Advice is incredibly valuable – and is underestimated. A shopping companion helps to broaden fashion horizons and boosts self-confidence. If you don’t want to ask a stranger, you can choose someone from your circle of acquaintances whose look you’ve always liked.
feel good
But if your shopping friends have a completely different taste than you do – or recommend tight leather pants that pinch everywhere, it’s time to listen to yourself: “It’s important to wear what you like best”, says Guido, because if you feel good, you radiate it. No one needs to squeeze into tight high-waisted jeans and crop tops just because they’re trendy.
Find your fashion DNA
“I would always recommend that because every phase in life has its own look. And yet there will be things that will always be with you – like your DNA”explains Guido and advises a mix of both – new and old parts: “The more you put together your own individual look, i.e. rely on things that you like, the more a look can change when you are 50, are 60.”
So if you have certain basics that accompany you through every phase of life, you can see them as your personal framework and dare to build on them. Is that the cashmere sweater you’ve felt comfortable in for years? Combine it with a skirt. Or a new scarf. So you can freshen up your style and still be yourself.
Finally, Guido Maria Kretschmer has some advice for all women who sometimes feel a little insecure about age: “Don’t think it looks ridiculous, there really isn’t! As long as you wear something confidently, there are no restrictions.”