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With age comes wisdom and, in Carolyn Doelling’s case, a clever sense of style. The 75-year-old model launched her career in fashion after retiring from a career that spanned from banking to philanthropy, and now she’s appearing in campaigns for CVS, Athleta and more. Her new passion has changed the course of her life and now she is on a mission to change the industry.
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“I just want to make sure that after 70, women still have their swagger,” she says. We sat down with Doelling to talk runway-ready style, representation, and how to find the clothes you love at any age.
Reject society’s beauty standards
Despite social pressures, there is no fashion rule book for style after 70. After retiring, Doelling realized that “people have a different perspective on what you can achieve. [after a certain age].” When a boutique in Oakland, California asked her to be featured in a social media campaign, she found the next chapter of hers and an opportunity to challenge those preconceived notions. Now, in addition to being in front of the camera, she hopes to bring more representation to the catwalks. “A model has to represent reality, and I think it’s important that the general market can see that,” says Doelling, whose next goal is to walk in a show at New York Fashion Week. “I think it would go a long way to challenge age discrimination and encourage older women to feel more included.”
Choose styles in colors that stand out
Even if you don’t star in photo shoots, you can still be the star of your own life by choosing styles that stand out. “We normally go for grays and blacks and neutral khakis [in our seventies] that kind of mix with carpentry,” says Doelling. “So I think wearing bright colors is a good way to set yourself apart.”
Add a touch of sunshine to your wardrobe with pieces like the organic cotton Cleo Long Sleeve Shirt Dress from Mara Hoffman, a designer Doelling loves. The flowy dress, which can be worn with a belt for a slimmer look, is available in women’s sizes XS to XL. Doelling, who favors maxi dresses, says she likes to pair similar designs with sneakers or boots to “speed it up a bit.”
$325 at Nordstrom
Invest in pants or jeans that fit you well
Find the perfect fit, in more ways than one. Aside from choosing the colors and patterns you like, proper tailoring is “really important,” Doelling says, especially when it comes to a “basic” pair of pants or jeans.
Consider the Anson shorts from Tibi, a brand Doelling has worked with in the past. While the cropped, fitted style is classic, the buttons down the leg add a modern twist. Shop it in women’s sizes 0-14.
$119 at Saks Off 5th
When it comes to denim, Doelling says Rag and Bone “always looks good on me.” While the brand offers a variety of denim styles, he considers a versatile, straight leg pair like the Alissa Straight Leg Jeans. They’re available in a light blue wash in women’s sizes 24-33.
$193 at Nordstrom
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Add sleeveless styles to your wardrobe
Don’t be afraid to follow your own fashion philosophy, which includes adopting sleeveless styles. “I often wear tank tops; I think that’s another thing that gets pushed aside when you’re a certain age because you don’t want to show your arms,” says Doelling.
When not posing for the camera, the model kickboxes in her spare time. For impactful sportswear ensembles, she tries out Athleta, a brand we’ve tested and for which Doelling has modeled. Consider athleisure brand’s Momentum Seamless Tank Top, which comes in seventeen colors, including several bright hues. It is available in women’s sizes XXS to 3X.
$59 at Athlete
Put a spin on something classic
Doelling calls her style “classic with a twist” as it incorporates timeless pieces and modern, edgy touches. “I realized that you could have both, you could have the classic look and you could look fabulous and feel fabulous,” she says. Regardless of what the day brings, Doelling still touts the power of dressing your best. “[After retirement] I felt like I wasn’t recognized…and now, I don’t dress too exaggeratedly, but it’s enough for them not only to recognize me, but it also seems to cheer me up. [others],” she says.
One of your style staples for a classic yet modern look? Blazers. She recommends finding ones that are oversized (a very fashionable look), or have buttons or extra details. “Those differences make it a more contemporary fashion,” she says. For a button-up blazer that doesn’t look, well, buttoned up, consider the Atkins Blazer from Rachel Comey, another of Doelling’s favorite brands. Shop it in blue in women’s sizes 0-10.
From $101 at Saks Off 5th
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Source: www.usatoday.com