The book division of Harper’s Bazaar has published a silly and poorly conceived “fashion” book called “Fabulous at Every Age.”
A hodgepodge of photos is stuffed into confused layouts and accompanied by rehashed and half-baked tips (e.g. make sure your shoes look good with your pants). The “tip” never discusses what style shoes and pants work together. Chapters on belts, jewelry, pants, jackets, skirts, shoes and bags are divided into age groups—20s through 70s—which advise women what is appropriate and hip for their age.
Choose a metallic clutch in your 30s but a wear black satin clutch in your 60s; stiletto heels with open toes are perfect in your 30s, but switch to ballet flats in your 50s; well-worn, rolled up jeans are cool in your 30s, but classic gray trousers are for 70-year-olds. You get the picture. And did you know that the 20s is the time to experiment and wear leggings?
Harper's Bizarre does not advise FOF women to dress like this
Hmmm. I’d better throw out my worn jeans, metallic clutch, leggings and big rings (those are for women in their 40s, the book says). I must also stop experimenting.
Given the mentality of the editors, far more pages are devoted to 20, 30 and 40-year-old women than to FOF women. FOF women get one-half page and the photos are the size of postage stamps in the chapter on pants. Furthermore, haven’t we seen enough of Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker in every gossip and fashion magazine during the last decade? Who cares what they’re wearing? Besides, most of them have more money than talent—or style.
When I was an editor on W in 1981, fashion magazines were cool and entertaining, filled with great advice and trends. Now they’re tired. And tired fashion magazines that publish books like this are grasping at straws to keep their brands fresh and relevant.
Why do the editors of these magazines bother to pay lip service to women over fifty? And don’t they know that young women have created a marvelous network of fashion blogs that just might put tired magazines permanently to sleep.
We can’t wait for you to see faboverfifty.com. Even 30-year-olds have told us FOF women are inspirations to them. I guess the magazine editors haven’t yet heard the news.
0 Responses to “Harper’s Bizarre”
Harper's Bizarre | Fab Over Fifty Blog : Not Quiet says:
I’m in my 40s {on this side of ‘mid 40s’} and thought those things were for people in their 30s. Or so I was told by so many fashion magazines and taste makers. I think I’d better pull it all out of the trash and wear it quickly before i’m ‘too old’.
Could not agree with you more Geri, I cancelled all my subscriptions and seldom will spend any money on any so called style ‘zines.
It absolutely drives me up the wall when I see the “models” they use to convey the message how we should look and what we should wear as FOF. Excuse me but wearing a dress way over my knees and cut down to here doesn’t work when you’re over 70. What the heck do they think old ladies should wear, nighties or jammies all day long? I’m old,(what else would you call a eighty something lady?) and every day I get up and get dressed and put my makeup on for heavens sakes. I don’t aspire to look 50 or 60 much less like Demi or Nicole or whomever, but I’ll be damned if I’ll start running around in sweats and sneakers. I like dressing up and looking sharp and together. Must admit though, it is getting more difficult to find age appropriate clothes these days but that’s a whole ‘nother subject. Don’t get me started!
Geri, I so agree with you about these tired articles and tips from those who either don’t give a rip about FOF thoughts & needs or don’t have a clue – mhmm – perphaps it is both. Magazines and so-called fashion publications should be seeing the writing on the wall as more of us are cancelling our subscriptions out of boredom and/or frustration. Your post really nailed it!
Happy New Year to you and all the other FOFs out there!
0 Responses to “Harper’s Bizarre”
Harper's Bizarre | Fab Over Fifty Blog : Not Quiet says:
[…] Harper's Bizarre | Fab Over Fifty Blog […]
beachbungalow8 says:
I’m in my 40s {on this side of ‘mid 40s’} and thought those things were for people in their 30s. Or so I was told by so many fashion magazines and taste makers. I think I’d better pull it all out of the trash and wear it quickly before i’m ‘too old’.
kanishk says:
It absolutely drives me up the wall when I see the “models” they use to convey the message how we should look and what we should wear as FOF.
kobe beef
Quinn says:
hahaha! i love this.
Kirin says:
Could not agree with you more Geri, I cancelled all my subscriptions and seldom will spend any money on any so called style ‘zines.
It absolutely drives me up the wall when I see the “models” they use to convey the message how we should look and what we should wear as FOF. Excuse me but wearing a dress way over my knees and cut down to here doesn’t work when you’re over 70. What the heck do they think old ladies should wear, nighties or jammies all day long? I’m old,(what else would you call a eighty something lady?) and every day I get up and get dressed and put my makeup on for heavens sakes. I don’t aspire to look 50 or 60 much less like Demi or Nicole or whomever, but I’ll be damned if I’ll start running around in sweats and sneakers. I like dressing up and looking sharp and together. Must admit though, it is getting more difficult to find age appropriate clothes these days but that’s a whole ‘nother subject. Don’t get me started!
Geri says:
Hi Mary,
So appreciate your comments and can’t wait till we all come together on the site. We launch February 18th. Have you registered?
Geri
Mary says:
Geri, I so agree with you about these tired articles and tips from those who either don’t give a rip about FOF thoughts & needs or don’t have a clue – mhmm – perphaps it is both. Magazines and so-called fashion publications should be seeing the writing on the wall as more of us are cancelling our subscriptions out of boredom and/or frustration. Your post really nailed it!
Happy New Year to you and all the other FOFs out there!