Why Women Today Won’t Age Like Their Moms

3. Owning our size and shape

(Left to right) Marcia Gay Harden (64), Anjelica Huston (72) and Tracee Ellis Ross (51).

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Mom relied on a drawerful of girdles and structured bras, a morning weigh-in on the bathroom scale and an endless stream of fad diets. We know that a body-positive attitude, consistent exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are a better combination for self-esteem, regardless of size and shape.

When Mom gained weight, she often had a tough time finding clothes in her size that reflected her love of current fashion. We now have inclusive size ranges and a glamorized plus-size category that follows every trend in every season. We’ve learned that the right underwear (not necessarily the prettiest underwear) can make our clothes and our bodies work better together. Smooth, seamless bras and high-leg briefs make even knits and lightweight fabrics ease over curves, and a little confidence-boosting stretch in everything from pants to dresses to our favorite untucked tops makes getting dressed a snap, not a struggle. Lucky us.

Still need a confidence-booster? Dress to flatter your body and shape, no matter your size, and uncover ways to bare your body with confidence.

4. Wearing comfy clothes day and night

What we wear now affects everything from our body language to posture and comfort. While Mom’s wardrobe, like ours, reflected her personal taste and wallet, it often added years to her looks. Stiff, structured clothes that lacked stretch or the softness of blended fabrics, waistbands that pinched in all the wrong places and a real difference between work and leisure clothes made getting dressed a challenge. Long hours in high-heel pumps made her achy feet, corns and bunions seem normal, and sheer pantyhose added to the anxiety with frequent runs. Thanks to a laundry list of changes, there’s no turning back. Mom didn’t have the advantages of our dress-down lifestyle, the stylish way we layer and mix casual and dressy, sporty and tailored, to stay comfortable and fashionable 24/7. We wear black leggings instead of pesky pantyhose; opt for flats, wedges and sneakers instead of killer heels; wear joggers with blazers and jeans with feminine blouses, defying the seasons and categories. And to top it off, we shop online, from H&M to Walmart, Gap to Talbots, Amazon to Nordstrom, triumphantly ignoring any hint of age-appropriate boundaries.

Embrace the new stylishly casual way of dressing with key pieces that elevate a traditional wardrobe with a few modern tweaks.

5. Wearing feel-good/look-better makeup

(Left to right) Viola Davis (58), Sharon Stone (66) and Jennifer Lopez (54).

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Mom’s makeup depended on a “more is more, please stay put” philosophy. It looked better after dark than in the bright light of day. Her mascara clumped, lipstick smeared and eye shadow flaked; her concealer was obvious; and powder was essential to hold it all in place. We’re more fortunate to have makeup that enhances our looks without a painted lady effect and lets us control the results. Radiance-enhancing foundations and tinted moisturizers, each in dozens of authentic shades, add a glow to mature skin while blurring pigmentation issues. We have makeup brushes, sponges and primers to make application a breeze. Our lightweight, creamy blushes and bronzers require minimal blending and produce a healthy look in seconds. We have neutral colors for the eyes and lips that define aging features and seem natural even in a smoldering smokey eye or on a full-glamour face.

Do your makeup tips need some brushing up? Explore these game-changing techniques and tricks to keep looking your best.

6. Tweaking and changing as we age

(Left to right) Marisa Tomei (59), Christie Brinkley (70) and Oprah Winfrey (70).

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The only rule is there are no rules. Mom was brand loyal and relied on big-name companies and routines she trusted, often resisting a switch even when the possibility of improvement lurked. Women age 50 and older have more flexibility now and are game for change. We may have loved skinny jeans, wire-rimmed glasses and full-coverage matte makeup but had no problem moving on to wider-leg denim, bold frames and hydrating sheer formulas after we saw how flattering they were. This ability to adapt, transform and keep moving forward continues to be our demographic’s superpower. It’s why we’re still interested in trends and social media even when we don’t follow every new option. It’s also why we make courageous choices, like Marisa Tomei, at age 59, pairing a black minidress with sheer black pantyhose; Christie Brinkley, 70, in a bright red curve-hugging gown; and Oprah Winfrey, 70, in a sparkly knee-length dress and sporting a playful long ponytail down to there.

Continue transforming your look with tips on creating ageless style. Don’t be afraid to add a little swagger to your step — the compliments will roll in.