Tim Gunn on 'Making the Cut,' Style Tips for Older Adults

Look to style icons — and yourself

I admire more mature women. I've always admired Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe. I love Helen Mirren's style, whether she's casual or on the red carpet; she just looks polished and sophisticated. I asked Cate Blanchett, “How is it that you never seem to get this wrong?” She said, “I'll tell you exactly how: I only listen to my own voice. I have stylists in my ears telling me to do this or do that, but if it doesn't resonate for me, it's not going to work.”

If you're a Sally Field, don't dress like a Tilda

Tim Gunn's 7 Grownup Fashion Do's and Don'ts

1. Do have these essentials. A blazer, dress pants, dress shirt, trench coat and dark washed jeans. Not necessarily a Brooks Brothers navy blazer with gold buttons, just something you can remove in your office, but if the boss is coming, put it on. A trench coat you can wear to the grocery or the opera.

2. Do watch skirt and pant length. For mature women, skirt length should be at or around the knee. Never down to the calf. Once your miniskirt inches up closer to the hip, I don't care what age you are, it becomes vulgar. The three-quarter-length pant cuts you off at the widest part of your leg. It makes you look wider and shorter. Everyone I know aims to look as long and lean as possible.

3. Don't rock crop tops. Which seems so obvious, but people can be rather delusional.

4. Don't wear leggings as pants. When did the legging become a pant? It's just absurd. And ubiquitous.

5. Don't choose pastels. Pastels look juvenile, and just a little too great-grandma-y.

6. Do find a sweat suit alternative. The wrap dress is the easiest thing in the world to put on. It's comfortable, it has stretch. You feel like you can conquer the world. As opposed to running out to get a quart of milk and then you run into your former boyfriend.

7. Men: Leave shorts and tanks in the gym. I'm a bit of a prude. Shorts and tank tops are things no men should ever wear, unless you're by the pool.

I had a tiff with another fashion commentator who criticized Tilda Swinton's off-the-shoulder black amoeba-like gown. She looked fantastic. Would you put this dress on Sally Field? No, she'd look ridiculous. But on Tilda Swinton it just seemed very fitting. She's a bohemian.

Men, comfort isn't king

Most of the men I know are wearing suits that are at least one or two sizes too big. I can't stand the refrain, “Well, I'm comfortable.” If I wanted to be comfortable, I would never get out of bed.

It doesn't have to cost the earth

When I was appointed chair of the Parsons fashion design department, I wore suits and ties, and jeans while teaching. My friend Diane von Furstenberg said, “You can't be running this department looking like this. You need to look more modern.” So I bought a $1,200 black leather jacket at Saks. I staggered out of Saks in apoplexy and into a Banana Republic across the street. I bought a $400 black leather blazer and returned the $1,200 one and felt physically lighter. I wore that with a black turtleneck and black jeans for three years. And Diane approved.

Accessorize

It's where you can have fun or be serious — just be yourself. If you're going to chase a trend, chase an accessory trend. It's a lot safer than buying that trendy Prada skirt, which everyone will know is last season next season.

%{postComment}%

Gayle Jo Carter is a former entertainment editor at USA WEEKEND, who during her 30-year reporting and editing career, has worked at USA TODAY, Voice of America and Feature Story News. When not interviewing high-profile people, she’s teaching reformer Pilates classes and doing her best to raise two empathetic, curious, healthy young people to adulthood.