Yes I agree. That is why it’s also important to understand your body type and to know what works for you. I see it as a challenge too to see what works for me. And yes, fashion should just be FUN!

You make a very good point Lisa. Companies are of course interested in selling their products. If they discover that more people will buy it when it’s shown on young, thin models, then that is what they will continue to use. I’m not sure though if they have ever done any real tests with using older and shapelier models.

What a great initiative! Thank you for the kind words about this blog!

I think it is a mistake to think that you have to change anything, or no longer engage with what is going on in mainstream fashion simply because one or two people can’t see around the model in the picture. Fashion is all about interpretation.

As for the skinny model thing…..this is an ongoing thread that seems to always pop up in fashion. Sure, there are plenty of models who are starving themselves for the runway, but how much of a societal impact does it really have? A recent study points to the fact that in 41 US states, the obesity rate makes up 25% of the population. In my own job practicing in a hospital, I can vouch for the fact that it is not self-starvation that is hampering the system. That is not a condemnation of anyone’s opinion, just a statistic. At the end of the day, I just think fashion can sometimes JUST be fashion, and does;t necessarily have to mean anything other than a fun medium of self-expression.

What thoughtful posts! I am feeling guilty, as I feel I may have inadvertently been one of the critical ones you are referring to. Just my (bad) way with words! Lorraine and Heather capture my feelings very well. It is hard to ‘translate’ from available media and that’s why I value this site so much. I look forward to reading all your content and seeing all your images. Thank you Sylvia!

I’m actually more concerned with one body type for showing off clothes than anything else. Not only the frightening and dangerous thinness of the models, but the total lack of curves. How can someone petite, or with hips or a large bust figure out what might look good on them from these models? I’m not saying all models must be “Plus sized” although there should be that too. I just would like to see some variety so I can figure out what works for me. In that sense, celebrity style is often more helpful than runway models because they are a shade closer to “normal.”

Part of the problem is also us. If all women over 40 (or larger than a size 0) intentionally shopped with brands that featured older models, or models that are a size 6 instead of a size 0, we’d create a demand for that sort of marketing. So part of the problem is our own complicity. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Thanks Heather!

Thanks for your comment Emily. I love featuring the ‘older’ ladies too! Especially when they look as great as the lady above. Unfortunately, there are fewer women bloggers of that age although there are a few spectacular ones (like The Style Crone) and they tend to be more shy when sending images or wanting to be photographed. You are always welcome to send me your pictures or upload them to the style forum!

I agree with you Lorraine – there was never a point where I was 6 feet tall ! Not to mention size 0 …… to me, this is the best part of Sylvia’s blog: seeing what other “ordinary” women are wearing and what makes them stylish, and how to take the best of the fashion trends and interpret them into something wearable in daily life.

Your blog is a wonderful forum for those of us over 40 who want to look and feel great at this point in our lives. So you definitely are doing a great job and are making headway in addressing this important topic.

Thanks Carla. I will do my best. I will try and do more runway look ‘translation’ posts as they are fun and practical!

Thanks Judith. You are one of my biggest inspirations!