Find your fashion mentor among these smokin’ 60-something icons

It used to be that once you reached ‘a certain age’ you became invisible, but thankfully that’s not the case now. You don’t have to look too hard to find a woman over the age of 60 on television, in film or on social media. Heck! Women over 60 are even on catwalks and in advertising campaigns these days, which makes it incredibly easy if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration when it comes to your personal style.

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There’s no doubt (at least not in the minds of Starts at 60) that somewhere along the way you’ve committed to staying young at heart. We know that that doesn’t necessarily mean ignoring your age, but rather having a level of confidence that shows the world that just because you are ageing doesn’t mean you’re no longer interested in looking good and feeling good about yourself.

The waters are murky though. Who can you turn to for tips to help you stay ‘on trend’? Do you take advice from those in their 20s and 30s? Are you only looking to those of a similar age and ilk to you? We feel you can do both, but if you’re looking for an over-60s style mentor then you cannot go past these smokin’ hot 60-somethings…

Dame Helen Mirren

Born in 1945, Dame Helen Mirren has shown us time and time again that she knows how to dress with class and style, while still infusing her own unique personality into an outfit. She has great curves and she can show you — in your 60s and beyond — how to wear a figure-hugging dress and make it look good.

When Dame Helen hits the red carpet she exudes ageless style. She’s unconventional in that she isn’t afraid of colour, but she knows what suits her. Whatever the occasion, Dame Helen oozes poise and confidence, which will be your greatest asset, with her dazzling smiles, jolly poses and perfect posture — simple things that don’t cost you money, but can make any outfit you wear look unbelievably more fabulous.

The ‘must-have’ item in Mirren’s wardrobe is a crisp white shirt. She has shown how effortlessly it can be worn for both evening (paired with a full-length, leopard print skirt, no less) and more casually.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep notched up 70 years in 2019, and while the American actress has received worldwide acclaim for her films, over the years she has become something of a style icon. Famously, Streep once claimed that she “couldn’t care less” about fashion, and whether or not that’s the case now what we can say is that she has a dominant sense of style. It’s hard not to think of her character in The Devil Wears Prada, the cold-hearted fashion editor Miranda Priestly (who was unsurprisingly also always impeccably dressed), but Streep’s personal style — while continuing to evolve — is something more timeless.

Meryl Streep has a ‘less is more’ approach to fashion. She tends to wear one colour from head-to-toe or opts for monochrome and uses her accessories to lift the outfit and make a statement, both of which are great slimming tricks.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton screams ‘quirky cool’ with her look. The 73-year-old has made a name for herself over the years by wearing ties, hats, high-waisted pants and suits (often doing it better than her male counterparts). You’ll have also noticed that Keaton has an eye for accessories, donning piles of pearls or wearing heels with socks. Toss in her smile, her glasses and he hair and there’s a lot to like about Diane Keaton!

The other thing about Keaton’s style is her preference for black and white outfits, admitting on her Instagram page earlier this year that she hadn’t worn colour in four years! (Check out the orange outift below.) She makes all white look easy-going and all black look (often matched with a cinched belt, lace-up boots and a top hat) look out of this world!

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Dame Emma Thompson

If you like quirky and androgynous then 60-year-old Dame Emma Thompson is someone to look to for inspiration too. Dame Emma has a relaxed take on glamour and appears to favour comfort when it comes to her outfits. We can’t recall when exactly Thompson opted for a shorter hairstyle, but this is also part of her overall look — she wears her hair to complement her outfit. It doesn’t matter whether Dame Emma is stepping out on the red carpet at an award ceremony or she’s spending some time with her family at home, she looks like she’s having a lot of fun.

Thompson can carry off a tailored suit in a bright hue just as well as she can muted tones of beige. She coordinates separates with bold shoes and brings a sense of excitement to her look that you can truly admire. She’s also not afraid to mix patterns, such as this polka dot top and checkerboard coat with metallic flats. Seriously stylish!

Ita Buttrose

When it comes to Australian style icons, can you go past the legendary Ita Buttrose? The former Studio 10 television personality and now chair of the ABC founded Cleo magazine and spent time as editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly. She told Starts at 60 in 2017 that her immaculate personal presentation comes from being prepared.

“I’ve always believed in being prepared for any eventuality. My style is classic. I opt for clothes that don’t crush. I always wear clean and polished shoes,” the 77-year-old said.

In her wardrobe are five staples — a black skirt, black top (such as a cami, t-shirt or blouse), black pants, black dress and black blazer. While that sounds a bit dark and depressing, Buttrose says black can take you everywhere — morning, noon and night. She adds colour with scarves and blouses and infuses glamour with jewellery.

Carole Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge is said to be incredibly close to her mother and it’s no surprise you’ll often see Carole Middleton stepping out at many of the same social gatherings (royal or otherwise) as her daughter. No matter the occasion, Carole Middleton is effortlessly stylish and her elegant outfits prove she’s a style icon in her own right. Middleton is always beautifully attired. While she can look stunning in more formal attire (remember that stunning red ensemble at Ascot in 2012?), we’re loving her more casual outfits.

Middleton’s style is relaxed and understated. You’ll often find her wearing wrap dresses or dresses with an element of flow to them, which gives her a more youthful look without having to try too hard. She pairs her dresses with nude heels in a trendy style, which makes her legs look long and lean.