Looking Good in Later Life 42
October 2005

  
 
FASHION for FIFTY-PLUS

Sarah Frankel visits NEXT

Buried deep in the layers of their internet site, the fashion company Next states what we know: that a woman’s attitude to the clothes she likes to wear isn’t necessarily linked to her age. Not all retailers share this view, directing their marketing efforts at the under 35s while ignoring us, the baby boomers. Next place their age boundary at 45. Why stop at 45? Women over 50 are often empty nesters, with time, money and a good social life. They are independent, used to making purchasing decisions. As the fastest-growing population group, we are ignored at the retailers’ peril.

This season, the clothes at Next are stylish and many look really good on the over 50s. Particularly the new season’s blended wool camel coat at ?120.00, available up to size 22. With a nod to military style, this chic coat is for “a cool classic girl…” or “a Grace Kelly wannabe”. Definitely for the over 50’s.

The autumn/winter range, available through to December, is crammed with skirt and trouser suits which Next design for young city slickers. But I can see no reason why these can’t be worn by ladies who lunch and, well, just ladies whatever they do.

		Usually I have trouble finding a skirt suit that reaches my knees, doesn’t restrict movement (as in walking) and doesn’t keep hitching up when I sit down. Next’s black and white tweed-effect flared skirt in a 45% wool mix (length: 25"/63.5cm) solves all those problems for ?39.99. The matching single-breasted jacked at ?74.99 makes this smart, classic and easy to wear. I think the piece de resistance for the over 50’s at Next this season is a black Nehru collar top with embroidery detail, paired with a long, black formal skirt, which would flatter the most difficult figure. The top is priced at ?19.99 and the skirt ?21.99, so you’ll have an elegant and trendy outfit for ?41.98. Sizes at Next run up to 22 or 16 in the Petite range.

The Next men’s collection includes formal and casual wear, shoes and sleepwear. I liked an Argyle pattern, zip-through sweater in brown or navy for ?26.99 which would make a great Christmas gift. My favourite fun item at Next was a Paint Your Own Mug Kit at ?7.99 for the over 7s. Yes, we are over 7. You could buy this for a grandchild or personalise it for yourself or as a gift.

With 350 stores nationwide, or on their website www.next.co.uk, or from home by ‘phone with their directory, there is something for everyone. If you find Next prices are over your budget, wait for the sales. The Next sale is one of the best sales in town. A good tip, if you don’t work, is not to bother queuing from 4:00am on the first day, but wait till 9:45am on the first weekday of the sale, when most people are at work, and you can walk right in.

See the website: www.next.co.uk
 

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in health related articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

Previous editions of Looking Good in laterlife 

Edition 1 (including a visit to Estee Lauder)

Edition 2 (including a visit to Clarins)

Edition 3 (including a visit to Medestea Internazionale

Edition 4 (including a visit to Martha Hill Skincare)

Edition 5 (including a visit to Harrods)

Edition 6 (including a visit to Belgravia Centre)

Edition 7 (including a visit to Vichy Laboratoire)

Edition 8 (including a visit to Avene Spa)

Edition 9 (including fashion tips)

Edition 10 eyebrows, eyelashes, sun and skin

Edition 11 (including a visit to Lasercare Clinics)

Edition 12 - Lasercare Clinics offer their expertise on common skin conditions

Edition 13 - Ageing skin in the new millennium

Edition 14 - A visit to Helen Sher

Edition 15 -  More from Helen Sher and Lasercare Clinics

Edition 16  A visit to Champneys London Clubs

Edition 17 - Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

Edition 18 -  Does hair dye cause cancer?

Edition 19 - How not to look like mutton dressed as lamb..    

Edition 20 - What cosmetic dentistry can do for you  - Part one

Edition 21 - What cosmetic dentistry can do for you  - Part two

Edition 22 - What's new at Estee Lauder?

Edition 23 - Lancome -  a perennial favourite

Edition 24- The latest from Clarins

Edition 25 - East meets west with Shiseido  

Edition 26 -  Nutrimetics

Edition 27 -  Nutrimetics - Special offer

Edition 28  - Nutrimetics workshop

Edition 29  -  Exfoliation

Edition 30  - Mail order shopping

Edition 31   - Sunscreen lotions

Edition 32  - Electrolysis

Edition 33 - Thinning Hair

Edition 34 - Helen gets rejuvenated

laterlife.com occasionally visits one of the great cosmetic houses, up-and-coming beauty collections or other organisations of interest to the more mature visitor.

Edition 1 Estee Lauder

Edition 2 Clarins

Edition 3 Medestea Internazionale

Edition 4 Martha Hill Skincare

Edition 5 Harrods
Edition 6 The Belgravia Centre

Edition 7 Vichy Laboratoire

Edition 8 Avene Spa  

Edition 11 Lasercare Clinics

Edition 14 - Helen Sher

Edition 16  A visit to Champneys London Clubs    

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