Our fashion critic praises the wisdom of layering when considering fluctuations in body temperature and shape, and urges a healthy disregard for numbers on labels.
I’m swimming in menopausal belly bulge. I used to have a moody & beach rock vibe, but now I’m just moody. I don’t know how to dress for this new stage.
Everyone experiences menopause differently. It is customized by nature for each body and tailored to the individual. However, no matter what symptoms you experience, the fact that menopause changes how you feel about your mental and physical self is universal.
As part of the “wellness” movement, an entire menopause industrial complex has sprung up with the likes of Naomi Watts (who has her own line of Stripes menopause products), Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth Paltrow) (who has five pages of menopause-related content on her Goop) are among the celebrities who have sprung up. stuff) can’t stop talking about it. That said, most of the conversation has centered on managing body issues – hot flashes, hormone fluctuations, bone densitometry, sex – as well as changes in brain chemicals.
However, considering that clothing is intrinsically linked to how we feel and who we are, as well as menopause and all it represents with its close relationship to aging and women’s invisibility issues, clothing plays a crucial role in this life stage as well. After all, wearing clothes that make you smile, feel strong, safe, or glamorous is one of the simplest and easiest life tricks to implement.
When I asked Jill Kargman, a comedian known for talking about the M theme over and over again, what she would recommend, she said, “My advice is don’t downsize.” Clothes “don’t have to be tight to look cool,” she says. “You want to be your own balm reducer.”
(I’m not sure exactly what that last line means, but it sounds great.)
There are some basic strategies to consider. First, layering. This is the most obvious solution for dealing with fluctuations in body temperature and shape. This doesn’t mean muumuu. means separate.
A crew neck shirt with a structured blazer and scarf looks elegant with jeans (high or low waisted, depending on your comfort zone) and feel free to add or discard pieces. If you no longer like your upper arms, wear a long-sleeved corset-style top or jumpsuit under a sleeveless top. A well-tailored jacket can accommodate any stomach sensitivities you may have. Why do you think men wear them for so long?
Next, free yourself from the numbers, i.e. the sizing associated with clothing. As has been widely reported, for most brands they are an abstraction, not a judgment. Buy the size that feels most comfortable, not the size you’re used to, and then find a good tailor.
Third, consider the material. Look for breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo that will lighten your senses and emotions.
Finally, embrace accessories. They are “your expressive friends,” says Ms. Kagman. She adds, “Studded belts can echo your tricky moods.” Take a page from Madeleine Albright’s memoir, Read My Pins, and use jewelry or other adornments as your own personal semiotics – and a way to manipulate the attention of the viewing world.