Looking at the pages of some of the top fashion magazines, it seems that if you’re in the over 50 club, you should be wearing sheaths, pointy witch-toed heels and embellished muumuus wherever you go. But that’s all wrong. Just because you hit the halfway point in your life doesn’t mean you can’t be as fly at 50 as you are as an agile young adult. Get rid of the boring hues, turtleneck tops and jeans that ride over your stomach, and take note of how to rock 50 the right way by these beautiful leading Hollywood ladies. Cause if you didn’t remember, black don’t crack, so neither should your wardrobe.
Lynn Whitfield, 57
You would never know by looking at Lynn Whitfield, that she is over 50, let alone nearly 60 years old. A part of the reason she may have graced so seamlessly is because of her chic style. Her skin stays flawless and bright, hair healthy and on point, and that smile hasn’t changed one bit over the years. Colgate? Add that to the fact that her body hugging gowns are sassy yet appropriate, and you’ve got a winner.
Phylicia Rashad, 62
Ever since she was Claire Huxtable, the object of our undying admiration and inspiration, Phylicia Rashad has stayed fresh to death. Debbie Allen’s big sis has tried a wide variety of hair styles over the years, and shades to top ‘em off, and every look has worked. Her accessory game is one of the best as her ears are always bedazzled in precious stones and sparkly danglers, large and small. For a while there, Rashad stayed in long, draping dresses and ensembles, but after dropping over 35 pounds with Jenny Craig, I’m sure she’ll be back in those fly suits and skirts that made mama Huxtable a big name.
Iman, 55
You know you’re the beez-neez when popular fashion models use your name, and at the age of 55, you’re still able to outfox chicks half your age on the red carpet. Fountain of youth? Luck? Heavy makeup? Who knows what makes Iman so fierce and immaculate these days and everyday, but she never seems to have an off day. The supermodel is in tune with her impressive stature and frame and dresses accordingly, but full of femininity and Hollywood flash. And that skin? You might be able to blame that on a good diet, but I’d put my money on her own, popular line of beauty products, IMAN cosmetics.
Oprah Winfrey, 57
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Op-rah Winfreeeeeeey!
If you haven’t noticed over the years, the queen of talk is indeed a fashion icon in her own right. Money can do that for you, but then again, everyone’s style struggles a little bit before it fully evolves. A curvaceous woman, Winfrey accentuates those curves in dresses that are of dark, gemstone-like shades and made with dramatic trains and jeweled accents. On her show, when you’re not paying attention to the babbling of her guests, you can find her in some fresh-out-the-box Louboutins, and she looks wonderful in pastel-colored cardigans thrown over crisp dress shirts. Lets not even talk about the suits. While we all wish to make the guape Oprah Winfrey does, I known when I hit the age of 57, I’d like to dress the way she does too.
Angela Bassett, 52
No matter the age, Angela Bassett will always have impeccable skin, and equally beguiling arms. Those guns are a work of art, and many good years of weight training. But never does the actress look anything but soft and graceful. Mostly because she shows off those guns in the right way–by putting attention on them next to a stunning physique. Check her out in knee length dresses and strapless gowns made of silk-like materials that display her silhouette. A fresh 52, Angela’s never looked, or dressed better.
Diahann Carroll, 75
Julia’s 75!? I still don’t believe it, but it’s true as the sky is blue, and Carroll should be proud, because she’s aged like wine. Fine wine I say! And Carroll realizes that after a certain age, flaunting too much cleavage is not the classiest way to go, so she stays swanky in glitzy skirt suits. Her bob stays flipped and highlighted to perfection, and the iconic actress doesn’t shy away from distinct vintage prints that are more youthful and energetic than solid prints. My advice would be to keep some of the flashy looks you have now, because if Carroll’s fits have taught us anything, it’s that what goes around in fashion comes back around, and looks ten times better when it returns.
Alfre Woodard, 58
Alfre Woodard has been underrated when it comes to a lot of things, but you can add her fashion sense to that list. Coming in at a sprightly 58, Woodard and her favorite dark lipstick shine in bright, tropical shades like intense oranges, rich fuschias and perky pinks. Who said black folks should care what colors they wear against their skin? Woodard looks great in all of them. She still manages to show off some God-given gifts without appearing unbecoming. And her pixie cut bob in honey brown is just the perfect thing to cap off her looks. She’s a long way from the Patrice Rushen-esque braids she donned as mama Carmichael in Crooklyn, and looking more like a red-carpet winning A-lister.
