With Bridget Jones stepping into middle age in the just-released title, Mad About The Boy, Kanika Sharma and Ruchika Kher collate the perfect mantra to get the ideal look for middle-aged women that will knock even young boys out. Avoid that befuddling syndrome where your closet looks either too young or apt for a grandmum, with this 360-degree guidebook on how to look and feel fabulous for every occasion
Bridget Jones turns 51!
Bridget Jones is a franchise based on the fictional character with the same name created by writer Helen Fielding, who started her Bridget Jones’s Diary column in The Independent in 1995. Bridget Jones was chronicled as a thirty-something single woman in London. Fielding published the novelisation of the column in 1996, followed by a sequel in 1999 called Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The third installment called Mad About the Boy, was recently released where the protagonist has aged to be a 51-year-old.
Festive look
>> Chiffon sarees and pearls is a look that always works for the festive season. It exudes simplicity with class.
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>> Net and sheer fabrics are the latest trends that work wonders. Add some traditional jewellery to it and one is good to go. The Anarkali is the next safest option.
>> Black is great and a must-have. White should be avoided. Printed pastels and burnt colours like ochre, brick red and burgundy work for me.
Information courtesy: Ritu Kumar, Designer
Casual look
>> Most importantly, women should wear clothes according to their body type. Women, nowadays, are very fit and more conscious about the way they look as they get older, so age-old fashion options meant for middle-aged women are changing.
Actress Neetu Kapoor seen here in a pair of blue jeans and white shirt, which is a trendy yet comfortable, casual looku00a0
>> Jeans is always a safe option for women. A pair of denims is casual yet multifaceted since you can alter the look depending on where you are going. Add a white top or shirt to jeans and you are good to go. Chic dresses are a smart-yet-comfortable option as well. Nowadays, several styles in dresses are available too.
>> Small prints and monochromes are safe options. Colour blocking looks good as well.
Information courtesy: Surily Goel, Designer
Formal look
>> Colour palette and style should be more sophisticated, minimalist and muted for the middle-aged.
>> Colours like grey, indigo, a subtle aubergine, navy or taupe are preferred colors.
Indra K Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi Co. Pic/AFP
>> For the day look, a jacket, worn with a white cotton shirt over a black pencil skirt, which is just below the knee, works. Alternatively, one can opt for a pant suit — a matching jacket (which falls just below the hip line) and trouser combination.
>> While opting for dresses for after hours, choose a shift or chemise with sleeves with subtle
details and embroidery. For a semi-formal look, you can also pair a tunic with flat front pants or jeggings. Accessorise your look with a stole or scarf, pearl strand or gold/silver studs.
Information courtesy: Anita Dongre, Designer
Guide to Make-up
>> Middle-aged women are at a stage where their skin is changing, it becomes thinner and develops lines. It can also get much drier, so before even thinking of make-up, skin care is vital! Before applying make-up, moisturiser and eye cream are essentials.
>> Since the skin is developing more lines, using balmy light weight foundations is advised rather than a matte, which will enhance lines. Revlon’s Colorstay Whipped Crème foundation is a great option. A primer is a good idea, Dermalogica’s Skinperfect primer is a favourite! It smoothens out the skin and can even out the skin tone.
>> Concealer is also a must but as with foundation, a creamy or liquid consistency is better and less is more. MAC’s Select Moisture cover is a lovely concealer for older skin types. Fresh and glowing skin is necessary for any make-up look, at
any age!
>> Most middle-aged and older women worry about concealing under eyes and uneven skin tone. It is very easy to apply too much product and end up with reverse panda eyes or caked-up lines. It is better to build up the concealer and foundation in thin layers, adding extra only wherever necessary and making sure to blend properly. If you have good skin with some problem areas, better to use a light coverage all over and go over the flaws with concealer so your skin shows through, not the make-up!
>> It’s best to avoid darker colours when going for eye shadow colours and lipsticks. Opt for creamy-looking colours on the eyes instead of harsh glitters. Fresh, peachy and pink dewy shades are better on the lips, especially in balmy or glossy finish.
Information courtesy: Virginia Holmes, make-up artist
Guide to Hair
>> Although I don’t distinguish between festive / casual / formal look, it depends on how open the person is. For a festive look, side parting and fish braid or a Grecian up-do are perfect, depending on the structure of the face. A pulled-back middle-parted low bun is also popular.u00a0
>> For simple, casual looks, a hard top knot; centre, side and high side tied up hair also looks good. High ponies are also perfect for looking perky especially during the day. The emphasis is to maintain the soft and pretty look.
>> For middle-aged women who are facing thinning hair issues, hair extensions are an ideal way to compensate. Even, clip-on extensions are extremely reasonable and convenient.
>> For a woman with a balding forehead, try a long side fringe. Fringes always pick up the face and make you look vibrant. It is completely a misconception that fringes are only meant for a certain age.
>> For chin-length hair, one can either straighten or curl depending on one’s preference.
>> Avoid hair dyes at all costs, they have too many chemicals and are very hard on the hair. These days, the market has colours with triple conditioners that properly nourish your hair.
>> Also, do not wash every alternate day as it leads to dryness. Two-three times within a week is more than enough.
Information courtesy: Namrata Soni , make-up artiste and hair stylist
The chechlist: Dos and Don’ts
>> Incorporate pieces in your wardrobe that flatter your body type and personality.
>> Opt for well-tailored classic pieces (not too clingy) mixed with contemporary, trendy wear.
>> Know your shape and embrace cuts and colours that have always flattered you and mix them up with in-trend garments choices.
>> Choose outfits with fewer embellishments and cleaner lines and silhouettes; pair these with trendy things like a bag, a scarf or your favourite pair of earrings.
>> Stick to a single accessory to serves as your statement piece.
>> Invest in stretch fabrics for a huge difference in covering up certain problem areas.
>> Usually, very short dresses fail to make a statement. u00a0
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