Who’s That Girl?

Fall fashion is beckoning from all the shop windows and magazine covers right now and for the first time in my life, I’m completely flummoxed. I have no idea who I am anymore when it comes to style. I know who I was, but know that’s not who I am anymore, so who the hell am I?

For a long time, I was the girl who wore anything. Partly because I worked at fashion magazines, partly because I played in a rock band, and most likely because I was size-2 twentysomething in NYC, I could and did wear pretty much everything. Vintage grunge, Courtney Love kinderwhore, bindis and henna, avant-garde Japanese, 40s-style secretary, and let’s not forget my infamous electrical tape as outer- and inner-wear.

No, it doesn't hurt coming off

I’m none of the above anymore (especially the size 2 part!) and I’m wondering how a married mother in Paris who writes and makes music sometimes should be clothed? Oh, I know the old adage that you should wear “what makes you feel good” and that “there are no rules” and so on and so forth—I spouted that shite for years as a fashion writer. But no matter how good my legs look (for my age, ahem), are military-style navy knit hotpants ever appropriate for someone in my stage of life? I tried a pair on today. Did not buy.

I hate the expression “age-appropriate dressing” but no matter how vehemently we may want to believe that “40/50 is the new 20,” it’s really not and some things that nubile 20-year-olds can get away with wearing—or not wearing, as the case may be—can look downright silly or pathetic on even the best-maintained older woman. Yes, I’m looking at you, Demi Moore.  And you, Madonna. (Though these woman often get it right and let’s face it, they’re huge stars with plenty of pocket change for physical and plastic upkeep.)

On the other hand, I also don’t believe that I’m now restricted to the bourgeois Madame section of the store—and I’m not yet near Demi’s age, let’s be clear. But I don’t want my fashion life reduced to a uniform of well-fitting, non-descript basics, either.

Whimsy! I need more whimsy! As well as some of my old style bravado.

I have to say that Gwen Stefani somehow manages to look good still, even with her signature style from the past decade-and-a-half remaining unchanged. She’s a mother of two and is usually chic, not silly. I can’t figure out if that’s because she’s a famous rockstar/designer and people accept it from her or because she looks good, plain and simple. Kate Moss is another one, naturally. Though the same question applies to the supermodel/designer.

I catch myself browsing lookbook.nu for a peek at this generation’s fabulous and oh-so-fearless fashionistas with a bit of nostalgia, envy and sheer pleasure. There’s plenty of inspiration there, though I don’t think I could pull off a lot of those looks anymore, as democratic (H&M, Zara) as the fashion is. Like I always say, “If you’ve got an expensive body, you can wear cheap clothes.” Perhaps I should now qualify that some more with “If you’ve got an expensive and young body…”

In any case, I am excited to buy some new clothes this season and experiment with my style a little, if only because I’m no longer pregnant or immediately post-pregnancy. So navy knit hotpants it isn’t, but maybe a tweedy British plaid cloak it is? (Look out for the oldest new poster on lookbook.nu!)

To throw out a magazine question to my chic readers, what’s your fall style plan? Or your style in general? Where do you shop? Curious bloggers want to know!

P.S. I’ve noticed that my past few posts are all song titles. Not totally intentional, but let’s see how long this theme can play out.

Tags: age-appropriate dressing, Demi Moore, fall fashion, fashion magazines, Gwen Stefani, H&M, Kate Moss, lookbook.nu, Madonna, Shopping, style icons, Zara