September brought the transition to autumn and the official start of the fall fashion season. Weight changes during menopause transition — including bloating and how we carry our weight — can be frustrating and affect how we feel about clothes and dressing our bodies. I recently connected with Gloria Smythe, a.k.a. The Menopause Stylist, to talk about how we can embrace the season’s trends and our changing menopausal bodies. She reminds us that even though adjusting to a new body type can be hard, keeping up with our personal style is essential because when we look good, we feel great.
MMM: What’s trending in fashion for Fall 22 and Winter 23?
GS: Well, if you’ve been wondering when clothes that all women can wear are going to return, our time is now! The shows earlier in the year gave us insight into the beautiful, simplistic, easy-to-wear clothing we all crave. Fall and winter fashion for 2022-2023 has definitely returned to the era of minimalism that so many of us have been waiting for. In general, we’re seeing much more color — brighter and bolder hues, along with more oversized bags and chunky accessories:
• Coats, dresses, suits, and sweaters are in bright, rich colors like red, royal purple, orange, hot magenta, and green, a far cry from the blacks and navy of seasons past!
• Clothing is a looser fit with oversized jackets/blazers, baggy jeans, and plain vests paired with warm random patterned jumpers (sweaters) full of all the autumnal earthy ground colors of burnt orange, burgundy, mustard, and green.
• Workwear has made its long-awaited comeback, with tailored feminine skirts and suits reminiscent of the 1990s. Structured suits are now colored suits with a return to tweed, which is always a classic, timeless fabric.
• The summer was full of maxi-length dresses and skirts, which will be the same for the winter months. Skirts are a mix of pleats and full flare, giving room for the long-length boots of winter.
While color, color, and more color is THE trend for the fall and winter seasons, let’s not forget the core classics of beige tones, toffee brown, blueberry, green, black, and cream. All of these can be mixed and matched if color is not where you feel comfortable.
MMM: For those who are actively perimenopausal, how can we incorporate some of the fashion trends that complement our changing bodies?
GS: This has got to be the best time for women who may feel less confident in changing body shapes and managing physical symptoms like bloating, inflammation and hot flashes. The trends for this season are much more relaxed and easy on the eye, yet classic and sensuous giving a softer identity. Even though the direction for the season ahead is much more minimalistic, incorporating color with more loosely fitting and less structured styles offers a fresh take.
Wear what feels comfortable, layering where you can so that pieces can be removed when hot flashes occur. Accessorize using bags and belts, and you can add a twist to an outfit using chunky jewelry pieces as well.
MMM: How can we freshen up our wardrobes without breaking the bank?
GS: I always believe in having staples in my wardrobe — these tend to be T-shirts, vests, crisp white shirts, high-waisted jeans, a blazer, and a few tailored skirts and trousers. Once you have a few of these pieces, they can be mixed and matched with any and everything in your wardrobe. There is often no need to get rid of everything in your closet unless they no longer fit. It is more about what you see when you open your wardrobe doors.
For example, are all of your clothes of a darker hue? If so, then add some pieces of color. Does your clothing represent who you are today? If not, remove 50% of the items and replace them with your staple pieces adding colored vests, T-shirts, and some colored cotton knits.
Most importantly, if an item of clothing no longer fits – remove it and buy what fits you today. There is nothing worse than looking at what the past you wore and recognizing that this is no longer who you are today.
MMM: What’s the one “must have” – clothing, footwear, or accessories that you recommend we invest in for this fall and winter?
GS: When it comes to clothing, vests and a white tank can be worn with any skirt, jeans, or trousers and finished off with an oversized blazer or tailored jacket.
With accessories, chunky scarves and long-length leather gloves, and chunky jewelry can make or finish off an otherwise simple look.
MMM: The major fashion weeks — New York, London, Milan, Paris — just wrapped runway shows for Spring/Summer 2023. Looking at the months ahead, what trends should we consider for Spring?
GS: New York, London, Milan, and Paris runway shows for Spring/Summer 2023 are trending classically tailored, refined fashions with a rounder aesthetic. Muted-toned suits and brightly-colored separates abound and longline trenches and long pencil skirts with structured full trousers are making their presence. Heels are lower and chunkier including sandals. Again, cerise and magenta along with colors softer tones of tan, brown, and sage are also on trend.
Do you want to feel great in your clothes but struggling to update your wardrobe? Book a free, 1-hour consultation with Gloria email her at stylewithme@gloriasmythe.com. You can also follow her on Instagram at @themenopausestylist.
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