JD Williams use real women in their latest campaign. The models in the shoot are styled by Caryn Franklin. They are mothers of well known daughters including models, singers and entrepreneurs.
JD Williams commissioned, along with YouGov, the first 50 plus female fashion survey.
At the end of last year I was privileged to be invited to a breakfast event where the survey was introduced to the press and where a panel of experts were available to answer our questions.
A few highlights from the report:-
53% of women aged 50+ feel that it can be hard to find clothing that suits them.
66% of mature women feel they would like to see more choice from fashion retailers suited to their needs.
Many of the women surveyed feel that the high street does not cater for their needs.
94% of us feel younger than our age.
We seem to feel more confident with our body and appearance than many of the younger women surveyed.
We love to be complimented, get our haircut and buy a new outfit. Wearing high heels came fairly low on our priorities.
More than half of us dress to please ourselves rather than to impress others.
The good news is that we are feeling much more secure about our style.
This is only a small sample of the very comprehensive report.
Do you agree with the above? Please join the conversation and add any other comments you might have.
Below real women modelling the latest JDWilliams S/S collection.
This is not a sponsored post.
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How interesting! But not surprising, eh? I do find I wander around the stores, questioning if I like something, if I feel "I can get away with it" now, or how I would style it to suit me. It is very difficult. I love the models above - including you! - it is inspiring to see real women wearing real clothing! Besides your gorgeous blue, I am especially besotted with the woman in black and white. That is a style I could emulate!
Thank you for sharing this post. At 58, I dress to please myself also. It may not be the style of the moment, but I always feel comfortable, happy and dressed appropriately for the occasion.
Love all of the information and I have to say you LOOK AMAZING in that jumpsuit! I started at age 50 to please myself...confidence trumps criticism every time!
i really enjoyed this post and agree with all the conclusions of the survey. i have been watching with interest the controversy in france over underweight models on the runway. maybe we have finally reached a point where real women, in all their infinite variety, will appear in advertising and merchandising. yay!
you do look amazing in the blue jumpsuit. what a great color for you.
Hi Susan
I do think there is a slow movement in the right direction. I do my best to promote brands that are using real women.
The one thing I search for is quality garments in fabric, style and construction. It seems as if "fast fashion" has infected all strata of the garment industry. I remember loving to go into my mom's closet and see her beautifully made garments. She didn't have tons, but what she had were lined, had finished seams and cut impeccably. We weren't rich but most garments were made this way. Now a finished seam means we serge it! I long for quality that is made to last.
Hi Kathy
I so agree on quality of fabric. I have some garments that are 10 years old and because the fabric is good quality they are still going strong. I always read labels to check the fabric make-up. My mother also had some beautiful clothes. Nowadays you have to search to find good value for money.
I really enjoy your blog, and totally agree with everyone who has taken the survey. I'm over 60 and still love to dress nicely, but it's getting more difficult each year. Thankfully, Chico's here in the USA understands this problem and does have clothes that are cut for the more mature figure. It's now all about comfort & style!
Great post! Really that's why I read blogs...I want to see "real" people with "real" bodies wearing clothes! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps...that jumpsuit looks nice on you---it has good shaping at the waist!
I'd agree with the survey results, absolutely! You wear that jumpsuit well, color is divine on you.
We are very lucky in the uk. We have a great high street with shops like Hobbs, Jigsaw, Jaeger and John Lewis which specialise in ageless style and well made items, often with a modern twist. As a woman of 49 I do not find it difficult to find clothes that suit me. Perhaps what is more difficult is finding clothes that are not the same as everything else on the high street. As an older woman with a good income I would like to see clothes that are between high street and designer in edginess and price.
Hi Pam
I agree we have some good high street shops and I like all your choices. However I do find that some of the styles are a bit too short and often have no sleeves. Maybe those issues come a bit later than 49.
I'm with Kathy on the quality issue, even fairly pricey brands no longer offer good quality.
On the top pic, regarding the center model - I wonder why women are posed with a pigeon-toed stance? Is that supposed to look cute?
Jumpsuits look lovely, but they're HIGHLY impractical, especially if you're going to be using a public restroom!
Hi Rita
Not sure about the pigeon-toed stance. I keep the wearing of jumpsuits to the evenings. I certainly would not wear one to go out all day. I did test one out recently and there is a knack to using the restroom, it was a bit easier than I had thought.