Of all the things we look for in clothing these days, the one that matters most, let’s face it, is its age rating.
Does it make you look good for your age or older? That is the big question, to which the answer must be a resounding yes, and if not, you need to stop and think again.
But it’s a designer one and I got it on sale. But it has a really nice print! But I look tiny in it! None of this matters in the slightest if you look a little frumpy, a little strained, or just plain tired (black can do that).
It’s hard to say what clothes will make you look ten years older and what clothes will take years off you. I hate to say it, but it’s a constantly changing parameter and you have to look in the mirror every season.
On her recent visit to Colombia, Meghan looked older than her 43 years only because of her £595 Manolo Blahnik BB 105 pumps, writes Shane Watson
Jennifer Lopez, 55, is making over with chic ballet flats. Ballet flats, with a few notable exceptions, are what make clothes look modern in 2024
That being said, there is a list of things that are not sold and are in the high risk/just say no category, and at the top of that list are high heeled pumps.
Take Meghan, for example: If I had to make just one observation about the outfits she wore during her recent visit with Harry to Colombia, I would say that she looked older than her 43 years solely because of what she was wearing on her feet.
In warm weather, with a printed midi skirt and white sleeveless top (just the job), she wore magenta suede court shoes with very high heels (a pair of Manolo Blahnik BB 105s, £595, by the way, four inches and a bit more).
High heels are a celebrity staple in public, the generic shoe for grown-up special occasions. Senators’ wives wear them to campaign events. Royalty wears them to weddings and funerals. And unless the circumstances are very formal and the accompanying outfit is a tailored dress and matching coat and hat, no matter how old you are, high heels are getting old.
Flat shoes, with a few notable exceptions, are what make clothes look modern in 2024.
Flats keep tailored suits from looking like an 80s working girl. They make long, pretty dresses a little more casual and therefore more wearable; they keep short styles from falling into bunny hostess territory; and they bring sporty, youthful energy to everything from long “Jermuda” shorts to wide-leg trousers.
And since flat shoes are all the rage, those at the opposite end of the scale (i.e. classic high-top pumps) look dated and out of place.
If Coco Chanel’s mantra was “before leaving the house look in the mirror and take one thing off,” the modern woman’s mantra should be “look in the mirror and ask yourself: are my shoes flat enough or are they putting the lady ambassador in my outfit?”
No offense to ambassadors, but looking younger means injecting lightness and novelty wherever possible, and maintaining impeccable footwear is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your Good for Your Age rating. You might be thinking, “That’s all well and good, but I’m short, I need height. Flats are for those with long legs and narrow ankles; for women who would look good in a short black dress and flip-flops.”
Well, you might be surprised. Ballet flats may not be the easiest to wear with skirts and dresses, but sleeker styles, low-cut at the toe, look chic peeking out from under wide-leg trousers – try & Other Stories’ shirred leather ballet flats (£115, stories.com), Arket square-toe snakeskin heels (£149, market.com) or H&M’s sleek black slingback flats (£19, 2.hm.com).
Actress Katie Holmes, 45, rocks a casual street style with strappy white shoes in New York
More substantial flat shoes such as loafers (£90, store.mango.com) look good under any trousers and the buckled, Gucci-style plain loafer remains a stylish accompaniment to high-waisted baggy jeans (£110, boden.co.uk). Just add a smart shirt and/or blazer. Plus, flats don’t have to be that flat. Flats are more a matter of mood (relaxed, not too dressy), so if height is a concern, you can now choose from platform flip-flops with moulded soles or cross-over sandals (£91, en:fitflop.com), chunky-soled leather sandals – I like the Mint Velvet ones and wish I had found them earlier in the summer (£109, mentavelvet.com) — or flat-soled sneakers.
The ones Lady Starmer wears with her wide-leg navy trousers to keep the figure flattering are from Russell & Bromley (£195, russellandbromley.co.uk).
There is an alternative to the flat shoes that are a big novelty for autumn: the ultra-low stiletto heel, which was presented on the Prada catwalk in all colours, paired with pencil skirts and flared midi skirts. It’s not flat, but it’s much, much flatter and that’s the direction we’re going.