Models who are considered too skinny will be banned from a fashion show in Madrid later this month. The regional government has expressed concern that the image portrayed by these gaunt women might influence young Spanish girls and increase the incidence of anorexia and bulimia.

It seems to me that the skeletal thinness of fashion models and Hollywood stars is increasingly out of step with the attitudes of average women. When we were young, low-rise pants or “hip-huggers” with body suits that clung to every inch of the torso were worn by young women everywhere, but no one would have dared to wear that style unless they were pencil thin. Nowadays the pants are still riding low on the hips and in place of the body suit are stretchy, torso-hugging shirts that end just short of the top of the pant-waist, showing lots of skin. The difference is that heavier girls wear the style just as often as the skinny ones do. Attitudes towards what is an acceptable body seem to be shifting more towards healthy weights and away from the desire to be bone thin.

These thoughts make me hopeful for the future although, because they are my personal observations, I could be wrong. But think of having fashion and Hollywood taking their cue from the public instead of the other way around. It can happen, if we refuse to accept the pre-packaged trends and images they offer us.

I am not saying that there’s anything wrong with being in style and enjoying all that fashion has to offer. I am suggesting that we send the message, loud and clear, over and over, until Hollywood and fashion designers hear us: Style and fashion are for everyone, not just for under-nourished twenty-somethings who do not represent real women.

Madrid bans too-thin models from catwalk

Being fashionable at fifty can be as easy as it was when you were twenty-something. The mature woman has developed a sense of her own style and blending new trends into that style may be easier than you think. Making just a few adjustments may be all you need to spiff up a lacklustre look or pull yourself out of your fashion rut.

* Go through your closet and be brutal. We all have them, clothing items that we should know don’t work for us anymore. Find the courage to take that long, hard look in the mirror and coldly assess your wardrobe choices and how they work with your mature body. Toss out any clothes that no longer flatter your figure. Keep classics that don’t go out of style, there’s no need to buy a complete new wardrobe.

* Examine the new trends for those that work with your body shape, adopt those and reject the ones that call attention to your problem areas. For instance, leggings with a long top are back in fashion. Leggings can be a disaster for heavy legs but if you have great legs and want to disguise a heavier middle, they may work well for you. On the other hand, another fashion trend like a volume skirt and skin hugging top may only serve to emphasize your middle and hips. Go instead for tailored jackets and tops that give you a shapely line.

* Look for brighter and lighter colors, especially near the face. Dark colors near the face are harsh and can accentuate the look of lines and wrinkles. Pastels and lighter shades of rich hues or white will soften the face.

* Refresh your look. Throw out the makeup you’ve worn for 20 years. Chances are it’s no longer the right look for you. Get a makeover for an expert opinion on what colors work for you.

* Consider a new hairstyle or haircolor. It can be a great confidence booster.

* Accessorize. New shoes, handbags, belts and even earrings will add excitement and style even to your existing wardrobe. Add a few fun items for pizzazz and to lift your spirits.

Great Places to Shop:

avenue

Chico’s

liz claiborne

Chadwick’s

Walk through the mall today and you may feel transported back to the sixties. The shops are selling macramé belts and handbags, leather bracelets, dangle earrings in the shape of peace signs and lava lamps.

The young people who pass by you could have gone to high school or college with you. Suddenly, you feel as you haven’t for years - comfortable in a world of the familiar. Tie-dye shirts and platform shoes are everywhere. Gone are the shaven-head convict hairstyles of the last few years. The young men passing you have left their locks gloriously unshorn.

Even haute couture has reached its fingers back into time for this year’s fashion trends with the trapeze dress, the swing coat and the poncho coming back into style. It is just as it was then, when you were coming of age in the late sixties and early seventies. The designers went mod, the boutiques went hippie and you got to wear some of both.

What’s missing is something intangible, a feeling or perhaps an attitude. These kids are engaging in fashion trends whereas the hippies were engaging in a movement of anti-fashion.

No matter, times change. The world changes and what we perceive to be our role in it changes along with both the world and our age. Maturity brings a different perspective than we had when we were young. Then full of hope and energy, we were ready to take on the establishment and change the world for the better.

We were going home to lock ourselves in our rooms and listen to the music that made our parents cringe on turntables that spun 12″ vinyl records. They are listening to music that makes their parents cringe on portable MP3 players and IPods as they stroll through the mall.

Maybe it isn’t really all that different. We were concerned about the environment and nuclear proliferation and war in a far-off land. They live under the cloud of reports of global warming, rogue states with nuclear capabilities and war in a far-off land.

I, for one, am just glad to see the world looking familiar again.

Fashion is being trimmed in fur this Autumn and Winter. Look for fur trim on collars, cuffs and hats.

The styles this season will seem very familiar to baby boomers. We’ve worn it all before (if only we hadn’t cleaned out our closets).

The look this year seems to blend Russian influences with mod stylings from the 60s. Thrown in are the slim leggings of the 80s and lots of big, big accessories, such as wide belts and large handbags. Layers will still be in fashion with leggings worn under dresses and cropped pants rather than hose.

Blouses and tops with full bell sleeves and trapeze or swing jackets will be paired with slim trousers. The staple of the closet is the dress which is making a resurgence in popularity. This year’s styles feature lots of empire waists.

For the mature businesswoman the suit is slightly tailored but flowing with pants. In this instance layering is still essential, a scarf, a fur collar and set off with gloves and a casual belt.