We all want to look great as we age, but indeed, so should our clothing and accessories. A woman who is aging gracefully can be considered “timeless”, regardless of the decade she is currently in. This woman radiates confidence, wisdom, and carries herself elegantly. And her clothing, or in fact any piece she sports, should equally reflect the soul and experience she exudes.

Aging Gracefully DNA

The DNA of aging gracefully is defined by the intersection of quality and style. It is governed by the same principles that apply to how to approach the physical aging process – what we invest into our body and mind correlates directly to our looks and lifespan, and how we subsequently carry ourselves. Aging gracefully relates to well-being, quality of life, and a lifestyle that brings happiness and joy to people.

These things need to be reflected and expressed in the quality of all things that we consume, from diet to fashion, and can significantly contribute towards a richer life, and making us happier in general. I have always tried to approach my own lifestyle with an “investment” mindset. I eat and exercise for wellness and longevity, and I curate my fashion with a similar conscience. When it comes to style, I rock pieces today that I purchased in my early twenties, and expect to treasure and style up for many years to come.

The Era of Fast Fashion

It is no secret that globally, consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the negative environmental and social impacts of “fast fashion”, yet statistics suggest the younger generation are still at the dawn of realization that “lifetime” pieces remain in their wardrobe for a lifetime, while their cheaper counterparts are often on and off again within a season due to inferior quality. The accessibility to low-cost, low-quality garments means we are buying and disposing of more clothing than ever.

I have seen a statistic that the average woman wears only 40 percent of what’s in her wardrobe, which means that 60 percent is there ready to go to thrift stores or a landfill. And fashion pieces made from materials such as polyester, which is essentially a plastic, take up to 200 years to break down. That is after rivers and waterways around the world are being poisoned by the textile industry for unsafe and toxic dying practices. Keep in mind, this is only the beginning of the frightening reality that is the fast fashion industry.

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Investing in Your Purchases

And when it comes to fast fashion, most of us can relate to the threat of the great unraveling. That fresh new t-shirt looks years older within one wash. A thread is hanging sadly from your summer dress after just a few wears. In truth, if you wish for your fashion purchases to be aging gracefully as your looks, it is advisable to approach your next statement purchases as “investments”.

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Sustainability with a Vintage Appeal

I apply the same ethos to my LaLaQueen designs. When I conceptualize my handbag collections, sustainability is always front of mind. That not only relates to applying an environmental conscience throughout the production process but also to the lifespan of the handbags and the decades through which they will “swing” by their owners. The naturally hand-dyed leather ages and stresses with vintage appeal, the stitching remains exquisitely intact, and the copper details remain free from discoloration or tarnish. This longevity is not only much kinder to the environment, but it tells a story of grace, style and lifetime of experience.

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