The Style Begins At Forty Awards (SBAFtAs)

So, the blog must go on. Time for the long-overdue, second annual Style Begins At Forty Awards - a bit like the Vanity Fair best-dressed list but without the bankers (that's financiers if you're reading this in America) - let's hear it for all those fabulous people beyond a certain age who deserve a virtual pat on the back. Yay!



The Lifetime Achievement Award: Hilary Alexander

As I pointed out at the inaugural ceremony last year, this is not a sympathy vote for some sad sack who no-one really likes. It is, in fact, well-earned recognition for years of hard graft and a life-long dedication to style. Hilary Alexander (above) won a media award at the CFDAs earlier this year, retired from the Daily Telegraph after 25 years as fashion director and signed up for a degree in archaeology. Meanwhile she continues to freelance and tweet like a person half her age. No staying in with her feet up and a cuppa for Hilary.







The Global Superstar Award: Michelle Obama

Not only is Michelle Obama, 47, a fantastic role model for working-class kids the world over - when she goes into inner city schools it makes me cry - she can dance properly too. And, with an easy confidence and excellent dress sense there's no doubting her fashion credentials. Now, if Mobama could just see off all those Tea Party nutters she can be my favourite First Lady for another term.









The Broken-Glass-Ceiling award: Christine Lagarde

This was a close one. Jill Abramson, the first female editor of The New York Times came a very close second but was pipped at the post by Christine Lagarde. The only SBAFtA winner who's also being investigated for fraud, oops sorry, on the Vanity Fair best-dressed list 2011. The 55-year-old head of the IMF looks at home on the red carpet, gives good scarf action and has fantastic hair too.







Best Actor Award: Mark Rylance

The one-time artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe picked up a TONY for his role as Johnny Byron in Jerusalem - and looks like a cross between Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell. Which is never a bad thing. Rylance, 51, is heading home this autumn for a run at the Apollo Theatre, and Mr & Mrs That's Not My Age have our tickets booked already.







The Technology Award: Bjork

Bjork, 46, has created a new album, Biophilia, that mixes music, science and technology - to be honest I don't really understand how it works but it's got something to do with apps. And Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent designed a raw crystal jumpsuit especially for her. Which makes the Icelandic singer a genius as far as I'm concerned.







The Parisian Chic Award: Ines de la Fressange

She's gorgeous and elegant and wears flat Roger Vivier shoes. OK, it's easy for a model to look good but Ines de la Fressange has thirty years experience in fashion, is back on the catwalk in her sixth decade and has shared her style secrets with us in a charming, witty book. Advice such as, 'To feel better about my lifestyle, I watch documentaries on old rock bands and I feel like a picture of health,' is always welcome.











The Two-Fingered Salute Award: Jarvis Cocker and George Michael

Now this one is a tie. Though it may not have received as much press coverage as the Michael Jackson bum-flashing stunt, Jarvis Cocker, 47, wiping his arse on the last ever issue of News of the World at T in the Park deserves a standing ovation. And, I kind of like George Michael, 48, now that he gets arrested in toilets and crashes his Mercedes into Snappy Snaps. But the best thing he's ever done, even better than Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, was slapping obnoxious, Little Englander, Jeremy Clarkson down on Twitter. After a brief spat, Michael tweeted, 'Good grief Mr Clarkson, I wasn't implying your towering heterosexuality was in question. I had no desire to insult you!' Followed by, 'But I do now, you pig-ugly homophobic twat!!!!!'







Who would you give a Style Begins at Forty Award to?







Photos

Hilary Alexander: Daily Telegraph

Michelle Obama: NY magazine

Christine Lagarde: AFC

Mark Rylance: Andy Paradise

Bjork: Dazed Digital

Ines de la Fressange:Sipa

Jarvis Cocker: Daily Record

George Michael: Rex

Label Love: Studio Nicholson

Apparently this is the perfect weather for wasps. And the perfect weather for Studio Nicholson. I've given up trying to pretend it's summer, and shifted to more of a trans-seasonal look. So that means a mannish jacket and slouchy pants, or jeans. Easy, effortless pieces that can be swiftly livened up with a pair of Liz Taylor earrings, a stripy straw bag and an eye-catching manicure. Designer, Nick Wakeman based her current collection on a 'typical European man's wardrobe,' and there's definitely something about this tomboyish range that reminds me of those gorgeous men The Sartorialist snaps in Milan - garnished with a sprinkling of off-duty Kate Moss. Not a bad combination, eh?




www.studionicholson.com

Easy Pieces

For me, good quality basics with the Martini factor (remember this?) and a smattering of eye-catching accessories are where it's at. I don't work in a corporate environment, rarely wear head-to-toe tailoring and find casual glamour is my default setting. Effortlessly stylish separates, like a reliable work colleague, are easy to get along with during the day and good enough to take you over the road to the pub for a refreshing evening drink. So here are some of my favourite pieces for spring:

1. The tuxedo jacket - the one above is from la maison de chic separates, Comptoir des Cotonniers.

2. A jaunty blouse or shirt. Helps livens up a plain bottom half.



3. Liz Taylor earrings. Theses are classy not brassy and the quickest way to glam-up a pared-down outfit.



4. The luxury tee. That's Not My Age is a sucker for slinky jersey.



4. The maxi skirt - love this one from the Theyskens' Theory collection.



5. A pair of plimsolls. OK, after living in them for ooh, ever, I haven't worn Converse for years. Two reasons. I hit forty and found they were too flat and didn't provide enough support for my middle-aged feet. And then, David Cameron started wearing them. But the latest collaboration with Marimekko might be worth the physical/political pain.




6. The denim dress. This is from the new Spanish website, Medwinds which is worth checking out if, like That's Not My Age, you're a fan of quality basics. Though personally, I would ditch the platforms.



In fact, yesterday I wore my denim dress with navy cotton-knit tights and a pair of tan leather lace-ups...



7. The essential black trouser. My old Gap Capri pants have been working hard of late but I'm looking to upgrade to a longer length Cigarette-style. Here are a couple of hot favourites:




From DVF and Sportsmax. And hoorah! We're off to New York on Wednesday so I'm hoping a Brit-friendly-exchange-rate will lead me to the DVF pants, unless of course I happen upon a pair of fabulous leg-lengthening Theyskens first.


How do you do casual glamour? And wasn't Easy Pieces a Lloyd Cole album?



Tuxedo jacket, gingham blouse and leather lace-ups: Comptoir des Cotonniers
Earrings: Mikey
T-shirt: Eternitee
Theyskens' Theory: Net-a-Porter
Marimekko Converse: from Offspring and Converse (coming soon!)
Denim dres: Medwinds
DVF and Sportsmax trousers: Matches

What to wear to work

In between episodes of Coronation Street and a spot of Stargazing with Professor Brian Cox, That's Not My Age has been mulling over the early January, back to work conundrum. After a week of long lie-ins and a fair amount of lolling on the settee, knowing what to wear to face the public isn't easy. But, I've come to the conclusion that velvet is the perfect antidote to grey, mid-winter mornings. A post-Christmas pick-me-up, it looks fabulous combined with other textures, such as tweed, lace and satin. So, the Boden velvet tunic (top) looks lovely teamed with charcoal wool pants, and though the Ralph Lauren velvet jodphurs (above) are probably not the simplest trouser to er, pull off, paired with a roll neck sweater and a classic overcoat, they exude easy winter style. This melange of textures reminds me of the nineties Gucci ads when Tom Ford first grabbed our attention with a heady combination of jewel-coloured silky shirts and velvet disco pants...



That's Not My Age has a vintage velvet jacket that gets wheeled out every festive season, usually teamed with a sequinned tunic or a ruffle shirt but this year I'm seriously considering it as a daytime option...



Not quite as luxurious as the Ralph Lauren fabric and it looks quite flat in this picture but black velvet is notoriously difficult to photograph - not as tricky as the Northern Lights but you know what I mean.

Haven't spent my Christmas money yet, so I could be tempted by this silk/graphic lace dress from Jaeger (now £135) and a midnight blue smoking jacket (25% off) from Isabella Oliver:





Sumptuous, warm and sleek. Velvet. It's not just for Christmas.


What will you be wearing on your first day back at work?




Ralph Lauren catwalk photo: style.com

Can Middle-Aged Men Have Long Hair?

Still thinking about the The New York Times middle-aged/long-hair debate - but having concluded that as far as women are concerned, age is unimportant - it's quality, condition and a decent cut that matter - let's turn our attention to men.

Apart from rock stars, fashion designers and er, X Factor contestants (that's Wagner in the photo, not John Galliano), does long-hair really work for men of a certain age? I put it to the Blog Widower - shortish hair, longer on top, not much grey - and he said, "The two words that summarise my despair about this country used to be `The Monarchy', now they're `Top Gear.'"



Mmm..I can see where he's coming from but that's more than enough of smug middle-aged men showing off in fast cars/ front of Simon Cowell, wearing crap clothes and ladies' hair. Time to ask the experts.


The case for:

Author and style commentator, Paul Gorman



'I like long hair on older men - the Grinderman outback/maniac thing with a suit always looks fab.'



'When I was 38-41, I liked my hair long and straggly behind the ears. I was inspired by these guys I saw in Asia, in a Singapore shopping precinct. Skinny as hell with long hair, vests, crosses, sarongs and sandals and a sprinkling of tattoos. It felt right for a couple of years but it became problematic in London in the winter - too cold to dry it naturally. So I gradually reduced it and then went back to the quiff. But I might do it again - goes well with a beard once the temples have started to go and you get coarse greys.'


The case against:

Fashion writer and historian, Iain R Webb



'I think the short answer is short. Long hair on a, ahem, middle-aged man is definitely aging. I went through the classic mid-life crisis thing when I left my last full-time job. I went all hippie and grew my hair. Even though I work in fashion and have sported styles that had breezed my collar - think Surf Dude meets Coupe Sauvage - suddenly I had flowing locks that looked like I'd lost my way at Glastonbury Fayre in 1971! Thankfully, I now have a short back and sides with a side-part. I am actually thinking of getting a shorter spiky cut. The only problem: when you have a sharp short style you have to keep getting it trimmed to maintain the look.'

The verdict
As with middle-aged women, if the man has got a good image to start with, like Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, then long hair can look amazing. I simply can't imagine Iggy Pop with short hair. But for grown-up men without a rock and roll lifestyle, Iain's right. You can't beat the traditional short back and sides. Like Jon Hamm in The Town or the most recent episodes of Mad Men when Don Draper's super-slick image is slowly sliding off a bar stool.



Model, Andre Van Noord in the latest issue of Vogue Hommes International has a slightly longer version of this versatile 'do.'




Oh go on then, let's have one more photo...




Personally, I can't imagine going out with a man whose hair is longer than mine, Mr TNMA spends enough time in the bathroom as it is! What do you think?



Signed copies of Paul Gorman's latest book, The Life & Work of Barney Bubbles, are available here

And I'll be blogging about Iain R Webb's new book, Postcards From the Edge of the Catwalk soon. Promise.

Photos

Wagner: Rex Features
Top Gear: The Guardian
Paul Gorman: Sarah Lee
Iain R Webb: The Independent
Jon Hamm: The Guardian

Jane Birkin (part deux)

Did I tell you I met Jane Birkin? Mmm...thought so. Ever since that blissful encounter, That's Not My Age has been channeling NBFJB style (that's New Best Friend Jane Birkin if you've just joined me). I've found myself trapped in a fashion moment with the queen of casual glamour. Which is not a bad thing because low-key style with a twist is my vocation, you can read all about it here. The aim is a natural, carefree look with added sparkle - when we met, NBFJB was wearing a Margiela knit over second-hand combats with satin ribbons hanging from the belt loops and a pair of 15-year-old Converse. So far I've tried; a military jacket over a sheer chiffon tunic with cropped black trousers, Chelsea boots and chandelier earrings, an over-sized shirt with jeans, tan lace-ups and er, chandelier earrings. Next week I'm thinking of branching out into scarves.

What I really admire is the fact that Birkin has stuck with the same style choices all her life. Apart from a stint in dresses during the Gainsbourg days, NBFJB tends to live in trousers and prefers the looser fit of men's clothes. This nonchalant approach to fashion - probably comes easy when you're beautiful, rich and famous - sounds simple enough but can end up looking a little shabby if you're not careful. So how to get the look?





Do
1. Go back to basics. Khakis, jeans, a v-neck top and white shirt are all key pieces that work well together or help loosen up a more formal wardrobe. Be sure to add a camel coat to the list this season.



2. Stay neutral. Birkin loves shades of khaki, olive, grey and sand. Easy-to-wear, timeless colours that look good whatever your age.



3. Get a handbag named after you.



Don't
1. Cut your own hair. Birkin is her own hairdresser but let's be honest, there's a very thin line between boho chic and care-in-the-community.
2. Wear Converse. Two words. David Cameron. And so what NBFJB wears plimsolls? She probably doesn't have to walk anywhere/ commute in the pouring rain. Opt for a sturdy brogue or lace-up instead.


3. Attempt to make you're own perfume. Leave it to the experts.


Photos
NBFJB: Last.fm
Patent shoe: LK Bennett

Year-round style

August. The month when That's Not My Age has one eye on the dishevelled sale rail (so what if it's jammed at the back of the store right next to the toilets, I have no shame when it comes to a bargain) and the other on the shiny new autumn/winter collections. Fashion is a topsy-turvy world and, when the seasons change over, it's best to stick to timeless styles that work all year round. Which is why I love this outfit from Hobbs (A/W2010). A Breton top and maxi skirt - OK that's a sweater in the picture but it could easily be a t-shirt - look just as fabulous teamed with plimsolls in summer, as with classic brogues and argyle socks in autumn. Talk about easy style.

And, sorry can't get Kristen McMenamy, 46, out of my head - Hobbs' gorgeous shearling coat instantly brought the middle-aged crush du jour to mind. As seen in the latest issue of Dazed and Confused.




Not sure about you but think I prefer the Vogue fashion story.


Do you have any transitional fashion favourites?