Austerity Chic

Just a quick post-budget post today... whether Gideon, oops sorry, George Osborne admits it or not, things are going to get tougher, but That's Not My Age will avoid getting trapped in the squeezed middle by adopting the Margaret Howell approach to fashion:

'I'm probably a product of growing up in England after the war and holidaying in England because you couldn't afford to go abroad. I was brought up with that austerity attitude - with a love of tradition, to respect things, not to have lots, but one good one.'

And here are some lovely timeless pieces from Howell's spring/summer 2011 collection - not that long to go till the sales!






Photos
Margaret Howell portrait: Clare Shilland
Catwalk: Elle

Quote: The Observer

The style-begins-at-forty honours list

That's Not My Age has decided there's not enough prize-giving in the world so it's time to unveil the style-begins-at-forty honours list (the SBAFtas). Designed to celebrate reaching a certain age and beyond with élan, this year's awards go to:

Life time achievement award: Iris Apfel.
Now this award is usually saved till last and given to a washed-up old fart like Paul McCartney but there'll be no charity prizes at the SBAFtas. The gong for a life of fabulousness and a-wardrobe-to-maim-for goes to the New York socialite and most glamorous 88 year-old in history, Iris Apfel. This woman has had both an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum and a book dedicated to her style. Seen below in Balenciaga and Alexis Bittar jewellery (accompanied by Alexis Bittar, Accessory Designer of the Year) at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in New York. When I grow up, I want to look just like her.




The best scientist/middle-aged crush award: Professor Brian Cox
As well as being recognised in the inaugural SBAFtas honours list, Dr Cox, 42, has just been awarded an OBE. The pop star professor says he's 'chuffed and surprised.' Give that man my phone number.



The best film: A Bout de Souffle (Breathless)
Fifty years-old this week and one of the most stylish films, ever, Jean Luc Godard's classic black and white movie is a masterpiece in 20th century French chic. Starring Jean Seberg's pixie crop, Herald Tribune sweater and Capri pants - all looking just as good today as they did at the end of the fifties. (Breathless opens in cinemas on 25 June and is released on DVD on 13 September)





The best dressed fashion director: Tonne Goodman
This is a close call. Anna Wintour makes uptown chic look easy, Carine Roitfeld does grown-up rock chick like no other, but the SBAFta for casual glamour goes to the American Vogue, fashion director, Tonne Goodman. The former model is living proof that less is more. Goodman looks amazing in her trademark shirt, Tod's loafer and jeans combo - her low key approach is effortlessly stylish. Picking up the Eleanor Lambert Award at the CFDA in New York last week, she was pared down and dressed up in Michael Kors.






Androgynous, equal dresser of the year award: Margaret Howell,
The latest 'Ageless Style' issue of Vogue features the south London based, doyenne of minimal dressing, Margaret Howell, 60-something. 'I've never liked having a big wardrobe, so I'm always clearing it out,' says Howell - er, Margaret, I'm just down the road if you'd like to freecycle, 'And with age, my style has become more edited.' Readers, you heard it here second (after I'd finished reading Vogue), edited, equal dressing is the future.




The best dressed football manager: José Mourinho
His love of an Armani coat is legendary. And boy does this man know how to accessorize - a neatly arranged scarf here, a Louis Vuitton bag there - obviously the reason why he's called the special one. Mourinho, 46, says he wants to come back to England, and he's more than welcome. Just give him a year or so at Real Madrid, Fergie, announce your retirement and hand over the crown.



The once-every-four-year's award for best dressed manager at the World Cup : a tie between England's impeccably groomed Fabio Capello, 63, and the touchline's answer to Mick Jagger, Germany's, Joachim Lowe, 51. Let's hope this isn't the only trophy Capello wins:





The time is on my side award for immortality: Keef Richards
Mr TNMA loves Keef in a special way (he even has a framed Rolling Stones jigsaw and a limited edition leather jacket as worn by KR in 1982 - it's called Night Mission!) and whilst looking at recent photos of The Stones launching the Exile on Main Street documentary at the New York Film Festival, I found myself thinking how good Keith Richards, 66, looked. Not something I've contemplated for ooh 30-odd years but the natural grey hair (take note Ronnie Wood), natty scarf and Homberg hat confirm that the human riff is both rock 'n' roll hero and style legend. Mr Richards biography is due to be published this autumn (written by James Fox) so I know what I'll be buying the Blog Widower for Christmas.




Mr TNMA's favourite image is by photographer, Ethan Russell:



The only queen we need award: Mary Portas
Back with a new series, a new website and a new wife. Mary Queen of Shops, 50, may not have persuaded Angela of Maher & Sons bakery to choose artisan bread over crap cakes but she looked Portas-tic in tunic dress, statement jewellery and opaque tights.



Who would you give a SBAFta to?


Photos
Golden Globe: aceshowbiz.com
Iris Apfel & Tonne Goodman: style.com
Brian Cox: flickr
Jean Seberg: The Times & The Guardian
Margaret Howell: Vogue
Fabio Capello: The Telegraph
José Mourinho: The Mirror
Joaquim Lowe: The Beautiful Game
Keith Richards: thisislondon.co.uk, accesshollywood.com, Ethan Russell
Mary Portas: maryportas.com

Easy Style

So, get this. That's Not My Age has had a virtual wish granted, a Rag & Bone concession has popped up at The Shop at Bluebird. When Anthropologie opened in autumn, I dreamed of the other American brands I'd like to see over here. Behold the Power of the Blog! Now I've experienced its supernatural properties, I'll be using them more often. In fact, I'm going to start right now with electoral reform. Nick Clegg you know what you've got to do - step away from the Tories and give Gordon Brown a call. You'll find him at Number 10.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes. That's Not My Age is a big fan of low-key style. Simple, uncomplicated clothes that are easy to wear and effortlessly stylish are right up my strasse. Utility chic is a current obsession - an old khaki jacket from Muji has been doing the rounds recently - and I live in jeans and grey marl t-shirts. Which is why I'm pleased to see the Rag & Bone men, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, have rocked up on our shores. It's just a shame their clothes are a bit on the pricey side - I have a pair of trousers purchased in New York (cheaper over there/where the British duo are based), and would like to add to the collection. Make that Blog Wish number two.

That's Not My Age's trademark look is casual with a twist. I'll slip a neatly tailored jacket over the t-shirt and jeans, add a mannish shoe or trainer - heels if it's a special occasion - and er, that's it. The problem with pared-down chic is that if you're not careful, it can end up looking bland, or too boyish. Which is why it's best to liven things up with a pair of diamanté earrings, an animal print scarf or some other form of embellishment. Bella Freud calls this casual glamour. Which I like. I also like this gorgeous jacket from Isabel Marant. Pure casual glamour:



And while I'm at it, how about this lovely Margaret Howell trouser suit? Perfect for summer but I'll leave the stripy tee, thank you very much. Got plenty of those already and That's Not My Age knows that greed is not good.



The queen of casual glamour is Phoebe Philo who has transformed Céline into the grown-up label du jour. Blog Wish number three is the entire S/S 10 collection, no sorry what was that about greed? Make that a pair of camel, bum-flattering trousers:





And the good thing about easy style is that you can find it on the high street. Uniqlo, Gap, Cos and Whistles are all good for simple basics. The key is to carefully select pieces from here and there to go with what you already have. Inexpensive jersey tops work with well-cut trousers, skinny military pants with a killer jacket. Take influence from the catwalk/magazines but don't go overboard, just add certain elements to your wardrobe to keep yourself looking au courant. And on that note, I'll leave you with the Goddess of Casual Glamour, the inimitable Jane Birkin, in dungarees!




Photos
Catwalk shots: style.com
Phoebe Philo: David Simms
Jane Birkin: Harper's Bazaar