The Ageless Power of Style

"Do you work with older women?"

It’s a question I get a lot as a personal stylist. And every time it makes me sad because of the underlying belief underneath it: the idea that style has an age limit. That at some point, you become irrelevant and fade into the background. That presence, impact, and personal expression have an expiration date. Like milk.

They don’t.

Style is something you're born with. It evolves. It gets better with age. And when you own it? It leaves a legacy long after you're gone.

I was reminded of this today on my PT walk at the local rec center. Thanks to my nine chronic illnesses, there are days my body feels old. And tired. Today was one of them. Ironically, I unknowingly got to the gym during senior citizen hour. Fortunately, there was no ageism and they let me in.

And I was put to shame.

I got lapped. Multiple times. By jogging septuagenarian. As I made my laps, I looked down and watched another senior sink basket after basket. I didn't see him miss once. I saw a sassy senior rocking it in hot pick and working the weights. I'm telling you. They didn’t just show up. They lit ME up. They inspired me to pick up my pace, to laugh at myself, and to put my money where my big mouth is as a speaker who talking about showing up for life--no matter how I felt. And when I left? I was ready to take on the world again.

It was a powerful reminder that style is ageless. It's timeless.

Like I was taught by two of my fellow speakers, Corinna Stoeffl and James Flaherty who both brought their own style to the stage..

Because I use archetypal coaching in my styling programs, I'm used to seeing characters in people. In Corinna, with her quiet strength and deep wisdom, I lovingly referred to her as our "female Eckhart Tolle." And Jim, with his humor and warmth, brought a pure Dick Van Dyke energy. Just thinking about him makes me smile. Their presence was as powerful as their messages.

It's an important reminder for all of us. We're living in an unprecedented time where five generations coexist in the workforce. And yet, ageism still seeps into our culture, whispering that style, relevance, and influence belong to the young. Whether those messages come from external sources or internal voices, that whisper is outdated. Your experience, wisdom, and personal brand (and personal style) don’t expire; they deepen.

Style isn't about chasing trends. It’s about knowing who you are and owning it.

So let’s retire the belief that style--and the value and contributions we can make in the world--have an expiration date.

Because being YOU never gets old or goes out of style. ~Your Real Life Fairy Godmother