There's no doubt about it: our grandma's generation was always one step ahead in the style stakes. Here are
10 fashion rules from yesterday that still apply today.
1. Dress to impress on every occasion.
These days, dress code is something people take very lightly: but in your grandma's day and age, dressing up was taken very seriously. "The priorities were different back then," explains
Mad Men's costume director, Janie Bryant. "I do love that about the period when people did dress for occasions. You'd dress for the theater, the grocery store, for dinner," she says. "The priority today is more about comfort than it is glamour."
2. Fashion happens four times a year, style is inherent.
Although fashion today is largely driven by trends, your grandma's era was more about timeless style. "You have to interpret what's hot to make it work on yourself," says Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist. "If tweed suits are in but you're not a suit kind of girl, wear the jacket with jeans and a pair of Converses. The idea is that you wear it the way that becomes the most you."
3. Red lipstick will brighten any outfit.
It's amazing how a slick of red lipstick can instantly lift your whole look. You'll notice that most grandmas never leave the house without it. "It's an elemental, visceral colour - a reminder of what's inside us," explains Dick Page, celebrity make-up artist and creative director for Shiseido, of this timeless trend. "I think red lips are symbolic of female strength."
4. Wear the right underwear for your dress.
Underwear is probably the last thing you think about when getting dressed right? But, according to Bryant, it should be one of your top priorities. "I think that, for a woman, back in the 60s, it was a requirement that you wore your foundations. A lot of ladies wouldn't think about going out of their house without their girdles," Bryant says.
5. Look in the mirror and take one accessory off before you leave the house.
While we'll happily shun the rule that your shoes and bags must match at all times, your grandma makes a good point when she says to keep accessories to a minimum. Overload on earrings, bracelets and a necklace and you'll end up looking more like a Christmas tree. Instead, choose key pieces, such as a cocktail ring or a string of pearls, to dress up your outfit.
