Turning 60: A Bold New Chapter

“I turn 60 tomorrow. Time to slow down...”

Yeah, right! If anything, I feel more fired up than ever. Hitting 60 feels like a massive permission slip to live life on my terms, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Society may want to nudge us into slowing down, but I say it’s time to ramp things up.

At 60, I feel liberated from so many expectations—expectations around how I should dress, how I should present myself, and how I should behave. The best part? I don’t have to care anymore.

Wearing Purple and Defying Expectations

Are you familiar with the poem ‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph. It’s about breaking free of the norms society imposes on us and fully embracing who we are.

Warning by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

I love that it’s about rejecting the idea that we have to conform to some outdated concept of “appropriate.” Whether it’s wearing purple or simply dressing in a way that makes us feel alive, this stage of life is all about freedom. That’s what I love about helping other women rediscover their personal style—there’s no right or wrong, just what feels like *you.*

This sense of freedom also ties into the way many women see this stage of life as a fresh start. More women in their 50s and 60s are reinventing themselves, starting businesses, and letting go of the things that don’t serve them.

Whether it’s wearing purple or simply dressing in a way that makes us feel alive, this stage of life is all about freedom. That’s what I love about helping other women rediscover their personal style—there’s no right or wrong, just what feels like ‘you.’

I think the power of ‘When I Am Old I Shall Wear Purple’ is in its celebration of joy and defiance. For years, women have been conditioned to fit in, to avoid standing out too much, or to adhere to unwritten rules of “appropriate” behaviour and dress. But now? Now is the time to break those rules, to find joy in dressing for ourselves and not for the gaze of others.

It’s the same philosophy I bring into my work. When women feel empowered to express themselves through their personal style, they become more visible, more confident, and more powerful. That’s what I see happening with my clients, they’re stepping into their power by embracing who they truly are.

There’s a particular magic in realising that we don’t have to blend into the background as we get older. We can still be bold, vibrant, and full of life. Dressing for joy isn’t about following fashion rules—it’s about expressing our spirit, our creativity, and our individuality.

Freedom to Be Ourselves

I think there’s something about milestone birthdays like turning 60 that makes us take stock of where we are and where we want to go. This phase of life isn’t about winding down—it’s about opening up to new possibilities, new adventures, and, yes, new styles!

Personally, I’ve found a sense of liberation in letting go of outdated expectations. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that I care less about whether something is “age appropriate” and more about whether it makes me feel good. And that’s the key—if it makes you feel alive, it’s right for you.

The phrase ‘“mutton dressed as lamb”?’ Bollocks to that! I believe in dressing for ‘you’—wear what makes you feel powerful and authentic. When you feel good in what you wear, you walk differently, you show up differently, and the world notices.

This stage of life is all about embracing the freedom to be ourselves. Whether that means going grey, wearing the bright colours we’ve always loved, or trying something completely new—now is the time to do it.

Reclaiming Visibility

The world has a funny way of making women in midlife feel invisible. But I say, this is the perfect time to make ourselves more visible than ever. And one of the most empowering tools we have to do that is our personal style. When we dress in a way that reflects who we truly are, we reclaim our space and our visibility.

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."

In ‘A Room of One’s Own’ Virginia Woolf talks about women needing their own space—a place where they can be free to express themselves creatively and authentically. And I believe that personal style is an extension of that space. When we dress in a way that makes us feel powerful, we create room for ourselves in a world that often tries to shrink us. I love to think of personal style as a kind of room—a space we create for ourselves, on our own terms, where we can be as bold, quirky, or expressive as we like.

Dressing for Joy and Embracing Change

Through my work, I help my clients in midlife step into their power, not just by updating their wardrobe, but by rediscovering who they are. This isn’t about following fashion trends—it’s about tuning in to what makes us feel fabulous and wearing that proudly. For many of us, this is a time of change—perhaps they’re stepping into a new role, launching a new business, or simply finding their voice in a way they never have before.

We’ve reached an age where the rules no longer apply, and that’s incredibly freeing. Whether it’s wearing purple, rocking our natural silver hair, or striding confidently in whatever makes us feel fabulous, it’s all about owning who we are, with zero apologies.

As Maya Angelou said, ‘“Still I rise.”‘ And rise we shall—together, joyfully, and unapologetically.

A New Beginning at 60

So, here’s to turning 60—bold, brave, and absolutely not slowing down. This is a time for celebrating who we are, throwing off the expectations that have held us back, and stepping fully into our power. Whether it’s through personal style, reclaiming our visibility, or simply living life on our terms, now is the time to shine.

I’m taking stock, considering my next phase. My celebrations started last weekend as I met up with friends I went to university with in the mid 80’s. I have a couple of things planned for the weekend followed by a bucket list holiday to Las Vegas baby! Watch out on my socials to follow my exploits stateside. I’m hoping it’s not too warm for sequins!

And in case you missed it …I have a new *thing*

Are you looking for support with your style but not sure if you can afford it?

I’m offering my most affordable way to work with me —and I think you’re going to love it!

For just ￡35 a month, you’ll get guidance on how to refresh your wardrobe and feel fabulous in your clothes.

Introducing The Joyful Wardrobe Collective —every month, we’ll work on one actionable task to help you rediscover your style and elevate your wardrobe. From building a capsule collection to learning how to accessorise like a pro, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s what you’ll get:

? Monthly workshops (Super Savvy Style Sessions) where we tackle a specific wardrobe challenge

? Weekly style advice from me—behind-the-scenes tips, tricks, and inspiration

? A supportive community of like-minded women on their own style journeys

? All of this for just ￡35 a month—and there’s no tie-in, so you can join us without any long-term commitment.

Doors are open now, and I’d love to see you inside so we can work together on making your wardrobe and style shine.

Click HERE for more details.