Real Women Share Their Favorite Style Tips

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Do Tell Real Women — From 40 to 90 — Let Us in on Their One Major Style Tip

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You can spot this kind of woman a mile away. She has that “je ne sais quoi” that makes her unique, bold — full of life. You can’t quite pinpoint it, but she’s got “it.” And age has nothing to do with style — all you need is confidence to know who you are — and the secrets that these real-women icons have agreed to share. Among them is Ja Tawn Avant, above — fire-engine red lipstick, false, lush lashes — and she’s ON! of

Janis Dardaris

Fashion secret: Scarves, I’m crazy about scarves! “Be fearless, try anything, things don’t have to match. Mix patterns up. I have a need to express myself, to feel good about myself, to show my best. A scarf makes your look complete.” Look book: Janis is wearing a no-fear combo of stripes, patterns, denim and silk. And that scarf does pull it all together! of

Vallnez Mozell 42

Fashion secret: Mix classics with bold unexpected surprises “I’ll mix a black dress with unexpected shoes or jewelry, or pair vintage pieces with a classic silhouette. I inherited a vintage houndstooth cape that I’ll wear with jeans and a leather aviator hat. You have to dress with confidence and that comes with age.” Look book: Val is wearing a purple-sequined tube dress worn as a skirt, paired with her husband’s sweater and a perfectly fitted Harley Davidson jacket she won in a silent auction — and it’s workin’! of

Debra Rapoport 73

Fashion secret: Frame your face with hats and one-of-a-kind neckpieces “First, be yourself, trust yourself. Hats top you off, they frame the face. Neckpieces should be large: bibs, boas and breastplates. Creatively there are no rules, and where there are no rules, there is no fear. I like recycled, gifted and thrifted. It’s about building on your body, ABC: assemble, build, create.” Look book: Debra is wearing a necklace made with dried eggplant from Armenia and rings that each tell a story — whether from travel, an artist friend or recycled from somewhere or someone. A conversation piece for sure! of

Sylvia Pilar

Fashion secret: Accessories, accessories, accessories “I have vintage accessories — jewelry, sunglasses, hats, that I store by decade. I start simple, classic and keep adding on. I have different styles depending on the event: boho chic, conservative, eclectic but always Silvia. Everything comes back, so I keep everything, and the shoes, oh the shoes!” Look book: Silvia, a dancer among other talents, is wearing a neutral sweater and form-fitting pants accented with a fun leopard-patterned scarf and belt and vintage earrings. Ready for that dance floor! of

Susannah Bianchi 64

Fashion secret: Have a good tailor “I’m a classic dresser, my look hasn’t changed since I was 26. Wear who you are — I never get sick of my clothes because they are my style. And if it fits well, you wear it well. Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, Patti Smith, they knew their style. Find your style and wear it with confidence. I don’t shop, I restore.” Look book: Susanna is wearing one of her favorite signature looks, a ($49.00!) classic striped dress, sweater tied around the shoulders, paired with simple pearl earrings and a short cropped cut. Eat your heart out, Audrey! of

Ja Tawn Avant 52

Fashion secret: Dress happy “I’m a chameleon, spontaneous, emotional; I dress how I’m feeling. I love bohemian looks, thrift-store finds, vintage 50’s polka dots and thick stripes, juxtapositions, anything unexpected (like her sequin sneakers!) and unique, but I choose what to wear based on how I feel, what will make me happy. I always have to put on something nice from clothes to lashes and perfume.” Look book: Ja Tawn is wearing a fabulous flowing skirt picked up on the streets and splurged on the classic top. And the sequin sneakers? Surprise! of

Barbara Koltuv 80

Fashion secret: Love what you wear and wear what you love “I like the unusual, the ethnic, the darker glamor, like an Italian movie star but more Sophia Loren than Gina Lollobrigida. I don’t shop, I collect.” Look book: Barbara is dressed in indigo from Dosa by designer Christina Kim, earrings that are permanent presents from Nepal and a nose pin from Chennai, India. Her tattoos were inspired by a trip to Jerusalem. Mixed ethnic! of

Elizabeth White 64

Fashion secret: Celebrate Your Heritage “I grew up looking African before Africa was cool. There were no Lupita Nyong’o’s gracing the covers of fashion magazines. The only way for me to survive, confidence intact, was to go my own way. You don’t like my round nose — I’m gonna put a diamond right in the middle of it. You think my hair is too coily, well, how big can I get it? I like sheath dresses in interesting textures and fabrics with bold African jewelry as a nod to my heritage. The clothes I’ve had for years and fitting them at this age and stage and is hand-to-hand combat.” Look book: Elizabeth is wearing a one-of-a-kind jacket by Barbara Nicholson/Champagne & Grits, paired with jeans from Zara and 15-year-old earrings. High-low authentic! of

Linda Mason 72

Fashion secret: Dress for freedom — with style “I don’t spend a lot on clothes, but I do buy expensive shoes and underwear — it makes me feel good. Everything I wear is geared toward freedom, but with style. I make unique (silk-screened) pieces that I pair with classic designer pieces. I like a little color but not overpowering. And makeup is key — the face is part of the whole!” Look book: Linda is wearing one of her own shirts, paired with a vintage men’s jacket. Note the detail of ballroom and swimming medals she won as a kid on her lapel. We say first prize! of

Jean Becker 92

Fashion secret: Bright lipstick — always bright lipstick “The moment I get up, the lips go on! I like to be comfortable, but you will never catch me in a housedress. I wear tights, sneakers or fun flats and something ‘jazzy.’ I wore heels ‘til I was 80, but the lipstick makes up for giving up heels. It’s all about thinking young and being positive.” Look book: Jean is wearing a multi-colored fringed cape and shiny shoes. She loves music. Frank, Barbra, Judy — and she danced through the whole photo shoot. Happiness is the one style secret money can’t buy. of

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