Inspired by young at heart bold-en oldies

The feisty Fabulous Fashionistas lit up my week.

If you’ve had a “significant birthday” and blown out 40, 50 or 60 candles on your cake, would you wear a pair of Doc Martens with a mini skirt?

Or how about a red flowing kaftan with chunky jewellery?

Well six women in their 70s and 80s are happy to do just that.

I caught the documentary Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4 last week. It followed six women who refuse to settle for being golden oldies. No tweed skirt or twinset and pearls for them. Instead they shop at Gap and Topshop.

They refuse to become “invisible” older women in beige blouses, fading into the background. They wear leather trousers, biker jackets, scarlet turbans and leggings and don’t give a monkey’s if people stare in the street.

“Mutton dressed as a lamb” isn’t an accusation that bothers them. They’re too busy enjoying life to the full.

Those six feisty females lit up my week.

It wasn’t just their bold sense of style which was inspirational, it was their “can do” attitude.

Daphne Selfe, 85, is a much sought after model with long silver grey hair. Gillian Lynne, 87, can do the splits and looks fabulous. Sue Kreitzman loves the colour red and searches out “in your face” clothes. Jean Woods, 75, cuts her hair in a Mary Quant bob and likes grungy fashion and scarlet lipstick.

They’ve come through the tough tests of life ill health, losing a partner, facing disappointments but they refuse to be beaten.

Their message was clear you have to fight ageing all the way.

“You musn’t let it in,” said Gillian. “You musn’t let it win.”

So they run, do yoga, go dancing or cycling. They don’t submit to sore knees or aching hips. They have fun choosing their clothes and refuse to “dress their age” and look like a Greek grandmother.

Good on them.

I sometimes go into big city centre stores and look at the “classic range” and it makes my heart sink. Is it really time for navy cardies, brown slacks and dresses with busy old lady patterns?

Why shouldn’t women (and men) have the confidence to wear the clothes they’ve always liked?

It’s about attitude. It’s about getting to an age where you know who you are and what you want. It’s also what allows oldies to say what they think. And why not? They’ve earned the privilege.

Life is for living to the full every day.

You crave a scarlet feather boa? You still fit that purple mini? Or the kaftan? Winkle picker shoes? Why not?

Age is a state of mind. Don’t settle. Be as outrageous as you want.

If not now when?