5 films to watch for interior design inspiration
5 films to watch for interior design inspiration

Lauren Heskin

This once-dilapidated Dublin home is warm with Scandi influences
This once-dilapidated Dublin home is warm with Scandi influences

Orla Neligan

16 festive Christmas stockings you won’t want to take down in a hurry
16 festive Christmas stockings you won’t want to take down in a hurry

Sarah Gill

Taoiseach of Grá: Mark Mehigan’s journey from roasting to romance
Taoiseach of Grá: Mark Mehigan’s journey from roasting to romance

Edaein OConnell

Paul Flynn’s roast leg of lamb with creamy pesto tomatoes
Paul Flynn’s roast leg of lamb with creamy pesto tomatoes

IMAGE

‘I feel like my smartphone is a better mother than I can ever be’
‘I feel like my smartphone is a better mother than I can ever be’

Sophie White

68% of Irish people in their late 20s are living at home — so how is it impacting their sex lives?
68% of Irish people in their late 20s are living at home — so how...

Sarah Gill

Tights! Candles! Action! It’s time to winter and unhook our metaphorical mind bras
Tights! Candles! Action! It’s time to winter and unhook our metaphorical mind bras

Esther O'Moore Donohoe

Putting up the Christmas tree with kids: A parent’s survival guide
Putting up the Christmas tree with kids: A parent’s survival guide

Amanda Cassidy

‘We were terrified of what was to come’: Dad opens up about his daughter’s birth
‘We were terrified of what was to come’: Dad opens up about his daughter’s birth

Amanda Cassidy

Image / Fashion

Can I wear a leather mini dress over the age of 40?


By Marie Kelly
12th Oct 2018
Can I wear a leather mini dress over the age of 40?

I saw this white leather dress on the Topshop website and I thought wow…

Leather wrap mini dress, Boutique, €295 at topshop.com

It instantly caught my eye, not because it’s leather, but because it has a beautiful drape and an elegant silhouette. But I did quickly think: a white leather mini dress at the age of 44? Can I do that? I see plenty of women my age and older on Instagram who could totally pull this off. Kate Moss would look exquisite in it… but me? I’m not sure. It feels just a little bit Blondie for my personality (unlike Moss, there’s not an iota of rock chic in me).

Whether you can “get away” with an item of clothing has much less to do with your age than your personality, doesn’t it? In truth it’s not my age that’s troubling me, it’s the fear of not looking true to myself, of appearing like I’m trying to be someone I’m not, or that I’m simply playing copycat. Imitation may be the best form of flattering, but it’s the worst way to approach your wardrobe.

So I’ve decided to say no this beauty. But all is not lost because I’ve since come across this exquisite leather dress by Maison Margiella. The scariest thing about this piece isn’t the fabric or leg length, it’s the price… and I mean the discounted price! And why will this leather mini dress work for me when the other won’t? Because the fluid silhouette feels right for me and the minimal detailing reflects my own personal style beautifully.

Leather shift, Maison Margiela, €925 (was €3,082) at farfetch.com

I feel comfortable looking at it, not quizzical, as I did with the Topshop piece. Now I just need to get my head around the price tag…