Limited Edition

Should being spotted in Cornwall this summer in the same printed Boden tunic top as every other London mum be a sartorial concern, worry not. The brand's new and exclusive, Limited Edition collection is available from 11 February 2011. This is a premium line with a 'quieter colour palette,' a focus on luxurious fabrics and a panic-in-the-heart-of-Fulham-inducing slogan, 'Once it's gone, it's gone for good.'

The silk tunic top and printed silk dress are both £95, and the knitted sequin jacket below comes in at £250 - and to give you an idea of quantities, there are only 300 sparkly pieces in existence.

Now, some may think that going upmarket is just another attention-grabbing story designed to gain extra press coverage and if they're lucky, appeal to royal-bride-to-be and potential MObama-style, money-spinner, Kate Middleton. But M&S have a Limited Collection and Hobbs have a Limited Edition range, so what's wrong with 'Posh Boden?'

And now for an admission. I like Johnnie Boden. One of my really good friends worked at Boden back in the early days (when there were only five people in the office, including the boss and his wife) and I've always found him to be charming and friendly. He once told me that his style icon is David Niven and his hero is Paul Smith, and frankly say what you will about the overtly middle-class, Boden lifestyle but you can't fault a charming man with discerning taste.

Anyhow, I'm not really a Boden-wearer myself, I have a black jersey maxi dress that I take on holiday every year and I quite like the kid's clothes (on other people's kids, I don't have my own) but that's about it. So, people it's over to you. What do you think of Posh Boden?

Your purse is on fire!

This week's most-wanted is a gorgeous DAKS kilt. Worn Mitford-style with a simple sweater and mannish brogues, as we're all grown-ups there's no need to dwell on the ankle socks. Despite the fact that the first kilt I ever owned - a lovely red tartan number - ended its days as a duster after I'd taken the scissors to it during a Bay City Roller-inspired frenzy, I've always had a penchant for pleated skirts.

Having quit Girl Guide's after a week (it just wasn't the same as Brownies), I had a uniform and a weekday evening going spare. Like a young Tracey Emin, without the dancing, cider and sex, I stitched a frayed tartan trim around the collar and cuffs, and E-R-I-C in big wonky plaid letters across the back of the cornflower blue shirt. Looking back, I should have left the kilt alone and worked on the unmade bed.

A year of blogging dangerously

Not wanting to be outdone by HRH, That's Not My Age has gone one better: three birthdays. So, July 14 2008 is the anniversary of my first style-over-forty post (featuring Mary Portas, of course), August 23 2009, the anniversary of my first trip out as an amateur style spotter with photographer, Fashionistable and August 25 2009 is the date of one's second blog post, or my official Blog Day, when things really got serious. So, a whole year has passed since two forty-something females decided that chasing strangers down the street with a camera was a good idea, and to celebrate there was coffee and cake and a couple of photos:

Aerobics teacher, Laura Avanti (above) enjoys mixing old and new, high street and designer. Anita's easy-going style is reflected in her choice of handbags. A Chloé leather number on one arm and a shoulder bag made out of an old Armani skirt on the other.



For a cool summer look, Anita Sobti teams natural fabrics - a silk over-shirt and linen trousers - with some top notch accessories, and always follows her father's advice: whatever your budget, whatever you wear, do it with confidence.


Happy Birthday to me! Another 99 years and I'll get a telegram.

Summer boots

That's Not My Age has spent the weekend wearing a pair of fabulous new boots. No they're not Balmain or Balenciaga, these beauties are from outdoor footwear specialist, Brasher. Mr TNMA and I are fond of a weekend stroll and fed up with traipsing around in a pair of old trainers, I opted for some serious footwear. But this presented a serious style challenge. How to wear proper walking boots without looking like a member of the Countryside Alliance?

First, leave the utility jacket alone - Kate Middleton goes grouse-shooting is not the look we're after here - and when in doubt, turn to the grand dame of sporty chic for inspiration:




A Breton top is perfect for the riverside ramble but add a sensible rucksack and suddenly I'm feeling more Edmund Hillary than Coco Chanel:



But check out those sunglasses - I'll have some of that! This pair from Linda Farrow should do the trick:



They may not have platform heels and a designer price tag but as far as I'm concerned my new ankle boots are the cat's pyjamas. Back in the olden days when That's Not My Age was a student, I thought Dr Marten's were the only boots I'd ever wear (then I grew up and got a job!) and I have a similar feeling now. There's a strong possibility that I might wake up in the morning and slip my new Brashers on - and if I do, I'd like to look something like this:




Ever owned a pair of shoes you never want to take off?

Photos

Balmain boots: mytheresa.com
Coco Chanel: A Century of Fashion Francois Baudot
Edmund Hillary: Time
Linda Farrow sunglasses: Net-a-Porter
Gorgeous girl in hiking boots: The Sartorialist

Fashion beyond forty

Oh I'm more than happy to blather on for days on end about my favourite topic - style at any age - even happier when someone else does it for me! Especially when it's a proper fashion expert. This week, fabulous fashion writer and all-round lovely person, Iain R Webb talks to That's Not My Age about fashion beyond forty:

Having worked as fashion director of Harper's & Queen and The Times my readers were looking for fashion that was wider reaching than simply catwalk driven trends.

My best advice would be to take a look at what's going on at the collections but essentially do your own thing, pick and choose what suits you. Stylish women and designers with any kind of personality and longevity (from Coco Chanel to Dries Van Noten) are the ones who established their look early on and have developed it regardless of fashion's comings and goings. Sometimes they collide with fashion but more often than not they remain quite sensibly aloof from the madness.



The great thing about being over 40 (ahem!) is that you're pretty sure of your own style and shouldn't be too bothered with the need to jump on every trend being pushed by an industry hungry for new, new, new. Let the teen queens, pop princesses and their stylists tear each others hair extensions out over who was first off the mark with 'nude' or 'tribal'!

During my time in the industry I have been lucky to work with many amazingly stylish women. One of the highlights: At Harper's & Queen I got to style Honor Blackman (the original Avengers action girl) for a 1960s inspired fashion shoot. It was a thrill to work with someone who was so self-assured and down right sexy! I dressed her in leather trousers (I think they were classic Agnes B) and unfussy Chanel-type jackets that reflected her Avengers look. Timeless fashion.







Indulge in those coveted investment pieces. Although you might automatically think investment pieces need to be classic and perhaps a tad boring I actually feel that they should be anything that you REALLY love. Something that you will take delight in forever, regardless of fashions whims. Something that is special. That might be that perfect plain cashmere sweater (if you find one that suits I would recommend the old trick of buying two) or an original 1920s Fortuny evening cape, 1970s Bill Gibb knit kimono coat or a 1980s Vivienne Westwood Nostalgia of Mud sheepskin (check out Kerry Taylor Auctions or any local vintage fashion fairs) - a one-off that will garner you compliments and a little envy whenever you wear it! Enjoy!




For more fashion beyond forty check out 'In your forties and nothing to wear?' An interview with J.Crew, creative director, Jenna Lyons, 41, by Lisa Armstrong at timesonline.

Actually, I can't let this go without sticking my oar in...That's Not My Age has had a J. Crew preview (the collection is set to launch in the UK, in May at Net-a-Porter) and here are my favourite pieces:




And in true Dries Van Noten-style, I will be wearing the boyfriend fatigue jacket and stripe boat neck dress together. Thank you Iain R Webb!


Iain R Webb's latest book, Postcards From The Edge Of The Catwalk (ACC Publishing) - a personal photographic portfolio with over 500 images, spanning three decades, 'I took them all from my front row seat or at parties/events surrounding the international collections brouhaha!' - is out September/October.



Photos
Dries Van Noten catwalk shots: style.com

Honor Blackman
Polaroid: Cindy Palmano courtesy of the lovely Iain R Webb
Portrait 1: honorblackman.co.uk
Portrait 2: The Independent

Fortuny dress: 20th Century Fashion. Valerie Mendes/Amy de la Haye



PS How gorgeous is Honor Blackman?

Middle aged crush

This week That's Not My Age has discovered that you're never too old for a teenage crush. Friends say I should get out more, Mr That's Not My Age rightly points out that this kind of behaviour is bad form when you're going steady, but he's in the other room watching telly - and anyway, this is important research. I may be a school girl at heart, but I can multi-task like a grown-up. And to prove it, I have not one, but two crushes on the go at the same time:

1. Tilda Swinton
Joining the ranks of Mary Portas and Jane Birkin on That's Not My Age's best-dressed list, the Scottish actor has got style in spades. Her red carpet outfits are inspired, her beauty other-worldly and she knows how to rock the androgynous look. I can't wait for I Am Love, directed by Luca Guadagnino and featuring Tilda Swinton, 49, (who learned Italian for the part) looking super-chic in Raf Simons for Jil Sander. The film's out on April 9, so until then some stylish snaps to keep me going....



Looking lovely in Lanvin at the 2009 Oscars (Swinton wore Lanvin and won an Oscar in 2008).



Dressed-down chic at the 2009 Venice Film Festival. That's Not My Age loves this combination of silky neutrals.


Click here for a short preview


2. Professor Brian Cox

The 42 year old 'rock star physicist' and presenter of the BBC's fabulous new series, Wonders of the Solar System has to be the happiest man on the planet. Prof Brian Cox is so enthusiastic about his subject matter, he makes physics seem interesting, honest.



Last night, the ex-keyboard player from D:Ream (remember New Labour and Things Can Only Get Better?) even managed a smile whilst dodging a twister in Oklahoma, 'Apparently we've got five minutes till the end of the world,' he laughed, jumping into his car for cover. According to the Daily Mail, Prof Brian spent the night before his A level maths exam at the Hacienda, he got a D but went on to gain a first class honours degree and a PhD in physics. PBC has worked on the Large Hadron Collider, famously saying (in his lovely northern accent), 'Anyone who thinks the LHC will destroy the world is a twat.'

A star is born.

And if Mr TNMA is reading this, I'd just like to point out that the Facebook group 'Professor Brian Cox can collide with me anytime' has nothing to do with me.

Watch the starry wonder on BBCiPlayer



Have you got a middled age crush, or two?



Photos

I Am Love: The Guardian

Tilda Swinton: nymag.com

Brian Cox www.edge.org