How To Dress For Menopause

I know what you may be asking, what would a 38 year old know about Menopause?

For more than twenty years I've had the opportunity to style many friends, family and clients who were at the height of their menopause.

I understand menopause symptoms can be unfriendly, unyielding, and unwelcome and choosing clothes to wear when you’re going through it can be a challenge. It may be that your body shape is changing/has changed and you may well be suffering from some of the side effects such as hot flushes and mood changes, all of which can be a real confidence drain. I know a style tip or two that will help to make sure your wardrobe works for you- your body and your lifestyle. Let me give you confidence and show you that you can look chic and stylish through menopause!

Understand Your Body Shape

One of most common changes that occur during menopause is a thickening of the waist. You may be someone who once had an indented waist and now find that you are fuller here. It may be that you have a fuller bust or that you are now fuller on your bottom half compared to your top half. Alternatively, you may find that you have less fullness in your bust or now have a flatter bottom, for example.

Your body is an amazing thing, it keeps you alive and able to enjoy doing what you do day after day- and it adapts to many lifestyle and hormonal changes along the way. If your body shape has changed, I understand it can take time to adjust. Be kind to yourself. The styles you confidently knew suited you and were your ‘go to’s’ no longer fit in the same way. I hear this time and again and I know just how unsettling and confidence-zapping it can be. 
If this has happened to you, I’d urge you to take a look in the mirror and re-evaluate your shape. There is no judgement here. There is no one body shape that is better than any other, so try to be objective and simply look at the relationship between your shoulders and hips (are they in line or is one wider than another?) and the extent of curvature you have at your waist, plus your breasts and bottom. This will enable you to work out your shape and you can then begin to understand which styles of clothes will work really well for you.

Don't Hide

Please deter from the temptation to choose clothes to ‘hide’ in. You are still very much YOU and choosing clothes that feel like you, rather than hiding in black, baggy and shapeless clothes, can be a big mood lifter. I am an advocate for dressing the way you want to feel. Studies have shown that here is a proven connection between what you wear and how you feel. I would encourage you to not forsake your own sense of style and identity.

Rather than hiding everything away with oversized silhouettes, which can often make you look larger than what you really are, I would look for flattering details on an item that highlight your assets! Another suggestion is to create balance - if you are wearing something voluminous on one half of your body, wear something body-skimming on the other half.

Choose Natural Fabrics

While you’re contending with hot flushes its important to think about the fabrics you are going to wear. then you need to think fabric, fabric, fabric. Natural fibres rather than synthetics will make the world of difference in helping to regulate your body temperature. So think cotton (100% cotton, not cottons mixed with synthetic fibres), linens, bamboo, wool, cashmere, and hemp. Silk, while lightweight and breathable is a tricky one. It does have a cooling effect which is great for body temperature. But, it does not wick moisture, it can leave watermarks and easily retains odor. So, I’d suggest wearing silk as an outer layer, not touching your skin directly, if you are prone to sweat. Wick resistant materials that pull moisture away from the body allowing it to naturally evaporate are also good. These are often used in sports clothing.

Opt For Open Necklines.

I would recommenced avoiding high necklines such as polo and even crew necks as they can trap in heat and offer less air circulation. Alternatively, choose scoops necks, v-necks or sweetheart necklines that leave more of your decolletage exposed to the fresh air.

Avoid overly restrictive styles

Not only is snug clothing more likely to make you hot and exacerbate sweating. Rather than choosing skinny leg trousers, for example, maybe choose a straight leg/wide leg style if this suits you, or if it’s warmer outside, choose cropped trousers that leave more of your legs exposed or culottes which allow more air circulation. The same applies to tops and dresses, choose those that aren’t skin tight. This doesn’t mean choosing completely shapeless clothing that can add unwanted volume, it simply means choosing styles that are perhaps more oversized in their construction – a button down shirt, a pleated skirt, linen trousers.

Choosing flattering colours & prints

It’s true that some colours show perspiration more than others, so if this is a potential issue for you choose the darker colours from your colour palette. You’ll always look more healthy and vibrant wearing colours up near your face that really suit your colouring, so this doesn’t mean resorting to black all the time. There are so many other dark colours – navy, aubergine, charcoal grey, chocolate brown, forest greens and so on. There are some beautiful printed pieces around at the moment and a good print can do wonders to distract and disguise. An all over print will ensure that the eye isn’t drawn anywhere in particular, so away from the arm pit, if you’re worried about sweat marks or away from the waistline, if this is an area you’d rather not draw the eye. Equally, wearing a print in one specific area and a block colour in another can draw the eye to focus on highlighting an asset. for example, a printed skirt or pant will draw the eye downwards, which is great if you want to show off a fabulous pair of legs!

I've seen first hand and completely understand how menopausal changes, and other life changes, can affect how we feel and look about ourselves. I would love to help you feel confident by analysing your current wardrobe and asses your body shape and proportions to see what items work and what no longer does. I can then help you create your unique capsule wardrobe, one where you can easily mix and match items an make a variety of outfit combinations that highlight your style and showcase your personality.

Mia xx