Birkin & Rodin: Autonomously chic at 60+
My girl crush on Jane Birkin is probably eternal, despite a rather dismissive interview published here.
I still avoid any shop where I couldn't imagine running into her. (Le Duc once said, surveying a crowd at a rooftop bar, "Not one woman here looks like Jane Birkin". I guess the crush is family-wide.)
However, like any crush, you eventually have your head turned by others, and these days I–and many other women–admire American Linda Rodin, former stylist and model, current skin-care entrepreneur.
She is quirkier, more costumey and recherché than Birkin (as you would expect from a stylist), and makes that grey hair look terrific. (She cuts it herself, gets weekly blowouts and uses Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo.)
But she also has a definite commonsense streak, and that no-nonsense glamour appeals to me. Rodin has said:
"I don't buy anything I can't wash." She buys Uniqulo $39 jeans in quantity.
"I’m a creature of habit, and I’m easy. I can’t bear to do anything with my hair—I’ve been wearing it up for the past 10 years and I cut it myself. I started going gray at 35, and I just let it go."
"I can’t always afford to buy designers—unless they’re on sale... I only buy designers for very special things and for handbags and shoes."
She mixes these with items from discounters, department stores, markets or little shops she finds on her travels, searching for pieces like the vintage Czech blouse, left.
"I won’t wear high heals anymore–except maybe once a year—because I’m not comfortable. I love ballet slippers and Mary Janes and lace-up men’s shoes."
"You can't chase youth; you'll just look old with a facelift." (She mentions using restylane and getting facials monthly.)
Beyond blessed
Both are exemplars of unfussy, individual style that is the
antithesis of the strenuously-preserved image some women
in our cohort attempt in an effort to "look young".
Yes, both have maintained their lithe model figures and have beautiful bone structure.
(Before new readers jump on me, it is not their slimness that incites my admiration, it's their self-knowledge. I've been looking for ages for a rondelette Birkin equivalent; Adele might age into it, she's elegant.)
Both can afford great skincare so they can say they don't need makeup. (Birkin uses the horrifyingly expensive Sisleya, Rodin her own pricey product, Olio Lusso.)
They have access to fashion industry luminaries, which means deals, perks, gifts: considerable advantages. But let's not throw the beauty out with her bathwater: they have the eye. Each has a fondness for found treasures and personal objects, creating living spaces full of memories and meaning.
For a peek at Rodin's NYC apartment, see this slideshow at refinery29, written by Christine Barberich.
Each says that her approach is to float above the trends, to live with what they have become (though Birkin uses haircolour), to reject surgery on their faces. These are two cool girls, but also grown women. Should you stand next to them, they would look at ease.
I like it, and I'm seeing it on the street more and more, regardless of size or shape. Is it me (or where I live?) or is there a shift to more natural-looking women past 50?
I still avoid any shop where I couldn't imagine running into her. (Le Duc once said, surveying a crowd at a rooftop bar, "Not one woman here looks like Jane Birkin". I guess the crush is family-wide.)
However, like any crush, you eventually have your head turned by others, and these days I–and many other women–admire American Linda Rodin, former stylist and model, current skin-care entrepreneur.
She is quirkier, more costumey and recherché than Birkin (as you would expect from a stylist), and makes that grey hair look terrific. (She cuts it herself, gets weekly blowouts and uses Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo.)
 |
| Photo: IntotheGloss.com |
 |
| Photo: Refinery29 |
"I don't buy anything I can't wash." She buys Uniqulo $39 jeans in quantity.
"I’m a creature of habit, and I’m easy. I can’t bear to do anything with my hair—I’ve been wearing it up for the past 10 years and I cut it myself. I started going gray at 35, and I just let it go."
"I can’t always afford to buy designers—unless they’re on sale... I only buy designers for very special things and for handbags and shoes."
She mixes these with items from discounters, department stores, markets or little shops she finds on her travels, searching for pieces like the vintage Czech blouse, left.
"I won’t wear high heals anymore–except maybe once a year—because I’m not comfortable. I love ballet slippers and Mary Janes and lace-up men’s shoes."
"You can't chase youth; you'll just look old with a facelift." (She mentions using restylane and getting facials monthly.)
Beyond blessed
 |
| Photo: Sarah Lee for The Guardian |
Yes, both have maintained their lithe model figures and have beautiful bone structure.
(Before new readers jump on me, it is not their slimness that incites my admiration, it's their self-knowledge. I've been looking for ages for a rondelette Birkin equivalent; Adele might age into it, she's elegant.)
Both can afford great skincare so they can say they don't need makeup. (Birkin uses the horrifyingly expensive Sisleya, Rodin her own pricey product, Olio Lusso.)
They have access to fashion industry luminaries, which means deals, perks, gifts: considerable advantages. But let's not throw the beauty out with her bathwater: they have the eye. Each has a fondness for found treasures and personal objects, creating living spaces full of memories and meaning.
For a peek at Rodin's NYC apartment, see this slideshow at refinery29, written by Christine Barberich.
Each says that her approach is to float above the trends, to live with what they have become (though Birkin uses haircolour), to reject surgery on their faces. These are two cool girls, but also grown women. Should you stand next to them, they would look at ease.
I like it, and I'm seeing it on the street more and more, regardless of size or shape. Is it me (or where I live?) or is there a shift to more natural-looking women past 50?
Comments
I WISH I had the slim lithe model's figure. I could work harder to move that direction (knowing I will never get there because of the size of my body type.)
And yes, both of these women exemplify what I think 50+ should look like.
I
Just wanted to let you know that I have awarded your blog a "Very Inspiring Blogger" award in my latest blog post. I really appreciate your point of view and opinions on style! Thank you for the wonderful blog and I hope there will be many more posts to come.
What is more attractive on me with a small body frame is what I call slim plus 10 pounds with an actual defined waist-to-hip ratio - most women are matronly because of no waistline not because of 10 extra pounds.
The other big difference I see between boomer women and the 70+ group is they don't sign up for the ubiquitous men's wash and wear haircut or the poodle perms, many maintain longer hair.
I've contemplated letting my hair go grey, but as my experiments with blonde have taught me, I just think I look better with a bit of contrast between hair and skin. Not younger, just more *myself.*
Must go check out Rodin's apartment, I like her style here.
"Chasing youth" is all so relative. JB dresses very young, yet can pull it off beautifully because she has that long legged boyish frame. So it's all a fine line?
Skinny seems too gaunt on many older women it shows up on their faces more than women with a little extra padding.
Jane Birkin certainly seems to float above the trends. It is interesting that many of our crushes are those who do listen to different drummers.
Thank you for introducing me to Linda. Her decor is a bit out there for my tastes though!
Pam: I've been mulling for awhile whether it takes courage or just the right combination of gray and skin tone. Some of my acquaintances just plain got fed up with maintenance.
Louise: Lucky you. I would *love* to try it, just curious- but not for %$150! Thanks very much for the award.
Anon@ 8:20: I find a lot has to do with posture and vitality. I've seen the birdy women you describe but also some slim, vital women of 60+. A lot of it is manner. And as one wit said, a waist is a terrible thing to mind.
frugal: Yes, though I couldn't live amid the clutter!
LPC: I see the references between you two!
Pseu: My late, wonderful hairdresser advised any woman considering going grey to wrap a grey towel or sweater around hear head like a turban and see how she liked having much less definition between her skin and hair. he was not against grey but said he re-coloured about half the women who tried it.
Bourbon: I too think Rodin would look wonderful with more weight but remember, she is in the fashion world where being thin-thin is the thing; even if it doesn't look good to us, certain cultures really prize that.
Kathy: I though it was kind of mean; Jane Birkin has been interviewed a zillion times and why should *this* reporter expect her to dive deep and reveal her innermost soul? When a subject is slammed for not revealing enough, I think, "Good for her". I guess Jane would have to spit in my beer for me to dislike her.
hostess: While too thin is not a good look, the statistics indicate we, as a nation are moving in the other direction. That's not a defense of losing too much, just an observation that a lot of us are fighting creeping toward too much weight. Birkin has said she was once naturally thin but now has to really watch what she eats.
Rodin claims to not diet and says has has 2 glasses of wine and a small piece of chocolate per night.
That's Not My Age: I've heard Bobbi Brown say something similar, and it gives me comfort.
About gray hair. I think those of us who are turning white, not gray, are a bit more fortunate. Yes, there is very little contrast with our skin, but it's still better than a steel gray. Also, you have to remember that most hairdressers have a vested interested in continuing to do color for their clients. Perhaps the gray towel test is not entirely accurate. My issue with colored hair on older women is the harshness. I've seen a few color jobs on older women that looked good, but usually only on those who have gone lighter than their natural color. I know there must be exceptions though. The MOST important thing is to be happy with your choice. I don't know that others would choose the route that I am going with my hair, and the good news is that they don't have to!
This is such a great post today. I enjoyed reading the dismissive interview and seeing the NYC apartment (which was also a bit cluttered for me, but still quite interesting.)
There is one point I have to disagree though, you say "both can afford great skincare". With all due respect all they can afford is very expensive skincare. Let's take apart the Sisleya serum that retails for more than $500. Is it any good? Forget about the brand and the price. The only thing that matters for skin are the ingredients. Here they are:
Water, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Paraffin, Solanum Tuberosum Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Leaf Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance (Aroma), Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Linalool, Limonene
Translation: most of the $500 goes into the pockets of owner, retailer, some for marketing and packaging and more than 95% of the remaining few dollars is (drum roll please): water, glycerin, some algae (forget La Mer, algae are not skin care miracles), paraffin (think baby oil) and some potato extract (yes potatoes!). The rest (5% or less) is some silicone oil, some Vitamin E (mostly to protect the product from oxidation), preservatives (Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben) and fragrance (Fragrance (Aroma), Linalool, Limonene).
It is an outrage, it is almost robbery! I have studied cosmetics chemistry and you have to believe that not one ingredient in this can transform or even improve your skin. Not one ingredient is worth even a faction of the outrageous price, not one iota of research went into formulation. Clinique, Estee Lauder, Olay and Neutrogena (and many more brands at department stores and drugstores) have much much better formulated products at a fraction of the price.
Please believe me when I say I have no agenda here. I have nothing against Sisley, I am not going to promote any other product, I am not gaining anything from writing this (if anything I am spending my time) but it saddens me that you possibly think Sisleya is the way to good skin just based on an image.
Rodin's oil is not much better for the record. Some great plant oils which would be less luxurious but much better for skin without the fragrance. Not as special as they want us to believe and still absurdly overpriced.
With some basic knowledge you can spend that $500 on an entire regimen with great products that will have a proven benefit for your skin and will last you more than 6 months, even a year.
I apologize for my comment if you do not think it is off topic and does not add to the discussion. I could not stop myself from sharing my two cents. I do love reading your blog. Please do not waste your money on nonsense skincare. Most companies are robbing us women. Think of all the beautiful pearls you could get instead ;)
i.e.
I use mid-priced drugstore products (Nivea,Boots) because- like you (but lacking the technical knowledge)- I find skin products shockingly overpriced. But I have several French friends who swear by Sisleya and Birkin, in an interview, said it was "the best, but so expensive".
Rodin always mentions the Triad facials she gets from Dr. David Colbert- I was also thinking of their access to treatments as well as products.
There is but one skin product, ever, that I really could *see* made a difference on my skin, Clinique's
Turnaround Cream.
Rodin has to have "thin genes" regardless of her diet. Even if she is eating a healthy Mediterranean diet, or actually "eating" something, she's so thin. At least she has a bit more on her arms and legs than the frighteningly ropy Madonna. I have a rule of thumb - when I can see your tendons and blood vessels that clearly, I'm scared.
ming: A young or even midlife person with grey hair often looks novel and exotic, a 60+ person with grey hair just looks their age. Nothing wrong with looking one's age, but we do lose the effect of originality.
Anon@8:52: In a movie I doubt she is dressing herself; that sounds quite unappealing for any mature woman.
Seems to me that health and attitude are key factors to aging gracefully. Moving with vitality, and being interested in what is going on around you will always be attractive, but is perhaps harder to maintain than going for the bottle of hair dye. My mother-in-law is my best role model. She kept going at break-neck speed (travel and politics) until the age of 87, when her health started to go. She is still with us at 93, still living independently in her own flat, still as sharp as ever, but she looks her age now. I am determined to keep moving as long as I can - that´s my personal plan for the approaching old age. At some point, what you stop doing, you stop being able to do.
women. They seem different in many ways. My example of a woman of our age is Inez because of her joy and happiness and freshness.
Each to his own.......
However there are women that I come into contact with on a daily basis that I learn from and admire and my hope is that I do the same for them.
Also, I'm going to keep colouring my hair for ever (or at least for ages) as I think grey hair only looks good on about 5% of the people who have it. Mostly it just looks old to me.
Is recherché a compliment or a put down? I looked it up and it's not at all clear. Sounds like it might mean crossing the line between refined and overrefined.
chic
Love your blog so much!
I've seen barely-tinted glasses in the sunglasses section of every department store this spring.
Why not visit a store, try on a pair and see if you like them? If you need prescription lenses, I'd experiment that way first as it's a big investment.
Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend. :)