Chic in Paris, by Scott Schuman

As a fan of The Sartorialist website, a compilation of photographs taken of people on the street that catch photographer Scott Schuman’s eye, I am particularly intrigued by the women of a certain age.   These photographs capture women who are comfortable in their skin and living a life that’s fearlessly original and modern rather than cautious and expected.

It is most assuredly a challenge.  We live in a world that deifies youth and yet, Schuman affords the reader an opportunity to admire individual style and taste that can only be acquired with age.

In addition to looking terrific, by the time you’re 50+ you will (hopefully) be rid of that inner voice that drones on about what you’re not but instead, purrs sweetly about what you are.  At this point in your life, you are (again, hopefully) surrounded by friends who adore you, who wish you well and who will step in when you’re wearing too much blush.  Finally, you can be exactly the kind of person you’ve always admired: Someone fabulous.

Finally, you can be exactly the kind of person you’ve always admired: Someone fabulous

But how do you get there?

The road to fabulous starts at self-acceptance.  Your fate is sealed: You will never be taller or shorter, clerk for a Supreme Court Justice, or walk the catwalk for Marc Jacobs (unless of course you’re Lauren Hutton who by the way, hasn’t had any plastic surgery and looks glamorous and gorgeous) but that’s okay.  You are divine as long as you believe in yourself. Rather than landing, you are still taking off – growing, learning, evolving, changing and being hip to the zeitgeist. Your age is irrelevant because your attitude (and style) make it irrelevant.  You still see opportunities ahead – you’re not done.  Not at all done and that’s because you’re driven to push and challenge yourself.  Counterintuitive as it may sound, 50+ is the perfect time in your life to jettison a fear of failure and just focus on the exuberance of accomplishing a goal.

So you must be passionate about something.  Maybe everything.  But something has to compel you, drive you batty with plans, and force you to keep setting goals (like write a book at the age of 57?) You must allow that passion to be your launch pad.  You’re about to throw caution to the wind and wallow in the excitement of your life.  Remember, you know who you are and what you’re capable of.  The days of self-doubt are behind you.  You can’t waste a minute trying to please everyone – the only one you need to please is yourself.

Can you imagine the fun you’re going to have when all the self-negating thoughts are banished and you can look in the mirror and see a woman who has lived a full life and still has many more opportunities ahead of her? I get goose bumps. 

About Ellen

After earning her undergraduate degree in communications and then a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL), Ellen Lubin-Sherman went to work for some of NYC’s top communications firms, advising top tier brands including The Gap, Perrier Water, and Martha Stewart. In 1998 Ellen started her own company, specializing in brand awareness for lifestyle and beauty products. Four years later Ellen repositioned her eponymous company to become LAUNCH, a coaching and consulting firm for business leaders and corporations who need to craft the visuals and the messages that will burnish their reputation as leaders and differentiate them in the marketplace. 

Today, in addition to executive coaching and consulting, Ellen is the author of THE ESSENTIALS OF FABULOUS: Because "Whatever" Doesn't Work Here Anymore,as well as a sought-after speaker for companies and groups that are desperate to know how they can become 'Fabulous.’