"When I say 'adventure items,' I don't mean anything more than choosing a slightly different material than usual, or changing the colors you pair them with. For example, this skirt looks like an ordinary skirt from a distance, but it's actually quilted and very warm. Even though it's the same item as usual, just being a little adventurous with the texture makes it look much more stylish and lifts your spirits."
Moreover, this skirt has a soft, quilted feel that doesn't cling to your body shape, and the elastic waistband and buckle belt allow you to adjust the size, so you can tuck in your top without worry. It looks like a wrap skirt, but it's not actually wrapped, so there's no need to worry about it coming undone.
Furthermore, instead of choosing safe black or gray tops and outerwear as usual, this time I ventured a little further and chose a green knit and a khaki fleece. Just that alone elevates the look from "somewhat ordinary" to "a little bit stylish!"
- Items to wear
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
"I used to love wearing heavy, thick Melton wool coats, but now that I'm in my 60s, that's absolutely impossible (laughs). When choosing outerwear, 'lightness' has become my number one requirement."
However, a bulky black down jacket like this might give off a heavy, cumbersome impression...
So, Mimi paired it with this dress. Her strategy was to balance the down jacket with the lightness of the floral pattern and silhouette.
"When I was younger, a dress with an all-over floral pattern felt like the ultimate adventure! But now that I'm in my 60s, I feel like I can wear it with ease. Maybe it's because it compensates for the loss of firmness and vibrancy in my face and body (laughs)."
The pattern, which combines several types of flowers such as Christmas roses and snowdrops, has a large proportion of white, giving it a gentle and elegant feel. The slimming effect of the black at the chest and cuffs is also a welcome feature, as it prevents the garment from looking bulky.
"A voluminous down jacket and a light, floral dress complement each other perfectly. It's a winter-appropriate outfit, and it's easy to try if you keep the whole look monochrome."
- Items to wear
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
Next, Mimi picked up an item aptly named the "Frilly Shirt." The deep V-neck of the jumper dress beautifully showcases the frills.
"If a woman in her 60s were to pair this jumper dress with a plain knit or shirt, I think she would need to add accessories or use a bold lip color to avoid looking dull. But with so many luxurious frills, you can simply wear it and instantly make it a dress for going out! Frills can be a bit adventurous, but if you think of them as acting as accessories or even makeup, they're a powerful ally."
If you look closely, you'll see that the frills on the chest are adorned with cutwork lace embroidery, and the collar and cuffs feature tucked frills that look like folded fabric—it's a very elaborate design!
I threw on a padded shirt as an outer layer and headed out for a quick trip. The blue of the shirt stands out against the brown outfit.
"Apparently, brown is the trend color this winter!"
- Items to wear
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
"Every time I see young people in the city wearing stylish outfits with different patterns, I've always felt envious. But I feel like it wouldn't suit people our age and would just stick out. Even when I try to wear it, I just don't feel comfortable..."
So, those in their 60s can counter with experience, wisdom, and ingenuity! With that in mind, Mimi has come up with a way to easily combine two of our favorite check patterns.
This technique involves using bottoms that "look solid but are actually checked." Even an adventurous knit sweater with a striking bright yellow check pattern can be paired with culottes featuring a fine checkered pattern, allowing you to enjoy a pattern-on-pattern outfit without any difficulty.
"I think that when it comes to fashion in your 60s, what matters more than how others see you is how you feel about yourself. So I recommend outfits that make you secretly excited, like, 'I'm wearing check on check right now!'"
そ し て,"Actually, there's another adventure technique I'd really like you to try this winter."According to Mimi, the key is to let frills or lace peek out from the neckline and cuffs of a knit top. For example, try wearing the frilled shirt that appeared in the previous outfit, No. 03, under a knit top...
"See? Isn't it absolutely gorgeous? Just layering shirts with such intricate designs gives off the impression that you're not skimping on style."
- Items to wear
トップス：A checkered sweater I fell in love with (brown)¥ 6,490 (tax included)Click here for product details
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
Mimi's Fashion Class Retrospective Interview
—Having adventure items would make coordinating outfits more fun, wouldn't it?
"That's right! For our generation, having fun is incredibly important. In the past, even when I saw street style features in fashion magazines and thought, 'I'd love to wear clothes like that,' I'd often give up, thinking, 'That's impossible for someone in their 60s.' But when I started prioritizing the feeling of 'That's lovely, I'd love to wear that' when choosing clothes, the enjoyment of fashion doubled! I started to feel excited every day. Basic clothes offer a sense of security, but it's easy to end up wearing the same outfit for decades without realizing it. I think it's a waste for people in their 60s, who have the freedom to choose their clothes as they please, to do that. I'd like to start by incorporating one adventurous piece into your outfit that you wouldn't have chosen before."
—And it seems like it would be easier to incorporate adventure items into your wardrobe during this time of year.
"In summer, when you often wear simple two-piece outfits, each item makes up a large portion of your outfit, so it might be difficult to experiment with different styles. However, if you're layering in winter, it won't stand out as much, so I don't think it's that difficult to try."
—But still, I feel uneasy about taking on an adventure…
"There's no need to be so scared. Nobody's going to get mad at you for making a mistake! Fashion adventures can sometimes end in failure, but I think that's what makes it fun. By learning from your mistakes, thinking about them, and trying again, your fashion horizons will expand dramatically. If your color combinations don't quite work out, you can just hide it with a basic-colored coat for the day, and if you keep trying new things like, 'Maybe this outfit will work?', you're sure to find your absolute favorite outfit."
Profile
Mimi
64 years old, 167cm tall. Lives with cats in an apartment in the suburbs of Kochi Prefecture. Started a YouTube channel at age 61."Mimi's life"She runs a website where she shares ideas about daily life, including clothing, food, and shelter. She has also authored numerous books on fashion and styling, including her latest work, "Rethinking Fashion in Your 60s: Wear Clothes That Let You Enjoy the Present" (Shufu to Seikatsu Sha).
*Items without a credit listed are Mimi's personal belongings.
*Unless otherwise stated, the size Mimi is wearing is MT.
Plan:Lifestyle and Fashion Editorial Office
Photo: Hiroshi Kiyonaga
