Mimi says that when spring arrives and the sunshine becomes gentler, she sometimes takes a stroll around the neighborhood. She often spends those relaxed days off wearing overalls.
"These overalls I've been really into lately are made of a fabric that's neither too thick nor too thin, and they have a straight, wide silhouette. That means I don't have to worry about my stomach or hip line. They're also really comfortable, so I find myself reaching for them all the time."
These overalls are actually a collaboration item between Mimi and "Sunny Clouds." They're thoughtfully designed with women in their 60s in mind.
"As you get older, your shoulders get stiffer, so it's a hassle to unfasten the metal clasps and shoulder straps to put on and take off clothes. But this one has a zipper in the front, so it's easy. It's also reassuring when you need to go to the restroom while you're out (laughs)."
The back features large pockets to cover the waist area. The V-shaped shoulder straps also help prevent them from slipping down.
"Pure white overalls are nice, but this nuanced ivory color is truly versatile. You could even say there's no color it doesn't go with (laughs). It's made of a material that can be worn all year round, so it's a handy item to have. I like to wear these overalls in a nautical style."
For this outfit, I paired it with a French marine-style sailor collar blouse. The black lines on the collar and cuffs, along with the moderately stiff chambray fabric, give it a polished look, preventing it from looking too casual and allowing for a neat and tidy style.
Add a touch of nautical flair to your feet with polka-dot socks.
By the way, this sailor collar blouse has a nice length, so it looks great paired with pants or a skirt.
The tucks in the back prevent the back view from looking flat. Tucking it into bottoms will add more dimension and change the overall impression.
"A V-neck cardigan would be a good choice for outerwear. I think it really brings out the cuteness of the sailor collar design, don't you think?"
Let's try styling these ivory overalls in a few more ways. For slightly chilly weather, choose a thick hoodie. Even a casual combination can look sophisticated if you stick to a monochrome palette. Because these overalls have a wide silhouette, you can wear a thick knit or sweatshirt underneath without the silhouette becoming distorted, maintaining a neat and tidy look.
"I like both the look of a hoodie with a firm, upright hood and the look of one that's become soft and worn after many washes, so I plan to wear it for a long time and enjoy both looks."
These overalls have a supple texture, and another great feature is that the hems are easy to roll up.
"By making the length shorter and letting your socks show, the overall look will have a lighter feel."
Another outfit using the same overalls. Continuing with the marine theme, Mimi chose a sweatshirt with a whale design on the back.
"If you pair it with white sneakers for a monochrome look, the playful whale peeking out just a little will surely draw attention!"
- Items to wear
Overalls:Sunny Clouds feat. Mimi Cotton Twill Overalls¥ 8,690 (tax included)Click here for product details
Sailor tops:Sunny Clouds feat. Mimi Chambray Sailor Shirt¥ 6,490 (tax included)Click here for product details
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
Next, Mimi picked up a pair of black overalls with a slightly sleeker design than the previous pair.
"I also tried pairing this with a sailor-collar blouse. It's a similar combination, but just changing the color completely changes the atmosphere."
(Left) A crisp white linen blouse adds a light touch to a monochrome outfit. The double-button design further enhances the nautical feel."There's only one row of buttonholes, so it's easy to put on and take off."
(Right) The silhouette falls straight down from the waist, creating the effect of making your legs look longer and slimmer.
The amazing thing about black overalls is that they can easily go with even the most unique colors.
"Purple can easily look too mature when paired with skirts and such. But by mixing different styles and adding a playful touch, you can easily incorporate it into your look. This time, I've moved away from French marine style for a bit and gone for a boyish look with overalls and a cap. Plus, I've mixed in a rock-inspired touch with studded shoes!"
(Left) The blouse, with plenty of gathers on both the sleeves and back, pairs well with the V-shaped back style of the overalls.
(Right) The studs on the shoes and the polka dot pattern on the socks are coordinated.
- Items to wear
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
Mimi's next thing she wants to try after overalls is an all-in-one outfit.
"Lately, it seems to have become a staple item, whether I'm walking around town, looking at social media, or reading magazines, so I thought it might be time for me to wear it confidently even in my 60s (laughs). Trying out new clothes is so much fun because I get to think about how to wear them, and it really stimulates my brain."
Tying the sleeves around her waist was another styling trick Mimi wanted to try. It's amazing how this simple addition instantly gives off a more "fashion-forward" vibe compared to a regular pants outfit.
"Now that I'm in my 60s, I've started to feel a little hesitant about wearing standard items like striped tops... But when I choose something with a more sophisticated design, like a textured pique knit fabric or a curled neckline, I feel like I can wear it comfortably."
- Items to wear
- *You will be redirected to the Felissimo official website.
[Mimi's Fashion Class] Retrospective Interview
—Overalls are an item that feels both nostalgic and new at the same time.
"That's right! Overalls were a staple item even when I was younger. But back then, they were all rough and boyish designs... Now, there are many with a sleek design that's easy to incorporate into everyday wear, so it's interesting to be able to think about coordinating outfits in a completely different way."
—Besides marine-themed styles, what other styles would suit you?
"To avoid looking too casual, I recommend sticking to chic colors. Start with clothes that have a calm atmosphere and gradually mix and match different styles; that should be fun."
—Besides this outfit, are there any other styles you'd like to try?
"At my previous workplace, there was a male colleague with great fashion sense who always wore his overalls with one strap undone. I thought that relaxed look was really cool, and I wanted to try it myself. Once I get a little more used to it, I want to experiment with different styles and find my own 'one-strap-undone look'."
Profile
Mimi
65 years old, 167cm tall. Lives with cats in an apartment in the suburbs of Kochi Prefecture. Started a YouTube channel in her 60s."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
