From wardrobe longevity to newfound confidence, four NZ women reveal how age has sharpened, not softened, their sense of style
For many women, style doesn’t diminish with age, it clarifies. Becoming less about trends and approval, and more about self-knowledge, pleasure and ease. And yet for mature Kiwi women, shopping for clothes that feel modern, expressive and well-made can be frustrating when fashion marketing often remains fixated on youth.
So where do women in their 60s and 70s shop when they want to feel stylish rather than sidelined? And what have decades of getting dressed taught them when it comes to what they buy new, repurchase or wear time and again?
Delving into the personal style of four local women, their wardrobes offer a peek inside fashion choices shaped by experience, conviction and joy.
Interior designer and fashion writer, Anya Mayo, has never been interested in dressing quietly, but intentionally. As she turns 60, she has been reassessing her wardrobe not out of dissatisfaction, but curiosity.
“I definitely have a ‘look’,” Mayo says. “Over the years it’s become a deep love of fabrics and how they move. I love volume, length and layering.”
Her relationship with style has shifted from being a follower of fashion to something more enduring.
“When I was younger, my focus was more trend-driven. As I moved away from brands chasing trends to designers with an overarching philosophy — sustainable, NZ-designed and made — that’s when everything changed.”
She cites designer Lela Jacobs as pivotal in this shift.
“She uses deadstock fabrics rather than producing new ones. I have pieces of hers that are 15 years old and still feel timeless.”
Mayo’s love of James Dobson’s Jimmy D label also runs deep.
“I’ve been wearing Jimmy D since he first started. I’m devastated he’s closing the full label, but I’m grateful I’ve collected pieces from his very first collection through to his last.”
For more than 30 years, every fashion item Mayo owned was black, including shoes and jewellery. “I loved layering textures of velvet, beading or fringing but you had to be close to see it.” During the pandemic, something shifted. “I realised I couldn’t bear the thought of never wearing colour for the rest of my life.”
Since then, she hasn’t bought a single black item. Whites and creams gave way to greys and taupes, and then, “I hit my colour period, and I’ve been gloriously stuck there ever since embracing saturated brights.”
Comfort has never meant compromise on style, Birkenstocks have been a constant for 40 years, while cuffed Levi’s 501s still anchor her wardrobe. Rick Owens sneakers, including a hot pink pair from Zambesi, are displayed on her dresser “because they’re too fabulous to hide”.
Lately, Mayo has been buying very little.
“I already have wardrobes full of beautiful clothes I’ll never wear out in this lifetime.” When she does shop, it’s thoughtfully: Kowtow, Company of Strangers, op shops, Trade Me and the occasional Kmart gem, like a woven raffia bucket hat for summer.
Why does she feel more stylish than ever? “Because I genuinely don’t care what people think anymore. Clothes bring me such joy, and I don’t care what people think about that either.”
Letting go of others’ opinions resonates with Rewa Harker (Ngāti Kahungunu). In her professional life, Harker, 61, balances being an advocate for better outcomes for Māori with being a model for mature modelling agency Silverfox MGMT.
Ageing has taught her not to agonise over outfits or what anyone thinks of them.
“When I was younger, I worried endlessly about what to wear. Now, being stylish means inner confidence and wearing what makes me feel good.”
She describes her style simply: “Comfortable, personal, and connected to who I am.”
Her wardrobe reflects her values, and jewellery holds particular significance, such as the earrings made by her nieces from her marae, containing tarata tree sap.
“They hold mauri. I can carry my marae with me wherever I go.”
A pounamu carved by Joe Sheehan, shaped like a pīwakawaka, is another treasured piece.
Her relationship with her body has transformed over time.
“I was so critical of myself when I was young. Now I celebrate how well my body continues to serve me.”
She dresses according to mood, politics and comfort.
“I dress for myself not for other people.”
Harker shops ethically, favouring pre-loved and local purchases. She loves Welcome Back Slow Fashion, a pre-loved online store where proceeds support Palestinian families. As for clothing, a $15 NZ-made dress found in a Henderson op shop remains one of Harker’s favourite pieces. She’s also inspired by emerging designers, last year walking for Abigail Santillan at NZ Fashion Week.
Style is a feeling more than a look for Harker.
“I like the same things I always did — I just don’t worry anymore. Maybe that confidence shows.”
Former art and design lecturer Lesley Kaiser, 78, never expected to become a fashion model, until she was spotted by Silverfox’s Rebecca Swaney in a café. That serendipity reignited her love of fashion.
She describes her style today as “elegant, grounded and relaxed”. Comfort matters and so does drape, cut and natural fabric, values shaped by her upbringing in London with a mother who was a costume designer.
Kaiser has always kept clothes for decades.
“I intuitively pick up on trends, but I’ve always opted for timeless classics.”
Her wardrobe includes worn-in Levi’s from her 20s, linen shirts, wide-legged trousers and a Dolce & Gabbana jacket rescued from a hospice shop.
Modelling exposed her to a new generation of New Zealand designers and she now regularly wears the likes of Moochi, Karen Walker, Claudia Li and YouKnow Clothing.
She also shops less now, favouring her “bottom drawer” instead, but allows herself one indulgence a year, most recently a beaded Deco-style top that caught her eye.
Kaiser’s best style advice?
“Always wear shoes you can move gracefully in. Stick to what feels comfortable, both physically and ethically.”
Having a long career in fashion retail, Gayleen Hamilton, 68, understands fashion instinctively. Her style today is built around a curated collection of neutrals featuring denim, grey marle and cream, brought to life with texture, tailoring and accessories.
“I’m wearing fewer bright colours now,” she says. “I’m more interested in cut, fabric and unusual pairings.”
Menswear influences abound in Hamilton’s wardrobe, favouring oversized blazers, trousers and crisp white shirts.
“I have always been inquisitive about why and how things work fashion-wise, so I’m always intrigued to play with different pairings to create a look that works for me. I get excited when I find something that I’ve had in my wardrobe forever and it becomes the finishing touch that I was searching for to complete my outfits.”
Her relationship with her body has shifted after illness.
“I’m a survivor. That changes everything.”
She now favours structured silhouettes, elegant draping and thoughtful layering.
Hamilton shops less often but mindfully, always checking fabrication and prioritising natural fibres. She supports New Zealand designers like Rebe and Harris Tapper, alongside international labels Camilla and Marc, St Agni, Tibi, and is a fan of Bottega Veneta for timeless accessories.
“My style now reflects an honest representation of who I am. Someone who is confident and comfortable with themselves. I love to see someone who has put themselves together beautifully. I hope that’s me, embracing life with an easy grace.”
More on fashion
Pace and precision: Auckland-based fashion brand Harris Tapper’s success is a study in restraint. Sarah Gould Harris and Lauren Tapper say the secret to success is removing the guesswork.
The year of manufacturing the body. And booty. And boobs. Fashion has begun exaggerating the female form like never before. What’s going on?
Birkenstock steps into high bridal fashion. The popular sandal company is collaborating with the brand Danielle Frankel.
Viva shopping guide: Consider long skirts for ensembles that are easy and breezy. Polka dots, plaids and stripes add interest for everyday wear.