Menopause gives many a woman cause for mixed emotions. There's some relief about no longer enduring a monthly cycle, but there are also some disturbing changes that take place that can challenge her body confidence. Don't let menopause get you down. It's not the end, just transitioning to a new phase of life.
Say hello to breezy and comfortable
When you were younger, your wardrobe probably prioritized form-fitting clothing and ignored discomfort from something that didn’t fit quite right. You’re much wiser now than you were then, so why are you still wearing things that make you uncomfortable? Looser shapes and lighter fabrics look better on the middle-aged “spread,” and are much more accommodating when a hot flash strikes. Look for loose but well-fitted cotton shirts, tunic dresses, skirts, and trousers. Maxi dresses are particularly versatile and can be altered and adapted to fit your body.
Flaunt your legs with fun tights
Nobody has legs like Tina Turner, but the right pair of tights can help you fake it. Patterned tights and stockings can help disguise spider or varicose veins, and can create the illusion of narrower ankles or more shapely calves. As if that’s not enough, tights often come with tummy-flattening and rear end-shaping elastic to nip and tuck the areas you feel most self-conscious about.
Get some new bras
Don’t book that appointment with the plastic surgeon just yet. Believe it or not, your girls can look great during and after menopause — all it takes is some strategic bra shopping. Throw out your worn out 10-year-old bras and ridiculous push-up that you
bought at a sale. Grown-up women need grown-up bras. Go to the store, get measured and fitted by a professional, and try on as many as you need until you find the One(s). I promise, your dream bra is out there!
Upgrade that smile of yours
You may be older, but that doesn't mean that your life is over. Smile with confidence by getting your teeth back in shape. You have every right to enjoy a brilliant and pristine smile at any age--so why not now? 'Old people teeth' doesn't have to be a thing for you. Go ahead and get that cosmetic job you've always wanted. Braces aren't just for younger kids--they're for bold and beautiful women like yourself. Your straight and sparkling smile will win people over for decades to come.
Join an exercise program
When you were young, staying in good shape was virtually effortless. But the onset of menopause brings weight gain in the abdomen area, hips, and thighs, so exercise becomes essential to combat the hormone changes that will try to drag you down. Taking a menopause-targeted vitamin like Staying Cool (Amazon) can help manage hot flashes as well as give your body the nutrients that it especially needs during this time.
Think positive
Since healthy self-esteem is about more than body positivity, a menopausal woman may need to talk with a professional. But, sometimes friends experiencing the same symptoms are all a woman needs to acquire a more positive attitude. Changing your style icons can be a big help too. There are many beautiful women who have adapted to menopause with grace: Oprah, Meryl Streep, Michelle Obama, and Jane Fonda, to name a few.
Menopause is not the end. As French style guru Geneviève Antoine-Dariaux puts it, “Elegance is the privilege of age.”