Commentary: Let older models strut their stuff on the catwalk

On the evening of Sept. 11, I attended a contemporary fashion show in the Bloomingdales courtyard at Fashion Island.

It showed collections from Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdales and several of the surrounding boutiques. It was impeccably orchestrated.

The seats filled up quickly as we all eagerly awaited the fashions of the day. I looked around the audience. It was mixed — every age from 7 to 70 and a sprinkling beyond that.

Some people were dressed up for the event, while others looked like they had just strolled in from the gym. Some were with dogs, others with children. But everyone was welcomed with a smile.

At 7 p.m. sharp, the music — energizing and upbeat — started, and the lights dimmed. The first model walked the runway.

Within a few minutes, I was hooked. The clothes were gorgeous, offering something for everyone. I noticed a pattern with the models. They were all striking, thin and probably not even 25.

As a woman of a certain age, I thought about the many middle-aged women I know who could really work the runway. What’s a few gray hairs when you can still strut your stuff?

Dick Clark taught us how to swagger to a beat.

We may not model the short shorts, but we can really rock a great pair of coulottes. Yes, they’re back.

Been there, done that. And anything with fringes, we can also make them swing as we walk. No, we probably won’t wear the 6-inch heels, but give us a great pair of booties (shoes, I mean), and we’ll conquer the catwalk.

At the end of the show, my friend and I were making a list of the few pieces we wanted to purchase. We concluded that with a fabulous pair of shoes and a stylish hair cut, you can get away with almost anything. It’s all in the attitude; it’s your best accessory.

As Yves Saint Laurent says, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.”

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives in Newport Coast.