ROLE MODELS

Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton all looked sensational at the Oscars. (Okay, I know Meryl wasn't the best dressed, but I think she looked great anyway). Sexy, vibrant, glowing. There is really something about these grown up babes, the wisdom on their faces. And when an older woman looks great you know that she's earned it and isn't just coasting on the good fortune of having been born with high cheekbones or pouty lips. At a show like the Oscars, it's easy to focus on youth in all its physical perfection especially when it's costumed in a couture dress and Harry Winston earrings. But these women bring another dimension to the proceedings, a very healthy dose of reality in a sea of glittery fantasy. You know all those "aspirational" magazines designed to make us feel bad because we don't look like the 16 year old model in the $20,000 dress? Yeah, they're fun to look at as long as we don't take them too seriously. And lately I find myself leafing past the editorials and looking for the travel notes or film reviews. Because it seems like the only people who could wear the clothes are models, not living, breathing, working humans. So it was nice - no, it was great - to see women in their 50s and 60s comfortable in their bodies, looking fabulous and strutting their stuff!