Blythe Danner, Aging Gracefully

Blythe Danner's youthful hairstyle
Blythe Danner - Photo: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Unarguably one of the most talented actresses in film, television, and stage of her generation, Blythe Danner has always been known for her fresh-faced beauty (a trait she passed along to her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow). An Emmy and Tony-winning actress, she has been a favorite on the red carpet at many awards shows.
 
Blythe has evolved her personal style over the years, subtly transforming her looks to adapt to a more mature visage. Her evolution can serve as a guide for many women who wish to retain their personal style while looking their best at any age. Here are some basics that Ms. Danner follows, which can help any mature woman look her best:
 
The Clothes:
 
As a woman matures, it becomes increasingly important to select clothing that flatters her figure. If you are developing a matronly build, consider layered looks with garments that skim over bulging areas and provide clean, simple vertical lines to create a slimmer appearance.
 
Women who, like Ms. Danner, are maintaining a good figure but dealing with the usual signs of aging should opt for softer silhouettes and draping garments in neutral and soft colors. A softer color palette can compensate for the natural fade in skin tone and make lines and wrinkles less noticeable by contrast. Dark colors, on the other hand, can emphasize shadows and make you look older.
 
The key is to focus on playing up the positives while drawing attention away from less flattering features. If you have a paunch, wearing a tailored trouser with a tunic-style sweater or jumper in a soft fiber or a loose blouse that is just a touch longer than usual (to skim lightly over the area) will be more flattering than a caftan-style dress that obscures your figure.
 
In the photo, you can see how Ms. Danner's choice of a boat-necked blouse with color blocking in buttery gold and champagne silk provides both softness of texture and color. This highlights the vital blue hue of her eyes and the splash of color on her lips, making the eyes overlook laugh lines and creping on her face and neck.
 
Blythe Danner wearing a silk boat-necked blouse
Blythe Danner - Photo: Tinseltown/Shutterstock
Hair:
 
Ms. Danner has an oval face, though it is slightly longer than ideal with a slightly more pointed chin. The narrowing of her face is accentuated by the lines of her nose. Consequently, most of her hairstyles over the years have featured a balancing trend of width.
 
The volume in her hairstyles—mostly due to her natural wave—helps to make her face appear just the right amount wider, giving the illusion of a perfect oval. The soft waves and curls also help balance the roundness of her cheeks and diffuse the lines in her face.
 
In earlier photos, her forehead is somewhat prominent, though not overly broad. To bring focus to her eyes and prevent attention from drifting to other areas of her face, she has often incorporated bangs. This technique reinforces a horizontal draw, ensuring that her eyes remain the strongest feature of her gaze.
 
It should also be noted that, as she has aged, Blythe has gradually lightened her hair color from the rich, golden blonde of her youth. Although she remains blonde, her hair now predominantly features pale creams and platinum highlights. This color shift allows her skin tone to appear richer and helps maintain a youthful look.
 
Hair Styling:
 
As previously noted, Ms. Danner's styling has always embraced her natural wave. The specific styling shown features numerous loose wavy strands, which create diffusion and volume to broaden the face and counterbalance facial lines. By introducing a competing texture into her hairstyle, signs of aging are less noticeable.
 
Additionally, as she has aged, Ms. Danner has kept her hair generally shorter than in her youth. In recent years, her hair typically falls to her chin or mid-neck, though it can occasionally reach shoulder length.
 
Overall, Blythe Danner embodies a classic and beautiful look. She remains stunning without excessive glitz and glamour, cultivating a style that is both vibrant and wholesome. The success of her look is largely attributed to her thoughtful styling choices.
 
By avoiding the classic pitfalls of clinging to youthful hairstyles and instead focusing on features that are quintessentially her, she has managed to retain a youthful appearance while celebrating her unique style.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Age-appropriate hairdos
 
Hair of the aging woman