Anti-aging has been a new age phenomenon. We can barely scroll on our social media pages without being encouraged to try a new anti-aging product. It’s no wonder the anxiety of maturing is infiltrating the minds of young women every day. Adelina Winfield, known as The Fly Granny on Instagram, is among several maturing women working to change how we view aging today. Her fashion, skincare, and grey positivity journey has inspired women of all ages to embrace the journey.
Online and in-person, Winfield comes across as confident and truly comfortable in her skin, but she wastes no time letting us know it has been a journey.
“I began feeling the shift in my age when I turned 40. My body was going through many changes, and I didn’t feel youthful or beautiful anymore,” says Winfield. Winfield is open about her journey through menopause, describing it as a time she had to “relearn herself.” The side effects of menopause can be vigorous and isolating for women. According to a study conducted by Post Reproductive Health, 94.1% of women were never taught about menopausal symptoms. This is largely due to women keeping their menopausal and aging experiences private. Winfield says, “No one was discussing these topics at the time, and I felt lost.”
"I began feeling the shift in my age when I turned 40. My body was going through many changes, and I didn’t feel youthful or beautiful anymore."
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The next few years were growing pains for Winfield. A divorce, menopause, and becoming an empty nester were just a few jarring life changes. As time went on, she began to date and feel comfortable in her body, but there was one challenge Winfield had been avoiding - her grey hair. “I had been dyeing my hair for decades. My son would try to convince me to go grey and embrace my inner ‘storm,’ but I refused in fear of looking older.” That mindset changed on a family trip to Italy. Winfield opted for silver faux locks that caused her to attract attention from bystanders. “People complimented my hair the entire trip, which gave me the confidence to let it go [grey].”
Simultaneously, Winfield had been sharing her grey hair journey online and found what she calls a “silver sister community.” Her story reached a demographic of thousands of mature women who could finally relate to an influencer who shared their experiences. Winfield had also found other maturing content creators redefining what life after 60 looks like. “We no longer say ‘anti-aging’ in our community; we call it ‘pro-aging,’” she says with immense joy. The idea of pro-aging brings ease to my millennial ears as I listen to Winfield’s story.
"We no longer say ‘anti-aging’ in our community; we call it ‘pro-aging.'"
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Millennial and Gen-Z women have become deeply obsessed with holding on to their youth. This is mainly due to the beauty industry constantly pushing products against the aging process. Additionally, most beauty brands are not mindful about who they are marketing to. The topic of young girls under the age of 18 buying anti-aging products has found its way online.
This caused Dove to move the conversation forward by creating the #FaceOf10Ten campaign. Encouraging young girls everywhere to embrace their youth. It’s time beauty brands begin to provide age restrictions on their products, and as a society, we need to have more conversations around pro-aging instead of anti-aging.
“I want women to know that life doesn’t end at 40 or 50; it’s just getting started.”
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The essence of effortless poise and refinement shines bright through the iconic university colors of indigo blue, red, and white. Every October, Howard University students, alumni, staff, and friends gather on the prestigious campus in Washington, D.C. to take part in time-honored traditions and events, which is Homecoming. This year's theme, “The Meccaverse,” was a week-long celebration of Howard University’s heritage, including the Homecoming football game and Bison Pep Rally, the Fashion Show, Greek Life Step Show, Homecoming Day of Service, Lavender Reception, and the iconic Yard Fest Concert.
As 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Howard Bison trek back to The Mecca and after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was to be a celebration of a lifetime. We enlisted HU alumnus Sharmaine Harris, a luxury retail buyer, as she revisited her alma mater as eyes on the yard for fashion-forward outfits mixed with personal style and campus pride for the weeklong celebration.
Before we get to the looks, discover how attending Howard University impacted her career in fashion and her day-to-day style:
Credit: Sharmaine and Friends
xoNecole: Describe your personal style. Did attending Howard have any impact on developing it?
Sharmaine: Howard taught me that there’s no such thing as being TOO dressed. There’s always a reason to “put it on” and look presentable, even if it’s just for a day of classes. Standing out was celebrated and encouraged with my peers embracing the opportunity, giving me the confidence to try new styles and trends.
xoNecole: How did Howard shape your career as a luxury buyer?
Sharmaine: I studied Fashion Merchandising, through which I was fortunate to have professors who were very connected to the industry and able to give first-hand accounts of opportunities and what to expect post-college. I was also able to build a network through my peers and other Howard Alum, which has opened doors to endless possibilities both within fashion as well as daily life.
The same confidence instilled in me through my style has also been rooted deeply within me as I step into any role or project I’m faced with throughout my career.
xoNecole: This year marked Howard’s 100th-anniversary Homecoming celebration. Can you describe what the weekend looked and felt like?
Sharmaine: I’ve gone to many Howard Homecomings since graduating, but this year’s 100th anniversary felt like a huge family reunion filled with nothing but love. It was beautiful to see so many Bison return home looking great and radiating joy. It was beautiful!
xoNecole: What makes Howard fashion different from other HBCUs?
Sharmaine: Being that Howard is The Mecca, we have such a diverse population with each individual having their own spin on fashion. Getting dressed is second nature for us, but the layered confidence is our secret ingredient to make any look come together. Through that comfortability to push barriers, we have a legacy of setting trends, as indicated by the many alumni we have in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Keep scrolling for the top street style moments from The Mecca's Homecoming weekend:
Credit: Lacey Gallagher
Credit: Alan Henderson
Credit: JaLynn Davis
Credit: Dylan Davis
Credit: Caleb Smith
Credit: Kendall W.
Credit: Jordyn Finney
Credit: Vanessa Nneoma
Credit: Dr. Mariah Sankey-Thomas
Credit: Caleb MacBruce
Credit: Tiffany Battle
Credit: Teniola
Credit: Ilahi Creary
Credit: Nicolas Ryan Grant
Credit: Dylan Davis
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image courtesy of Sharmaine Harris
