When Sutton Foster was 15, she made a bucket list. It included singing at Carnegie Hall, running a marathon and writing a book.
While the tome is still unwritten and her marathon aspirations died when her training peaked at 7 miles, she recently knocked out a big one — Foster played Carnegie Hall on March 13, singing with the New York Pops.
I don’t want to alter my face. It’s really about maintaining. I don’t like the idea of elective surgery. If it’s not life-threatening, I don’t want someone to cut me open out of vanity.
- Sutton Foster
To make it even more poignant, the musical milestone took place just a few days before she turned 40. Unlike many in her vanity-driven industry, the actress approached the birthday with ease.
“My personal life is in order,” says Foster. “I got married in October. I feel like I am grounded and solid, and it helps me be able to appreciate the balance.”
The Broadway darling — who won Best Leading Actress in a Musical Tonys for “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Anything Goes” — celebrated the big birthday by decamping down to the Caribbean with her new huband, screenwriter Ted Griffin (“Ocean’s Eleven”).
Ironically, this period of calm is juxtaposed with her age-fudging role on “Younger,” the new sitcom from “Sex and the City” creator Darren Star premiering Tuesday on TV Land.
Foster plays Liza Miller, a suburban stay-at-home mom who attempts to re-enter the NYC work force after her hubby walks out on her.
When no one wants to hire a 40-year-old who has a 14-year gap on her résumé, she decides to pass herself off as a 26-year-old.
Liza rewrites her résumé, curls her hair, learns to use Twitter and gets a cool new wardrobe. Naturally, she lands a job as an assistant to a publishing bigwig.
“It’s a fun way to relive my 20s in a very safe way. In my 20s, I was a flailing mess,” says Foster, who was previously married to college sweetheart and fellow Broadway actor Christian Borle. (They split in 2010.)
“I love this idea that this character will do anything to start over and rebuild her life.” Foster herself, however, draws the line at plastic surgery.
“I don’t want to alter my face. It’s really about maintaining. I don’t like the idea of elective surgery. If it’s not life-threatening, I don’t want someone to cut me open out of vanity,” says Foster, who recently bought an apartment in New York.
“[Fear of aging] has never been a part of my psyche, though I have never bought so many face creams in my life!” Foster says of turning 40.
She relies on products from Skyn Iceland and facials from NYC celebrity dermatologist Dr. David Colbert to keep her youthful glow (as do Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz, reportedly).
Beyond beauty, a large part of Liza’s transformation is done through wardrobe. And who better to serve as the fashion fairy godmother for “Younger” than Patricia Field — the woman responsible for the trendsetting fashion in “Sex and the City.”
Field revamps the character from a pretty but unremarkable, makeup-free soccer mom into a peppy, youthful assistant.
Foster as Liza sports everything from miniskirts to loose cardigans, motorcycle boots to oversize plaid shirts layered over dresses.
“She goes vintage, mixes it up with thrift store and high street. It’s the mix and match that sells it. It points down the highway of youthfulness,” says Field.
Foster, who could easily pass for younger than her 40 years, believes that “youth — whatever that means — comes from the inside. It generates from within.” Still, it never hurts to have a little help on the outside.
Here, the actress shows off five killer looks, all selected under Field’s guidance, that seem equally sophisticated on 40-year-olds and 26-year-olds.
Diversify your choices
To keep it all from going too girly, Field recommends adding a pair of tough-but-sleek boots and a slightly masculine belt to define your waist.
As for hair, don’t be afraid to pump it up a little. “I encourage [the show’s hairstylist] to keep her hair with a curl at the bottom,” says Field.
Pullover, $89.50 at armaniexchange.com
Aqua dress, $88 at bloomingdales.com
Leather booties, $99 at hm.com
Leather belt, $29 at urbanoutfitters.com
Necklace, $30 at rjgraziano.com
Don’t go overboard on retro style
The ’90s are still ruling the spring offerings at most stores, but don’t pile on all the retro trends at once. “It’s important to [do] a look that is not too literal. Give it a twist,” says Field. One of her favorite ’90s-throwback looks is a blazer with a short dress peeking out.
The modern twist? Choose a jacket that actually fits, instead of swallowing you whole. Metallic cap-toes and a slight wedge heel freshen up the menswear-inspired wingtips.
Field recommends natural-looking daytime makeup — no smoky eyes or crazy eyeliner colors here. A sheer, light gloss over a berry stain on lips keeps things fresh.
Kensie blazer, $99 at macys.com
Kimchi Blue shirtdress, $69 at urbanoutfitters.com
Shoes, $99 at ninewest.com
Bangle, $215, and tube-and-chain bracelet, $95 both at flacajewelry.com
Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer sunglasses, $200 at sunglasshut.com
Balance your silhouette
Here’s a key piece of advice: If you want to look youthful, don’t dress like a Real Housewife.
“The silhouette should not be tight like Hervé Leger [bandage dresses],” says Field. “That’s an older look. The youthful trend is not about supertight and in-your-face sexy.”
Instead, keep your sartorial silhouette balanced. If you do a skinny jean, choose a top that has a little more volume, like this silk blouse topped off with a very au courant motorcycle jacket.
Or opt for a chic mix like palazzo pants and a streamlined T-shirt/bomber combo. “If the legs flare, you don’t want any bulk up top,” Field adds.
As for accessories, she advises against statement bags that wear you. Instead, opt for a classic bucket bag that you can punch up with a silk scarf that adds a pop of color.
Elizabeth and James motorcycle jacket, $1,285 at bloomingdales.com
Equipment Femme blouse, $218 at bloomingdales.com
Jen7 skinny jeans in “refined blue sateen,” $18 at saksfifthavenue.com
Suede ankle boots, $49.95 at zara.com
Bag, $39.99 at mango.com
Silk scarf, $48 at vincecamuto.com
Ring, $175 at flacajewelry.com
Necklace, $105 at flacajewelry.com
Don’t be afraid to try new trends
One of the biggest pitfalls in trying to dress younger is automatically going to the miniskirt place.
For a cocktail party, it’s fine to go short and show off your legs — so long as you don’t go tight and you keep your cleavage covered.
“Look for an easy silhouette” like this printed trapeze dress, says Field.
She also recommends embracing cool trends, like this spring’s popular fringe, in moderate doses.
This suede bag does the trick, while cobalt heels add an energetic punch. For evening, go a little heavier on the mascara and a little darker for lips.
Rachel Roy dress, $100 at macys.com
Betsey Johnson heels, $79.95 at amazon.com
Cross-body bag by Handbag Butler, $149.99 at handbag-butler.com
Necklace, $45 at rjgraziano.com
Stylist: Kirsten Fleming
Photographer: Anne Wermiel
Market Editor: Mindy Saad
Market Assistant: Maria de Rohan
Makeup: Jennifer Wobito
Hair: Claudio
Belizario at Jed Root using Oribe