This blog is brought to you by the power of suddenly remembering that I still own, and fit into, the outfit that I wore to my 30th birthday party….
Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 43. FORTY THREE! Err…?! Where has my youth gone? It was right here. Right HERE I tell you! Who’s moved it? C’mon, this isn’t funny anymore guys! Just give it back and stop being silly.
The thing is, I FEEL young, I mean really young, and often forget that the ‘outside’ me doesn’t match the ‘inside’ me. I look at skateboarders, gymnasts and dancers and think, yeah, I could do that! And every time I buy my bottle of Blossom Hill, I’m puzzled as to why the cashier never asks me for ID!
Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 43. FORTY THREE! Err…?! Where has my youth gone? It was right here. Right HERE I tell you! Who’s moved it? C’mon, this isn’t funny anymore guys! Just give it back and stop being silly.
The thing is, I FEEL young, I mean really young, and often forget that the ‘outside’ me doesn’t match the ‘inside’ me. I look at skateboarders, gymnasts and dancers and think, yeah, I could do that! And every time I buy my bottle of Blossom Hill, I’m puzzled as to why the cashier never asks me for ID!
INSIDE OUT...
But is my ‘inside vs outside youth’ a problem when it comes to my choice of clothes? Do I run the risk of wearing clothes that aren't ‘age appropriate’? And what does that actually mean? Obviously I know what ‘age appropriate’ means and wouldn't let my 10 yr old son watch an 18 film or my young daughter (if I had one) wear clothes that made her look ‘sexy’, but how accurately can ‘age appropriate’ clothing be measured for an adult woman? And does the phrase have a place in our wardrobes?
Who’s to say that something that a 20 year old wears wouldn't look great on a 50 or 80 year old (or vice versa for that matter)?
I’m wondering if, as soon as you allow the phrase ‘age appropriate’ to enter your mind and wardrobe, you might be restricting the way you really want to dress which is then likely to have an impact on how good you feel about yourself. For example, someone reaches 60 and thinks, for whatever reason, that they shouldn't wear jeans anymore because jeans are for the young.
What do they choose instead to communicate to the world that they have reached 60? Why communicate it at all? The only reason to stop wearing jeans, in my humble opinion, is because you haven’t yet found a style that suits your body shape (give me a call!) but NEVER because you think you’re too old for them.
And the same goes for shorter skirts. By all means opt for longer skirts because your knees are not as ‘tight/neat’ as they used to be, but I think it’s such a shame to label yourself ‘too old’ to wear them. Maybe it’s as simple as changing our phrasing.
“I look and feel great in longer skirts” sounds positive, doesn't it? Whereas “I can’t wear short skirts at my age” sounds negative and implies anyone of the same age shouldn't be wearing short skirts either, when actually, they could. They may opt for wearing them with opaque tights and a knee length pair of boots but by golly they could still rock it.
And let’s face it – there are young girls out there who wear very short skirts, which is generally accepted as ‘age appropriate’ but, truth be told, many of them would benefit from a longer one, wouldn't they? Oh come on, you’ve thought it too! Just because they’re young doesn't automatically mean they have great legs. And to the same token, older doesn't necessarily mean you have bad legs. In my mind, it’s all about styling and making the best clothing choices to flatter what you have, whether you’re young or old.
Here are some older women whom, in my opinion, don’t let age stand in their way. They colour their hair whatever shade they want and wear what they damn well please. Good for them.
Who’s to say that something that a 20 year old wears wouldn't look great on a 50 or 80 year old (or vice versa for that matter)?
I’m wondering if, as soon as you allow the phrase ‘age appropriate’ to enter your mind and wardrobe, you might be restricting the way you really want to dress which is then likely to have an impact on how good you feel about yourself. For example, someone reaches 60 and thinks, for whatever reason, that they shouldn't wear jeans anymore because jeans are for the young.
What do they choose instead to communicate to the world that they have reached 60? Why communicate it at all? The only reason to stop wearing jeans, in my humble opinion, is because you haven’t yet found a style that suits your body shape (give me a call!) but NEVER because you think you’re too old for them.
And the same goes for shorter skirts. By all means opt for longer skirts because your knees are not as ‘tight/neat’ as they used to be, but I think it’s such a shame to label yourself ‘too old’ to wear them. Maybe it’s as simple as changing our phrasing.
“I look and feel great in longer skirts” sounds positive, doesn't it? Whereas “I can’t wear short skirts at my age” sounds negative and implies anyone of the same age shouldn't be wearing short skirts either, when actually, they could. They may opt for wearing them with opaque tights and a knee length pair of boots but by golly they could still rock it.
And let’s face it – there are young girls out there who wear very short skirts, which is generally accepted as ‘age appropriate’ but, truth be told, many of them would benefit from a longer one, wouldn't they? Oh come on, you’ve thought it too! Just because they’re young doesn't automatically mean they have great legs. And to the same token, older doesn't necessarily mean you have bad legs. In my mind, it’s all about styling and making the best clothing choices to flatter what you have, whether you’re young or old.
Here are some older women whom, in my opinion, don’t let age stand in their way. They colour their hair whatever shade they want and wear what they damn well please. Good for them.
TV Presenter, Carrie Grant, age 50.
Actress, Helen Mirren, age 70
Campaigner against ageism, Bridget Sojourner, age 77
Jean Woods, age 77, who starred in Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4 alongside Bridget.
Fashion Icon, Iris Apfel, age 93
And if only I had a picture of the old lady I see on my way to work sometimes. She looks simply stunning - often wearing a fur hat, colourful scarf, an amazing coat and always an eye catching dose of red lippy. I'm desperate to talk to her as I bet her personality is gregarious and as fun as her style.
So, back to my outfit that inspired this post in the first place.....
So, back to my outfit that inspired this post in the first place.....
Silk top (unsure where from) and satin jeans from Topshop
The BIG question is, would I / should I /could I still wear it, 13 years on?
I asked my nearest and dearest (my resources were limited at the time) and here’s what they said:
Little Man - (with a horrified expression) “Even if it’s supposed to look wrong, it looks wronger!”
Mr .B - (with a face like he’s chewing on a bad walnut) “It doesn’t look very nice but your face does. I wouldn’t want to be seen with you looking like that - too much midriff.”
Which makes me immediately question, “Too much midriff for a woman of my age, you mean? Would it be ok on someone younger?” He’s unsure. He simply doesn’t like the outfit. So, that’s not really helped with my investigation very much at all.
I also asked my friend Steve and fellow blogger over at Commsbreakdown, what he thought about the whole ‘age appropriate’ thang and he replied:
“Now, we all know that dressing to match your body-shape, your colours, your personality and your profession are ways to improve how clothes look on you. But why should any be off-limits just because the person has a certain number of miles on the clock? If someone has the right shape, the right attitude and the right confidence then why shouldn't they wear something more revealing, or more tight-fitting or show a bit more leg?”
Personally, I think my flesh is toned enough to have some on show. Though I have to admit, I’m thinking maybe the top should be a tad longer, not patterned and the trousers a better fit/fabric. But is this because it makes it more ‘age appropriate’? I don’t think so - it just makes it more stylish.
What are your thoughts on my outfit and ‘age appropriate’ dressing?
M x
I asked my nearest and dearest (my resources were limited at the time) and here’s what they said:
Little Man - (with a horrified expression) “Even if it’s supposed to look wrong, it looks wronger!”
Mr .B - (with a face like he’s chewing on a bad walnut) “It doesn’t look very nice but your face does. I wouldn’t want to be seen with you looking like that - too much midriff.”
Which makes me immediately question, “Too much midriff for a woman of my age, you mean? Would it be ok on someone younger?” He’s unsure. He simply doesn’t like the outfit. So, that’s not really helped with my investigation very much at all.
I also asked my friend Steve and fellow blogger over at Commsbreakdown, what he thought about the whole ‘age appropriate’ thang and he replied:
“Now, we all know that dressing to match your body-shape, your colours, your personality and your profession are ways to improve how clothes look on you. But why should any be off-limits just because the person has a certain number of miles on the clock? If someone has the right shape, the right attitude and the right confidence then why shouldn't they wear something more revealing, or more tight-fitting or show a bit more leg?”
Personally, I think my flesh is toned enough to have some on show. Though I have to admit, I’m thinking maybe the top should be a tad longer, not patterned and the trousers a better fit/fabric. But is this because it makes it more ‘age appropriate’? I don’t think so - it just makes it more stylish.
What are your thoughts on my outfit and ‘age appropriate’ dressing?
M x
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