Dressing Your Age.
When I was a kid, if one of my mother’s friends or an aunt came to visit, there was no mistaking that she was the adult.
I saw these women as glamourous and couldn’t wait to be a grown-up. It was not because they were tall, or wore make-up or had a few age spots–which they referred to a “beauty marks”–it was because of how they dressed.
They were a generation who wouldn’t dream of visiting someone else’s home in jeans or sweat pants. The most casual attire was the occasional capris or “slacks” and ballet slippers.
No, they wore silk scarves, charm bracelets, Jackie-O inspired shift dresses and high, high heels. The accessory that I admired most was their purses, or rather their “pocketbooks”.
When they reached into these big leather bags to retreive a cigarette case and “gold” lighter, the sounds of jingling and rustling of coins, sunglasses and other treasures were hypnotic to me. The identities of those women were the contents of their bags.
Recently, at a relatively upscale restaurant, I saw a woman with 3 pre-teen girls walk in. The mother was wearing knee length sweats from the Gap and a head band. The girls were dressed like Lindsay Lohan.
I used to love the idea of The Gap, but lately when I shop there, I feel “icky”…seeing a 40-something mother dress like a 10-year old seems unsettling to me.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t dress comfortably–there are many lovely choices out there–but as much as we want our teenaged girls to dress “age appropriately”, so then should we.
Finding your own style, at whatever age, is prime time.
Photo: Richard Rutledge/Vogue
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Fabulous Coffee Break
2 opinions for Dressing Your Age.
Me
Apr 9, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I do believe people should wear age appropiate clothes. I know a lady in her 40’s. She is nice and all but she is stuck in her teenage years when we are talking about dressing herself. It’s hard to tell who’s the mom and who’s the daughter. Tight, tight jeans, short shorts with high heels…and some clothes showing way too much skin…I have been told to “let her be”, but it is hard to see THAT much.
I hope more people think abouth what they are wearing and how they look before going outside….
dondig
Jun 11, 2008 at 12:31 pm
What you saw is called dressing like a hooker and it is inappropriate for women of every age. It is possible to dress with a wink towards fashion and trends - whatever your age - without looking like some hipster wannabe or video vixen.
Myself, I love low slung jeans (not low enough for whale tale and I don’t have a muffin top), hoodies, and cute athletic flats. I am 44 and this attire looks fine on me. The truth of the matter is women of every age are actually wearing the same clothes. The style in which you wear these clothes just varies according to age group. For instance, most older women wouldn’t wear leggins with a jean mini skirt, but they are wearing leggings with a wrap dress or a tunic. Perfectly acceptable.
The most important thing to remember as an older woman who is still interested in fashion is wear the cuts that work with your body; cover up whatever is seriously wrinkly or wobbly; avoid too many bells and whistles; and don’t wear trends from head to toe. This rules have served me well into my thirties and forties. You can wear ANYTHING if you follow these guidlines.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: