You're Too Old For That: Irony And Age Fade First In Fashion

New York Times:

FIRST go the knees, then goes irony. Sometime around age 50, women start to let go of certain ideas about themselves and fashion. Up till then you can wear lots of silly or brash things, and if you are reasonably fit and attractive or consistently daring, it doesn't really matter. You're still with the tide. You are home free with your esoteric Pradas, your porkpie hats and coy Lolita socks, and no little voice is going, "Heh-heh-heh, you're too old for that."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Agentlady007]

People seem to be prematurely aging. I am watching a movie with Renee Zellwegger and she looks 75 in this movie 'New In Town'. Weird

[thepoliticalcat]

Honestly, this is just another attempt to brainwash American women. Who cares how you dress? The only people to whom it matters should be your immediate family and friends, and even then, you're not obliged to listen to them. I plan to wear whatever I want until I'm rotting in my grave, thank you very much. After that it won't be my business any longer because I won't be around to care.

[Jeanette Ponder]

I plan on looking completely batty when I'm 50.

[IndependenceDame]

I think my mother has that dress. And the makeup! Why does my 76 year-old mother apply it with a spatula? She has lovely, unlined skin but she hides it under globs of goop. Her hair is immaculately colored, permed, and sprayed into place. And gallons of Red Door perfume! Oh, well. These things she enjoys and she won't be around forever. I love her enough to accept it; besides, it's not none of my business. Plus, to be fair, she still complains about my long wavy red hair with hints of white, sweats and jeans, and no makeup, just like her mother complained about Mom's makeup, hair, clothes, etc. To each her own. Life's too short to be bothered with what others think of our personal choices -- although that perfume part should be negotiable. ;-)

[nellie]

I think anyone would look ridiculous in the outfit in that photo. I mean, you know.

[babyboomerorig]

What's a 63 year-old supposed to wear? What's she supposed to look like?

I always thought it would be the image of my grandmothers and mother. I came close to dying 10 years ago, lost tons of weight and wound up a size 2. Now, a size 2 can wear anything they want. Skin still fairly tight...eyes bright....no sagging eye lids...butt doesn't sag at a size 2.

Now, 10 years later, all that weight is back and the worst thing is that family genetics and age have taken over. For the most part, it's fine....except that expanded waist line. For the first time in my life I have natural waving (almost curly) hair. The lines in my face resemble my maternal grandmother's. That's scary. My sister is just 2 years younger than I am and there are no facial lines and not a gray hair in her head....just like my 86 year-old father.

So, what are we youthful seniors supposed to do?

[Pema]

you almost died ten years ago, but are not accepting how you look now. being alive is beautiful within itself. just be glad your here, not everone makes it. be grateful for what you have not what you dont have. maybe you never dealt with what your feelings were back then, i would hate to see you not relish life because of a few wrinkles! beauty in the heart can never be taken away by age, in fact age usally enhances it.

[babyboomerorig]

Thanks!! You're right!

[IndependenceDame]

"So, what are we youthful seniors supposed to do?"

Do as you choose. The heck with what others think because there's only one you -- you are a unique, beautiful person. Anyone who tells you otherwise has a problem, not you. As to the waistline, join the club. I've cut back on food, increased exercise, and what I found works best is to throw out the tape measure and scale. When I stopped obsessing about my weight, it finally started dropping -- s-l-o-w-l-y, but it's working. Take care.

[babyboomerorig]

You're right, too!!

Thanks!