Does your age influence how you are perceived by others?
I sometimes wonder when someone looks at me if they see a stereotypical fifty-three year old woman or do they see past that?
Can they see the real me?
We are not our age we are individuals.
I refuse to be defined by my age. We are so much more than the years we have lived.
Our singular identity is formed through unique life experiences.
We are our loves, our mistakes, our choices, our joys, our sorrows and our battles.
The complexity of our lives cannot be expressed by a number.
Dressing one’s age is an antiquated idea.
I’m a grown woman. I don’t need anyone dictating how I should dress.
Personal style is our chosen packaging.
We should make it count.
My style communicates my deep concern for the environment
, all but my boots and glasses were purchased secondhand.What about you?
Does your style communicate everything you desire?
Are you influenced by society telling you to “dress your age?”
For further reflection on this topic I recommend Lyn’s post here.
Learn to create a Style Statement and express your authentic self via your clothing.
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
This: “I’m a grown woman. I don’t need anyone dictating how I should dress.” A thousand times true.
You are so you and I love that. I wouldn’t know what to do if you tried to dress in some version of how women over 50 are “supposed” to dress. I think I would run for the hills because it would mean the culture zombies had gotten to you.
Because of you and other favorite people, I’ve embraced this idea as well. I know there are times when I am still influenced by the “shoulds,” but my wardrobe no longer sustains that style as much as it used to.
Keep on Keepin’ On!
– Sherry
Culture zombies. LOL
I couldn’t agree more with you Suzanne! Once upon a time, women were defined by their age and used to dress all the same way…now we are more aware of what we want and we are not afraid to express ourselves with clothes! I love your style and style is ageless and timeless. Keep rocking 🙂
Vale
Fashion and Cookies – fashion & beauty blog
I love how you’ve really made the Western look your own Vale. You really do express yourself with your clothes.
Thanks for popping by : )
I think it’s great to use clothes as expression. There’s also no rule that says we have to pick a style and stick with it–we can change according to our moods. And having different styles doesn’t necessarily require a huge wardrobe and fast fashion.
I just read an article in the New York Times about how the age you feel affects how you act and even your health. If you say you’re too old to do certain things, then you’ll seem older to others and will feel older yourself. Clothes affect what we do–whether we’re going to walk a lot and be active, whether we feel the tightness around the waist and stop eating…
One thing about age that I love, is the removal of hormones from the equation. When I’m around teens and young adults, I am struck by how much what they wear and how they act is about sexual attraction and trying to get attention. I am so glad to be past that drama. I dress for myself.
Isn’t it liberating to simply dress for yourself?
no one sees *a stereotypical fifty-three year old women* by looking at you!
you´r far away from stereotypical 😀
and speaking of – love your outfit! gorgeous colors and cool proportions/cuts!
me is dressing for myself – since i can think. age is not really a thing that defines me – esp. because most people think i´m 20 years younger than i´m. but i´m glad about all the experiments i could make in my “long” life…..
xxxxx
Each time I see photos of you I think there must be a painting hidden away in your attic that is aging because you aren’t. I think it’s all that fresh air and clean living : )
Preaching to the choir over here (waves).
I’m lucky that at my day job, we can wear whatever we want, as long as all the lady bits are covered.
When I’m at Otis, teaching Fashion students, I step up my game — they’re FASHION students and very judgmental. True story: in the late 90s, a student said to a colleague about me, “How can I respect her critique when she wears flame printed shorts?”
That must have hurt. I wonder if that student even remembers saying that now. People can be very careless with their critiques. They don’t realize how one remark can impact a person.
So well said, and it hits me right in the heart. I am (almost) always aware of how old I am, because things hurt more and sometimes I forget stuff, but in my heart I have no age. You look completely gorgeous in this outfit, and now I am searching for trousers like yours!
Thanks for these wise words, my friend, and enjoy the day, xo
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I think that is true for most of us, in our hearts we have no age. We are all young people trapped in aging bodies.
What is a stereotypical 53 year old? All the 53 (and nearly) year olds I know – you, me, friends I’ve known since I was at school and like-minded women I’ve met at festivals and vintage fairs are all child-free, dress almost exclusively in vintage clothes, couldn’t give a toss about what’s in fashion, are environmentally aware, have partners who find us drop dead gorgeous and couldn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks of us. If that’s a stereotype then count me in!
The reason I don’t put my age in my blog’s strap line or use “over 50” hashtags on Instagram isn’t because I’m ashamed of my age but, like my total hip replacement or lifelong vegetarianism, it’s just one component of my life, I don’t need to be defined by it. It’s pretty obvious by looking at me that I’m well out of my 20s.
“Does your style communicate everything you desire?” Free-thinking, interesting, open minded, intelligent, not seeking approval or looking for a man. I blinking hope so!
“Are you influenced by society telling you to “dress your age?” I’ve lived outside normal society (whatever normal is) most of my life. Thank god! xxx
Stereotypical is truly subjective isn’t it? Especially when you live a life like yours.
Your style does communicate all that you mentioned and I might add, strong.
I’m not sure what a stereotypical 50 plus woman is supposed to look like. You tell me! I’m hopeless at guessing people’s age and often think people are older than me while it turns out they are younger. I defintely think having an individual dressing style makes you look, if not younger, then certainly ageless. It’s life’s experiences, the good and the bad, which have given me the confidence not to care one jot about what’s in fashion or what’s supposed to appropriate dressing for my age or what people think. I wear what I like and I do think it reflects who I am. “I’m a grown woman. I don’t need anyone dictating how I should dress.” should be every “grown” woman’s mantra. xxx
I agree that individual style does make one look ageless.
Your personal style with bold colour choices and great attention to detail communicate bits of your personality to me. Fun, interesting and meticulous are adjectives that come to mind.
Sitting in the choir here and I hear you loud and clear. YES. . . we are grown and do not need others to tell us what to wear. You do not have to tell anyone your age and I think it’s fun for others to try and guess, unless I’m in a foul mood. You do YOU my Dear and let the world keep looking. Enjoy the rest of October.
http://www.madamtoomuch.com
Ha : P Yes…let’s all do us. That’s a perfect way of saying it Neti.
I never think about my age. And I don’t think I ever think about my age when I buy clothes. I wear what I want. That used to be different, but over the years I got more confidant and feel good about myself. You radiate as a strong powerful woman with a fabulous and amazing sense of style!
I think that is awesome Nancy.
Too often I hear others (and sometimes myself) asking if they’re too old for something. It has more to do with self confidence as you mentioned.
I know it’s hard for some women to stop that idea of the fashion rules. Heck, there are days, I still struggle. But with inspiration like you, it gets easier and easier to wear what brings me joy and happiness.
I was just saying to someone that I’m over blending in!!
XOXO
Jodie
I love that you’re over blending in Jodie. It’s hard to even imagine you as “that” person. I’ve just known the bolder version of you.
Although I don’t really know the answer to your first question…I suspect that my age does indeed influence how others perceive me. On the one hand…someone else’s assumptions about me are totally out of my control. On the flip side…I think we all want to be valued for the people we’ve grown to be.
Without question I agree that Dressing one’s age is an antiquated idea. You know I believe in dressing for my personality. 🙂
I agree Sue. We all want to be valued. I think that might be one of the reasons so many of us strive to remain visible. Otherwise we feel we are forgotten, undervalued or simply ignored.
You know, I’m 60. I see so many 60-year-old women I think are much older. Mostly it’s because of how they present themselves (dress, hair, makeup). It’s like they gave up when they became grandparents or when they hit a “magic” number (whatever they perceive that to be). I blow that off. I’ll dress how I like (as long as I don’t feel ridiculous, then I’m OK with it). I’ve got enough years behind me now to have earned that right. Thanks so much for this post, Suzanne, and I doubt anybody looks at you and sees a typical 53-year-old woman!
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2019/10/21/
There is no way I’d have guessed you were 60 Ruth. I think that is also due to how you present yourself. Women no longer need to surrender their style because of a number on their birth certificate.
I also think what you wrote about not feeling ridiculous is important. Sometimes we can put on something and it no longer communicates the person we are. That’s when I’ll feel ridiculous.
I agree that we’ve all earned the right to dress however we want.
I join the chorus, love to read your post and the fab comments, and totally love the phrase ‘I’m a grown woman. I don’t need anyone dictating how I should dress’.
I never paid attention to critics when I was younger and easier to intimidate, so why should I pay attention to them now?. If I’ve learnt to deal with mom’s critics (bless her heart, she has always been a fan of appropriate dressing), then I couldn’t care less about random people’s opinions.
Love to met people who express themselves and their unique personalities through clothes, words, pictures or crafts. Whatever their age!
besos
That is so funny that your Mom is a fan of appropriate dressing. My Mom is too! Hahahahahaha! We showed them didn’t we?
Spot on, Suzanne!
You most certainly don’t look like or dress like a lot of women in their 50s;
but why should you? You are you and you are unique and you always looks fabulous!
I have changed my thinking on what I ‘should’ wear since I started blogging and age doesn’t really come into it. I wear what I like and what I think suits me and if others don’t like it or think it isn’t age appropriate; well you know what they can do!!
Hope your week is going well!
I certainly see that you have a strong sense of self when you get dressed Veronni. Your confidence is visible through your style choices.
Age is rarely (if ever) a factor in deciding what I wear. My body shape and mood are much more influential – I wear what makes me feel confident, happy and comfortable. Those articles about age-appropriate dressing are just clickbait. Rules always make me want to rebel anyway!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I think you really nailed in on the head Emma, who doesn’t want to feel confident, happy and comfortable? No matter the age that is what we all strive for.
Hah… no way, I dress how I like to dress. The only thing that doesn’t look right on me (in my own eyes) are mini dresses or mini skirts. Somehow the proportions are not what I like (anymore?)
You just go on with what you are doing, you are doing great. As your outfit of today shows. (Cute blue bag by the way.)
Greetje
I’m so happy that you dress for yourself Greetje. Sometimes the Dutch can be brutal with their critiques and I believe that applies to themselves as well.
I know, we are feared by every other country for our directness (as we call it). Ron said to me the other day that women dress to please men. Hahaha.. I said : “No darling they are not. They dress to please themselves.” Of course he didn’t believe it, but for me it is true.
Greetje
Totally agree Suzanne , our age certainly should not dictate . I find I have probably become more adventurous with my style as I have aged and really don’t take age into consideration at all. I also strongly feel taking the time to express yourself through your own personal style is a joy at any age , sadly many women use age as an excuse to give up. I for one have no plans to stop playing dress up.
I find it refreshing that so many women become more adventurous with age.
I’m glad that you haven’t lost your love of dressing up. Growing up doesn’t mean growing out of having fun.
Agreed! Even when I wake up with muscle pain that makes me say, “Oh, I feel like an 80 yr old lady” that doesnt mean all 80 yr old ladies feel bad or suffer from muscle pain or stiffness!
I do beleive in wearing what I want, and I try to show it as an expression of myself that day. I go crazy with the term- age appropriate, as there is nothing approate for certain ages.. we enjoy what we enjoy wearing.
BTW, love your pants and color choice here!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
So true Jess. It’s simply about enjoying what you wear and expressing yourself.
You always look fantastic. I think that comes with knowing yourself.
I had read the Accidental Icon’s post about this issue, and her feelings of being lumped into the category of “stylish seniors” or the “glamourous grannies of Instagram”. I don’t think any of the women I know who are in their 50’s dress how a woman of that age would dress 20 or 30 years ago. We have grown up with more relaxed rules what to wear, and with more style options than our mothers and grandmothers had. The changes that age has brought to my body have influenced my style choices, but I’m fortunate to work in an environment that pretty much allows me to wear what I want, as Ann says, “as long as all the bits are covered”. I hope I can keep wearing pretty much what I want for the rest of my life.
I agree that my mother and certainly my grandmothers had very specific views of what was acceptable dressing. My Mom still thinks like that. I’m glad I don’t.
I think you are very lucky to work in such an accepting environment. My husband often laments about his lack of clothing choices for the office.