Can you still wear cute dresses over 40?

Good question.

Can you still be wild and crazy over 40?

Tsk tsk.

Can you still have sex over 40?

Oh my.

Can you still wear bikinis over 40?

Have you no shame?

Can you still be spontaneous, daring and provocative after 40?

You’re too old, stop trying so hard!

Can you still wear ripped jeans, long hair, short skirts, graphic tees, bright red lipstick, strapless dresses, funky shoes, low cut tops and tight clothing over 40?

Hell yeah. 

Needless to say the whole idea of “age appropriate dressing” needs to be changed to “personal taste, occasion and body type appropriate dressing.”

Because I choose to dress this way does that mean I’m “incapable of elegance?” as was previously suggested?  Or that I’m trying to dress younger than my age?

No.

It means I liked the dress, it fit well, I feel good in it and it helps communicate who I am as a person.

To be clear, I’m wearing the dress. I’m not asking you to wear it.

Do I think that with aging should come a certain amount of elegance and sophistication in how you dress and choose to present yourself?

If that is your thing, then go for it.

After I turned 40 my personality didn’t suddenly change. I didn’t wake up thinking I needed to fit into a certain ideal of homogenized, mature, graceful woman.

I was the same person.

Still am.

Speaking of grace…how does one go about aging “Gracefully”? Just what does that mean? Grace like so many other traits is subjective.

As one ages we’re supposed to feel more comfortable in our own skin.

I was comfortable in my skin when I was 20.

I’ve never had an issue with that.

Am I happy my skin is starting to show its age?

No.

Will I accept it?

It’s the only skin I’ve got. Not really much of a choice there.

I’ve learned there are things far worse in life than having a few wrinkles and age spots.

As we age we’re supposed to get wiser.

Sure I know now that it isn’t a good idea to drink a half bottle of Vodka on my own.

Big deal.

Now that I’m 48 and not 18 do I know the meaning of life?

Ah… no.

From what I’ve learned I shouldn’t expect to know it when I’m 80 either.

I knew as much about the meaning of life when I was 20 as I do now.

If you know the secret please share. Me and 7.1 billion other people would like to know.

Aging isn’t all about wearing certain things or behaving in a specific way.

It’s about accepting that this is your life. No one else’s. You live it. You make your own choices. You take responsibility. You suffer the consequences.

What you achieve, how you act, what you do and what you wear is up to you.

And if that includes a cute dress with cats on it…so-be-it.

What are your feelings about this?

Linking up with the lovely Patti for Visible Monday.