Not long after I decided to switch my blog from scrapbooking to style I had a very kind soul leave the concerned comment,
“You’re way too old to wear that.”
“That” being a cardigan with a poodle print on it.
I immediately ran to my closet and grabbed the offending cardigan to see if there was an age limit indicated somewhere on the tag that I’d missed.
Nope.
How was I to know this cardigan was too young for me?
What was the age cutoff?
How did this person decide I was too old?
I hadn’t even stated my age on the post.
What makes their opinion more valuable than my own?
This was the first time I’d encountered someone else telling me how I should dress because of my age.
Online there are plenty of bloggers and websites that supply lists of what not to wear after a certain age. I’m not really sure what credentials entitle them to be the King/Queen of Age Appropriate Fashion on the internet.
Personally I believe people should wear whatever they want no matter their age.
Age is irrelevant when it comes to personal style.
I hate it when someone judges someone else for
, “trying to look young”. It is a very antiquated perspective.Personal style is simply about dressing in a way that best expresses who we are as people on the inside, not how old we are on the outside.
I’m grateful that this silliness doesn’t bother Cher when she gets dressed.
Do you worry about dressing age appropriately? If so, why?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
Ha! I love your joke about checking the label for an age-limit. It shows how ridiculous people are when they judge others. Let’s embrace freedom, not restriction.
Like Ally said – let’s choose freedom! And I agree there is no age limit on good style; you have to rock it at all ages. I think your style keeps evolving in a wonderful, organic way. And btw, you look completely gorgeous here, lady! xo
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Wow. People can be, as my friend likes to say, swamp donkeys.
I’ve had people say “I could never wear what you wear” or “Only you could get away with wearing that.” My response is usually something along the lines of “Jealous much?”
I wear what I want…
Well said! Personal style IS about expressing who we are from inside out. I can’t imagine you not wearing the fabulous things you wear–poodles or no! You are you and if you started dressing with worry toward being age-appropriate, I might take your temperature and call a doctor!
Same for me, by the way. If you ever see me fret about such things, please shake me out of it!
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Haha! I went back and checked out the post with the poodle cardigan! Loved it! I’d wear it, and I’m 74! I will wear what I want!
mwhaha, those ‘concerned’ comments usually make me laugh!, all the ‘too old to wear this’ or ‘you’re so brave for wearing this’.
I have some strong opinions about people who call me brave for wearing whatever I wear. I think that they’re trying to make me feel uncomfortable in my body, because it’s intolerable to be fat and happy, it’s intolerable to be a matured woman dressing in whatever she likes.
Too many people feel authorized to judge.
And you look gorgeous indeed. Love your dress, the print and the fab shape! and you totally rock in it!, so romantic and lovely!
besos
honestly – this age appropriately dressing/styling thing bores me to dead……..
as you know – i give a f***. hot pants with 50 – of cause!
the argument always comes from people with very small to zero fashion sense. in lack of fabulous outfits they do bossy texts….. best ingnored.
you do look a stunner – and its not only the cool dress!
xxxx
Truly that person knew nothing about style. But I get it. They’ve been brainwashed for SO long that they can’t help it. It’s those rules that people used to live and die by!! So glad we are over that.
Do you know I was at the shoe store, and was oogling over some tasseled sandals last summer? And a lady about Nancy’s age, said the same thing (well, more that she was too old to wear them). Of course I said that’s absolutely not true, but I know I didn’t change her mind.
XOXO
Jodie
Nope! Never! I wear what I feel like wearing on that day! Stupid woman!
I often wonder who makes up these silly rules. There’s only one rule in my book and that is to wear whatever I like and feel comfortable with. I actually think that a lot of the clothes which are not considered age-appropriate or whatever do look so much better on us “older” girls, who wear them with confidence and conviction rather than to keep up with peer pressure. My adage is that “fashion” is usually wasted on youth 😉 xxx
Some people just need to shut up and get back into their caves.
There isn’t an age limit on clothes, if it fits and YOU like it anyone else can go to hell. Opinions are like *rseholes, we’ve all got them but most of us are classy enough to keep them to ourselves.
That dress is fantastic – send it my way when you’re bored with it…please!!! xxx
I hear you… I HEAR YOU haha.
Why I thought that way? Because sometimes I secretly think that of other women. I will never say it but I think it. Guilty of old fashioned thoughts or guilty of, as you say, a antiquated perspective..
It sometimes creeps up on me.
Greetje
Ha ha! Thanks for providing me with a blog topic for this week Greetje ; P
You are most welcome (big grin)
The only way the idea of “appropriate” enters into the decision when I’m getting dressed is, “is it appropriate for the occasion?” (Just so I don’t go to a funeral wearing a bikini). Otherwise, as long as a piece of clothing is “ME appropriate”, I’ll wear it.
Well, having turned 60 in June, I do worry about age appropriate. Worry is probably too strong a word. I just don’t want to look like I am trying to be 40, when I am not. I avoid short skirts (with no nylons there are varicose veins in all their glory), exposed cleavage (just my personal preference), and outfits that have gone overboard with color (the clowns have come to town).
I find it quite bizarre that anyone would try and tell you what to wear. Have they not sussed your strong inate sense of personal style? True style knows no age limits as we all know. You either have it or you don’t. Yet strangely it is often those in the latter group who are trying to tell those in the former group! It beggars belief! Just keep being yourself and people of True style will continue to acknowledge and applaud you.
I haven’t been told that yet…but I am often told I can “get away with it” because I am artistic. I sense a backhanded criticism in there somewhere.
Who cares? Fortunately there are no actual rules like in the old days with trousers. So until they send in the actual police, wear away!
xo Jazzy Jack
I could not agree more – age is irrelevant when it comes to personal style!!
https://colorandgrace.com/
I wear what I love, and breaking the rules that I don’t believe in is so much fun. Pure and simple ageism! Great post Suzanne! By the way, I love your dress.
Hi Suzanne!
I actually hate that term “Age Appropriate”. Not sure what a 51 yr old is SUpposed to wear? I am of the same mindset that I will wear what I want to please me, and no one else. Fashion should be something that is expressive, that is creative and that we enjoy wearing. Maybe you love poodles? Maybe you are a big dog fan? Why would that be a younger person’s garment. ??
I always think those lists are hilarious. I read one- Women should stop wearing jeans after 47.. Ok, so 46 1/2, I am pushing it? 45 is ok, just not 47! haha.
Anyhow, I LOVE the dress you are wearing, as I love larger florals and the colors on you are wonderful
Hope you are doin well.
Jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Your photos are great ♥
Gorgeous maxi dress. The wrap style with that ruffle hem really makes it special. I can picture you wearing it with some of your fabulous boots too! I feel about personal style choice like I do about religion. You are perfectly entitled to believe whatever you like, just don’t try to push your beliefs on me! Though I have never had someone tell me directly that what I’m wearing isn’t age appropriate I’ve encountered the more passive aggressive approach, as in, “well at my age I would never ‘wear” and it’s usually something they know I wear or are wearing at the moment.
LOVE this gorgeous dress! It looks fabulous on you!
Some “rules” were never meant to be taken seriously and yet there are those who believe there’s a code of ethics that applies to fashion!!
How sad to miss all the freedom and fun!
Artful self-expression through fashion is playful, joyful, and soulful.
RULES BE DAMNED!
I literally typed into Google: “Dressing over 40” and your blog popped up… I’ll tell you why I googled (at 42) that thread. I am SO guilty of thinking that some items of clothing become too young as women and men age. Hear me out…I KNOW people should wear what makes them happy, but there’s also the part of me that thinks some items are suited for younger humans. Case in point, a fashion blogger that I follow and like very much REALLY loves to wear sleeveless shirts that show a large amount of side-boob and there’s no bra in there. Now…I’m not sure of her age, but it’s probably 10 years older than me and I always cringe a bit when I see it. I just don’t think it looks flattering…Ugh. I am a bit more conservative in my dress-admittedly. I’m just not as liberated 🙂
Well I will admit that I also know of one very popular UK style blogger/celebrity and she NEVER wears a bra and is always showing not only her side boob but just how chilly it is wherever she is at…if you get my drift LOL. Honestly, if she wants to do without a bra over 50, (she is 54 or 55) who am I to tell her otherwise? Personally my eyes go straight to her boobs no matter what she’s wearing because of the fact that she isn’t wearing a bra, so I know where you are coming from when it comes to undergarments.