Thanks for the advice but I won't be following it. I'll dress the way I've dressed ever since I was a teenager - in a shirt and jeans (I'll gloss over the occasional budgie smugglers). Of course it's different for women, who have a wider range of clothing and are more likely to fall foul of the sartorial busybodies.
But what exactly does "dressing your age" mean anyway? Does it mean hiding all the wrinkles and wobbly bits and other signs of ageing? Does it mean not showing any flesh? Does it mean dressing respectably and discreetly?
Why should anyone have to tone down their clothes to satisfy some arbitrary notion of what's "appropriate" or "suitable" for old codgers? If people want to wear flamboyant, startling, highly coloured clothes and flash a bit of cleavage, why shouldn't they?
Why is it okay for young people to wear revealing, flesh-baring, figure-hugging clothes but not okay for oldies to expose a bit of leg? Why this age-based censorship? Why this squeamish puritanism?
As for the long list of what oldies should never wear under any circumstances - leather trousers, miniskirts, elastic waistbands, chunky earrings, leggings, sheer clothing, velcro shoes, low-rise pants etc etc (and that's just the women) - why should anyone take any notice? Who takes these prohibitions seriously?
Flaunt your wrinkles and wobbly bits, I say. They're the sign of a life well-lived.
Pic: The actor Karen M Chan
It’s more important to wear the right clothes for your body type. That’s all I’ll say on the matter!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Ooh, I wonder what you're keeping secret! Yes, finding the right clothes for your body type is essential.
DeleteNo secret. I just don’t want to speak ill of anyone else’s body type.
DeleteIf the powers that be, want us to dress our own age, it would help if they actually manufactured clothing for us "oldies but goodies." The fashions are all aimed at the beautiful babes of the world. We oldies have to find what we can that will work with the wrinkles and the woobly bits.
ReplyDeleteDebby: As you say, so much clothing is aimed at the young and trendy. Not many oldies want low-cut, cleavage-flaunting tops.
DeleteI used to hate elastic waist bands. Now they are my friends. :)
ReplyDeleteI suspect Anonymous is a regular blogmate who had trouble commenting. Indeed, what's wrong with elastic waistbands?
DeleteI do not like new, young fashion well enough to wear it.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: I don't even know what the young fashion trends are, apart from ripped jeans and super-tight leggings. Neither of which will I be wearing.
DeleteClothes, like Make Up and hair, are there to enhance the desirable and disguise flaws. It's an art.
ReplyDeleteFrankly? I don't like it when people, as you recommend, let it all hang out - regardless. And that goes for both sexes. And all ages. Young or old. It's a question of aesthetics.
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Ursula: I would say clothes also express your personality. And if your personality means you don't want to "let it all hang out", that's your choice. But if you want to wear colourful and startling clothes, why not?
DeleteSorry, your reply doesn't make sense to me. I thought you were talking about letting it (flesh and bits) all hang out.
DeleteI was talking about STYLE, aesthetics and NOT letting it all hang out. Other than that: I am a flamboyant dresser - in an understated way.
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Ursula: I don't think you read my reply properly. I never said everyone should let it all hang out. Some might want to, some might not. As long as you're not offending public decency, what's the problem?
DeleteSince retirement, I have worn only our national dress of white kurta and trousers. In the winter, I add a Nehru Jacket to it. This has made life very simple and I don't have to waste time choosing what to wear for occasions. At home I am comfortable in my lungis and half sleeve kurtas.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies Nick. The above comment is from me.
ReplyDeleteRamana: Yes, I thought that must be you. Your clothing policy sounds very practical.
DeleteFor more than 30 years I'm dressed with good fitting jeans , a white shirt and an only crazy thing ; red loafers from prada. They last through at least 6/7 years. I agree with you that being dressed according to your age means nothing. If you love colours wear colours , if it's black and white you adore, so buy black and white. All my clothes can find place in one luggage and I'm perfectly happy..
ReplyDeleteThe comment above is from
ReplyDeleteme.
Hannah
Hannah: Exactly, just wear what you love to wear and don't bother about arbitrary references to age.
ReplyDeleteI have never been one to keep up with fashion trends and wear what's comfortable for me. Being retired means no need to dress up, except when necessary for a function, which are far and few between these days. Jeans are a favorite and mine are never ripped or faded so I guess I am not quite in style.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: Yes, that's one big advantage of being retired, isn't it? You can wear comfortable casual clothes all the time!
DeleteColette's comment hasn't appeared on the post. She says: "I think it is important for oldsters to dress in what makes them feel comfortable. As a Florida retiree, that means capris and t-shirts with flip flops. If I have to dress up (and that is rare) I have a few skirts and slightly more elegant (but still t-shirt like) tops. I do own leather shoes but dread putting them on. I am interested in fashion, but as a phenomenon, not for me.
ReplyDeleteColette: I'd love it to be so hot I could walk around in capris and t shirts rather than thick jumpers and jackets. But I'm also glad I seldom get too hot for comfort.
DeleteI used to love clothes. but Not the 'trends.' I liked well made classics that you could wear year after year.
ReplyDeletenow I just want to be comfortable. I prefer jumpers ... sweaters we call them here... but our summer temps are TOO HOT. I have never gotten the thrill they seem to find in ripped up clothing. ??? odd. lol. oh well. I'm happy. that's the main thing now.
Tammy: Ripped up clothing is still in evidence here. What's the big attraction? At least it never progressed to ripped up shirts and ripped up jackets.
DeleteI never understood the dress your age business. I mean if I'm 80 years old and want to wear a mini skirt and midriff shirt, I should be able to. Not that I would. lol
ReplyDeleteMary: Absolutely. Why should age have anything to do with the way you choose to dress?
DeleteI'm so into comfort I'm a joke. I don't understand those who "make the effort" usually that involves a lot of fighting their age and incessant grooming, dyeing and lifting of bits with Spanx, I have better things to do with my time. Seriously. I look decent and co-ordinated as I like colour but everything is loose and comfy.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: All the grooming and dyeing and lifting is a result of the obsession with women's appearance. Unfortunately this obsession seems to be increasing not diminishing.
DeleteI think whatever someone's age the smart thing to do is to wear whatever looks good on you and feels comfortable. This may mean not going with the latest fashion for some people. Of course, knowing what looks good on you can be a matter of opinion and judgement. As for physical appearance, hair, face, etc., I'm a strong proponent of natural aging.
ReplyDeleteJoared: I also support natural ageing. The huge demand for plastic surgery, botox etc is sad. And plastic surgery often goes wrong or disappoints the person who had it done.
DeleteAs a short arse I think I get away with a lot - mostly black skinny jeans. Comfort over glamour these days.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: You're lucky to look good in black skinny jeans. Super-tight clothes can often be hideously unflattering.
DeleteI do ponder the age appropriateness of them though, and have rules - no ripped knees! But the brand I have are so comfy, and they are so right for walking [lots of elasticity!], plus I think I have enough pairs to see me out!
DeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: If they're comfy, who cares if some fussbucket thinks they're not age-appropriate?
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