Betty,
Fair enough; nothing wrong with owning your style ? Thank you for sharing–
Catherine

I was bullied horribly as a young girl because I was “different”. I was born highly creative and a rebel, liked looking different from everyone else, always set trends rather than follow the crowd and paid the price both with verbal and physical abuse. When I discovered David Bowie (??may he RIP) early on (a few albums before his “Ziggy” period) I not only found my first crush at 10-11 years old, but he helped me realise I could be “different” and it was not only okay, but cool! At 56 I still wear a guitar pick he gave me ages ago on my ear (thank goodness I laminated it!) and there it shall stay until the day I die; as a reminder of what he gave me (confidence) when I needed it so badly, and to always be myself.

I’ll fully admit I’m not your typical 56 year old woman, as my life has been immersed in rock n’ roll and fashion from a very young age. I’d love to see you amongst my friends, your eyes would be opened to something called “personal style” as none of us have a “rule book”. I guess you’d say I look like a rock n’ roller, but I’m complimented every time I step out by those who don’t have the guts to show their personality sartorially (they’ve outright said so, and many were decades younger); personal style doesn’t die unless you decide to kill it off. If you feel you should become a drone, good for you. But don’t put down those of us who are peacocks and wear our personal style with pride. What a boring world it would be if there weren’t people who dared to look different; celebrate individuality, don’t squash it!

Thank you for saying what I was going to say! Kudos to your 16 year old! I always taught my daughter (same age) that every one of us is unique, not another on earth like us, yet we are all connected through humanity. We were both bullied terribly when young and I’m proud she never caved and tried to “fit in”. The bullying left its scars as it does on all of us, the last thing we need is to be bullied as adults for how we choose to dress.

I was taught this valuable lessen by my 16 year old. Wear what makes you feel pretty and happy, and damn all those who think they know better and think they are in a position to prescribe to others.

My 2cents…….

Absolutely! I agree!

Amen! Thank God for Betsey Johnson, Iris Apfel, Cicely Tyson, Tina Turner, Iman, Madonna, Tina Knowles and a whole slew of ageless fashionistas out there who don’t believe this crap! It’s all about style not age and it’s about how you look and feel in your clothing. If you have fabulous legs (free of varicose veins) and you want to feel sexy then show them off. In other words, we have the right to flaunt our best assets no matter what age.. No one has the right to be the “hall monitor” for what should and should not be worn.

I know how you feel, what to wear when we get older, Do you remember those classic semi fitted clothes that came from Magnin’s ? I think that they may have been called Jones something, but they were mostly knits that fit beautifully and they were tailored with beautiful buttons and colors. There were no frills, just class all the way. Some fit tighter than others, but most just clung to the form without being cheap. Older women just looked gorgeous and Moneyfied in them. That is how I plan on meeting the world in my 80’s. I am in my 60’s now and it is always a challenge on how to look. OH they were outrageously expensive too. But…so elegant and beautiful. Congrats on your Grand Daughters wedding. 🙂

It’s not about age, it’s about style. Grown women of every age should not be wearing anything gimmicky on a daily, work-a-day basis. Also, older women are not the only ones with body flaws. Every 20-year-old does not have a perfect figure and every 40-year-old is not a fat, wrinkled mass. That’s why this age crap is stupid.