Can You Be Too Old For Fashion?

On New Year's Eve, a friend was spinning around our make-shift dance floor demonstrating the swirliness of her skirt. This endeared her to me deeply, but I couldn't help wondering in this year that we turn 25, when we will be too old to enjoy twirling skirts. She maintains women never out grow this desire. I certainly hope we don't, but adulthood has made me more aware of people's judgments, particularly in the work place.

I've heard strict age mandates about miniskirts, bright colors, suits, pearls, flowery perfumes, flowery prints, stilettos and sequins that all make me worried I'll be carded by the fashion police. I don't want to grow up too fast, but I don't want to cling to yesterday either. I just want to be me.

Is age a factor in fashion and style? Is there a point at which you should no longer follow trends? If an old dog wants to learn a new trick, will people think she's kind of pathetic?

Oh, that we could all age as gracefully as Helen Mirren!

Comments

Jack Edathil said…
I have the same concerns about blue jeans. I look good in them now, but will I be allowed to wear them when I'm 40 (not as far away as it used to be)?

I don't see age as the single determining standard for these fashion rules. There are more stunning women in their 40s these days, many of whom don't look their age.
Anonymous said…
I love it when older women have a more playful style. So often you see them wearing the fail safe trends that are meant for their age, but nothing makes me happier than seeing them wear something that brings out their personality.
Anonymous said…
Fashion differences with age would seem to me to be no different than fashion differences with body type and appearance. Depending on how much your physical appearance influences your current fashion choices, I'd expect it to be the same with changes in age.

Personally... I might say choosing to show midriff at 60 isn't the choice to make but never, ever stop twirling in skirts or skipping as you cross the room... no matter what the kids think.

~ Sloebomb
Anonymous said…
Oh, I think there are basic rules... mini skirts should stay with the younger crowd, for example. But there will always be exceptions, and as with everything you should do your best not to let rules and suggestions become laws. They're useful tools, but not the final word on how you dress.
Anonymous said…
For the most part, I don't see anything wrong with older people trying to look stylish. After all, we all want to look good in one way or another. The problem that I've personally run into the most comes from perfume. On more than one occasion I've walked by an older lady (sometimes even in like her late 40s) and the perfume is so thick I have to stop and shake my head to clear the dizziness out of it. I wish I could say I was kidding.

The bottom line is that in my opinion, as long as you don't go nuts with the perfume bottle, I say look stylish for as long as you want. :)

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