What makes a 50+ year old woman think that she looks 25? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people simply dress and behave different not in middle age, so when women in their 50s look in the mirror, they are less likely to see their mothers looking back at them, and it makes them feel like they look pretty youthful.

I agree acting like you look 25 when you are in your 50s is silly -- you don't! But you also don't look like what your mom looked like at 55 either, right?

I'm 42 and when my mom was my age, she'd cut her hair into that ubiquitous middle aged lady bob of the 80s/90s (blunt bangs, curling slightly under the chin, either single process color or graying) and was wearing elastic waist paints and shorts and oversized shirts. Plus a lot of her clothes had that mark of "old lady", like appliqués on her sweatshirts with holiday themes, or orthopedic shoes. I don't dress like that at all. I'm not dressing young for my age, but I still look younger than my mom did because my jeans have actual buttons and zippers on them and my clothes fit my body appropriately and my hair doesn't look like helmet.

So maybe a lot of women notice that they haven't entered that phase of "old ladydom" like their mothers did, and thus think they look younger than their age, not really picking up on the fact that since everyone dresses and styles themselves a bit younger these days, it's very obvious who among us is in their 20s versus their 50s. My jeans might look cute and flattering but my face is still hollowing out a bit and my hands are the hands of a 40-something woman. I'm okay with it, but I'm also self aware. som people are not.

Agree with this. There used to be a uniform of "mom clothes"/"mom hair" that gave away women's ages. It wasn't flattering but it was an actual look with the mannish haircut, big earrings, and boxy sweaters. Now you're either still trying with clothes that fit and long styled hair, or you've given up with pajama pants, giveaway t-shirts and a sloppy bun. The ones who are still trying get compliments that they look young but really they just look NICE.

Agree with this as well. I'm 48 and basically share clothing and shoes with my 13 and 16 year olds (minus the crop tops). In contrast my mom was in appliquéd sweatshirts and house dresses at my age.
I FEEL very youthful.
But then I'll catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror from across a store and I definitely don't look 20s or 30s in the face. Or body for that matter--I'm thin but my body is very different than it was at age 25.

[Anonymous]

Look at this board. Full of women saying they look 15 years younger.

[Anonymous]

What does it even mean to look a particular age? What does 36 look like, or 44, or 58? Is there some standard look for a specific age that we can compare to?

And when people say someone looks great for their age, what do they mean? When I personally say it, I usually mean that someone looks younger than the age I know them to be. Do other people have a different meaning for that phrase?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thin über fit women in their 40s and 50s do look quite young, at least in good light or from a distance. They look great in clothes and often wear the similar styles as their daughters. With the right makeup and great hair, some really do look amazing. But mistaken for 20somethings? Of course not.

Agree with this. Skin is always the tell, and there is a lot of sun damage around here.

Hands and neck especially. Im a thinner woman and I can tell you there’s a big noticeable difference in those from when I was younger. My hands and neck look too sinewy and skinny and ghoulish. Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is fear of reality. Some young men hit on older women precisely because they're older. These women mistake that for being seen as a 20-something when the young men want them because they are old enough to be their mother.

[Anonymous]

Your poor relatives, OP. Maybe just don’t have dinner with them next time.

[Anonymous]

I have a good friend who is almost 40 with four kids but who looks like she is about 22. She is very tiny (maybe 85 lbs soaking wet) and did an excellent job with skincare and sun protection so doesn’t have wrinkles. No gray hairs.

Beyond that, I know no women in their 40s who look like they are in their 20s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you’re white without saying you’re white

You still look around your age, sis. Sorry. Unless you are super baby faced, you look like a really good looking 30/40/50 year old women. The trend on Tik Tok is hilarious. I’m within 2 years every time.

I have a friend who has a very nice 45 year old body that feels the need to post a butt shot on every beach vacation she goes on. It looks like a *nice* 45 year old butt. But it doesn’t look like a 21 year old butt. Same goes for the face - no matter your race. Different races age in different ways - but you can still tell the difference between a 25 yo AA woman and a 50 yo one.

Again you are white

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at this board. Full of women saying they look 15 years younger.

Not me. I’m 55. I look like a woman in her 50s. I’m slim and very fit. I try to dress well. I look put together. I think (hope) that I am still attractive. But I’m not delusional. I’m 55 and loving it! No desire to look young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a bunch of nasty people so many of you are.

What is the lesser of two evils- being delusional or being nasty?

I'm neither, you however are nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at this board. Full of women saying they look 15 years younger.

Not me. I’m 55. I look like a woman in her 50s. I’m slim and very fit. I try to dress well. I look put together. I think (hope) that I am still attractive. But I’m not delusional. I’m 55 and loving it! No desire to look young.

See this is good self esteem. Chasing one’s youth and being delusional about it isn’t good self esteem. You, PP, have a good sense of self and I hope I’m like you in ten years.

[Anonymous]

My mom and her friend from her 20s are 80. They seriously look 60. They move and act and don’t dress like the Golden Girls but more minimalist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a bunch of nasty people so many of you are.

What is the lesser of two evils- being delusional or being nasty?

Ha! Bravo!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some women get a lot of attention even as they get older b/c they are happy, fun, interested in others, do a lot of fun/different things, and have confidence. They are great to be around b/c they are warm and welcoming. Everyone wants to be close to a woman like that!

I agree with this and also what does this have to do with anything the OP said?

I’m guessing they’re trying to make the connection that those women assume getting attention is because they must look younger but it isn’t, it’s just that they’re fun and magnetic and maybe have a personality that feels young at heart.

This group of 50+ women said people regularly tell them they look to be in their 20s and 30s. Which is a totally different thing than being happy, positive, interesting people who draw others in and others want be around them.

Why do you care?

[Anonymous]

I don't look my age but my husband does and he is 6 months younger than me and it bugs him b/c he doesn't like other men still hitting on me. He would rather we both get old & fat together