weird question about getting older

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 51 and cultivate my own style. I have never chased trends, though. Who wants to look like everyone else? That’s such … basic behavior.

x10000

[Anonymous]

I have always liked fashion, still like to look at fashion news and when I was younger/teens, I even designed and made my own clothes.

Being a bit of a clothes horse was fun! I never went over my budget but always managed to look my best. I was a GREAT bargain hunter and could find good quality clothes deeply discounted.

Now that I'm semi-retired I have no need for a large professional wardrobe so I donated it.

I've also put on some post-menopausal weight and it's changed my body shape so finding things that fit correctly is more difficult.

That makes me somewhat sad because I am now at the stage where I can afford to buy exactly what I want but it's hard finding things that will fit, and it's also hard finding fashions that don't make "older" women look foolish.

[Anonymous]

I really don't like the following looks on either a man or a woman as we get wiser. And these are about personal choices that people make, not about criticizing what a person cannot control:

1. The "old hippie look" with long hair and Birkenstock
2. The "stuck in the 1980s" look on either a man or a woman.
3. The "stuck in the decade when I looked my best" look.
4. The "I'm an influencer selling all of these products with affiliate links" look.
5. The "I'm a woman taking advice from people who are selling a lot of products" look.
6. The "I wear too much make up and what used to be called false eyelashes, fake fingernails, and wigs" to make myself look younger but I just look more masculine look.
7. The "crunchy granola" look with comfort sandals and shoes look.
8. The "showing too much skin" look. Sometimes you really do need to wear a flattering bolero jacket to cover your arms. And sometimes the mini skirt is a little too mini.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 40 and I still care about looking and buying shoes/clothes, is there an age where you stop caring about all of that (fashion) or do you just continue caring until you die?

You're only 40, though. That's not in any way shape or form "old" to care about the way you look and the way you dress.

[Anonymous]

The menopause years have been bad and I don't care so much right now. Most makeup sweats off me, my head is sweaty most of the time, and my clothes are soaked as well.

Assume after I stop sweating nonstop I will care again. Right now cooling is a priority.

I always wondered why middled aged women appeared to "give up" and now I know why!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 40 and I still care about looking and buying shoes/clothes, is there an age where you stop caring about all of that (fashion) or do you just continue caring until you die?

Some people do. Some people don’t. There is no rule. Middle-aged people are not all alike. Neither are older people.

+1 Why the inane questions? Isn't it obvious OP?!?!

[Anonymous]

I am 61 and have hair colored every four weeks, occasional Botox, manicures every two weeks. I feel somewhat put together until it comes to shoes and clothes. I struggle with plantar fasciitis and now all shoes must be comfort shoes. They are all ugly and I try not to care because hobbling is the only other option. I am carrying extra weight which makes the matronly shoes look worse. I can’t figure out what to wear as the quality is so bad and nothing looks that great for how expensive it is. The only pants that seem to wash and wear well are jeans or joggers/athleisure. Preppy button ups gap and shrink when washed. Dresses are often too short. In my dream world Talbots and Tuckernuck would merge and start making higher quality wash and wear basics with a little lycra. I don’t want to look like an Eileen Fisher museum docent or a Chico’s lady setting sail on a cruise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, my mom is 74, and she still cares about what she wears and how she looks, but she's not into trends or anything. I'm 46, and I don't really care about what's in style, but I do enjoy finding and wearing pretty, flattering clothes. One nice thing about getting older is being freed of the need to wear the latest thing, and instead finding things that you love. I buy less clothing, but I keep and wear those things longer.

My mom is 80 and still cares. Still looks beautiful, dresses beautifully. She doesn't shop like she used to, that said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 50 and super vain OP. I look at women around my age and wonder if they own a mirror. You should never give up on trying to be and look your best.

I have to say, I agree. I'm 46 and many of my friends don't try at all. And once you are our age, you really start to look terrible if you don't try. I don't spend a ton of time or money, but yes I get dressed every day and put on makeup. I dye my hair 2x/year and cover grays. I am surprised at how much better I look than them even though many used come off as quite attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 50 and super vain OP. I look at women around my age and wonder if they own a mirror. You should never give up on trying to be and look your best.

I have to say, I agree. I'm 46 and many of my friends don't try at all. And once you are our age, you really start to look terrible if you don't try. I don't spend a ton of time or money, but yes I get dressed every day and put on makeup. I dye my hair 2x/year and cover grays. I am surprised at how much better I look than them even though many used come off as quite attractive.

I actually try more now that I am 49 than I did when I was younger. Still not a LOT - but I've finally started buying myself better clothes and wearing mascara, and figuring out which hair products work for my curly hair, and all that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am 61 and have hair colored every four weeks, occasional Botox, manicures every two weeks. I feel somewhat put together until it comes to shoes and clothes. I struggle with plantar fasciitis and now all shoes must be comfort shoes. They are all ugly and I try not to care because hobbling is the only other option. I am carrying extra weight which makes the matronly shoes look worse. I can’t figure out what to wear as the quality is so bad and nothing looks that great for how expensive it is. The only pants that seem to wash and wear well are jeans or joggers/athleisure. Preppy button ups gap and shrink when washed. Dresses are often too short. In my dream world Talbots and Tuckernuck would merge and start making higher quality wash and wear basics with a little lycra. I don’t want to look like an Eileen Fisher museum docent or a Chico’s lady setting sail on a cruise.

+1 Why can't there be something in between funereal and carnival?!! And shoes ... I've been experimenting with different insoles as I simply can't imagine never wearing anything other than "comfort" shoes again.

[Anonymous]

Not caring? Probably just different preferences. No need to be so extreme.

[Anonymous]

I’m 48 and still care. I find myself really thinking about the clothes I’m about to buy to make sure I don’t look like I’m trying to look younger. I shop much less frequently and while I don’t necessarily buy more expensive clothes, I lean towards items that seem like they won’t look outdated any time soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 40 and I still care about looking and buying shoes/clothes, is there an age where you stop caring about all of that (fashion) or do you just continue caring until you die?

It's not age, it's personality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not caring? Probably just different preferences. No need to be so extreme.

And why does it have to be "giving up" to wear, do, or not do what makes one happy or comfortable?