Clothes and age

[newwave]

Whilst I accept that some clothes cannot be worn past a certain age I was suprised to be told by a younger colleague at work Converse should not be worn past 35 (I had just purchased a new pair during lunch) at 50 I am banned from Converse it seems. AIBU to be

But Converse are surely ideal for those on the verge of Sagadom- flat and comfortable.

I think I've just realised what I want for my approaching 50th birthday . Though looking at some online I might get some Dunlop green flash instead - the staples of my student days, couldn't get them for a while.

Why should there be an age limit on wearing nice plimsolls?

Ignore regarding the shoes. Who made her the queen of fashion?

I think there are lot more sexy "older" women than when I was younger. We are more confident, have more disposable income etc and are just not moving on to make way for the pretty young things.

How very dare you.

Sorry meant to add

Converse are proper old school. If you wore them as a teenager why stop now? Some items of clothing (mini skirts etc) probably should be left behind but not converse.

Chucks are cool on everyone.

Generally, I am a big believer in people wearing what the hell they want. But I must admit, I do find the trend for women in their late 30s/40s wearing boyfriend jeans and Converse a tad...sad. It's like men who wear baggy jeans and slogan tee-shirts at this age. Maybe time to grow up? Personally, I live on horror of being that woman who fro behind is the in the cool 21 yr old in jeans and Cons, but turns around to reveal the face of a tired 40 something mum. Not cool

Would help if I could construct a sentence properly, eh?

Dolittlest I think it depends where you are and what you are doing. There's a time and a place. Dinner with friends - probably not. Lounging around or doing chores or going shopping, why not?

What does "grow up" mean? Wearing demure skirts and blouses? Not swearing? Not getting tipsy? Tired 40 something mums can wear jeans and converse and who cares if they look tired and have some experience in their faces. It doesn't mean that they act immaturely or haven't grown up IMO.

Oooh, always someone around to burst your 'feel good' bubble, isn't there?

newwave I was 50 last week; please ask your colleague if it is okay to wear my purple suede boots (Rocket Dog) or if I should ditch them now?

Would Hush Puppies look better with my Zimmer?

Dolittlest, I live in horror of being the tired 40 something who dresses like a tired 40 something! And I am cool, so nur.

Doolittlest - you contradict yourself. You write that you are in support of people wearing what they want but then judge as "sad" people who do. Personally I'd love to look like a 21 year old from behind even if my haggard old face gives me away eventually. I just love clothes and wear anything that makes me look good.

I still wear Converse and persuade my 44 yo DP to wear them too. I also wear miniskirts that could be classed as belts (though only with opaque tights these days) and given that the legs are the last body part to "go" I shall wear them proudly into retirement and beyond.

Yes, miniskirts can definitely be worn at any age because legs stay good. I still wear NewRocks with mine - and goth hoodie tops too. I have very much the face I deserve after 25 years heavy partying, but (again) I don't see why some self-conscious whinyarse projecting his/her own sartorial insecurities should make me feel any need to dress differently.

(Just to add, however, that if I am going to a wedding or a funeral I do tend towards neat tailoring etc, but it will still have come from a charity shop so that it won't be the same as anyone else's).

It's like, Gap. Who the fuck shops at Gap? ANd FFS WHY when clothes as utterly boring as theirs can be had for less than half the price in Asda or on a street market (oh and don't say, because of the slave labour issue: Gap are not whiter than white WRT that). DS Dad says that Gap is for people to pathetic to be able to choose their own clothes.

I said I 'generally' support people wearing what they want, but of course, I am human and have my own opinions.

I don't think every woman over 35 yrs old looks 'sad' in Cons and jeans, but I do think some look a bit like aged teenagers.

Mini skirts like belts. Nah. Not in my world. Sorry! .

My own personal opinion

I am only 32 and have no intention of - packing away my fabulously teenage clothing in 3 tears time! My DS8 actually encourages me to wear mini skirts too - the other day he announced that I "need to get your legs out more mummy, they are really good, but you better shave them first eeeeeeeeeeeeuw!" he is a delight!

I have recently turned away from a couple of items that I fancied buying because dsd1 wanted them too - she's 13, I'm not.
On the other hand, I know she covets several things of mine and has told dp that I look "cool" . Obviously I'm v v shallow as was quite chuffed to hear that!

Off topic a bit here but this thread has reminded me of the time my DP - when he was 42 - tried on a pair of drainpipe jeans in Reiss. Now, my DP is extremely slender still and has a runner's body so looks good in close fitting clothes - normally. He came out of the changing room in jeans that were so tight they could only have been worn by 20 year olds in indie bands. He looked hysterically funny. I actually laughed out loud in the shop so everyone turned round. Poor DP. Back to the Carhartt's and twisted Levis for him

Well i must be a sad 44 yr old then too,
I thought it was great when skinny jeans came back, I missed them dreadfully.

I remember as a child wanting for my mum to dress more trendy and youthfully. We, children, considered that cool and beautiful. Also, to wear more trendy make up than the same old lipstick colour that all women resort to when they pass a 'certain' age.
I am not talking about looking ridiculous here, because looking ridiculous is not nice regardless of age. Just wearing what fits you and what is comfortable for you. If those are convers, go ahead. Also, it seems that one set of rules are applied to celebs and different rules are applied to 'mortals' (by the same people). Look at some of celebrity mums, they are well into their late thirties and forties, they wear skinny or any other type of jeans, tight dresses and mini skirts. No one ever said that is not age appropriate. And it shouldn't be considered that as long as that person looks and feels good. Of course, for any person a time comes when they don't look nice wearing some clothes and I believe that would be the right time to stop wearing them. For some, that time is in their twenties, for others their forties. And finally, there are things which are totally age-unrelated, and I believe converse is one of them, as I really don't beleive there is a difference between how they look on a foot of a fifty something in comparison to the way they look on a foot of a twenty something. It's just prejudice that makes the difference, not esthetics.

imvho it depends what you wear them with and your usual style etc.

They would be dire on some of my colleagues or my neighbour but would be fab on my mil.

I think Converse look awful on anyone over about 16.

Unless doing sport.

Oh, I am all for women of any age dressing up, looking good, feeling good etc. I am early 30s and am currently wearing skinny jeans & knee-high boots. I am not at the 'M&S Footgloves under boot-cut jeans' stage, yet

The celeb thing is a case in point, though, I think. I don't think all these 45 yr old celebs squeezed into tiny dresses with plunging cleavages look good. Thinking of Carol Vorderman. She looks bloody great for her age and is a very attractive woman with a great figure, lovely pretty face etc....but by God, she dresses like mutton sometimes. Is there any need to hoist up your breasts for the world to see at any age, let alone at her age? It just screams 'Look at me! I'm desperate for you to think I am young and attractive'. which is sad, because as women of 40+ you'd think we'd have more to celebrate and feel good about than perky tits.

Agree with Diddl, Converse are for teenagers.

Converse are not sports shoes diddl you'll just damage yourself!

I'm approaching 40 and I wear my converses with pride