To think she's too old for this?

[Cheeseboard89]

My MIL is 66, and I just don’t think shes dressing for her age. She has this obsession of staying “young”, hates being called gran and told my DC off for calling her that. She thinks gran is “too old” and wants to be called Nan instead. She wears really short dresses during the summer and at Christmas parties, the dresses literally just cover her bum and if she bends over you will be able to see it, not only that but her boobs are hanging out. Today she came round in black leggings/tights (I could see her knickers, they were like blackish see through) a pink hoodie with holes and brown ugg boots.

AIBU to think she should just embrace her age and be happy? I’ve met her younger sister, couple years younger than MIL and they’re worlds apart.

Actually, if you really can see her knickers, why not just say “mil, I can see your knickers when you bend over- is that dress a funny cut?” You know, like you would do to a manger of your family?

Member of your family, obviously.

@leggere exactly my point. The fact is it’s the clothes that OP dislikes and is therefore trying to shame her MIL into “dressing her age”. Nobody has told Helen Mirren she is “dressing too young” because she’s covered up. That’s the issue. And it’s just another way for women to be shamed for dressing how they please. Which really is bullshit.

I love the fact my DM is nothing like this at all, and dresses in a really cool way in Joules, White Stuff and Fat Face clothes. grin I know who I'd rather be seen with! Does it matter how the person you are with dresses? (as long as it's within the bounds of decency). What would you do if the person you enjoy being with dresses badly? Go out with somebody you liked less but who looked stylish?

As long she's comfortable and confident, wtf does it matter what she wears? If you can see her arse when she bends over, look the other way.

If my arse and legs were still the same shape and size they were when I was 30 years younger, I'd be wearing short dresses and leggings too.

My Mum always dressed a bit like a scarecrow, nothing quite fitted right and nothing matched. I couldn’t have given a shiny shite. And I’d give my eye teeth and more to have her back, mismatched cords with sandals and socks and all!

That was funny Smeddum, but sad at the same time.

Is your MIL Petula Gordino?

@leggere it was funny half of me thinks she had designs on being seen as eccentric the other half thinks that she just didn’t give a shit about clothes and was happy as she was.

God ‘the class / taste police” out today again!

I love older ladies who grow old disgracefully.

There’s a gran down the road from us who has pink punk hair and wears PVC trousers. I have tremendous respect for her.

I can't see what this has to do with you OP or how it affects you?

Do you look down on her in other ways aside from this?

Encourage her.

You only live once and when she is gone you will miss her.

She is just marching to the beat of her own drum. Good on her!

Soooo, he didn’t pull the word ‘Gran’ out of his arse, so WHO has been referring to her as gran, knowing she doesn’t like it?

Was it you, OP?

Clearly. It’s obvious. MN snobbery on show for all to see AGAIN

Seriously this is up for discussion? Why? So you can say 'x% of Mumsnet members agree that you should grow up and act your age? Good team building! Or just so you can b*h about her behind her back?

She can wear what she wants! Hate all this crap about women being too old to wear stuff!

Well done. The youthful voice of experience. Hasn’t our struggles ( Im a child of 50’s ) been to wear what we want. I know mine were in the ‘70s trying to wear trousers when I was told not to .

It is so difficult finding clothes when one is in their 60's and still feel young at heart, not ready for pleated skirts and cardigans. All winter I've mostly worn skinny jeans and baggy jumpers. Summer dresses last year were too short although I did find one my daughter approved of.

My mil wears Aaron jumpers with tracksuit bottoms, her shoes tend to be crocs with socks too.

She can wear what the fuck she wants

Provided it meets with your approval.

Wow, nice bit of ageism you're expressing there op!

I'd like to introduce you to instagram star baddiewinkle who has 3.3million followers on Instagram. I'm 100% certain that you will disapprove of her entire wardrobe. She has sponsorship deals with fashionova.com and misguided, styled by her granddaughter.

Baddie is 89 years old and her mantra is "stealing yo man since 1928".

I hope I have her energy and outlook when I'm 89 (if I make it to that ripe old age).

thenet.ng/meet-the-trendy-88-year-old-woman-with-more-followers-than-you/

YABVVVU

Can you delineate what you think she should be wearing? Obviously not holey hoodies and see-through leggings, or short skirts - you've already ruled them out.

So what can she wear? Please say; and be clear. I want colours and makes, preferaby links too. Are you thinking of the ghastliness that is Per Una?

NurseButtercup, thanks for this link! Baddie is fab, and her legs! Mine are half her age and half as attractive!

OP is either a very brave or a very clueless person to write such a judgmental, ageist post on MN and submit it to a discussion.

www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/warning

OP this poem has been twice voted Britain's favourite poem.

It starts
"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter."