To think I can wear what the fuck I like at 47

[Midlifelights]

My (judgmental) mother thinks I ‘shouldn’t’ be wearing dungarees at my hideously old age of 47 🙄 I should also not ever wear a bikini again and should now have transitioned into tankini’s or a one piece. Animal print also apparently not appropriate.

Aibu to think WTF? I feel like I look ok for my age (not that it fucking matters anyway) and that i can wear whatever I want to wear.

I like nice clothes and shock horror I like wearing bikinis too and genuinely give zero fucks what anyone else thinks.

Is it a generational thing? You must transition to m & s stretchy wear by 45?

I love dungarees, just cannot pull them off at all

Maybe try a bigger size?

😉

and two of my DM’s favourite sayings are:

‘March to the beat of your own drum’

and

‘If it pleases the wearer bugger the starer’

Both fantastic philosophies.

I have some purple patchwork dungarees and love them. I'm 53 and finally have the confidence to wear what I like- flowing, colourful clothes with more than a hint of hippie.

@LunaNorth she’ll be well chuffed at you saying that.

She’s super funny too. Our local hospital has a Women’s Health and Eye department in the same building. She’s named it the ‘Face and Fanny Department’ and tells all the nursing staff there when we visit!

@QueenArseClangers tell her from me, she’s my kind of woman

@BananaLlamaConCalma - I’m the same, nearly 50 with waist length hair. I hardly ever wear it down. It’s so easy to just put it up but an asked a lot when I’m cutting it. Really annoys Me. It’s been long since I was 2 never Had it short and never intend to!

@Midlifelights

My (judgmental) mother thinks I ‘shouldn’t’ be wearing dungarees at my hideously old age of 47 🙄 I should also not ever wear a bikini again and should now have transitioned into tankini’s or a one piece. Animal print also apparently not appropriate.

Aibu to think WTF? I feel like I look ok for my age (not that it fucking matters anyway) and that i can wear whatever I want to wear.

I like nice clothes and shock horror I like wearing bikinis too and genuinely give zero fucks what anyone else thinks.

Is it a generational thing? You must transition to m & s stretchy wear by 45?

Only wear the dungarees if you don't look like a giant baby or Mr. Tumble in them as I do :)

Wear what you want!

Queen Arse Clangers - she is clearly fabulous in all ways

Literally the only thing you should stop wearing is the weight of other people's opinions!

@SmileyClare

Squeekums that's interesting, you are only human after all then.

I get what you're saying but I go the other way, I'll wear stuff to blend in a bit and not draw too much attention to myself.
I actually feel quite depressed writing that down! That said, I love clothes and looking at what other people are wearing.

Oh yeah im one insecure mofo lol For me its control. Im controlling what people judge me for, that i can handle. That i choose. I cant handle being judged for things i cant control, so i hide them. Try take away peoples ability to judge me for them things

@CaptainMyCaptain

Sorry but since you asked, I cringe at any adult wearing dungarees and especially older ladies wearing bikinis! 😬 I think the question is not so much about your opinion but whether people should care.

OP asked for opinions. Is this your first time on Mumsnet?!

Not at all but the gist of the thread is about caring what other people think.

I’m 52. The older I get the fewer fucks I give what anyone thinks of me. I wear what I like, because it’s what I’m comfortable in.

Who cares !! I'm 54 and I still wear bikinis !! .. love a bit of leopard too !! .. but not dungarees .. not because I'm 54 .. because I look rubbish in them ... just wear whatever makes you feel good and don't give a fig what anyone says !!!

Your mum would hate me.... I’m 44 I live in dresses most of which are mid thigh.... more so in winter because I obviously cannot risk the constant wind battle of a longer flowy skirt and if I wear tighter knee length I end up ripping the back seam.... I do not wear thick black tights either it’s sheer nude hold ups or tights and I do not give two f*s what anyone thinks.... if people don’t like how you dress they shouldn’t look.... and as for grannying up because we are I suppose “middle aged” .... sod off, I am growing old disgracefully and so should we all

YANBU at all, sometimes, mums don't know best. I had experience of this with my own mother. She told me I was too old for a mini skirt (only about 3" above my knees) when I was 23! Of course, I ignored her on that and many other occasions too. Sadly, my mother was very jealous of the life I was able to lead which meant she was often mean to me - not my brothers though. Strange that.

I’m a lot older than you and just bought a CB pair if dungarees which I live, I don’t care what other people think that’s their problem

@LunaNorth I came to post just that too!

Nothing to so with her. Wear what you want. In fact I would go even further way out just to antagonise her. That's my persona.

I am 59, 4 adult youngsters, 3 grandchildren. I don't look and act my age.

Shock horrors I still wear a bikini. I also have tattoo's and piercings. I very much a Boho/quirky/vintage mixed style which is me. I also have long sutle ish purple and red hair.

I don't no what she would think of me and thousands more like me. Sounds like your mom has got old before her time.

Shops i never use: M & S, Bonmarche, London & Edinburgh wool shop and those life. My late mom favourite shops and very much generational. Shudders st the thought. As much as I love her I do not dress like my mom. Neither do you have too

Outside school and various professional uniforms, of course you can wear what you want! Break free from this self-imposed slavery to others' opinions!

God no! Wear what you like as long as it's not illegal or offensive. She might mean well but what's right for isn't necessarily right for you.

I'm 45 next week, wear dungarees, have bright pink short hair... I'd wear a bikini but I literally have no boobs now otherwise I would.

You are you, not your Mum. Smile, nod and say not really my style but thanks Mum. Forget it and move on

My FIL told me I would need to cut my hair soon (I’m 44). DH was pissed off when I told him. He loves my long hair. He told me to ignore FIL.

There is no way I will ever stop wearing bikinis when I go somewhere hot. I tried swimsuits once after I’d had an operation on my stomach and needed to keep the scar out of the sun. I was sweating like a pig. Never again!!!

Nobody but Nobody over 3 years old should wear dungarees.

Your mother is from the older generation still brainwashed by the patricarchy, I am 43, I live in my dungarees, band t-shirts, and short shorts and bikinis (lockdown stomach or not!). I think it's ridiculous when women hit 40 and sudenly feel they have to be all twin set and pearls!

OP - You clearly have your own style that really suits you, age has now't to do with it.