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 now have a pop-up advert for Dresses for Women Over 50, I have resisted the temptation to click.

Thats not a good look I agree, thinking of dying my hair a little lighter as I age. Dark brown with red streak at mo. Maybe I will let the grey shine through. I tried during lockdown but started to look like a skunk

I let my hair dye grow out, which was painful at the time, admittedly.. But dye free now and never had so many compliments! Completely liberating imo.

I've always worn what the fuck I like from as early as I remember to 58. My ex used to moan I never wore sexy clothes or mini skirts but then look at him in his heavy metal teashirts tight over his paunch and same old jeans everyday. Not exactly Adonis material.

My Mum is 93. She has long hair ( still fair) and I am sure she would wear dungarees if she could!
She wears trendy things we get her from Kaleidoscope or New Look.
It's all total crap telling people they have to look Crimplened out after a certain age.
She also wears nice lingerie . Yes, she has horrid health problems and is very disabled, but she smells nice of perfume and is beautiful

PS I am 58 and I damned if I will dress like a nun.

@CaptainMyCaptain- I like those a lot!

IMO, "mutton dressed as lamb" is misogynistic claptrap. It's all about men wanting to be able to identify young women to target, about saying that older women are wshed up has beens and shouldn't be getting ideas they can still look good.

I ignore that phrase, militantly.

@MulticolourMophead

IMO, "mutton dressed as lamb" is misogynistic claptrap. It's all about men wanting to be able to identify young women to target, about saying that older women are wshed up has beens and shouldn't be getting ideas they can still look good.

I ignore that phrase, militantly.

This.

Thoroughly offensive phrase.

Also when used by smug ageist younger women.

But men can do the MDAL too can't they - looking rather ridiculous in clothes more suited to men half their age, or with obviously dyed hair or a wig.

Years ago, an acquaintance who was tallish and lean and with a mane of curls, would often get wolf whistles. He found it amusing.

@MikeUniformMike

But men can do the MDAL too can't they - looking rather ridiculous in clothes more suited to men half their age, or with obviously dyed hair or a wig.

Years ago, an acquaintance who was tallish and lean and with a mane of curls, would often get wolf whistles. He found it amusing.

So men can sometimes wear clothes that don't suit them. But they never get accused of "mutton dressed as lamb". This seems pretty much reserved for directing at older women.

@MulticolourMophead, yes, and it's an ugly expression, but so are descriptions like tarty.

Are there any male terms like that?

Mumsy, frumpy etc. are used to describe how women dress but not men.

This thread has made me look at dungarees as a winter item of clothing. I quite like the ones that are more a romper suit but I can’t see how they will be practical as at my age my bladder is not what it used to be and I can’t spend a minute or so unwrapping myself if I want to pee.

[quote MikeUniformMike]@MulticolourMophead, yes, and it's an ugly expression, but so are descriptions like tarty.

Are there any male terms like that?[/quote]
I can't recall any male expressions like that. These expressions are all derogatory towards women.

MAMIL (middle aged man in Lycra) is the closest I can think of, but it's nowhere near as perjorative.

@Proudboomer, you don't undo the straps to go to the loo, just slip them off your shoulders. Takes no longer than doing up a zip and button.
I tend to find that things in the chest pocket fall out though.

in my early 30s, over lockdown bleached my hair and dyed it bright colours, i git aren't you a bit old for that? i could have been knitting instead!!!

[quote MikeUniformMike]@Proudboomer, you don't undo the straps to go to the loo, just slip them off your shoulders. Takes no longer than doing up a zip and button.
I tend to find that things in the chest pocket fall out though.[/quote]
But then surely it tails on the floor?
Whereas if I undo my trousers and push down they just bunch around my thighs.

Dad-dancing maybe.
MAMIL is awful really.

How about a term for the middle aged man who has let himself go?

I quite like this but I can’t see how you would quick release from it and stop it trailing on the loo floor.

Undo one strap only.
I haven noticed my dungarees trailing on the loo floor.
I wear the L&Y Luna ones - the sides are low cut and they are cropped.
I am surprised at heavily pregnant women wearing dungarees though as the bump must slow things down when desperate for a pee.

@PasstheBucket89

in my early 30s, over lockdown bleached my hair and dyed it bright colours, i git aren't you a bit old for that? i could have been knitting instead!!!

I've done that at 50+, and so far people have been complementary, to my face at least.

And I do crochet, right now it's a pink poncho for me.

I’ve definitely seen some men in MDAL outfits!

Wearing what suits me and what I feel comfortable in is my motto. Personally, that has altered as I’ve got older (46), simply because I know that certain clothes don’t look as good as they once did- I could still wear crop tops, but do I really want to show off my separated abs ( damaged by a large baby)? Probably not!

DD’s friend (15) showed up yesterday wearing a tribute to punk outfit. Tartan skirt, Black top, fishnets and DM’s. She looked amazing and I loved the look. Think I’ll create my own version minus the fishnets...I do feel too old for those now.😂

AmICrazy, I have that outfit but with opaques not fishnets.