To Think it's Fine to Wear DrMartens as an Older Woman?

[itsnotmeitsu]

I'm not going to say my age (for i.d. purposes), but I am getting on. I bought my first pair of DrMarten boots this year and now I own five pairs of Doc Marten footwear. I wear them with anything and everything, eg jeans, skirts, dresses, and it doesn't matter whether I'm dressed up or down; I wear them. I used to be so wrapped up in how I looked [thank god this was before the age of the internet], but now nobody is going to be admiring me for my looks at my age (except perhaps to say, she looks good for an elderly woman).

I had a period of knowing I was now invisible, as far as the 'male gaze' was concerned. I was middle-aged, and then I went through the menopause. Once I got over that thing of not providing what was needed from a woman by society it freed me up. If I love what I'm wearing than I'm happy in myself when I'm out and about. Far rather have people look at me and think, 'What does she look like', than sit around blending into the background with a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age'.

I'm middle aged and I've never worn anything but dm's. I've got all colours and patterns.
I also have very short hair.
I don't give a rat's what anyone thinks.

I was sitting in a pub last week and saw so many 'older' women with the self-same hair style that ages them.

Maybe they like their hair that way, maybe it’s comfortable, maybe they think it suits them. Live and let live OP - it’s honestly okay for people to wear whatever they like and feel comfortable in. I just can’t imagine sitting in a pub judging other women on how they look - it’s much more fun to just enjoy life.

I was sitting in a pub last week and saw so many 'older' women with the self-same hair style that ages them

But don’t you see? That’s truly ‘not giving a fuck’, not ‘I’ll wear something that I think will make me look a bit edgy and pretend I don’t give a fuck’.

I didn’t take the OPs comments about short hair as a literal criticism, more the expectation that as you get older you should conform to a certain aesthetic. Older women are expected to cut their hair because long hair is too impractical or girlish. There’s this view that it’s all slacks and fleeces and church on Sunday. And no - Dr Martens are not mainstream for women in their 60’s. All of those things are great for any age if you choose them (as is short hair ) but being older comes with this expectation that the OPs decided to ignore. More power to her. I’m 51 with Dr Marten shoes - incidentally mine were from the “ for life” section which were made in the U.K. ( they will repair them for free if need be) I never had a single blister from them as opposed to the standard range which destroyed my feet.

@Divebar2021 > It's exactly that. It's not about hair being short; it's why don't more older women have long hair? And as for Dr Martens; as I'm wearing them in I'm finding them the most comfortable boots I've ever had.

Just wear what you like and let others do the same. Stop judging others for their hair cuts as well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Dr Martens, they’re not exactly living on the edge! I think you could wear them at any age and I doubt anyone would even notice these days.

If at age 70 you were walking round dressed like an 18 year old on a night out then that would be a different matter. Even though you should wear what you like of course, you would raise stares. But Doc Martens? Nah, I don’t think anyone would give that a second thought.

Personally I think the “floaty dress + DM” outfit looks ridiculous on anyone, and would look more ridiculous on someone middle aged.
But it’s irrelevant what I or anyone else thinks. As long as you’re not hurting anyone you can wear what you like.

[quote itsnotmeitsu]@Divebar2021 > It's exactly that. It's not about hair being short; it's why don't more older women have long hair? And as for Dr Martens; as I'm wearing them in I'm finding them the most comfortable boots I've ever had.[/quote]
Why should more women have long hair though? . I hate having long hair, I suit my hair short, and I presume that's why other women have short hair.

Getting rid of ageist stereotypes is always a good thing.

Always check your mirror, not your birthday, when deciding what suits you. And wear what makes you feel good

I was sitting in a pub last week and saw so many 'older' women with the self-same hair style that ages them

You still seem fixated on age and appearance.

Plenty of older women in my town seem to wear DMs.

This link sums up my feelings on what women should wear in general:
warningcurvesahead.com/2016/06/04/24-things-women-over-30-should-wear

I dont see why someone older shouldn't wear DMs. I wore them constantly from age 16 to 21 so I don't see why someone who wasn't even born then should have any issue with it.

sit around blending into the background with a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age'.

I've got a female short haircut and have since I was 30.

Maybe some 'older' women don't want long hair ? Maybe they don't suit long hair ? Maybe their hair is thin and doesn't grow beyond a certain length ? There isn't a short hair police chopping womens hair off once they hit 50. Like you choosing to wear docs because they are comfy, they chose short hair because they like it.
You might not like it but that's not the point.

I bought my first pair of Vans the other week !
Not as interesting as DMs are , but a trainer I've always associated with younger people ! They look ok with jeans .
You go for it , I think that people do wear what they like these days and that's a good thing .
I bet you look great

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/feb/18/why-do-older-women-always-have-short-hair

@Cocolapew - for a long time women were fed a set of rules about what they should look like based on their age. Cutting long hair was one of them because it was considered ageing & inappropriate for older women to have long hair. There were magazine articles about whether Jerry Hall should cut her hair - perhaps you’re too young to remember those? It wasn’t about actively choosing any style because it suited you but what you should do now you’re a certain age - it was about a removal of choice.

I have 5 pairs of DM's and love them.. Orange, pale pink, baby blue, white and glittery.. Wear them all with anything. So go for it, and enjoy it!

Please stop the hurtful comments about the short hair though.. I've cut my greying hair short because I love it (and so does everyone else, never had so many compliments on it!).. It's not manly, it's not ageing, and it's not some kind of old lady uniform that I'm complying with either. The world is judgemental enough already.. Please don't add to it by repeating its presumptive stereotypes! It's really not OK.

I love DMs and always have, comfortable and look great looking but New Rocks are just awful!

Far rather have people look at me and think, 'What does she look like', than sit around blending into the background with a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age

It's fine to wear DMs at any age.

It's also fine to have a short haircut and wear whatever clothing you want, even if it's "designed for a certain age".

[quote itsnotmeitsu]@Divebar2021 > It's exactly that. It's not about hair being short; it's why don't more older women have long hair? And as for Dr Martens; as I'm wearing them in I'm finding them the most comfortable boots I've ever had.[/quote]
OK but you don't want people to judge you for wearing DMs but you are sat there judging them for their hair?

The sole reason I gave up on DMs is because the quality nowadays is shit, I've had a pair of 8 hole boots for a few years and they just won't break in because the "leather" is so rigid, yet it's thinner than my 1990s pair. Also, I've never given a shit what strangers think about what I wear, it's their problem, not mine.

Since when is there a cut off age to wear Dr Martens?!
Must have missed that memo.
Thank fuck I've never given a toss what other people think of me and just wear what the heck I like!

Once I got over that thing of not providing what was needed from a woman by society it freed me up.
Seriously, glad you got over that as sounds ridiculous and exhausting - thinking about what you're expected to look like as a woman in society?!

Far rather have people look at me and think, 'What does she look like', than sit around blending into the background with a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age'.

Although this shows you're still worrying and wondering what other people are thinking of you, so doesn't sound very "freed me up" to me!