She was 42?! I’m 44

[AmIoldbutdontrealiseit]

Shirley Valentine. Sat watching it on Channel 5, obviously seen it before but when very young so it didn’t have quite the same impact.
Cannot believe she was 42, I’ve just turned 44 and whilst I don’t feel young, I’m surely not frumpy and middle aged, pretty as she was, if you know what I mean?
The anorak wearing, egg and chip making and very mumsy, almost grandma feel?
I realise it was set in the 80’s but is it that we look/act younger now, or that we’re really middle aged and frumpy but don’t realise it 😬
In comparison, I have a 3 year old Dd, a career, live abroad, have longer hair, wear converse, parka and Gucci bag (just example today’s outfit) use Instagram, have many interests. My life is mainly centred around Dd so isn’t wild as in before, clubbing, festivals, travelling etc…but..is this what my age is really like inside?

Hope that made sense 🤣

I am late fifties with grey hair. Why is dying hair a requirement?

@RoyalFamilyFan sorry I didn't mean to imply it was, I guess it's just more of a visible difference

@AuntieStella

Casual ageism has a lot to answer fir!

Yes I know that might come across as a bit po-faced, but really ditching the stereotypes benefits everyone

Hear hear. That enjoyable film is a good example of ageism which has turned into a catch word especially when used towards a woman. Could make the obvious point that a 42 year old man is seen as in sexual prime. Is it eggs?

I saw an old woman in the supermarket yesterday who made me do a double take. She looked just like the old ladies I remember in my childhood during the eighties - headscarf tied under her chin,'wrinkled tights and anorak. It made me realise that old people today just don't normally look and dress as old people did before. I do think people are stylish and youthful for longer.

I do think people are stylish and youthful for longer.

What leggings and puffy anorak is stylish???

I think all the 40+s posting should ask their teens how fashionable they think they are.

It's the hair style and fashion combination. I guessed what it'd be like without knowing what she looked like! It was of its time but was frumpy. Age honestly really is just a number

@garlictwist

I saw an old woman in the supermarket yesterday who made me do a double take. She looked just like the old ladies I remember in my childhood during the eighties - headscarf tied under her chin,'wrinkled tights and anorak. It made me realise that old people today just don't normally look and dress as old people did before. I do think people are stylish and youthful for longer.

Definitely agree. I remember that look from growing up in the 1980s. The older women always wore a little headscarf and really did look elderly when they probably weren't even that old.

Heaps of seventy something women at my gym decked out in gym gear, doing zumba and spin classes and talking about their nights out. Times have definitely changed.

Bloody hell my mum isnt in her gym gear in a zumba class.

@YourenutsmiLord

I do think people are stylish and youthful for longer.

What leggings and puffy anorak is stylish???

I think all the 40+s posting should ask their teens how fashionable they think they are.

Totally agree. They will just think we all look like old women.

My Nan was Shirley's age when i was born and she was a childminder and was my childminder. It's exactly as I remember her and I think now wow she was so young! My friend is her age now (I am 35) and has a 20 year old daughter but is nothing like that, she's like me lol. I think it was the times and the drudgery of what was expected of her. Women rightly so expect more now! SV is a brilliant film though. I love it! I love her speech about how we should be living.