OK. Define 'mutton'.

[AFierceBadRabbit]

Because I just don't get it, unless we're talking a 60 yr old wearing a mini bodycon dress with low neckline?
'Booty' shorts on the over 50's?

If you have the figure who really cares?

Isn't it just another way of looking down on someone - similar to having so-called 'chavvy' tastes?

Or is it a deeply ingrained fear of shocking someone from the front after tempting them from behind?

I think it is a derogatory term that I can't imagine ever using against myself. Why do women even engage in this?

[Floisme]

And even if it doesn't look amazing:
'Ridicule is nothing to be scared of.'
Adam Ant.

[OCSockOrphanage]

Not mutton.... the times, they are a-changin'. Can't imagine this happening even two years ago, but glad it is.

nymag.com/thecut/2017/03/lonely-lingerie-hires-56-year-old-model-because-screw-ageism.html

[IceAndASliceWithSoda]

Ok here is an example of, IMO, mutton-

I was sitting in a waiting room and there was a woman standing at the main reception with her back to me. She had a lovely slim yet curvy figure and was wearing tights, heeled ankle boots and a VERY short denim pinafore dress with a black top underneath. She had very bouncy shoulder length platinum blonde hair. From the back, based on her clothes and hair, I would have guessed her to be early to mid twenties.


She turned around to take a seat and must have been at least 60! Very deep set wrinkles with an orange tan and false eyelashes which highlighted her wrinkles.

I'm prepared to be flamed for this post but that, to me, is mutton. Dressing like you have raided Topshop when your face looks ready for a bus pass. Worlds apart from elegant Helen Mirrem and her pink hair.

dons hard hat

[OCSockOrphanage]

That's a Kronenburg locally; 16 from behind, 61 face on!

[Olddear]

Liz in Corrie.

[Floisme]

Poor old Ice - all dressed up in her hard hat and no-one taking any notice. Ok I will respond but no flaming as I feel quite sorry for you: I think she sounds rather splendid although personally, I prefer H&M.

[chemicalCat]

So as not to disappoint Ice, how dare she have "a lovely slim yet curvy figure" and wear something that, presumably, she liked and chose herself!

[Lweji]

that, to me, is mutton. Dressing like you have raided Topshop when your face looks ready for a bus pass.

But that is not her problem.
It's our stereotypes that are the problem. :)

[HotSince82]

Dont let the face dictate what the arse can wear.

Who made faces the boss?

[Manijo]

I'm the same age as Carol Vorderman and think that she often looks a bit 'mutton'. my DC and DH are under strict instruction to let me know if I ever leave the house looking a bit 'mutton'. Too tight...too short...too blingy...just really naff looking

[RebelandaStunner]

Ice: you need a hard hat in S&B?!

Ah bless!

[LanaorAna1]

I can't see how an expression that says women are meat could be taken seriously.

However :) in the spirit of contribution to a definition, it strikes me that the mutton objection comes up most for those super-sexual togs you wince at whoever's wearing them - most people think dressing like a ho ain't good at any age.

[Floisme]

It's funny,isn't it, how this always comes back to tight clothing. I agree with Lweji and Stainless - if it makes you so uncomfortable then maybe you're the one with the problem.

[Floisme]

Oh and sex. I think some people (even including some older women) just can't handle the idea of us having sex after the menopause so anything that reminds them, e.g. clothing, brings out their inner 13 year-old.

[HappyJanuary]

I think the sad truth is that there's nothing attractive about leathery, wrinkly or saggy bodies and those deluding themselves into thinking they can reveal theirs in styles aimed at a younger (firmer, smoother, more toned) age bracket shouldn't be surprised if others disagree.

And I've heard it used about men too, usually in tight jeans and muscle vests; men's magazines run articles about dressing well for your age too.

[Lweji]

I thought the whole point of the expression was that the bodies didn't look saggy or aged at first.

And like I said, we can't hide our faces. Why should we hide our bodies too? Who does it harm to show wrinkly knees or arms?

[BertrandRussell]

"And I've heard it used about men too, usually in tight jeans and muscle vests; men's magazines run articles about dressing well for your age too"

I am prepared to stick my neck out and say "No, you haven't"!

It's an expression that's wrong on sooooo many levels. Let's make a pledge never to use it again.

[emilybrontescorset]

It's s horrible mysoginistic term.

What should older women be doing/wearing? It implies that only young women should be proud of their bodies and any woman over a cetrtain age shouldn't be seen.

There are far more derogatory terms used against women than men, mumsey, tarty, slutty, dressed as mutton.
What is the official term for a shirtless fat unfit slob who swans around public places baring his gross, sweaty body whenever the temperature hits anything above 19 degrees?

Why don't we have official terms for men whom we don't like the appearance of?

[HappyJanuary]

I think the term historically applies to women because they were the only ones doing it, maybe to attract a man in times where that was essential for financial survival, maybe to suggest they were still of child bearing age.

Nowadays certainly applied to both sexes.

Derogatory alternative for men maybe 'the oldest swinger in town'.

[Floisme]

'Oldest swinger' doesn't have quite the same connotations as meat,

[Embekkisson1]

I agree that sometimes Carol Vorderman looks like mutton , she just looks like she's trying to hard , too much makeup, her hair looks like extensions , her clothes too clingy . But she is attractive but it's like she's trying too hard with the "sexy" . Although Liz Hurley is probably the same age but doesn't look so " desperately sexy".

[Whisky2014]

Id say its a woman wearing clothes that are far too young for her, dont suit her, trying to make herself appear younger but overkilling it.
I saw the first reply "jealousy" and disagree totally. I have seen "mutton dressed as lamb" and can assure you jealousy is not the feeling! More embarrased on the persons behalf. Im all for people wearing what they like but you will always get judgey people.

[HappyJanuary]

Nobody is thinking of young or old meat when they say it, any more than they are thinking of elephants when they say 'elephant in the room' or any other daft idiom.

Maybe they were two centuries ago, but not now.

Another one exclusively to put down middle aged men who try to act youthful : medallion man.

[MaisyPops]

Yes you can lack style at any age but i dont think the mutton comment is about a bad outfit.
I always view it as women who are choosing to try and reclaim their youth by awkwardly dressing in 'younger' styles. (Dont like the phrase but get the meaning)

Nothing sexist in it. I think older men trying to pull off younger male style equally awkward and weird.