Mutton

[NigellasGuest]

Following recent posts I've noticed on the S&B board, I would really love to know what is mutton dressed as lamb? As in, can anyone actually define it or post a picture of someone who is mutton dressed as lamb? To my mind it doesn't actually exist, and is just another way of saying "badly dressed". People seem to use it as in, I need an outfit but I don't want to look like MDAL but what do they REALLY mean by this? if a dress doesnt look right on you then to my mind it's because it's too short or too long for your proportions or you have the wrong shoes with it, or another reason like that. This mutton thing is just lazy talk I think.

I'm getting on in years - in my 50s - and if I get dressed and don't like what I see, I don't think I look like MDAL. I just think I'm badly dressed.

Well in my experience, it isn’t about an outfit not looking right on you, it’s wearing an outfit much too “young” for you. You might argue that doesn’t exist as a concept, but when you see it, it’s obvious.

Please post a picture or describe such such an outfit?

Think Liz From Coronation Street.

Mutton dressed as lamb is casual ageism

People can look and feel fantastic, at any age. And their ideas if fantastic may not be the same as everyone else's.

That doesn't make it OK to slur a group. Or to suggest that people need to present themselves according to a stereotype based on the calendar rather than on how they actually look.

You can criticise anyone of any age for their actual apoaearnce, by referencing their appearance and not their age-stereotype.

Any woman over 35 still wearing mini skirts or very short shorts. Fashion is mostly aimed at the under 25’s imo, so what looks good on a young, slim, body isn’t going to look so good on an over weight 50 year old.
It’s common sense surely?
The older you get the less flesh you show.
An example would be Rose from keeping up appearances, or any other MDAL stereotype from comedy.

I saw a woman yesterday at a restaurant. She was probably about 55, nice face, nice arms and lower legs, but flabby with middle age spread. She was wearing very short cut-off denim shorts which were digging in round her waist and made her look much bigger than she was, and a cropped spaghetti strap top, together with Stan Smiths. It looked like she was trying to dress like a 19 year old Instagram influencer and unfortunately it highlighted areas of her body that when she was 19 were firm and perky and are no longer. It was the classic MDAL I thought - she was trying to look younger by dressing younger, rather than emphasising areas of her body that actually looked younger (face, lower legs and arms).

What about a slim 50 year old? I think a short skirt with opaque tights is a great look with the right accessories at any age. Why is a 50 year old automatically overweight?

Inwould suggest the woman in the shorts was wearing the wrong size shorts if they were digging in at the waist. And the wrong sort of top for her body shape.

Any woman over 35 still wearing mini skirts

Really?! 35?!

I don't like the term and think it's casual ageism aimed purely at women but I'm even more shocked that you'd apply it to anyone over 35!

Middle aged men still trying to look 21 are just as ridiculous tbh.

Yes I agree she was wearing the wrong shape and size of clothes for what her body shape is now - she was wearing the kind of clothes she probably wore comfortably when she was a different shape at a younger age. Hence MDAL, because her body shape has changed but her dressing style hasn't changed.

I don't watch Corrie but have googled Liz! I think that's not a good look, no, but would not look good on a 22 year old either.

As for fashion being.mostly aimed for the under 25's, I'm speechless!

It’s an offensive, misogynistic and ageist term. Please dont use it.

As for fashion advice, here’s a good article

warningcurvesahead.com/2016/06/04/24-things-women-over-30-should-wear/

For me is about someone trying to look sexy in the way a 20 yeiar old can, instead of ina way that their age group can .
I’m in my 50 s and can sill look sexy , but these days I tend to wear grey leather trousers with a boxy Karen Millen top and boots, rather than the hot pants of my 20s. Less flesh on display.
Mdal is a nasty put down stereotype though, as it implies desperation, lack of judgement and poor taste.

Op, I’m talking about fashion that’s quite revealing, that’s aimed at younger people. Unless you think hot pants and crop tops were designed with 60 year olds in mind.

So if a 20 year old with a flabby middle and chubby upper arms , was wearing the same outfit as the denim shorts/Stan Smith wearing lady, how would she look?

Or an overweight or underweight 20 year old in hotpants and crop tops, how would she look?

@Echo2 - myself and a few friends of mine are all slim 48-50 year olds, and look fine (me) to great (them) in small shorts! As long as they fit properly they don't have to look mutton.
Having said that, it's definitely a thing.

Well I agree it's kind of a thing, but if you analyse a MDAL person you can just as easily apply the term "badly dressed."

I think it is about minds that haven’t caught up with the reality of their bodies.

Also lots of youthful fashions are about exploring things that are poor taste. When older people adopt these trends they look stuck in a time warp.

It isn’t always about acres of flesh either but cheap materials, garish combinations and tacky accessories.

Those fat dad trainers coming in are a prime example as is most leopard print.

Woah can't believe this post!

Surely if someone is happy & comfortable in what they're wearing that's fine?

It’s an old butchering term comparing women - of all ages, not just middle aged or old - to pieces of meat. I have no idea why anyone thinks it’s ok.

What about a slim 50 year old? I think a short skirt with opaque tights is a great look with the right accessories at any age. Why is a 50 year old automatically overweight?

But by specifying opaque for the slim 50-year-olds (but presumably not having a problem with slim bare-legged 20 year-olds?), you are yourself applying agist rules on the 50-year-old (which is what MDAL is all about).

www.fabulousafter40.com/should-you-follow-fashion-rules/

I agree

Trying to think if there's a similar phrase for men.. ?