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.

This is Jane Fonda’s style. I couldn’t wear these clothes as I’m a busty size 14, but on her they look fabulous!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pinterest.co.uk/amp/pin/91620173653555201/

I don't think anyone has argued that 'MDAL' is acceptable turn of phrase. It's not - it's snidey and unpleasant. However, some of us are saying that there are definitely clothes that look 'too young' on older women (and on older men) - but that if it makes you happy go ahead and wear them. Other people might have a passing negative thought (just as we have passing positive thoughts when we see somebody who we think looks great) - but nobody really gives a shit what you look like.

As for the poster who says she doesn't know any teenagers who wear skimpy, tight clothes and crop tops - maybe my DD and her friends are freaks - but when they go out, that is exactly what they wear and bloody gorgeous they look too.

Dorian, is a very good example of a muttony look. Fictional character but a blueprint for the mutton dressed as lamb looked.

I use mutton for men too. Shorthand. I am not comparing them to meat, it is a descriptor. This “judgement” is never vocalised, nor is it when I see women who dress muttony either, It is just a fleeting thought that goes through my mind.

I’m pretty sure a poster said she pities perfect strangers based on what they are wearing...

I mean there’s bigger things happening in the world than someone who doesn’t have a perfectly smooth arse wearing leggings.. but whatever floats your boat!

So you basically don't like looking at old skin. You don't like old skin on older women? I have no words

Men look mutton in things like Superdry t-shirts, ill fitting jeans and baseball caps. It's not just the preserve of the sartorially unfortunate middle aged woman so please, enough with the hand wringing and wails of misogyny.

Dorian tho was a sexist caricature wasn’t she? A warning to all us women of a certain age to deny our sexuality, accept our fate and be invisible.

Must have been watching a different programme. She was the opposite of sexual denial and very visible.

Horrible misogynist and ageist thread. Did you know the origin of the saying was a Prince of Wales (one of the Georgian ones) who said don't give me pretty girls I prefer mutton dressed as lamb I.e. A woman rather than a young girl

I think the male equivalent used to be described as “the oldest swinger in town”.

When I am on this thread a shop ad keeps popping up. I really like one of the tops. I am 53, I would wear the top no problem. If I paired it with the shorts the model is wearing I think people would think I look muttony. And they would be right. I would look muttony. But another 53 year old might look fine. I think they would be a rare being being, the average middle aged woman would look a bit off kilter.

I have a friend in his 60s and his dress sense has got progressively younger over the past 20 years. He now wears Superdry tee shirts, very slim fitted jeans and trendy trainers. He looked a lot better in his 40s with well fitting but not overly tight jeans, an open neck shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a good quality belt and unremarkable shoes. His latest purchase is a bracelet, whereas before he only wore a watch. His taste in women is getting younger too, although he doesn’t seem to have much success!

Mrs S - classic male mutton.

I was going to say Rod Stewart too but he seems to be wearing a series of fancy dress costumes rather than typical male mutton attire.

Leaving aside the serious damage that plastic surgery has done to his face, Mickey Rouke is classic male mutton, everything he wears is about 30 years too young. He is the one on the right. His mate in the leather strides beside him is a contrnder too.

Another mutton man contender...

While it's a horrible expression and women should wear what they like, the fact is that some clothes look classier and more stylish than others. Young people can get away with ridiculous trends and cheap fabrics because youth compensates and no one really expects kids to have a fully developed sense of personal style - they are influenced by peers and silly fashions.
People do expect adult women to have outgrown sheep like behaviour and to have worked out what looks classy and appropriate for any given occasion.
Lizzie Cundy dresses like a stripper. Totally her prerogative but it's not a classy look.
Pmsl at Brigitte Macron as Essex nana - you totally nailed it. I dislike her anyway on account of her age and position when she started her relationship with her husband.

I think 'mutton' applies to men too. It looks sad when they squash their beer guts into skinny jeans and too tight t shirts. There is nothing wrong with looking one's age - trying to look like kids is embarrassing.

Now THIS is a prime candidate for male mutton....

Yes, PW came to mind. Similar picture, same outfit, but the movement adds to it.

Kylie looks pretty good in skimpy clothes despite pushing 50.

Why doesn’t Jeremy Clarkson, in his shabby jeans, leather jacket and fast car obsession attract the same vitriol as women of the same age?

He does attract attention for all the wrong reasons: his perm, his jeans, his corpulence. He’s a joke. But it pays him well. And annoyingly he is quite funny.

The Huskie looky-likey is awful. His girlfriend is 22. Bleurgh

Why does it matter what age people's husbands/partners/girlfriends are? Is that your main problem? That they seem to act and dress in a youthful (i.e. not quite ready for a nursing home yet)manner and have younger partners?

BM all covered up for those of you afraid of catching oldness if you see middle aged flesh.