Roman Originals, what were you thinking?!

[SatinHeart]

This popped up on my FB feed

Does anyone actually like being called 'middle aged'?

Not arsed. I’m middle aged or what I hope to be classed as middle aged. Some might say old. Who cares? Being a certain age comes to most of us.

if anyone ever brings out a line called ‘fat and dumpy’ or ‘hide your lurks’ I’ll be the first in the queue.

When you are shaped like a barbapapa, dressing for age doesn’t matter.

Dusk range is a bit....reaching the end of lifeish

Really? I've just had a look and actually think it compares well to what the fashionistas are wearing on Sheerluxe! But then what do I know? I think I look ok, really, in most things. Things I avoid are backless / strapless (can't wear a bra easily) and cuts outs (too much suncream) short (too much suncream) strappy (too much suncream). I like clothes and accessories and would happily dress in some of the stuff- if I could get my size (a regular 8). I think there are more meh clothing companies out there such as Edinburgh Woollen House and Cotton Traders but even they have things I would wear such as cashmere, and plain classics - if I could get my size.

It’s a little … blunt, I’d say. “Midlife” might be slightly better perhaps. Unless of course they’re going for the “no publicity is bad publicity” approach and are currently patting themselves on their collective backs at the increased amount of website traffic it’s caused?

I can't understand how age is relevant in clothing advertising?

Oh sorry, i didn't look at the Dusk stuff, it was the juxtaposition of middle age with dusk that got me maudlin

@Zilla1 you class anything 26+ as old

Middle aged gas been a misogynistic slur for too long!

I still think of it as someone quite a bit older than its literal meaning. I wonder if that's because women over 40 in the 80's looked much older to my younger eyes?!

Anyhow, it's risky marketing.

But I guess I'm middle aged and I wouldn't touch that skirt with someone else's legs! It's horrible!

But I guess I'm middle aged and I wouldn't touch that skirt with someone else's legs! It's horrible!

Yes - but then again, so are a lot of other clothes you see advertised or shown off in magazines.

Many women find their body shape and skin changes in various ways over the years, not just obvious things like tending to gain weight.

I'm wondering what age range would be middle aged? And who decides?
I find the categorisation a little odd and eyebrow raising. Surely the decision of how to dress is down to the individual, and who decides what is appropriate is down to the individual.

Yes, of course it is. And everyone is different. But this descriptor - which should not be seen as pejorative! - may be useful guidance that this range may or may not be worth looking at.

@Eliakimi 26+ would be middle aged in my thirds of life framework, the old are 51+.

Unashamedly middle aged here (well, obv!), but I, too, think this is risky marketing. Surely it can only restrict their market, rather than increase it?

Sure, have a target market and cater for them well, but narrowing it down like that may put others off, i.e. those who don't consider themselves to be middle-aged, even if they are; and those from outside of that range who may have been interested in some items but now won't look as they're not for them... even if similar to pieces in younger it more general ranges.

Nothing wrong with saying or being middle aged.

Even if you return to store?

Are you really only planning on living till 75? Maybe that would once have been the norm but a woman with a healthy lifestyle isn't remotely 'old' at 51.

I tend to equate 'middle aged' more as 'typical age of menopause' - that's when many women start to experience significant changes.

The idea that people who are 51 are old seems bizarre. These days at least, maybe it would have been accepted thinking in 1922. Google tells me that Ewan McGregor and Claudia Schiffer are 51. I don't know anyone who'd classify them as old.

I'm 53 and till now didn't know I was old or that I've been in middle age since I was 26!

I bought a few things from Roman this year, and have to commend them for a) sleeves b) skirt length (I am tall and my maxi dress is actually possibly a bit long) c) sleeves that actually have enough material in them that my size 12 but slightly muscular arms fit in (Hush, I'm looking at you) and d) actually seem to recognise a female body shape.
I may be very nearly 50, but I'll take being called middle age if it means I can wear clothes which fit and aren't mysteriously undeliverable

Roman have plugged the gap M&S have studiously ignored for many years. Great styles, colours, fabrics. Their shop near us is a delight to go into

sleeves that actually have enough material in them that my size 12 but slightly muscular arms fit in

blimey, I thought there was some law against that! I mean why else does it seem generally the rule that sleeves are cut too narrow for many real women?
Mind you, those would surely benefit all ages - DD had problems with sleeves on some clothes from teenage, because windsurfing had given her non-stick like arms.

No Flop, return to store or exchange by post is free. I’ve never seen a Roman store. They used to sell Roman in Debenhams. Now gone of course.

I thinks it's code for reasonably well made and doesn't how excess skin, so no crop tops etc

I'm mid 30s and regularly shop in Roman. I like their stuff! I don't know what age is middle-aged, but if that includes me then that's fine.