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Original poster

'Edgy' older women...

278 replies

ProstituteHair · 04/05/2023 22:06

Gah!

I know I'm about to start a thread I've started before but there have been a few comments in S&B this week about 'desperate' older women trying to look fashionable and 'I wouldn't listen to 60 year-olds', both comments to OPs who were favouring a fairly safe style of dress in their 30s and trying to shake it up a but feeling a little moribund.

There's absolutely fuck-all wrong with a safe and classic style in it pulls your chain. Really, I have no beef there. It can look incredible.

However, who's to say that the 30-year-old advisees know more about fasion than the 60 year-olds they were belittling. Some 60 year old have worked in the fashion industry for decades. Some 30 year olds have no care about fashion beyond looking respectable.

And that's ok.

But it's not age-based, and there's an absolute joy with older women and fashion, it can be much more unconstrained. It's certainly not desperate for older women to be edgy or fashionable, I'd argue that the truly edgy dressers are older women (or men).

And the young too.

There's space for both, I'm not sure why it has to be stratified along age lines.

People either love clothes and want to look incredible or they like clothes and want to look respectable, (or they think it's all complete bolloocks and just want to cover themselves appropriately for the weather, and that's ok too!!).

OP posts:
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Newnamenewname109870 · 04/05/2023 22:09

I complete agree! It’s just ageism. I’m in my early 30s but I would definitely listen to a well dressed 60-something over an averagely dressed 30 something.

tinselvestsparklepants · 04/05/2023 22:25

At work today the best dressed woman in the room was in her 60s, looked so sharp, so modern, I was in awe. And want to copy her!

EatTheDamnCake · 04/05/2023 22:28

Totally agree. I work with a woman who looks so much better than I do and she is early sixties. I'm 39. She's just got style. I'm never going to lose interest in fashion and clothes. I'm sure people will call me desperate too but meh

SirVixofVixHall · 04/05/2023 22:31

Agree. There is something so misogynistic about this idea that only young women look good, only young women can enjoy fashion and/or style. It is painful to hear it from younger women on both levels, after all, they will all get older. I am in my fifties and I love clothes, I have done since I was little, it isn’t going to change. It doesn’t matter whether other women of any age like clothes or not, I have friends who are like me, friends who don’t care at all, and friends in the middle.
But it matters that any woman past the menopause or even earlier, is made to feel as though there is something a bit weird about enjoying style.

thebabessavedme · 04/05/2023 22:47

I have a rule that I only listen to fashion advice from women who are better dressed than I am, I find that now I am 60, have more money, time and confidence that I would routinely ignore the stressed out 30 somethings who do not have my life experience and are still 'finding' their style.

My absolute icon is Iris Apfel, so kill me Grin

WingingItSince1973 · 04/05/2023 23:07

I've just turned 50 but I've always dressed quirky to what style I like rather than tends. My 30s and 40s were spent mostly vintage style and I was quite obsessed at one point. I love docs or other clumpy shoes and have never worn trainers casually until this year when I've bought a few pairs but they always end up in the cupboard gathering dust. I love charity shop shopping rather than just off the peg shops. I've never wanted to be like all the other mums at school pick up and now I'm a nan it's even more important to me not to fall into the stereotype grandma style 😂

WingingItSince1973 · 04/05/2023 23:08
  • trends
Floisme · 04/05/2023 23:15

I've not seen the threads in question but if 30 year olds don't want to talk clothes with 60+ year-olds then meh, fuck 'em. I'm not going anywhere. I wish those young women all the very best for when child rearing and menopause send their bodies and their wardrobes into a tailspin, and I shall carry on chatting about interesting clothes with interesting people.

notanicepersonapparently · 04/05/2023 23:15

Age is the last fashion taboo. Companies like H&M show their clothes on woman of all ethnicities and sizes but not older ones. Even M&S don’t seem to want to damage their credibility by having models of a certain age.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/05/2023 23:21

I hate the word 'edgy' - only ever see it on here, and I bet it means something different to every single person who uses it.

Totally agree with the increasing ageism on here though.

I'm with @Floisme Fuck em. I see plenty of terribly dressed (imo) women of all ages and some nicely dressed (imo) women of all ages. Either way, it's driven by my own opinion about their clothes and nothing to do with their ages.

Donotgogentle · 04/05/2023 23:31

Also agree. I see some fashionable 60-ish women on the tube and always try to work out what it is which gives them an edgy rather than classic look. Often it includes grey hair with a cool cut.

I agree with the pp, I look for ideas from women who are better dressed than I am. Their age is not the relevant factor.

Zipps · 04/05/2023 23:37

Criticism that isn't constructive usually comes from jealousy and some of the remarks are just bitchy. I am over 50 and a grandma and interested in style and shopping and some fashion.
I am not interested in looking young I am happy and proud of my age just want to continue looking good still. I have the money for decent clothes, time for exercise so keep in shape and a stronger sense of my style than ever now so there.
Glad there are some 30 odd year olds on here who aren't ageist because I'm interested in different generation's approach to Fashion/Style etc and appreciate everyone's input on S&B.

Marchintospring · 04/05/2023 23:39

notanicepersonapparently · 04/05/2023 23:15

Age is the last fashion taboo. Companies like H&M show their clothes on woman of all ethnicities and sizes but not older ones. Even M&S don’t seem to want to damage their credibility by having models of a certain age.

Yep.

Also you are only allowed to be fashionable if you are edgy.

Er how about the women that look great in their 60’s for as conventional women.

teezletangler · 04/05/2023 23:40

I buy a lot of clothes from an independent boutique that is owned by a 50 something woman and employs mostly 50 and 60 something women. They are all so stylish. The owner is incredibly beautiful and sophisticated, another one has super cool street style, and another one has this fabulous "casual yet polished" look. I'm 43 and I always ask for and trust their advice on my purchases. They're all better dressed than I am!

Annasgirl · 04/05/2023 23:42

notanicepersonapparently · 04/05/2023 23:15

Age is the last fashion taboo. Companies like H&M show their clothes on woman of all ethnicities and sizes but not older ones. Even M&S don’t seem to want to damage their credibility by having models of a certain age.

I agree with this - diversity and inclusion, except when it comes to women over 50 - or 60 or 70. Even the women who crashed through the taboo of being models in their 40’s, are nowhere to be seen once they hit 55. It annoys me, as a woman over 50, who adores clothes and style and is very interested in fashion.

I look at Linda Rodin, Ines de la Fresange and Lauren Hutton for inspiration as well as the amazing older women I see out and about.

Lamelie · 04/05/2023 23:43

Can we post pics of us in all our edgy aged glory?

SwedishEdith · 04/05/2023 23:44

Reading this thread just as Reeta Chakrabarti appeared on TV. She always looks stylish and (just checked) is 58.

bringincrazyback · 04/05/2023 23:46

Well said OP! This sort of ageism drives me mad.

And I speak as a 55-year-old who's still sporting a nose piercing. 😁

Humpf · 04/05/2023 23:54

I have seen two amazingly well-dressed women this week. The first was maybe in her late 70s in a Dr’s waiting room. She was wearing beautiful, polished, maroon brogues, tweedy circle skirt and a bright turquoise cardigan. The rest of us scruff-bags were in jeans, puffa jackets and leggings/tunic combos.

The other was a school mum (30s maybe) in a long, belted military coat, big walking boots and a smart leather rucksack. Such a good look that I had never thought of before.

Both had practical looks that were timeless in a sense that they could be worn by toddlers and grandmas but the ‘edginess’ was the quality, colour and fit of it all. Honestly, they inspired me to do better.

DramaAlpaca · 04/05/2023 23:58

As a 58 year old who adores fashion, thanks for posting this OP - well said.

I get really fed up with the ageism on here. It should be a board that supports women's fashion choices whatever their ages.

Away from MN I've encountered fashion ageism at work recently, from a newish 25 year old colleague whose dress sense I personally don't like but I wouldn't dream of saying so. I'd describe my style as being on the classic side with a quirky, edgy twist and I don't take kindly to being told I'm too old to wear something! I'm confident in my choices and other people tell me I look good, so being on the receiving end of fashion ageism in real life stung a bit - not that I let her see that, of course.

CharlotteRumpling · 05/05/2023 00:08

I thought Leslie Manville looked fabulous in Magpie Murders. I am not sure if her style was edgy, but certainly a lot of bold prints.

4plusthehound · 05/05/2023 00:19

Budge up, I would love to join!

A few years ago I was in Bergdof Goodman in NYC. An elderly woman, at least 85, walked through with a walker. She wore a beautiful red, woll knee length coat, a shiny brown lace up shoe, and a black hat with a feather.

She left everyone standing in her wake. Amazing!

I want to be her.

PrincessofWellies · 05/05/2023 00:19

It's definitely more fun dressing in your 50s/60s. It helps to get to 60 and not give a toss what others think. I've just bought my first ever pair of combats age 60 and been wearing dungarees 😱

Original poster
ProstituteHair · 05/05/2023 00:34

Photos?

I just quite like myself. I always have.

'Edgy' older women...
OP posts:
MidsummerNightsDream · 05/05/2023 00:42

Haven't read the threads in question but it sounds like ignorance and frankly, stupidity. I bet many of the fashion designers these commenters look up to are aged 60+