Dressing my age
Cindy on April 9th, 2009
“Reinterpreting what the younger generation is wearing leaves the margin for error wide open — and that may be the reason we are reluctant to change.” — Sherrie Mathieson, Steal This Style
Even if you’re not a card-carrying AARP member yet, you might be starting to think about “age-appropriate dressing.” But what does that really mean? If 40 is the new 30 (and 50 is the new 40) can we borrow from the closets of our twentysomething daughters or nieces? Are we too old for short skirts and platforms? Are tunics too frumpy? Sherrie Mathieson has some answers in Steal This Style: Moms and Daughters Swap Wardrobe Secrets, a fabulous new fashion manual for women of a certain age and beyond. I applaud Mathieson for using real-life moms and daughters to model the clothes — and I’m already stealing wardrobe secrets from her pages. Read more about the book and my spin on “dressing my age” in today’s Midpoint column in The Oakland Press. –CL
April 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Cindy loved the column, as usual. Now you just need to post a picture of yourself in your new jacket…
April 9th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Oh I know what you mean! My eyes and tastes haven’t changed but my waistline and what looks good on me has and I haven’t quite caught up yet.So shopping is a real struggle to use my eyes differently and to try things on that I never would have tried on before. Of course I am not just over 50 but also in the mom phase and full time office work phase so it’s complicated! Right on the money- I’ll have to check out the book.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I would definitely go back for that military jacket. Paired with the right pair of black pants, ankle boots maybe, the right subtle jewelry, and I’ll bet it would look amazing! Go for it, Cindy! I do have two college age daughters who keep my fashion in line, and definitely urge me to pick up unique pieces to define my wardrobe.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Thanks, Cindy and Starrlife. And Joanne, I envy you women who have daughters to keep them “in fashion line.” My son has a very stylish girlfriend who enjoys clothes and shoes even more than I do, so I can always look to her if I need on-trend advice. But she and my son both live in Chicago now — so it’s not easy to catch up with them.
April 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I agree that you should go back for that jacket. My rule is that if I wore the style the first time around (white go-go boots included) I should not wear it the second or third time. Yes, some of the fashions of my youth are making their third appearance!
- Suzanne
April 10th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I need a few things to bring my wardrobe up to date. I didn’t know where to start but will consult Sherrie’s book for ideas. Yes, I too want to see you in your new jacket.
April 10th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Love this book. I recently saw it at Powells and purchased two. One for me and one for my mom. The style and advice spans age groups which is a difficult feat. Now lets see that jacket! Happy weekend and Easter!
April 10th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Cindy, as you know, I don’t have any daughters to keep me in line, either. But I love how your son reminded you of your own very good advice.
Also, I went through a frumpy phase when my kids were younger. That part of your column reminded me of a commercial on Saturday Night Live about “Mom jeans.” The tag line was “You’re not a woman…you’re a mom!”
The book sounds very interesting!
April 10th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I needed to read this post! I’ve been wrestling with my “style” for the past few years and it seems I’m down to jeans or black slacks…..with white or black tops. It use to be easy to shop and now it’s become a chore. I love my daughter and we’re actually the same size but she dresses like and old lady so I don’t want to borrow from her.
What’s a middle-aged woman to do when their mindset isn’t in sync with their chronological age?
April 14th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Ooh, Cindy, can’t wait to take a look at this book. It IS a dilemma.
Used to shop at this place called Emerald’s which is a totally college girl kind of place but I loved their shoes which weren’t too expensive. And, in those svelter days, I could even find clothes in there that didn’t look too out of line. But then one day, I suddenly thought, I’m too old for this place. Didn’t really weigh any more, but I wasn’t as lean or something and suddenly it just didn’t seem ‘appropriate’.
Haven’t ever really figured out what I ‘should’ be wearing since despite a desire to have a distinctive personal style. Maybe this will give me some tips