Last night I refused to play ball with Tony Livesey on his Radio 5 Live Show. He was trying to compile a list of things that the over forties shouldn’t wear. Of course, it was actually about what women over forty shouldn’t wear, and I kept insisting they can wear anything they want to.
Jeans, trainers and mini skirts were top of his No, No, No list. I suggested that perhaps he would like women over forty to wear shrouds in neutral colours (nothing patterned , sequinned or bright) so they are grave-ready once they are into their fourth decade..
There’s been a lot of rubbishing women in the popular press this week. The Aintree laydees were held up as an example of tanned and technicoloured trash because they had dressed up, made up and backcombed for a day at the races. I admit I didn’t covet their dresses, heels or handbangs but I did admire their cheerfulness and their confidence.
Joan Collins has written this week that she is appalled that the Ritz are allowing their clientele to wear denim. ”Denim is MacDonalds, not The Ritz” snooted Ms Collins who is a self appointed style guru. She believes women shouldn’t wear jeans or fleeces. If I was forced to classify her look I would describe it as ‘dug up’. It would be difficult to emulate her personal style even if you wanted to as Ms Collins has already bought up all the costume jewellery, pancake foundation and lip liner in the Western hemisphere.
Wear whatever you want at whatever age. Choose purple, eat a peach, but please remember my dear late mother’s advice and keep your chest warm.
No trainers? What the hell is he suggesting we wear? Corrective shoes?
I love seeing older women dressed with style. I live in a style pit of a town and my red coat and white sunglasses draw furious glances. I’m 40! I wear a red coat and Converse. At the same time! Woop!
Persephone, I’d bet he favours patent stilettos……
Nuala, I reckon your townsfolk are all talking about you!
Anna May x
*applauds enthusiastically* My mother was 80 last week and it’s hard to persuade her to wear anything other than her jeans (with round-necked jumper in the winter and round-necked tee-shirt in the summer). She looks like a million dollars – even if those dollar notes are a bit crinkly and well-worn. But you made the killer point – no matter if she looked awful, it would be HER choice and nobody’s business but her own.
Right, that’s it. I’m not going to be called old-fashioned. As it’s trendy to wear your underwear over your clothes, I’m going to wear my lovely beige lacy thermal vest OVER my fleece, just to show that I know what’s fashionable.
and I will wear anything that hides my fat bum and veiney legs!!
Pauline, I like the sound of your mum.
Fran, is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s SuperFran! (undies outside clothes….)
Ginny, set your stall out any way that suits!
Anna May x