The smirk on my face in this picture says it all… “You know what you can do with your what not to wear after whatever age list, right?!”
THE STORY
Yes, this topic has been beaten to death. And yes, some of the beatings have come from me. After all, the tagline of my blog is “personal style is a matter of taste…not age”. But once in awhile when I’m bored I’ll google search things that amuse me. One of those things is what not to wear if you’re 40, if you’re 50, if you are a three-headed fuchsia alien from a galaxy far far away…you get the idea. The thing is though, even though the topic has been covered ad nauseum, I really don’t think it can be covered enough. The message needs to reach the masses my friends.
We can wear whatever we damn well please regardless of age, gender or any other descriptor you can think of.
With that being said, the list I happened upon last night was disturbingly enough, written by a woman in her 50’s. Oftentimes said articles are written by clueless 20-somethings who don’t realize that one day they too will be over whatever age it is they’ve deemed the cutoff for fashion. But no, this article was written by a woman who should know better, and it was written for the AARP no less. The freakin’ AARP…isn’t the whole point of that organization to advocate for people 50 and over? What the hell? Since when did that mean advocating for “dressing your age”; whatever that’s supposed to mean.
Apparently, this woman’s style epiphany came upon her the night her son and his girlfriend gave the dress she was wearing the hairy eyeball and after the girlfriend said, “It’s a cute dress” the son followed up with, “Ya, it’s cute but it would be cuter on her”, referring to his girlfriend. At which point she high-tailed it back upstairs and changed her dress. Ummm….what? Adult or not, if my son said that to me, I’d cuff him upside the head and tell him to bite me.
I decided to take it upon myself and highlight some of my outfits that included pieces that were on her no-no list. The photo above covers the “deliberately ripped clothing” item on her list. Although, if I were a bettin’ girl, I’d say she’s not sporting a moto jacket or sequin top either.
If you’d really like a good read in regard to what really not to wear after 50, take a gander at this article. I think it’s one you’ll actually enjoy.
THE TIP
We can wear whatever we damn well please regardless of age, gender or any other descriptor you can think of. ‘Nuff said.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
And now without further ado…my interpretation of all things one should not wear over 50…
1. MINI SKIRTS AND GRAPHIC TEES… BONUS POINTS BECAUSE I’M WEARING BOTH IN ONE OUTFIT.
2. STRAPPY SANDALS… UMMM…WHAT?
3. SKINNY JEANS…AND THEY’RE DISTRESSED…WHAT A HOT MESS.
4. GRAPHIC TEE, SHREDDED JEANS, AND OH, THE HORROR…THERE’S A FLASH OF TUMMY.
5. FISHNET TIGHTS… YEP, I’M DEFINITELY WALKING ON THE EDGE OF LOOKING LIKE A HOOKER.
6. THIGH HIGH BOOTS…DAMN GOOD THING I DIDN’T PAIR ‘EM WITH THE FISHNETS…
7. SHEER TOP…TOO BAD THE LIGHTING ISN’T QUITE RIGHT SO YOU COULD GET A CLEAR SHOT OF THE BLACK BRALETTE UNDERNEATH IT…WOULD’VE BEEN PERFECT WITH THE FISHNETS AND OTK BOOTS.
8. JOGGERS/PAJAMA PANTS…WHILE YOU ALL KNOW MY FEELINGS ABOUT ACTUAL PAJAMAS IN PUBLIC, MY JOGGERS ARE TECHNICALLY PAJAMA-LIKE…I KNOW I WEAR JOGGERS TO BED FROM TIME TO TIME SO THESE COUNT AS PJ’S.
9. VISIBLE BRA STRAPS…IS THAT SOMEHOW DIFFERENT FROM LAYERING TWO CAMIS? STILL TWO SETS OF STRAPS, RIGHT?
10. CHAINS…HUH??? WHAT’S UP WITH NO CHAINS??
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I think someone needs to submit a new article to the AARP! The best thing about getting older is having the confidence to wear what you feel great in and not worry about what everyone else thinks! You have amazing style and I love all of these looks! Have a wonderful 4th!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Jill recently posted…Red, White + Blue & TFF Linkup!
Thank you Jill! You have a fabulous 4th as well!
I agree 100%, Deb and I am a faithful supporter!
Laurey
What a sad article. If I abided by it I’d have to get rid of 99% of my wardrobe.
bisous
Suzanne
Suzanne recently posted…Happiness Is The Greatest Beauty Secret
You are so right, & you look Fabulous in every darn thing. Too bad for her. . .I am in my 60’s and I wear what I want with reckless abandon.
Neti recently posted…Money Honey
I think there’s a fine line between wear whatever you like an being tasteful. Your outfits are positively tasteful and fashionable for sure. And while I love graphic tees, no woman should wear “Juicy” on her butt .. lol just my personal opinion ya know.
Indeed, it’s too bad her son was so disrespectful that she felt she had to change and write that article.
M.
MonicaP recently posted…J Lo Boyfriend Denim Shorts
Seriously???? That women is whack! You look fab, you rule breaker you!
Keep up the good work!!
Darlene Fadem recently posted…My Ohio #Thriftcation
Great post, Debbie! I love all of your outfits, but the first one is my absolute fave! The sequined top with boyfriend jeans and moto jacket! Superb! My question is this…what do I do with all of my tattoos when my old skin starts sagging?! You know I was warned about getting tattoos….and how they will look on old, saggy skin! Yikes! I guess we need to cover it all up! Ha!
Thanks for linking up.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Shelbee on the Edge recently posted…Coral Sandals and On the Edge of the Week Link Up #3
laughing so hard, I think we found the same article and I have a post saved in draft… to funny the point that got me was the womans age, like hey wheres are 50+ power, tell your son to go pound sand
Linda Cassidy recently posted…How we Show our #canadianpride
I hate reading articles like this!! I am with you and I will wear what I want too 🙂 Love all your looks Debbie and I would wear them ALL. I need your grey boots, love them :):)
Thanks for stopping by the weekend blog hop..
clairejustine recently posted…What I Wore : Flowers And Birds..
Looking stunning and go with your instincts you look hot and amazing Debbie, no matter your age.
Thank you for linking up to “Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me”
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
Rachel recently posted…Re-purposed Old Jewelry Leaf Necklace Tutorial & Link up
OMG I love your outfits and your fabulous “I wear what I love” style. Fashion is for fun! xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Patti recently posted…A Karina Dress For Florida Summer: Visible Monday
It’s just too tragic to read these things. What worries me it that some poor beige-wearing ladies take this in as gospel. I’m aware that there are post-menopausal women who do lose their identity and wouldn’t it be better to give them encouraging can-do advice rather than lots of negative rules to futher deminish their confidence. I’m hurtling towards 60, so goodness knows what they’d be saying about some of my outfits!
Keep on doing what you do best. Be the brave, sassy, bold lady that you are and share the love in how you do it x
I posted a blog where I wore a sequin top just like yours and paired it with leather trousers and sky high bootees. Golly, that might have caused palpitations amongst the AARP!
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Anna Parkes recently posted…Keeping it simple
You know what always burns me up about this kind of thing…style is something everyone should make their own. Hell…there are 23 year olds wearing some of this stuff and I would say..umm..hate it but if they like it more power to them. I think wearing something that makes someone feel confident is always a winner.
Shelly||The Queen in Between
Shelly recently posted…Currently {July}
Love your versatility and how fun you make fashion. Thanks for linking up with the Trend Spin Linkup each week! = )
walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com
HAhahaha!! You’re a “hooker” after my own heart. I read that AARP story a while ago and left after spitting up a little in my mouth. I’m glad that woman feels grown up now in her grown-up clothes. How fitting that the Canadian version of that association is called CARP. Great post!
Melanie recently posted…Styling grey hair, and a blogger meetup
This is such a funny post! I love that you made all of these fashion faux pas work & look chic
http://michellespaige.com
michelle recently posted…M GEMI SLIDES