What Not To Wear When You’re 30, 40, 50….Seriously? What Do You Think?

I’m at home during the day and usually have the TV on for background noise while I write and research articles. The other day I heard a talk show host talking about a list of fashion “noes” for women of various ages. I was so surprised at some of them I actually got up and rewound the TV so I could hear it again.

I’m 53 and I think I wear over half of the items that were on the list. I researched fashion noes a bit more and was really surprised at what showed up. As I read, I kept thinking who says so? And seriously?

IN YOUR 30’s?

Here are some of the things that made the list that you should stop wearing once you hit your 30’s…

• blue eyeshadow

• rhinestone

• leopard print

• oversized sunglasses

• hoop earrings

• furry anything

• overalls

• short dresses

• sparkly shoes

• message T-shirts

• too-trendy denim

• hair gadgets like flowery scrunchies or banana clips

• zebra purses

• black nail polish

Just the other day I had on a short leopard dress that I wore with hoop earrings and oversized glasses. And you know what? I looked pretty damn good if I do say. I didn’t hear any snickers as I walked down the street, no one pointed at me, and I wasn’t arrested by the Fashion Police. And even if someone didn’t think I looked “appropriate” for my age, I wouldn’t care. I felt great.

(A short dress I wore this year even though I’ve passed my 30’s…and I’m wearing black polish on my toes!)

IF YOU’RE IN YOUR 40’s

And if you’re in your 40’s? Well some people think you should never wear…

• fringe tops

• ripped jeans

• sheer shirts

• colored jeans

• ankle bracelets

• bodycon dresses

• fishnet stockings

• bikinis

• white ribbed cotton tank tops

(Did someone say no fringe? Paired with skinny jeans? Lock me up!)

It’s funny that I saw ankle bracelets on this list because just the other day I was thinking of all the ones sitting in my jewelry box from years and years ago. I had on a pair of sandals and out of nowhere I thought, “An ankle bracelet would really look cute with these.” And then I thought, “When was the last time they were even in style?” Which made me think of fashion trends, why something is ok this year but not next year, and why do these thoughts even take up that much space in my mind? I went to my jewelry box, found my favorite piece and clasped that baby around my ankle…

AND IF YOU’RE STILL ALIVE AT THE OLD AGE OF 50…

Well if you make it to the ripe old age of 50+, not only should you not wear any of the things mentioned for your 30’s and 40’s but you can also add to the list…

• Berets

• purses with dog or cats on them

• anything showing cleavage

• oversized bags/purses

• long hair

• leggings

• skinny jeans

And I didn’t even research the 60’s, because they’ve already taken all the fun things off the list. Seriously, who are “these people” who decide what is and isn’t appropriate for women, who they’ve never even met, to wear?

This year for the first time in my life I bought a bodycon dress and I like how it fits and looks. It makes me feel super sexy and my husband LOVES it. I figure as long as I feel I can rock it, I’m going to.

Sure there are occasions where you need to follow a certain dress code, like at work. And you most likely aren’t going to show up at a funeral in fishnet stockings and a short furry skirt. But why in the world would I stop wearing my favorite animal prints or ripped, skinny jeans just because of my age. I’m happy they still fit.

Sometimes I’ll try something on and will think, “That doesn’t look age-appropriate,” like something with lots of ruffles. And it’s not that I can’t wear them or wouldn’t wear them if I liked them, I just feel silly. I have a really difficult time when buying shorts because I’m a really small size and wear junior cuts that while they fit around my waist, tend to barely cover my butt. I don’t think they look “appropriate” but that’s probably more due to how I think my legs and butt look at this point in my life versus my age.

I don’t know, whether you consider clothes as a way to express yourself or rather as a means to not be naked, I think we should be able to wear what we want, regardless of “age” rules. I’ve been collecting fabulous shoes all my life and I can assure you, they are not going anywhere, no matter how high the heel or how old I get. I figure they’ll look pretty wonderful on my feet when I need a wheelchair.

(I figure at one point later in my life I may end up looking like this…that’s how much I love my animal print!)

I’ve worn my hair short most of my life and now in my 50’s have been letting it grow for a change. And I like it…for right now. Perhaps it would look better with a banana clip and beret?

Anyway, as I sit here in my graphic tee that says “Long Hair, Don’t Care”  paired with colored denim that is also skinny and ripped, and a pair of leopard print heels, I wonder…is there a fashion no you follow because of your age?

What do you think?