Please note....this is a chick post. If you are not a chick, you might as well pack it in now and come back another time because you won't get it.
Style.
I am having a style meltdown. It may have to do with age. It may have to do with shopping, but I have lost my way.
My mother celebrated her 80th birthday this weekend. I looked at what she was wearing at her party and realized she has her own style. If I had to describe it, I would say she is a Thalhimers lady. (Thalhimers was the Macy's of our area for years until it closed). She knows her "style". I can go in any store, see an outfit, and know if it is "her" or not.
I don't have a style. I want one, but so far....nada. I now fear if I don't have one at this stage of the game, maybe I won't ever have one. That's where the age part comes in.
55.
Senior coke.
Alfred Dunner waiting to happen.
A hop skip and a jump from Koret.
But that can't be me...
I am Dr. Scholls, happy legs, platform shoes, the occasional Pappagallo twin set. Criss Craft tennis shoes,
Tretorns....at least in the 70s.
See, I always had a style "guide"...When I was ten, it was Haley Mills.
By 15 I had graduated to Ali MacGraw.
. In my 20s it was Princess Diana.
I don't know what happened in my 30s...beside pregnancy...there were no guides there....40's, I was beginning to slip...and now...I'm barely hanging on.
. In my 20s it was Princess Diana.
I don't know what happened in my 30s...beside pregnancy...there were no guides there....40's, I was beginning to slip...and now...I'm barely hanging on.
I shopped over Spring Break with my 20-something niece. Tall, skinny, stylish and confident....she waltzes into Banana Republic and in 15 minutes she has a bag of stylish goodies...all of which fit in all the right places. JCrew, 10 minutes and she is ready for any occasion.
It takes me 10 minutes to just locate something that MIGHT fit, and another 5 to realize it is too "young" to even try on.
And shoes....oh.my.gosh....that's the worst. Shoe Shopping with my niece went like this...
And shoes....oh.my.gosh....that's the worst. Shoe Shopping with my niece went like this...
Me: these?
Her: no.
Me: these?
Her: no
Me: these?
Her: no
Me: these?
Her: are you on crack?
and they were the kind remarks...
Where are the style guides for the 50+ women? Where is Jackie O when we need her?
Hollywood?
No one there....
they are either wearing their eyebrows up around their hairline and their dresses up to their.....well you know, or they are strutting around in Jimmy Choos and no stockings....no one, and I repeat NO ONE over 50 looks good with bare legs and a short skirt....
I know I am on a rant, but there must be a style guide somewhere for people like me.
By this age, I should know what I want to be when I grow up, but the older I get the less
I feel like I know what looks good. I am tempted to throw in the towel and just wear what feels good,
What is comfortable, but I occasionally I catch a glimpse of myself in bib overalls and crocks and it ain't pretty. The over sized sweats are no better....
And so I ask you....who are your style guides?
Who makes your clothes?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Please share.....
Just for the record, some of the young ones aren't looking that great either....
Just sayin'....
and they were the kind remarks...
Where are the style guides for the 50+ women? Where is Jackie O when we need her?
Hollywood?
they are either wearing their eyebrows up around their hairline and their dresses up to their.....well you know, or they are strutting around in Jimmy Choos and no stockings....no one, and I repeat NO ONE over 50 looks good with bare legs and a short skirt....
I know I am on a rant, but there must be a style guide somewhere for people like me.
By this age, I should know what I want to be when I grow up, but the older I get the less
I feel like I know what looks good. I am tempted to throw in the towel and just wear what feels good,
What is comfortable, but I occasionally I catch a glimpse of myself in bib overalls and crocks and it ain't pretty. The over sized sweats are no better....
And so I ask you....who are your style guides?
Who makes your clothes?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Please share.....
Just for the record, some of the young ones aren't looking that great either....
Oh, what a fun post. I'm not sure how to navigate the style dilemma either, so usually I keep on trying different things until my daughter mutters: "You're going to wear THAT?", which, of course, makes me want to dye my hair blue!
ReplyDeleteHere's a fun read about style for grown-ups: http://thatsnotmyage.blogspot.com/
I'm right there with you, sister! I don't have a style, unless t-shirts and cargo pants qualify! I like to be comfortable, all the time! Then, when I have to dress up for something, I feel sooooo inadequate.
ReplyDeleteBtw, that girl in the last picture, on the right, what was that thing attached to her head??? I saw her in the crowd and actually felt better about myself and my fashion choices!!
can't wait to check that one kathrin....marge, princess beatrice i think....her fascinator was fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I'm about to turn 50 and have always been considered stylish. Now however, the vintage artsy things I used to wear look silly, and the magazines geared to, "the older woman," feature botoxed surgically enhanced women.
ReplyDeleteWhew...thanks for letting me vent.