Women Over Fifty—You’ve Got Permission to Smile!
I got my Talbots’ catalogue the other day. Thumbing through the pages, I had a real ah-ha moment. Now, this realization had nothing to do with fall fashions, nor that the brand is mostly aimed at older women. I didn’t even concern myself with the fact that the models, who looked to be the ripe old age of twenty-something, were dressed to look like women our age. My inner light bulb went off when I realized that almost every model in the catalogue was actually smiling!
I used to subscribe to fashion magazines but, now that I’m older, I no longer do. However, whenever I have a hair appointment, you’ll find me leafing through the glossy renderings of style and chic that lay on the table at the hair salon. (Forget the chic—I’m just praying that my own style doesn’t look too dated.) What literally leaps off the pages of these trend-setting pieces, is that almost every model has either a bored or a haughty look on her face. It’s almost as if you can’t be young and fashionable and happy all at the same time.
My Talbots moment really set me to thinking that age has another advantage—we get to have fun and show it! Can you imagine a fifty-year-old model looking haughty or bored? It just wouldn’t fit with our demographic description. Studies show that women tend to be the happiest in the years past fifty. We come into our own like never before and that can’t help but put a smile on your face.
So next time you peruse a fashion magazine aimed at young women, give a little prayer of thanks that you no longer need to look like they do. Yes, they may be lithe and thin. Yes, their skin may be smooth and supple. And, yes, they probably have perfectly manicured nails and hair. But, for the life of me, why do they have to look so sour? Just wait ‘til these models hit fifty—no doubt about it—that’ll bring a smile to their face!
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September 1st, 2009 | Tags: aging, attitude, baby boomer blog, baby boomer blogs, baby boomer women, boomer generation, fashion for women over 50, fashion for women over fifty, fun, humor, Mary Eileen Williams, mature women, mature women over 50, mature women over fifty, midlife, older women, over 50 women, over fifty women, senior, turning fifty, women 50+, women fifty plus, women over 50, women over fifty | Category: Aging With Attitude, Inspiring Each Other, Of Mind and Matter, Turning 50
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September 26th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I think those younger models are always frowning for two reasons.
First- they’re HUNGRY!!!
Second- It’s really hard to hold in your stomach and remember to smile at the same time.
Did you see all the hubbub over Lizzie,the nude plus size model in Glamour? She was actually smiling- and there was her stomach pooched out for all to see. A victory for all of us who aren’t twigs.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:43 am
I cannot resist! After reading this, and then the comments, I just HAVE TO add my two cents worth (or maybe a few dollars?). First, I love that you offer the notion that we don’t need to be slaves to fashion. Given that we’ve ‘been there, done that’, and now we’re HERE…it seems to me that we’re gathered enough of ourselves to create our own styles and, for the more bodacious Feisty Goddesses, we don those fashions with moxie and a terrific sense of humor. THIS is what beautiful is about.
As for Miz Mathieson’s commentary, I must tell you, I couldn’t disagree more. Given that she’s a fashion ‘consultant’, I understand why she said what she said, and I’m not arrogant enough to call her ‘wrong’. I just disagree. Here’s why: she said, “I stressed in both my books that in order to remain modern, and youthful–it is essential to peruse magazines…”
HUH? ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO REMAIN MODERN AND YOUTHFUL??? Come again?
It seems to me the splendor of aging is all about coming into one’s own. Arriving at that place where we’re utterly comfortable in our skins, without the need to conform, comply or ‘fit in’. That’s what the 20s are for. When we attempt to comply, we’re basically saying we’re afraid to be ourselves. We don’t want to rock the boat. We want to be invisible so no one will criticize. We want to blend. That whole mentality reeks of fear. No thanks.
Coming of age, being able to wear what we want with brazen confidence is the epitome of ‘style’. Because, when it comes right down to it, how we FEEL is what keeps us ‘young’. How we FEEL and how we THINK OF OURSELVES. These are the markers for ‘fashion’…the fashion we create from our truest selves.
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’d like to see middle aged models in those catalogues. Smiling of course. At our age we can still wear an outfit beautifully. Why not use women our age to portray that? As for Sherrie’s point of view. I will occassionally glance through the fashion magazines at the hair dressers, but I certainly wouldn’t wear the majority of what the models are selling, that doesn’t mean to say that we can’t look up to date, in a style not dictated to by fashion magazines. I love looking good in clothing I was game enough to choose, not chosen for me by magazines or latest trend.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
You gave me a great memory of my half-Slovak mother, calling me her Slovakized endearment version of my name and saying, “It’s to laugh, Joyceka.” You know, when you have to laugh or you would cry. It’s sad that young models feel they can’t break out of that “canned” face mold and express joy. Of course, I called my twenties psychological adolescence. Being young is a literal pain–or it was for me! I’d rather wear a goofy grin and laugh often and have all kinds of beauty “imperfections.” I would never trade the wisdom and overall happiness I have attained in six decades of living for a perfect face and body–not for a minute. Wow. I think I’m finally mature!
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
The other thing to smile about after fifty is that we no longer have to be a slave to the same fashion world that says it’s uncool to look happy!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 am
Hi!
We recently talked, and I really enjoyed it.
But something caught my eye and gave me pause (that has really nothing to do with your point about wishing for friendlier smiling faces in fashion photos).
It was “I used to subscribe to fashion magazines but, now that I’m older, I no longer do…”
I stressed in both my books that in order to remain modern, and youthful–it is essential to peruse magazines–especially the ones I listed.
And yes, in Vogue, Bazaar etc-admittedly they tend to want to blur the line, and bridge art and fashion so somehow the “smile” has become a casualty.
Last minute research (and prayer) before a hair appointment would be unnecessary if style was more casually integrated in your life.
I think a certain comfort level with oneself is a wonderful thing to attain as we age–but we should still challenge ourselves to remain current and up-to-date.
My books are all about bridging what you see on “these young women” (and men) and yourself–appropriately and agelessly.
I hope more and more women begin to realize that curiosity and aesthetic exposure is the key to being youthful–always–no matter how old you may be.
All best,
Sherrie (sherriemathieson.com)