The way some people tear down women who have aged past youth you’d think these women suddenly transform into hairy werewolves that bay at the full moon and go running through the town ripping out the throats of babies.
According to societal dictates, when a woman turns 40 the proper thing for her to do is burn all her cute clothes, chop off her hair, jump into a gunny sack then plop down in a rocking chair and wait for the cold hand of death. Any woman not willing to go gently into the good night is subject to searing ridicule or labeled a cougar.
No, I don’t think cougar is a positive term. Another post for another day.
Seriously, what’s so terrible about a woman of 40 or more keeping up her appearance, being confident hot and sexy? Why in the hell should she listen to people - sometimes half her age - tell her how she should dress? I think it’s stupid.
I know I have no plans to listen to anyone tell me what clothes are appropriate for me according to my age. I spit on their ridiculous lists, like the one this 40ish woman recently responded to on a blog entitled “10 Things Women over 40 Shouldn’t Wear.” Here it is:
“Most of the things on this list are absurd. Why shouldn’t over 40 women wear mid length coats or capris? Or bikinis, for that matter. The question is not age; it’s body shape. There are A LOT of 20-something gals out there wearing things they do not have the body style for. Low rise pants look good on about 0.5% of the population for example.
I loved Lynda’s comment regarding people who try to put you in a box and make you feel like you don’t exist. Turning 40 is not a reason to slink away in shame. It’s around that age that you really start coming into your own and being proud of who you are inside.
A patriarchal and misogynistic society is what encourages the hatred and disdain of women who have reached an age where they know exactly who is full of B.S….namely the paunchy, balding midlife-crisis-suffering men who can only feel better about themselves if they keep trading down with younger women, or the pinched, anorexic conveyors of unhealthy body image, most likely found in the fashion industry.
Wear classic, flattering styles. Actually look at yourself in a full length mirror to access whether or not a style suits you, and then wear what makes you happy. Anybody who wants to dictate your choices can either shut up or offer to foot your clothing expenses. I vote for the former.”
Me too, girl. Me too.
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