Hair, Jewellery and Make Up

[Elena321]

**Jewellery isn’t a necessity , it’s a luxury. **

I understand where you are coming from. I really do. I wear jewelry a lot. As a full-time caregiver of a husband with dementia, a full time employee for our diocese and a part time cantor, I just need the lift to my spirit that a sparkly piece of jewelry gives me. My jewelry is inexpensive and glittery. I feel happy when I wear it.

God Bless you looking after your husband.:hug1:

 

[Della]

Sorry,i should have made my comment clearer.
I only mentioned the “dowdy” part (as a comparison) because I was suggesting that people shouldn’t judge “mutton dressed as lamb” women either.

The comment about “mutton dressed as lamb” wasn’t mine–it was another posters. I had responded to it–the idea being that “homely” women shouldn’t make an effort to look better since it’s not possible. I don’t agree with that idea–I countered by saying that overdoing make-up, wearing clothing that is too young (in a desperate attempt to stay young), etc. Are what make for a bad impression–not plainness. But then plainness shouldn’t be an excuse to hide from the world, either. Convents don’t take women who merely want to hide from the world, after all–they take women who are called to a life of prayer and service within an order. Dressing as a “pretend” a nun merely to avoid people isn’t healthy.

Regarding those who “shun” makeup etc to project a “holier than thou” impression,i know what you mean.
I think there are two categories (first good & second bad):

1st category:.Women who prefer a more simple appearance due to personality type (eg:sporty or natural hippy type etc),or women who are so very attractive and confident without any makeup,or women who sincerly have become less attached to worldly impressions/stuff (such as Mother Theresa and nuns).

2nd category:.Women who put on a facade of being more pious than others and falsely believe makeup,nice colour clothing & similar things should be shunned or the person cant be spiritual.These women can be subtely judgmental towards others (could be subconscious sometimes?)

I agree.

Generally speaking,if you have a look at some cosmetic medicine websites “before and afters” it can give a wider scope of seeing that some peoples facial issues can’t be fixed with just good makeup + hairdye/hair extensions as per usual treatment on makeover shows.

I haven’t explored those sites. And my heart goes out to people with some kind of facial deformity. I’m not talking about them. There’s only so much a person can do about their appearance, after all. For example, I’m never going to look like a beauty queen, but I try to make myself as presentable as I can, while not putting on some kind of mask to try to be someone I’m not.

 

[DeniseNY]

When I lived abroad, I used to have my clothing custom tailored for a great price. I would pick out clothes in a catalog which I liked and it would be made for me.

I would give anything to find a tailor. They seem to be as rare as hen’s teeth. I have a very difficult time finding off the rack clothes which fit me.

The art of tailoring has gone out of fashion.

 

[Elena321]

The comment about “mutton dressed as lamb” wasn’t mine–it was another posters. I had responded to it–the idea being that “homely” women shouldn’t make an effort to look better since it’s not possible. I don’t agree with that idea–I countered by saying that overdoing make-up, wearing clothing that is too young (in a desperate attempt to stay young), etc. Are what make for a bad impression–not plainness. But then plainness shouldn’t be an excuse to hide from the world, either. Convents don’t take women who merely want to hide from the world, after all–they take women who are called to a life of prayer and service within an order. Dressing as a “pretend” a nun merely to avoid people isn’t healthy.

I agree.

I haven’t explored those sites. And my heart goes out to people with some kind of facial deformity. I’m not talking about them. There’s only so much a person can do about their appearance, after all. For example, I’m never going to look like a beauty queen, but I try to make myself as presentable as I can, while not putting on some kind of mask to try to be someone I’m not.

Thanks
At the same time,if a women is dressing younger than her age isn’t that perception in the “beholder” too?
Ie:who made the notion that certain looks should only be at certain ages (or certain body types) and maybe this also varies across cultures.
For example,when I see Madonna wearing what she does,one part of me thinks “that seems desperate” but then another part of me sympathise’s with her because perhaps its not the womens “fault” but rather society.
We are taught in society (and many cultures) to disvalue aging.That we should fear getting older,that its the worst thing that could happen to us,that we are then “decrepit” and useless,over the hill,sometimes even fired from jobs and I’m sure much harder to get a job,that our husbands may leave us due to us losing our looks (sometimes happened unfortunately) etc.
Youth is worshipped and we are sent such a strong “ánti old” message that I find it little wonder that some older women are always trying to seek the “foundation of youth” or put on it a façade of it.

 

[Sarcelle]

Thanks
At the same time,if a women is dressing younger than her age isn’t that perception in the “beholder” too?
Ie:who made the notion that certain looks should only be at certain ages (or certain body types) and maybe this also varies across cultures.
For example,when I see Madonna wearing what she does,one part of me thinks “that seems desperate” but then another part of me sympathise’s with her because perhaps its not the womens “fault” but rather society.
We are taught in society (and many cultures) to disvalue aging.That we should fear getting older,that its the worst thing that could happen to us,that we are then “decrepit” and useless,over the hill,sometimes even fired from jobs and I’m sure much harder to get a job,that our husbands may leave us due to us losing our looks (sometimes happened unfortunately) etc.
Youth is worshipped and we are sent such a strong “ánti old” message that I find it little wonder that some older women are always trying to seek the “foundation of youth” or put on it a façade of it.

Yes

Youth is worshipped and old age disparaged. Happens when value is placed more on external appearance than in wisdom or the virtues.

 

[Della]

Well, I’m 67 (will turn 68 next month). I still wear tees and jeans–everyone does, but then I still look okay in tees and jeans. But, when the occasion calls for it, I wear a nice dress jacket and slacks with a pretty brooch, earrings, and lovely 17 jewel watch my grandfather gave me when I graduated from High School, eons ago it seems now. It’s a matter of balance. I don’t dress for other’s perceptions–I never have, actually, but I do dress so that I don’t stick out as “odd,” either or disappear into the woodwork. I refuse to wear colors that don’t look good on me just because I’m older, but I don’t wear miniskirts, either–not that I ever did, but I would just look silly on me at my time of life. As for Madonna, poor thing, still hanging onto her salad days it seems to me. Men do it too, sad to say. It’d be better if she upgraded her look to match her age–with the money she has she can certainly afford to pay a professional to help her look “edgy,” but more appropriately for her age.

 

[Bonnie]

As for Madonna, poor thing, still hanging onto her salad days it seems to me. Men do it too, sad to say.

Men are more apt to do it with cars than clothes. Next time you see a nifty-looking sports car with the top down, check out the driver. Odds are he’s an old guy who can finally afford the car he wanted when he was young.

 

[Della]

Men are more apt to do it with cars than clothes. Next time you see a nifty-looking sports car with the top down, check out the driver. Odds are he’s an old guy who can finally afford the car he wanted when he was young.

So true!

 

[misspriss]

So true!

At least my dad decided to buy a convertible and not the motorcycle he had mind set on…

 

[Della]

At least my dad decided to buy a convertible and not the motorcycle he had mind set on…

Indeed. Unless a person has good balance and long experience driving a motorcycle, taking it on after 50 is a disaster waiting to happen, isn’t it? :yup: