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Sepharad
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I have two pair of Crocs…one in royal blue and the other in (ta-da!) fluorescent yellow! (LONG story on that second one!)
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Guitar
Guest
It’s all a conspiracy, you know. 
It’s part of a larger plot by the beauty and fashion industries to maintain an arbitrary but well defined point past which women are, at least semi-officially, “aging”. We can’t just let people drift along in a contented continuum, we have to create an artificial milestone that will trigger a change in behaviour and attitudes.
If we create a big “thing” about Turning Forty, then women will have these “oh my gosh, I’ve turned forty, I’m now aging” panic attacks and rush down to the shops and spend a month’s income on anti-aging prepaparations and a new wardrobe. In their dreams.
Turning thirty used to be a big thing when I was younger and now nobody really mentions it. Turning forty is greeted with less fuss than before too but it seems these “industries” are still trying to tell us it’s a big turning point in all our lives.
(And some older women had these things drummed into them pretty hard when they were little. When I cut my waist-length hair for maintenance reasons approaching forty I was deluged with congratulatory comments from women of a certain age plus or minus about 2.5 years. I copped about 10 years worth of pent up tongue-biting because I’d broken the rule that a woman over thirty shouldn’t have long hair because it ages her.
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It’s part of a larger plot by the beauty and fashion industries to maintain an arbitrary but well defined point past which women are, at least semi-officially, “aging”. We can’t just let people drift along in a contented continuum, we have to create an artificial milestone that will trigger a change in behaviour and attitudes.If we create a big “thing” about Turning Forty, then women will have these “oh my gosh, I’ve turned forty, I’m now aging” panic attacks and rush down to the shops and spend a month’s income on anti-aging prepaparations and a new wardrobe. In their dreams.
Turning thirty used to be a big thing when I was younger and now nobody really mentions it. Turning forty is greeted with less fuss than before too but it seems these “industries” are still trying to tell us it’s a big turning point in all our lives.
(And some older women had these things drummed into them pretty hard when they were little. When I cut my waist-length hair for maintenance reasons approaching forty I was deluged with congratulatory comments from women of a certain age plus or minus about 2.5 years. I copped about 10 years worth of pent up tongue-biting because I’d broken the rule that a woman over thirty shouldn’t have long hair because it ages her.
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puzzleannie
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friends wore very stylish looking slip on sandals, open toe, to church and I was surprised to hear they are crocs, so there are other styles out there, these looked fine with summer skirts and tops, would look great with capris or shorts, too. she teaches all day and is on her feet and wears them for work, and no one has commented on them being crocs
I heartily agree on not dressing a 40 something body like a 20 or teen something, and know people who still shop in the Jrs dept and wonder why their jeans never fit right.
I also think we probably all need that 360 degree mirror before walking out of the house in the morning–it sure stopped me from wearing shorts in public, the long suffering world does not need that affliction.
I heartily agree on not dressing a 40 something body like a 20 or teen something, and know people who still shop in the Jrs dept and wonder why their jeans never fit right.
I also think we probably all need that 360 degree mirror before walking out of the house in the morning–it sure stopped me from wearing shorts in public, the long suffering world does not need that affliction.
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Brenda_V
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And just for the record, (and since I don’t know you
I think Crocs are hideous.
(But I’d never tell you that in person)
Okay, I have to agree with Sepharad, even my orthopaedist won’t tell me not to wear my crocs!
As for why ya’ll think they are ugly, my guess is you haven’t seen the new styles (I now have four pairs of crocs because my feet fit in them well). One pair is even in black to wear to Mass!
Check them out here crocs.com/ . I think there are some really cute ones and they do give me good support at 50 years old and having spent a good portion of my life over 200 lbs. They are very comfortable and I have even been able to figure out how to put an orthotic in them!
Oh, and per the threads topic? Nope, don’t understand why someone “over 40” shouldn’t use a back-pack or wear Crocs! If I needed to carry more than I normally do then I would use a back-pack - the right way, over both shoulders and up high! Like puzzleannie said though, after a certain age I don’t care what any fashionistas tell me I should or shouldn’t wear.
Brenda V.
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rpp
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Yep, you are definitely from the Pacific Northwest. We have it bad up here, especially the hygiene thing.
And to the OP.
I actually work for a clothing manufacturer who makes outdoor clothing. My company is not a fashion company but rather makes clothes that people can actually live in. Believe me, that stuff in your OP definitely came from the fashion part of the clothing industry. Those folks there are even wackier than the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or a roomful of baboons.
(Sorry, I apologize for the redundant simile.)
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Beautiful
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Yes, yes, yes and no
For me, it’s “No shorts” over 40.Shorts for me would be knee length capris.
As for the OP’s question, it’s probably not a moral thing, it’s just that it’s not attractive. Shouldn’t we always want to look our best?
Shorts are ok for those over forty. Even if I could subtract 20-something off my age I still would not wear those underwear-like shorts. They are obscene. I do wear those low rise longer cargo shorts with fitted long tank tops. This is comfortable and attractive. Smooth, low-rise longer shorts with an attractrive top make it dressier.
At any rate women should always want to look their best. There is no need to walk around in a sack-like outfit.
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rpp
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Don’t say that on the “Non-Christian Religions” forum. You would get flamed by all the Moslems there!
Let’s hear it for bhurkas!
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Sepharad
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I used to wear slacks and other pants, until I lost a lot of weight…now I have loads of loose skin around my midsection which looks horrible in pants! So I found that skirts cover it all up. And, long sleeves cover up the loose skin under the arms, which is also from losing a lot of weight.
Sometimes I wonder if God made me lose that weight in such a way so that I’d be forced to dress the way I’m supposed to (skirts)! (I would not put it past Him)
Sometimes I wonder if God made me lose that weight in such a way so that I’d be forced to dress the way I’m supposed to (skirts)!
(I would not put it past Him)
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Beautiful
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Actually, I did not have bhurkas in mind when I said sack-like. I actually had some outfits worn by Christians in mind. Perhaps this is uncharitable on my part to think this way. I just fail to understand why any woman - Christian or not - would hide her femininity under layers and layers of shapeless clothing. I consider myself modest in that I keep my skin covered for the most part( nothing above the knee, no cleavage or back and when in church my shoulders are always covered) and my clothes are never so tight - just tight enough to announce that I am a woman and not a ? in a paper bag. There are plenty of pretty things out there to choose from without turning to sacks.
I think this is kind of like the ‘rule’ that says women over the age of forty shouldn’t have pictures of rock stars on their bedroom walls. It would strike most people as odd.
Aside from the issues of some sorts of clothing being more flattering to aging bodies there just are some types of clothing that project an age range. We tend to think of men when we hear the phrase “midlife crisis”. But midlife crisis is what most people are going to think if they see a 40+ year old woman wearing something that screams, “twenty-something”.
Sometimes it’s not so much the type of clothing as it is the situation in which the clothing is worn or the part of the world/country were the clothing is worn. A young, fit woman can look very dressy in denim. An older woman usually just looks casual. Then again, if the woman lives in a “Western” area then denim might be formal wear.
Aside from the issues of some sorts of clothing being more flattering to aging bodies there just are some types of clothing that project an age range. We tend to think of men when we hear the phrase “midlife crisis”. But midlife crisis is what most people are going to think if they see a 40+ year old woman wearing something that screams, “twenty-something”.
Sometimes it’s not so much the type of clothing as it is the situation in which the clothing is worn or the part of the world/country were the clothing is worn. A young, fit woman can look very dressy in denim. An older woman usually just looks casual. Then again, if the woman lives in a “Western” area then denim might be formal wear.
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Guitar
Guest
I am about the least-interested-in-fashion woman around but I have no interest in looking like a fool. When I was about seven or eight I read an article in one of my mother’s womens’ magazines that said, “most women have never seen themselves from behind” and that statement has stayed with me ever since. I make sure I know what I look like from behind.
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Beautiful
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I love wearing my skirts this time of year. They are all made of cotton prints and solids.Sometimes I wonder if God made me lose that weight in such a way so that I’d be forced to dress the way I’m supposed to (skirts)!
Does anyone remember those shorter skirts with matching shorts from the 70’s?
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Beautiful
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Oh yes, always check the caboose in the mirror.I make sure I know what I look like from behind.
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whatevergirl
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I am about the least-interested-in-fashion woman around but I have no interest in looking like a fool. When I was about seven or eight I read an article in one of my mother’s womens’ magazines that said, “most women have never seen themselves from behind” and that statement has stayed with me ever since. I make sure I know what I look like from behind.
lol–that’s funny.
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strngrnrth
Guest
I always wondered why the very oldest women around wear monochromatic outfits. That was seen as eccentric when I was learning the rules, like wearing a workplace uniform around town or a jumpsuit.I hadn’t realized clothes had once been expected to match, because women in separates in fashion ads from the thirties and forties rarely wore monochromatic clothes or matched patterns. They had some complementary colors and some white top/navy skirt outfits and things like that. But maybe that was the equivalent then of today’s model with her neckline to her navel – a dramatic overstatement to get attention? I get confused about fashion.
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OutinChgoburbs
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Ah, what I saw a lot in the Southern Unied States as a “church” dress. Hangs from the shoulders, huge lace collar, often big loud pattern, looks good on nobody big or small, enough room in the dress for two people? They used to be sold a lot at Sears.
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SeekerJen
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I’m only 30 so take this as you will, but modest IMO doesn’t mean ill-fitting. Clothes that are well-tailored to fit your body will make you look slimmer. I have a large chest (aka the Rack of Doom) and I’ve found that if I wear clothing that is cut to fit my curves (not tight, but well-tailored) I look a lot slimmer than if I wear something baggy that just hangs off of my chest. So try a women’s blouse with good seams and darts or a well-cut blazer with an A-line knee-length skirt or a pair of knee-length walking shorts (the ones with the straight legs, no flare in the legs or pleats around the waist). For dressing up, a dress with princess seaming or a well tailored suit (skirt or pants) are good options.
As for the shoes- I break all fashion rules in this regard. I do own a few pairs of cute high heels, but can only stand them for a couple of hours at a time for special occasions. Otherwise, I live in Dansko clogs in the winter and Birkenstocks or Dansko sandals in the summer. Some of these are really cute, though, and not so much the hippie student look. I also just bought a pair of Chaco sport sandals, the kind that you can wear hiking and then plod straight through a river. And I’m a student, so at least during weekdays I’m toting around a backpack.
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jrabs
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I also vote no short skirts ( meaning 4 or so inches above the knee) and no shorter shorts over 40.
Though somehow Tina Turner does manage to pull it off and look smashing.
Though somehow Tina Turner does manage to pull it off and look smashing.
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juliasmith
Guest
I am also a 12/14. I just had a child three months ago and am learning to be comfortable in this size. I have found that for my very pear shaped figure non-banded skirts (long ones that appear to lengthen me) and long pencil skirts look better than fuller, banded ones. I also like weskit blouses and shells with cardigans, but they need to be a bit below the hip line to look decent. The short waisted tops look horrible. Also, sheath dresses are quite attractive and modest. I have a problem finding them long enough though. It still seems ‘fashionable’ to wear knee length dresses. Ugh! I have always hated knee length dresses (even when I had my girlish figure). They always look so pretty on others but I seemed to look like a cow.
Hope this helps some.
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juliasmith
Guest
oh, and cargo pants are a life-saver!
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