Don’t Dress Your Age: Six Women Say No to Drab
A new TV documentary on Britain’s BBC4 has been tickling people’s fancies across the pond and stateside. “Fabulous Fashionistas” features six women of advanced years who share a love for style and a “screw that” attitude to the standard dictates of age.
Audiences in the U.K. have embraced the documentary’s message that when it comes to aging with attitude, style – whether it’s costly designer, handicraft or thrift shop find – is a crucial part of the package; you can’t be walking around in baggy beige, which is what one of the Fashionistas calls “the color of death.” Sorry!
The documentary doesn’t just tell us about six seniors’ style choices. By the end of its 45 minutes, these women are much more than clotheshorses – just as they’re much more than “old.”
“It’s not about money or looking younger,” one of the six says. So, what is it about? “Having an identity beyond old lady.”
The documentary makes a strong case for age being what you make of it. But one lone critic, blogging in the Guardian, has taken issue with it. “Fabulous Fashionistas,” Michele Hanson writes, has simply picked something that these women have done all their lives – being stylish – and called it remarkable because they’re old. We wouldn’t have made a big deal of it if they were their younger selves, and so isn’t that ageist? Why can’t we get used to the idea that someone can be an “old woman” and also a person who is interested in style? And is an older woman who’s not interested in style – never was, never will be – any less of a remarkable person?
The fact is, these six women break with the stereotype in many ways. We learn that when Jean Woods’ husband of 56 years died, she applied for a job at Gap to make ends meet and ward off loneliness, and then switched from that job to a new one in a fashionable boutique. “Just because you’re 71 doesn’t mean you’ve stopped being able to converse with people and hold down a job,” she says.
Gillian Lynne, the 87 year old choreographer responsible for “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera,” has been working nonstop since the ’40s. She says she loves her life because she loves her job – and loving life keeps her living. “You mustn’t allow it in,” Lynne says about age. “The minute you give an inch, it will take a mile.” She had just recovered from a serious bout of pneumonia.
And let’s face it, when you’re feeling invisible, the message that you don’t have to agree to fade into the background is inspirational. Just read the comments under Hanson’s blog post. Then take a look at the documentary trailer taster, below, and judge for yourself. (A DVD of “Fabulous Fashionistas” is available by clicking here.)
What’s your view? Share it in the comments below.
Read our Q&A with “Fabulous Fashionistas” director Sue Bourne (and see another taster) here.
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Comments
Love this …shows age is not important
gives you a lot to think about style clothes
colors and creating your look can be a blast.
ENJOY!
I will NEVER stop dressing in my signature animal print ; I’m skinny and look 25 years younger, so why not show it off !
I have always said to my dear mom – hey! would Goldie Hawn wear it?? Do it!
And now I find myself at 58, repeating to myself…Goldie Hawn…Goldie Hawn…do it… and I am in great shape, running, practicing yoga, but I want a certain dignity that means I look stylish and classy, with no holdbacks. So – rompers probably not, even in GH mode. Heels – yes! Miniskirts – well, I have great legs, even Tina Turner worthy, but still…OK yes! A bikini? Well, in the backyard, at the far end of the beach, and in Mexico on vacation…because here its not accepted, at least in my mind… I think we get our own codes worked out over time. But one caveat – DO NOT worry about what your daughter says! : ) (Mom!! What are you wearing?!?)
Love this! Would like to see more about all older women dressing creatively outside the box.
I am age 74, in good health and I consider myself a pretty well educated person (BS in nursing) Yet I feel as though I do not fit in anyplace. Yes, I am active, I sing in two chiors, work out at least twice a week, and I am trying to market a soft-sculpture sock monkey doll (it is patented) I do not dress in “senior” type clothing. But why do I feel so lonely and isolated. Yes, I live alone. I am single and I really do not like it, but there are worse things. I feel like a red-headed step child!!! what is my problem..depression
Could be depression. Not an uncommon diagnosis for women of our age. You must help yourself feel better and for lots of us anti depressants and talking to someone professional is the answer.
I’m 72 and usually feeling good, with the help I’ve mentioned. Don’t cheat yourself. Age is just a number and sometimes we just need a little help to accept this.
Please get help. What you’re feeling is not fun.
Dear Irene,
Can so relate to what you’ve written here. It’s difficult to find connections at this age. So many friends/family have passed on and one feels vulnerable. Don’t give up! Love the concept of your creation. Perhaps the sock monkey doll could have ‘relatives’ of different nationalities, with native costumes?
Hello – I love You, I feel connected! Which area do you live, hopefully in Western Australia….I love colour in fact Colour as used by Luscher can tell you so much about another human being,
I write, people call ‘automatic writing’ , when I have a loud thought, find a piece of paper and write. The subjects are wide and from emotions through my life experiences, from love to abuse. I am now 79 and feel I have not yet fulfilled my reason for being here.
I dress in colour, as far as I can support it, and find others seem able to talk to me easily.
I would love to hear from you. Your soft sculpture sock monkey doll sounds ‘just up my street’, I love craft
I wrote a Programme Interaction Education Inc. – I could find nothing about this, so wrote it…we had so much fun and trained my Shih Tzu A.Ch. Leng Eleanor Rigby to take part. We travelled to schools Shopping Centres, Homes for the Aged, with Elle being prepared to do anything for ‘love’ – even be put to bed – that was the children’s favour part. Their gentleness and intelligence was a wonder to behold.
Am too old now? Am I depressed? would love to share with other women in my age group, just how imaginative and useful WE still are!!! Irene
Maybe you need to be more socially involved, especially with other women doing fun activities. It can help!
I adore these ladies ! I’m 54 years young ! I shop in the juniors section of all the major department stores ! Full of color & flair ! I love black tights and printed skirts ! These woman are the new COLOR to fashion ! I will be one always ….
you can wipe them out. dignity and edge are Not mutually exclusive! those who can get that can make the young “hotties” look very stupid indeed.intelligence expertise and taste.