Over 50 Clothing Tells the Story: Victim or Victor?

I am always sad when I meet women who have given up over the
age of 50.  Hard times or criticisms have
shut them down.    In their minds, life is over…opportunities
dried up…there is no more fun ahead…and mentally, they are done.   These are conversations I have had with
women who dress frumpy and believe it does not matter how older women
look.  Some offer excuses with tales of
hard times which have resulted in a sad “I don’t care” lifestyle. 

I respectively disagree. A change could mean life is just beginning and far from over. I went from giving up to diving in, so I know first hand the benefits of beginning to care for your appearance again. It can open opportunities you never dreamed of.   I write often about the messages we send with our choice of clothing and
I firmly believe choosing to look put together and confident can open doors at any age…whether those doors are in the work world or
nonprofit/volunteer world.
I became a magazine editor at age 63.  Our copy editor, Kathryn, is amazing.  She knows the AP Stylebook better than most;
verifies EVERYTHING; hates overuse of exclamation marks; and questions every
comma.  Kathryn recently turned 80.  She always looks stylish…even in a cool
message T shirt and denim, or simple black pants, pearls, and ballet
flats.  She communicates intelligence,
strength, and life with her selection of clothing.  Of course, she has challenges of aging…but she
never lets those challenges keep her down or from doing a top notch job.  I am proud and honored to work alongside her.  When Kathryn and I are introduced as editors
of our magazines, we confidently communicate messages of strength with how we
style our own personal looks.

I also think we often forget our roles as older women to
inspire and instruct the younger generation. 
We set the examples with what we wear and how we live our lives.    In order for me to speak with a younger
employee about what she is communicating in the marketplace, I need to have
earned that respect up front.

We can look confident at any age…any price point…any body
size.  There are no excuses to putting
our best foot forward.  Frumpy is a
choice…not a consequence of hard times.  

Opportunities to live a productive and empowered life can open up when
we choose to look our best.  If we look
sad, then we feel sad…and so do people around us.

Every single woman reading this post has been through
difficult times.  We choose if we are
going to live as victims or victors. Your personal appearance will tell the
world which choice you have made! (Sorry Kathryn, I love exclamation marks!)
I have selected some items below which are currently on sale and would help any of us dress with confidence…
Keep Smiling…and Living, Everyone!


Linking to Katherine’s Thursday Blog HopFashion Friday Link UP

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19 Comments

  1. I totally agree! (Sorry, I love exclamation marks, too!) I look back at some of my pictures from years ago and the message I was sending was not a good one. I am almost 50 now and thanks to you and some other empowered women, I have come to understand how important it is to put your best foot forward with style. Thank you! ~ Sharon

  2. Another inspiring post, Pam! Thanks for being that supportive voice for the 50+ woman! Thanks also for the links to the fabulous sales items!

  3. When I turned 50 I went through a "frumpy" stage. It didn't last long though, I went on a great trip to Scotland and packed with my frumpy clothes that were not me at all and I had a horrible hair cut. I had a great trip, but I didn't feel great about how I looked. I look at pictures and think, "OMG, who is that woman". I am now 54 and have found my style (I admit, it was a process), but I found it and I feel better and more confident than ever. Maybe your style changes as you get older and you can't wear the things you used to wear, but that certainly doesn't have to mean frumpy. Great Post. Linda

  4. Beautifully said, Pam—also very inspiring but most of all, your motivation is so clear…to share your story with other women so that they see and believe in their own value….it's beautiful!!!

  5. Thank you for this great message. I retired 5 years ago and have been feeling lately like I want to get back in the workplace. Very inspiring

  6. Yes! I always love the message of confidence you send!

    I think it's also important to remember that it's never too late to change what you are doing/how you dress. I remember my mom being a bit frumpy in her late 40s (my age now), but she absolutely turned it around and is now often more stylish and put together at 81 than I am…

    Keep spreading your important message! You are an inspiration!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  7. Being over 50 is just another chapter of life and something to be enjoyed and celebrated, as the alternative sucks! Have a wonderful holiday weekend my dear friend.

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