Age-appropriate dressing

[Ceera]

What is “age appropriate” for a given person can depend a lot on apparent versus actual age, as well as mental versus actual age. Regardless of the actual or apparent age of the person, I will agree that if a certain outfit or wig does not look good on a person, they should reconsider wearing it in public. And I will also agree we are not doing many favors to refrain from politely, and preferably privately, telling a lady that what she is wearing is not a good look on her. Personally, I have no issues with someone politely telling me a given look is just not working, from their perspective. Even if I may disagree with their opinion.

That said... I am full time as a woman, I am 61, but others consistently state I look closer to 40 as a woman, and my ‘mental age’, as far as what I feel like internally, is closer to 27. My complexion is fairly free of wrinkles, and the skin on my legs and arms is firm and smooth. So I frequently wear clothes from Hot Topic - a store that caters mostly to ladies in their teens to 20’s - and most of the time, those outfits look quite good on me! So I wear what pleases me.

Personally, at this point in my life, I refuse to wear grey or grey-streaked wigs, or to dress like an ‘old lady’. There will come a time when my appearance won’t carry off such young clothing and hair styles, and when I can’t dance the night away with the same energy as a woman half my age. At that point, I may embrace my status as an elder, and show my grey, and ‘dress appropriately’. But until that day comes, my feminine side, who has had far fewer years given to her to enjoy life, will revel in my apparent youth, for as long as I can.

I will, however, also acknowledge that for many in our community, nothing short of reincarnation into their next life will make them look ‘appropriate’, in any sort of opposite-gender clothing. I honestly think they deserve a little more consideration. If they are comfortable, and wearing that outfit makes them happy, why detract from that happiness?