A woman over 40 no longer exists for the fashion industry. Whilst the beauty industry has cottoned on to the fact that the 40+ woman is a wonderful source of revenue and can be parted with her hard-earned cash by prodding her insecurities and promising miracles, the fashion industry seems blind to that segment of the market. Once you are over 40, you have to pretend to stay 30 forever, or adopt a "mumsy" look of boring clothes and invisibility. I don't want to pretend that I am 30 and I don't want to lose the fun of fashion.
Whilst some women adopt the rail-thin look or toned-to-death appearance that helps them get away with what the fashion pages offer, most of us have to contend with changing figures that do not fit fashion collections designed for younger bodies. We rummage through rails of inadequate clothes, hoping to find the gem that will not only fit but also suit us. We are caught between the dreaded "mutton dressed as lamb" look and the sad elasticated waistbands of senior citizen garb. Designers aren't interested in our demographic category, nor are teenage sales assistants, pressured to produce a sale that will net them a commission.
Shopping for clothes used to be fun and creative and I wish it could stay that way. I don't expect the same from my clothes now than I did 20 years ago, but designers don't seem interested to find out what I want. I'll give them a hint. Whilst looking sexy was the main goal then, projecting my personality has now become more important. I still want sexiness and femininity, but in a subtle - not tragic and deluded way. I know my age, I don't want to hide it but I still want to look good!
This blog intends to document and share my search for clothing, accessories and looks that work on a woman over 40. I want to review and recommend shops that stock the right range of clothes and brands that understand and celebrate our ignored breed, the fashion-conscious "mutton"! I might give voice to the occasional gripe and frustration, but I mostly believe in positive reinforcement to effect change and wish to be a positive voice in the blogosphere. I welcome your comments and suggestions and hope I can help you feel and look good!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Fashion and the trials and tribulations of a woman over 40
Mutton's philosophy
Generally mute on her actual age for fear of rejection, the middle aged woman needs to develop a split-personality. Not longer projecting youth, she still feels very much a woman. Not yet the wise old woman that she might never be anyway, she is not ready to disappear. Fashion presents her with clothes cut for prepubescent girls, shown on the catwalk by skeletal amazons and on fashion pages by teenagers. Through extraordinary mental gymnastics, she needs to imagine how those clothes and styles would hang and feel on her, a woman who looks nothing like the girls for whom the clothes were designed nor those who model them. Caught between two equally unattractive fates - fading into greyness or the ridicule of "mutton dressed as lamb", she needs to skillfully navigate the treacherous fashion waters.
Help is at hand! This guide intends to look at fashion and life through the eyes of a middle aged woman exploring the issues of ageing and identity in our youth obsessed culture!
Help is at hand! This guide intends to look at fashion and life through the eyes of a middle aged woman exploring the issues of ageing and identity in our youth obsessed culture!
Mutton recommends
Who is Mutton?
- Mutton
- I am middle aged, I have lived in London for my whole adult life. I am a mother of 3. I now have a portfolio career after a 10 year stint in corporate life.
No comments:
Post a Comment