Just as I promised my daughter, Oona, that I would not go on any more rants about a certain political figure in the White House or the party that is overturning our healthcare, I found out that I am now officially “Too Old” to wear my beloved Hoop Earrings—among other things.
Huh? WHO is too old to wear hoop earrings? Not me!!!! I’m only 62–I’m in my youth!
My friend and reader of the blog, Juliet, gifted me with a link to a great article: “To The Women Over 40 and the 20-Somethings Who Write About Them” (Thank you, Phoebe Holmes, for writing this article!). I am so thankful that Juliet added the link because I did research and found the article Ms. Holmes was referring to.
It was “24 Things Women Should Stop Wearing Over the Age of 30”
First of all, you KNOW anything that leads to an article or slide show with the pigeon-toed pose is going to be a study in “dumb”. This mindless and infantile pose is better left for those lacking intelligence and originality.
Hoop earrings were on the list. I’m trying to curb my language so I won’t write the word that I used to describe this bozo who wrote “24 Things Women Should Stop Wearing Over the Age of 30”. I will give you a hint. The word started with the letter “C”. Yeah. It was the bad word!
Oh yes she did. She had the nerve to say that hoop earrings should only be worn for women UNDER the age of 30. Someone needs her head examined. It ain’t me!
My favorite earrings were Number 16. Which is a riot because 16 is my lucky number.
How dare anyone disrespect my wearing of the hoops!
And guess what? I’m never, ever, ever, ever, giving up my hoop earrings and here’s why:
Hoop earrings go very well with my wigs and scarfs!
Hoop earrings go with everything. They give off a Boho vibe. They are as hot as a summer day and as chill as a summer evening.
This was the temperature when I got into my car after work yesterday. I didn’t care because I looked as cool as a cucumber in my HOOP earrings!
Hoop earrings are simple. They are glistening thin circles of simplicity.
I got spray tanned after work today. My hoops look fabulous with my natural fake tan!
They can be rather lady-like when they are tiny hoops and when bigger and bolder, they can be quite badass!
Here I am channeling my inner Kardashian. (Click the link to read about my transformation). My hoops are Khloe K. Badass!
I love the way hoop earrings look when hair is pulled back or when hair is down. Hoops against long hair look striking.
My hoops are perfect for when I don’t want to overthink my earrings. Hoops in. Done.
And hoop earrings just look fabulous.
That’s right 62 and fabulous in my hoops!
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on them either. For travel, I always stock up on inexpensive “gold” hoops because if I lose one while swimming, I won’t fret. If I leave a pair behind, no stress because they didn’t cost a fortune.
This is just a smattering of my collection of hoop earrings. I have a bunch already in my travel case. Who cares if I lose any? They were cheap!!! (But look like a million bucks!)
And if someone can tell that I’m wearing cheap hoops, then they are too close to my personal space and need to exit before I make them exit.
You really need to look through the list if you can handle the moronic ads. Apparently, this “fashun” *cough* expert feels that women over the age of 30 should not wear leopard. My guess is that she saw me in my leopard skirt and realized she was no match for how I slayed the look.
Yeah 20-somethings!! I wear LEOPARD too. Don’t be jealous because I, an old lady, can rock the look better than you can!
And I wear graphic tees. THOSE were on the list too!
But it kills me. It really does. Age is just a number. Nobody, at any age, should be dictated on what or what not to wear.
And that is the trouble with fashion these days. Everyone thinks they are an expert. They aren’t.
YOU are your own expert and don’t ever forget it. If you wanna wear hoops, get your ears double pierced and wear two hoops in each ear.
Wear leopard.
Wear that graphic tee! And wear it proudly.
One day, the infant who pegged that internet slide show will be mortified when she finds herself well over the age of thirty and looks back on how ignorant she was when she was younger.
I need to finish packing now. I’m making sure I bring my extra-big hoops.
With all the hoopla that has been going on in Chateau Bonaparte the past week, I haven’t been showing my outfits. I’ve forgotten to post them. Here’s two from today and yesterday. And I’m wearing hoops!
This is today’s outfit. I’m wearing a simple dress and no face makeup because I got sprayed after work. Bonaparte doesn’t like my fake tan. It’s a bit blotchy but it’s because I can’t take a shower yet. The girl from last time did do a much better job though.
Yesterdays OOTD. More hoops. And I DID wear shoes. But they were downstairs and I got lazy!
Tell me, though. Is there anything that you have worn that someone told you that you shouldn’t have? What was your reaction?
I am one Twisted Sister when I get angry! We all should be angry at articles that try to dictate what we should no wear. “We’re Not Gonna Take It!”
What a hoot! They’ll have to pry my leopard print from my 60 year old hands! I agree with you: this child will feel such remorse for her foolish thoughts once she finally achieves adulthood.
True Amy. So true. Right??? And boy will she feel like the biggest bozo on earth!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I have not yet read that ridiculous article, but I had to comment anyway! I still wear hoops at the age of 58 and will continue to do so! Not only that, but Jackie Kennedy Onassis wore hoops from her 20s until her death, may she RIP, and there is no better example of style and class than her. I love (most) women of all ages, but the ones who think they can tell older women what they should or should not wear can kiss my still cute little ass! HAHA!!!! Wait until those 20-somethings get there! By the way, you look smashing in your hoop earrings! XOXOXO!!!!!!
Hi Terri. What you said. I love women of all ages as well. But who do these so-called experts, especially in their twenties think they are? I must say I refuse to take fashun advise from a blogger who only knows the pigeon toed post and who must look down at her feet whilst posing. I can’t even…..But it’s true. Jackie O looked fabulous throughout her life and hoop earrings are a classic!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I am so with you on that pigeon-toed thing—WTH??? When I see red carpet photos of these young actresses in gorgeous gowns standing pigeon-toed and slouched over like they have a severe case of scoliosis, I just want to smack them! “Stand up straight and place your feet correctly, for goodness’ sake! What’s wrong with you?” Hey! I just gave you one more thing for your list of “20 Things Women UNDER 30 Shouldn’t Wear Or Do”, by older, WISER women who realize how ridiculous THEY looked when (and if) THEY did it. We older women have something no teen or 20-something could ever have—experience. We’ve been where they are already and made it through. They lack that perspective. Love you, Catherine! Have a wonderful time with Bonaparte and family in France! I hope Dani is doing better. Safe travels! Wear hoops! 😉 XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
I wear leopard, graphic tees, off-the-shoulders, bikini and… I just bought a pair of hoop earrings for my fifty’s birthday! I will wear what I want and refuse to let ANYONE tell me what I can’t wear. Nice post Catherine.
Yeah Dominique. And when I’m in France, the top of my bikini is coming OFF!!! So I’ll only be wearing HALF a bikini!!!! There’s no better feeling than jumping into the Mediterranean with only the bottom of a bathing suit on!!! XXOXOXO!!!
Yeah!!!!!! We only live once, so we should do as we please.
I am rooting for you Catherine! I’m 35 and I don’t like to be told that I can’t wear certain things I like to wear, especially when I still look good in them anyway. It’s a matter of how you rock the things you wear and not how old you are. Wear what makes you happy and gorgeous!
Thank you Frances! 35 is incredibly young. And when I see articles that have the words “over 30” and shouldn’t it gets my goat because it insinuates that women over 30 are old. And arent!!! And confidence counts too!!!! XOXOxOxO!!!!
I wear whatever the hell I want. Black tights, riding boots, jean jackets, black sheer footless tights under lighter dresses. I wear hoops oval, round doesn’t matter. I dye my hair, wear it long, blue nail polish, gold and silver mixed together etc.This is what is great about being 62 If I like it I wear it and. I. Really. Don’t. Care. What. Anyone. Thinks….especially a twenty something. Have yet to meet one of those that has any personal style as they are too busy duck facing selfies and pretending they are Kardashians!
This is whyI am loving my sons ( twenty something, skinny black jean, solid black Converse wearing gents) they love what Momma wears. ” you don’t dress like an OLD LADY” yeah me!
Not sure what or who they were referencing but when asked my youngest said “Oh you know like Mrs X”…OMG she is in her late forties!!!!! Mind you they could have compared me to my 91 yr old mother!!!!!
Have fun in France, you rock girrrl;)
Hey Momcat. 100 Percent spot on you are!!! LOL. Your son’s friends remind me of a story. When I was on a field trip with Roman’s class back in the day–I think he was in third grade–around 8 or 9 years old. One of his friends stepped back and gave me the once over and said, quite seriously. “Mrs. U. You must have been quite the stunner when you were a young woman and you’ve grown into quite a beautiful woman”. It was one of those moments when I was speechless. It was the funniest thing to hear a nine-year old boy come out with that one!!!!! Boys keep it real!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
My rule of thumb, wear what feels right. The hoops look fabulous on you!
Thanks Cathe!!! I’m with you on that. We need more hoops!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Yes, more hoops!
Yup, those young women can shut up & stop being so Ageist!
Hi Bone! Perhaps it is time for a bit of reverse ageism and maybe I’ll do a post on what millennials should not wear!! Or what women under the age of 30 shouldn’t wear! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Totally do it! I dare ya… start with Toxic Orange Spray tans (yours isn’t orange by the way 😬)
Huh, sod her, I’ll wear what I bloody well want. (Hoop earrings included) I don’t want to look like a Stepford wife thanks! She sounds like a right prissy madam. No scruffy tennis shoes or short skirts wtf??
Nobody’s told me what I can and can’t wear…they wouldn’t dare! Btw you rock the hoops. Xxx
Hi Fiona. True. Sod her is right! And she does sound rather prissy. Why would she even care what women over 30 wear anyway–probably because they look better than she does!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
You know what I feel exactly the same – who do they think they are saying what we can and can’t wear or do??? But oh my, the same old, same old stuff keeps coming up. I have just read a post from a blogger on ’63 beauty mistakes that make you look old’. Err I think I do at least half of the 63 things!!!!!!!
And may I say you’re looking great. And good luck with the packing xxxxxxx
Oh God. Penny. I need to find that blog post. Now I’ll be obsessed!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You go girl ! You always look great and the phrase ‘age appropriate ‘ is one that infuriates me with it’s banality and patronising s*** . I wear what I always have, right from the earliest days of the Beatles and Stones, ( I was 14, in Liverpool at the height of that glorious time to be young ). All I have left by the way-side is those wide flares, very wheels-on-fire !
Jeans, T-shirts, maxi-dresses, I can even do crop-tops believe it or not ( all that dancing)
Off topic I have something really cute to tell you. I am not a woman who has endless stories about ‘cute things kids say’ heaven forbid, but i had to tell you this. I often look after my friends little girl, three going on twenty three, she is already very interested in fashion and we spend time online looking at fashion blogs and pinterest pics. Few days ago a BIG tantrum, we were about to log of for a walk ‘Where’s the other lady? ‘What lady sweets ? ‘The OTHER lady !!!.Tears threatened while I scrolled frantically through , trying desperately to find the ‘other lady’ Fury increased, ‘THE TEENY WEENY LADY !!! Small feet started to stamp when I suddenly realised what she meant.
.Because of the angle you take you pics, from above usually, she had the impression that you were a sort of teeny little person just like her but grown up and therefore totally fascinating .
Whew ! peace and happiness reigned !
Love to read your blog with my morning coffee here in the north of Scotland, keep rolling down the road !
Jilly xx
Oh Jilly, THAT is the best compliment I’ve ever gotten. Please tell little Missy that I am honored and happy she likes my blog. And give her a big hug from me. But man, I’m jealous that you got to wear all the hip clothing of the London Look. I was just a couple year shy and to this day, its my fave look. I LOVE the mid 60’s!!!XOXOXOXOXO!!!
I wear whatever I want, and I always have! They can pry the hoops from my cold dead ears. And I’ve always thought that animal prints look better on mature women anyway. I’ve been told I shouldn’t wear short shorts or skirts, who cares? I have great legs and I’m short, so it works for me. I just keep doing ME!
Hi Lori!! Your point about animal prints looking better on mature women is so true. We can rock those prints better than anyone! Oh man, you got the legs, show ’em off!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Wow, of all things, I can’t imagine anyone getting worked up about hoop earrings. I mean, as far as I’m concerned, they are one of the most basic things a person can wear.
Too many eejits are allowed to write articles these days.
Hi Bridget. Right????? Hoop earrings??? An age limit? You just cannot fix stupid (and I use that word rarely–it’s very vulgar but boy, it is so deserved!!) XOXOXOxO!!!
I need you come and dress me. Great post.
Okie Dokie!!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Whooooo ! Just had to tell you all, log onto Brit newspaper ‘the Guardian’ today for a pic of Anita Pallenberg, Stones mentor/ lover and style icon extraordinaire who sadly died yesterday at 73. A picture of her taken when she was 64, looking radiant in big golden hoops ! What little whippersnapper can argue with THAT ?
J xx
Oh Jilly. That’s so sad. Now HER life would make a great film!!! She truly was iconic !! Thanks for the heads up on that!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
You look awesome in hoops!
Thanks McKenz!!! You cutie!! You need to write a blog post on what women OVER thirty should wear–as a younger blogger, it would be a fun post!!!! XXOXOXOXO!!!!
Heheh maybe!!!
Whatever floats your boat and you feel fab in xx
You look tres fantastique in your earring hoopage~! I agree that they look good on you and look great with your long hair wig.
I may not wear leopard but wear graphic Ts – all … the … time. Since I dress up for work, my home go-to clothes are graphic Ts and pajama pants or soft shorts.
Glad your daughter has convinced you to stay away from the political arena. Love to read your fashion, etc. stuff but it is tough to read your thoughts on the POTUS.
Hi Tami!! Yeah. Oona is afraid I’ll have a stroke so I promised her I would lay off. That being said, I LOVE my graphic Tee’s !! They are FUN!!! And what is so bad about wearing a bit of fun!!!! XXOXOXO!!!!
Articles like that make me so mad! My philosophy is summed up by a meme that was circulating on facebook:
“20 Things that women should stop wearing after the age of 30:
1-20: The weight of other people’s expectations and judgments.”
Hi Rita. It takes a sensible mid-Westerner to have a great philosophy! I LOVE the verbiage of that meme. Truer words were never written! Thank you!!! XXOXOXOXO!!!
Wow, the author of that article is talking some really big crazy talk. I agree, when she grows up she’ll see things differently. For sure. IMO hoops look great on everyone, it’s a universal earring design.
No one has ever told me not to wear anything in particular, they all know not to go there 😉
Hahaha. Margaret. I’m glad that your circle know not to go there and tell you what to wear. But it’s true. How can a universal earring be limited to age!!! XOXOXOXXO!!!
You make me laugh so much – I read your post on the way in to work this morning and have been thinking about it all day (funny AND thought provoking, I love you), sadly can’t post at work so I have responded on my blog (otherwise you’d have to ban me as I rant on – and on). We think alike friend, tomorrow is big hoopy earrings for the elderly day in my house 🙂
http://knitonlybutalso.typepad.com/my_weblog/2017/06/age-appropriate-style-and-why-it-does-not-and-never-will-exist.html
oh and the first picture – specially for you..
Hi Juliet!! You are an incredible writer!!!!! I LOVED your post and everything you stated was perfectly put. I thank you for adding my link. That was very kind of you. BUT I was unable to comment on your blog. That typeface thingy wouldn’t allow my google plus to go through. I don’t want to comment through FB because I’m spending less time there! Thank you so much for that post!!!!! XXOXOXO!!!!
Just so you know, I decided to wear my hoops today in solidarity! Just because I can!
I’m going to be 63 in a few days and I’m so fatigued by young uns thinking we’re done because we’re over 40 (or 30 for that matter!). I know it’s a mine field out there and we’re all seen a peep or two that really should step away from Forever 21, but hell, Forever 21 sometimes has an incredibly cute top I want. I don’t know the answer to this problem except that all of us mature women should applaud bloggers like yourself for putting yourself out there and being more than brave. In fact, we need a better word than brave. How about fierce? Formidable? Fantastic? Here’s to not being invisible and to being fantastic. xxoo
Thank you Deborah!!! Thank you for your support! There are times when I feel like I’m on the outside of the blogosphere looking in because of the filters, the ads, the lack of depth and we older women need to take a step up and be more real about aging. It isn’t awful. We can wear what we like and the fashion industry is in error for putting an age on wearable items. That’s literally why I don’t even read fashion magazines anymore. I would rather read gossip rags because at least there is editorial in the gosspip magazines. I have a subscription to “IN STYLE” that I’m letting run out. It USED to be a decent magazine but now it focuses on it’s youth community and is a bit pandering to the mature woman. I’ll read French fashion magazines because they are a bit more in tune with the older woman but here in the states–it’s a youth explosion and the aging community is all but ignored!!! Thank you again!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Well I’m off to read THAT post and article!!! Hoops are NEVER too much or too big. I love big earrings. The bigger the better!
(Sorry I haven’t been around. Have been out of circulation for a month and finally been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. I’ve sure missed your blogs!)
I love you so much. You put down on paper just what I think. Yesterday I bought I gorgeous pair of gold hoops (I’m 51 – wear hoops, bikinis, graphic tees, will soon get some animal print because I think women over 50 rock it the best, bright red lipstick, heels, clogs…and whatever the fuck I want) and wondered why women over 30 shouldn’t wear them. They rock! Keep at it.
Thank you Patricia! I love you for feeling the way I do. It’s complete bullshit that people dictate what older women should wear. No wonder so many women out there over 50 and older revert to wearing granny and matronly type clothing. I swear, I’ve never stopped wearing what I love due to my age..LOL. In fact, I just did a video on my youtube channel about bras (youtube channel same name as the blog). Thank you so much for commenting and enjoying this post!!! XOXOXOXO
THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK YOU!!!! I was wondering if I should buy the butterfly hoop earrings that I spied on Etsy. I was horrified by the same article. I could almost hear the giggles- yeah and the cough with throat clearing!!!! I will buy those earrings. You made me feel better. Again-THAAAAAAAAAAAAANK YOU.
One word for this article “Fan-Tastic!!!” And I’m only 59… and I wear hoops 🙂
Thank you Jean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Thank you so much for saying everything I wanted to say and couldn’t find the words. I’m 64 and I love my hoop earrings and my leopard! No one is telling me what I can’t wear.
I think large hoops look sexy on women of any age, & I’m 60 year old man myself!
When you put your hair in a bun, you are the most hot 60 year old woman I’ve ever seen. So keep up the good work by wearing big hoop earrings. These hoops seperate you from the really old women, women are ashamed to wear earrings that make you look young en vital.
Love it, love it, love it! Large hoop earrings are a staple in my wardrobe. How dare these young punks dictate what we should and shouldn’t wear! I discovered your post while doing research for one I’m writing about my upcoming 69th birthday. I hope you won’t mind if I embed the link within said post, going live on Saturday, Jan. 27th (2024). I’ve also subscribed to your blog, because we are obviously on the same wavelength. Cheers from Toronto, Canada!
Hi Debbie. My apologies for seeing your response so later. Of course you can embed the link. And those hoops will NEVER go out of style for me!!!!
No worries! I did go ahead and publish the post. I hope some people clicked on the link, because this is a shining example of the bullshit we older women have to deal with.
Here’s my link:
https://thedogladysden.com/draggin-the-line-at-sixty-nine/