Let me sigh and shake my head before I continue. 
Seriously, man. If one more “expert” tells me what’s “age” appropriate, I’ll be using some very naughty words–and worse!
A recycled study from 2016, that was recently featured on a recent CBS news clip, states that women should stop wearing jeans at age 53—and the reasoning behind this is that as we get older jeans that fit are harder to find. Ummm…I’m knocking on the door to 63 and let me tell you something—I find more and more jeans that fit me these days.
Umm. I hate to burst your bubble, but I’ll be 63 in about 10 weeks. My jeans ain’t going anywhere except over my thighs! And my wigs aren’t going anywhere except on my head!
I’m tired of all the “age” remarks. I’m becoming both bored and angered when I read about what “women of a certain age” should and shouldn’t wear. I flip the bird to you.
Clothing is an expression of how we feel. And just like the Lennon/McCartney lyrics from the song “I Feel Fine”—my wardrobe can be singing that very song when I enter my closet in the morning. “She’s in love with me and I feel fine”—that’s because I love my clothes and I won’t change my style of dressing as I age.
I happen to like a youthful vibe. Now—that’s not saying I want to dress like a sixteen-year old. It is merely saying that I like to dress the way I think and feel. As an “elder” I am not set in my ways of thinking—we change, we evolve, we are open. And that means open to welcoming dressing how we want and not listening to those vicious, pandering, and ageist words written—for the most part, by writers who have not even hit the age of thirty yet.
And yes. I would 100 percent wear this outfit I created on Polyvore–with the white boots too! It’s very age appropriate for me! Wanna shag?
So, let’s talk about dressing. OK?
A couple of months back, I received an email asking me if I would be interested in reviewing a dress of my choice from an online e-commerce store. The store? Top Tier Style.
This couple welcomes you to the Top Tier Style site. I could’ve birthed them in my late thirties! OK–so my early forties–but who’s counting????
When I went online to check out the site, my initial reaction was “Oh, shit. This company must think I’m a millennial.” Then, as I perused the offerings, I realized something—that even though the models were in fact, of millennial age, many of the clothing, shoes, and accessories would work well for all ages! Yes. All ages! And that includes our mature demographic.
Top Tier also won my respect when I replied that I would be happy to review any item but that I’m also in the “mature” demographic. It didn’t matter to them. I picked out a dress, waited for it, and it was delivered yesterday.
Now—the dress I chose was the Long Sleeve Loose Fitting Dress. It’s a nice, everyday dress that can be worn during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. The lighter weight lends itself well to layering during the cooler seasons and as a stand-alone with sandals or sneakers during the warmer weather. At $31, it’s a decent price for a dress that is multi-season friendly and versatile. I wouldn’t wear this during the summer due to the long sleeves—but that’s just me.
Going outside the “color” box for me, I decided upon the green dress. Green isn’t one of the colors that works for me, but I liked the lighter hue and figured I could make it work!
I chose the green dress. I love the way it looks. Might I add, though, that this model is a few inches taller than my just-under 5’6″ so the dress is slightly longer on me. I also love the asymmetrical cut of the dress. It’s shorter on the sides. It’s just adorable!
The dress was delivered in a parcel envelope, in a plastic bag. When I took the dress out of the bag, the only “con” was immediately apparent. The dress was very wrinkled. No problem since you all know that ironing is my “Zen”. The poly/cotton blend made ironing the wrinkles a cinch. And if you have a cloths steamer, you are also in luck!
Let’s have a look—shall we?
Like the models, I wore this with a big textured plaid scarf. It’s freezing today and this toasty look is very comfy!
As you can see, the dress falls about two inches above the knee. I’m wearing knee-length boots and boot socks with this. The color is surprisingly warm and blends well with my auburn wig!
Another look at how the dress falls above the knees.
Here you can get a better view of the sleeve. I LOVE the long sleeve and the snug fit. The stitching is reinforced too, which makes the hem of the sleeve stay put.
You can see the “flare” or swing of the way the dress drapes. It really drapes nicely. This dress is extremely comfortable.
I wasn’t sure of the sizing so I went with a Large and the Medium would have been a better fit through the shoulders. It’s not an issue though because the rest of the dress fits fine.
Another added feature is the higher cut of the neckline. It’s “turkey neck” friendly!
I‘m a fan of this neckline. It’s a good diversion from Turkey Neck!!
…especially if the scarf causes hot flashes!
When it comes to laundering, I would wash on a low setting in cold water and air dry! This dress will also dry in no time! It’s also a great choice for a travel wardrobe. It can be rolled up to prevent wrinkles but is so light that you can pack a dress for every day of the week and store in your carry on luggage!
Look—I realize that many women don’t like shorter dresses and that’s cool. I’ve also styled this dress with leggings which I think looks absolutely adorable.
Changed up the scarf, added black leggings and black Repetto ballet flats. A rather toasty look and for those who like more of a tunic ensemble–this dress works!
I’m glad that my husband stopped by the chateau so he could snap this pic! Ugh. I shouldn’t have worn a heavily-padded bra with this dress! Sorry about that!
Another view. This is an “any-age-can-wear-this” dress! I’m pleased!
And another thing—anything that I wear is age appropriate because I said so! So, don’t tell me how to dress or how to stop dressing!
So yeah! Don’t tell ME not to wear jeans! In fact, the way I wear jeans is marvelous AF. That’s right–AF!!!
In fact, I’ll also wear Bardot hair!
And Off-the-Shoulder tops!!
“Age-appropriate” is just another term for “Of-All-Ages”!
I really want to thank Top Tier for looking past age and sending this dress to me!
The Long Sleeve Loose Fitting Dress in this review was provided by Top Tier Style. If you would like to purchase your own use the coupon code BLOG15 for 15% OFF everything on their store!
What’s your choice for dresses? Are you a maxi? A mini? A midi? Let’s talk about it!
And yes—my clothes do feel fine. John, Paul, George and Ringo even say so!
Hah! Fuck that, CBS….I’ll be wearing jeans till they put me in a box and nobody gonna tell me I can’t! What arseholes!….(.blimey, I’m sounding a bit like the orange person!)
I like your new frock, the asymmetrical hemline is pretty although personally I would wear it with opaque tights as my legs are hideous, hence I never wear minis. xxxxxx
Hey Fiona. Yeah right???? Who ARE these people to pontificate what’s age appropriate anyway??? Actually, CBS was recycling an old story–must have been a slow news day! I am a fan of the asymmetrical hemline if done right–and they did a decent job. LOL. I’m wearing high boots and boot socks because I was too lazy to fake tan my legs!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Ha! I was staying at a friends house and going out to dinner. I put on something I thought was really cool looking. She looked at me and asked if it was age appropriate. Of course, it was. But she dresses very conservativly. You, look fab with those tights. Just rock it!
Thanks Sandy!!! SMH at those conservative dressers. You can still be conservative with an edge. BTW, I’m still dreaming about that gorgeous necklace you showcased on your IG feed the other day. It’s so beautiful–and oh–so–any age appropriate!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Thanks Catherine. I do love that necklace. Very effective. You just keep on fighting the good fight!
It was a delightful gift!
Like you, I will be 63 in mid-April and I like to think that I am in pretty good shape. In fact, my style of dressing is very similar to yours, Catherine. I’d like to know who in the hell thought that an arbitrary number like 53 was too old to wear jeans. I call BS. This Long Island woman will not give my jeans. I may be getting older but that doesn’t mean that I have to start dressing like an old lady.
Yo!! Toni!! This Brightwaters, Long Island-raised girl LOVES her jeans too. And L.I. big hair–even if it is fake!!! So true though. When I see women dressing “old lady” style I become physically upset because nowadays, I’m usually older than the woman dressing old lady style!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Bury me in my jeans! I’m 68 and own over a dozen pairs of jeans, blue alone, not counting the cords, whites, etc.! My hub even concedes that I can still rock the jeans. I dress much like you—flats, scarves, Blazers and cardigans—classic. Age appropriate? Frankly, my dear…😉
Srenatee—Oh..and since when are flats, scarves, blazers, yada yada which are, in fact, classics, along with jeans are inclusive to only the younger generations?? I can’t even anymore. I need to do a post on what YOUNGER people SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEAR!!! LOL!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
YES- do that post Catherine!! You could do a survey on your blog of what WE DON”T like seeing, and then send out that list hahahaha, G xO
Well, here I am at 53, and wearing jeans virtually everyday, including to my casual workplace. I really can’t see that changing in the next year! And it’s ridiculous, their saying it’s because us “older ladies” can’t find jeans that fit properly. If a woman can’t find jeans, in my opinion, it’s because the clothing industry has quite a narrow view of the shape women should be and design around that. I, like you Catherine, will wear what I choose!
Hi Mary! Oh–and if an “older woman” can’t find jeans that fit, then she hasn’t tried hard enough! Or–she hasn’t found the proper pair of skinny jeans–yet!!! I hardly pay attention to the clothing industry anymore because their vision of women is so screwed up these days. We should be glad that we do have a sense of style that is ageless because if we did dress according to the industry’s vision, we would all be wearing elastic waisted granny pants!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I think it looks FANTASTIC!!!
Thanks Colleen!!!!! XOXOXOXO
Love that dress! For myself I would do the tights or leggings because…..very gross veins;)! But I like the shorter length to wear with tights to show off some leg! Also great length to wear with any shoe or boot. I might try a belt with it and kinda blouse it up over skinny jeans.
I love it when younger colleagues ( girl children) check out and compliment what I’m wearing or ASK moi for fashion advice. I mean these ladies are in their thirties and they’re feeling their way style wise. I want them to know it’s good to express yourself through fashion but a truly chic woman develops her own STYLE. She doesn’t obey the dictators of fashion but creates/breaks the rules as they work for her. This is why I can’t stand reading comments on other fashion blogs from syncophants who write ” Oh I buy everything you suggest”. Some how I don’t think the blogger intends to create clones of herself. My taste is similar to yours but I’m a short ass at 5’1″ so some things won’t work for my body or my personal style, that’s ok too! If I find myself going all Judge Judy it’s a good moment to reflect on why don’t I like. I often come up with an answer that has nothing to do with style but more with having been raised by the Queen of the Judgees! Personal style is most definitely NOT only about what we put on our backs. It’s the whole package.
…and right now with a belly covered in stitches and bandages my LLBean fleece robe de chambre is about as stylish as it will get for a week or two:(
Momcat! Hey. Take care of yourself gurl!!! How are you feeling by the way? Is everything ok? It is rather complimentary when younger women do take notice of what we are wearing with a positive note–and when they ask for advice it’s even better!!!! Oh please–don’t get me started. One of the blogs that I used to read–that has morphed into one giant advertisement always as comments gushing over all the clothing that the readers have purchased on her word. Damn–I’m jealous because she must be rolling in the dough–LOL!! That sounded bitchy on my part but I really didn’t mean it that way. Basically, I’m with you on the way you think! Get to bed. Watch trashy TV and feel better!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Thanks doll! Was discharged yesterday, looking at an eight week recovery and lining up all the trash Netflix has to offer. …major surgery, five day hospital stay, can’t imagine what that would cost in USA. Fight for your healthcare. Don’t let HIM mess with it!! Believe me when you need it you really appreciate having it.
I wonder who makes these rules. There are many older women who look great in jeans than a lot of teens I see wearing very unflattering jeans. Love, Elly
Hi Elly!! Right????? I want to go up to them and say “That outfit—it’s so not age appropriate” then laugh and saunter away!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Yay, Cathe…loved that you referred to yourself as an elder…you know I believe we are nouns…not adjectives…elders, not “elderly”…we are the keepers of wisdom, the storytellers AND we can wear anything we damn well please!
Hi Liz!! I KNEW you would like that! I thought of you and my prayers are with your husband!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Your prayers are so much appreciated and needed…thank you so much, Cathe…
Anything for you Liz. He’s constantly in my thoughts and prayers!! XOXOXOXO
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Thank you for the reblog but I do hope you are adding a caveat that this post was written by me!!!! XOXOXOXO
The term “age appropriate” must be an American thing. Here in France it’s not something you hear or read about. At least I haven’t.
The dress looks fabulous on you, especially with the leggings. That’s an outfit I would wear too. And concerning jeans? Actually I do not own a pair of pants that are not jeans. I would have to go naked if some higher moral age appropriate authority were to browse through my closet!
Hi B!! That’s where you are lucky. In France, I’ve noticed that there is no generation gap with clothing. Women remain their own self-fashion and style guides–and don’t label the way it is done over here. It’s just so weird–but a note on many of these “studies”–quite a few are done by the British press. I would say there are many similarities between the UK and USA!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Loving the hair – all those tones really suit you! The dress is very cute too. Ok, I have to say this… Oh dear oh dear, another young thing telling old ladies what to wear???! When will it ever end? Honestly you have blogged ad infinitum and I blogged ad nauseum and various others have blogged since forever on this ridiculous notion. Y’know if you can afford it and you like it – wear it. Oh so there are nice clothes out there only for younger people? Excuse me – but isn’t that just a bit playground – it reminds me of the spoilt bratty child that would insist on collecting all the best toys at playgroup and then sit on that pile and NOT share, it didn’t make them happy and it didn’t make them friends or win respect. Quite frankly I am bemused as to why we should seek permission or approval for any part of our daily lives if we are not harming people. Seriously, this kind of “you can’t wear that” is so old, which makes me wonder will these bright young things adhere to their rules when they reach those magic milestones…
I also wonder if they’d lie to pick on any other demographic such as race? No – thought not, they may be junk we are easy pickings but seriously these children need to stop it.
Juliet. The sad and pathetic thing is that many women of a “mature” age actually believe that rubbish. I’ve had women say to me that they are “too old” for long hair!! WTF????? Excuse me???? Says who????? It’s really sad and the fashion “experts” are merely schoolyard bullies at time!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Next week I will be 70 and I love jeans!. Also love your dress! We can wear anything we like!
Exactly!!!!!!! And well into our 80’s and 90’s and beyond we should wear what we want!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I have two friends, one is very large and overweight, the other very slim and toned, from attending regular gym sessions and following a low fat diet. On turning 45, the larger lady kept insisting to the slimmer gal that she must now stop wearing mini skirts. Eventually she agreed and stopped. I sometimes wonder if it is not these ladies who don’t feel confident themselves to wear said clothes that keep perpetuating these ridiculous rules. Lise
Hi Lise. I’ve seen many larger women literally rock a short skirt–and do that when they are older too. Confidence has a lot to do with it. But man, 45 is so young!!!!! That is bothersome to me!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
You have amazing style! I love your outfits and think you are rocking those trends!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Hi Ruth!!! Thank you so much!!! XOXOXXOO!!!
I am going to be 70 in two weeks, and I still wear jeans. Use to be Mom jeans, but this past year I have switched to skinny leg jeans and I love them! I have Fibromyalgia and these stretchy jeans that hug my legs feel so comfortable. And, I am a size 18. So don’t put us in an age box and tell us what we can and cannot wear since we are older.
Hi Anne. I’m so happy that you made the switch to Skinny Jeans. They are a godsend to all of us with curves and hips because the fit is always a great one!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
You have such a strong sense of your style and you always look amazing! No one should tell you what you can and can’t wear because you could easily put them all to shame with your fashion sense. Loving all your new wigs too!! I just bought four of the five new Rene of Paris styles that came out – i can’t wait to get them in and review them! 🙂
Looking wonderful! And also writing very entertaining-ly 😊
Thanks lagiraffa!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Keep rockin’ your style and standing up for “anti-age-appropriateness”! Great article and you look beautiful!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HEY—PRETTY STYLISH—AND PRETTY!
YOUNG LADY YOU ARE RIGHT!MANY LADIES IVE EVER MET FAMILY INCLUDED LOOK GREAT IN JEANS,ESPECIALLY WITH FLORAL BLOUSES AND SCARFS.
Thanks Man!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
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