Should You Try to Look Your Age?

From the Community…

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  Posted by Nette Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:08pm PDT

  Hi my name is Nette and I have a question. I have a boyfriend and he don't like the way I dress. He says I looks like a hooker. What I'm not trying to say is he met me when I was looking like a hooker.Now it's a problem. WHY? How does a black young lady suppose to dress to keep her man?

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  Posted by Briana Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:20pm PDT

  Ah, springtime, you epitomize the very attitudes of feminine youth responsible for the Shine article currently in discussion. I want you to know that I am NOT picking on you, but your comment perfectly illustrates my point. Yes, who indeed would want poor Susan Sarandon's "sagging boobs"? She is, I think, closing in on 70, though I may be overestimating a bit. Would that we ALL could have her confidence at her age. Springtime, I would guess that you are quite young, and that your assets are still quite, mmm, perky. I would also hazard a guess that you have not yet given much thought, if any, to the inevitable process of aging. But, facts, and gravity, being what they are, ALL boobs sag, even the artificially enhanced variety (I have seen this happen, and it looks really freaky). They grow, and sometimes shrink, and change shape too, due to age, and child-bearing, and genetics and weight changes. Now, you can have them surgically lifted, true, but nature will insist on taking its course. Even with itty-bitty ones (I have a cousin with AA tinies that sort of dangle around her waist, never wore a bra, silly girl).

  Thing is, girl, no one WANTS this to happen. Do we want to spend our latter years with twin bolognas? No. But, hey, Susan doesn't look too bad in the picture you refer to, she doesn't have any nip slips, the girls aren't wrinkly or anything...so why does she NEED to cover up, I'm wondering? Do YOU cover up habitually? Is it a modesty issue, because, I assure you, Susan Sarandon is a helluva sexy woman, and I can just about assure you that her chastity is not an issue here. I do not find her offensive, disgusting or lewd and I see no need or reason for her to wear a virtual bourka.

  Letting it all hang out...tell me then, springtime, or any other very young woman out there who takes issue with older women's sexuality and fashion habits, if this were some starlet, say Megan Fox, or even Angelina Jolie (totally over rated, but we'll go there) exposing half of her breasts in a decollotage, would you be so filled with loathing? Someday, both of them will grow older, too. Will they remain icons of sexuality, or be relegated to dusty oblivion for daring to have (gasp) saggy boobs? (although, Ms. Jolie might not allow hers to sag, as plastic as she is now, she could always go further). Just give it a moment of thought, if you please, as, in the fullness of time, you will go there too.

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  Posted by noahs mommy Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:10pm PDT

  whats funny is when I was 19 I was trying so hard to be an official grown up I was dressing like an old lady. Now I am 26 and I look back at pics and laugh.. when I am 40 I will probably dress like a 19 year old.. who knows. My only rule of thumb is dress for your body type. I know my problem areas and I dress accordingly.

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  Posted by Sweet T Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:06pm PDT

  Lengeft and Annie, I pray I have your common sense as I get older. I am 30, I love my body, and I dress for me. I find that following my instincts and dressing the way I want to garners more positive attention, from men AND women, than any trend ever will.

  Admittedly, I am judgmental of other women, but I try to keep my negative comments to myself and compliment women who look nice/have a good accessory/etc. After all, for every woman I want to sneer at, there are probably 3 sneering at me.

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  Posted by Zeplin522 Wed Jul 1, 2009 4:02am PDT

  This is too funny. My sister and I were shopping the other day and

  actually saw a women in her 50's with a cheerleader type skirt on,

  was not a pretty sight. I'm 56 and I do know What Not to Wear for

  my age. I've seen pleny of young women in clothes that are way

  to small for their body size, which is no more attractive than

  an older women dressing like shes 20.

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  Posted by Kate Wed Jul 1, 2009 4:14am PDT

  I know I don,t dress my age I,m 55 & very petite . I wear junior or large girl clothes but I love it , besides I like their styles better . People say I don,t look my age & besides I feel sexy wearing these things & my husband loves it . Age has nothing to do with how you dress to each his own .

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  Posted by lovey Wed Jul 1, 2009 6:32am PDT

  I'm 50 and although i don't dress like my grandmother at my age, i do think ones age should be a consideration when dressing. low necklines and short skirts make anyone of any age look like they're trying too hard to be young.

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  Posted by frustrated20091 Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:49am PDT

  Hip Hip Hooray for lengeft!! You nailed it. If the 20 somethings would take notice some of the hottest stars are 40+ now and still look good (at least because of plastic surgury and botox). At 45 (soon to be 46), I dress how I like to dress and in clothes that fit. I see too many women who are wearing baggy, grunge or too small regardless of their ages. Buy shirts that fit because I don't care how flat your stomach is when you stand up everyone gets a pouch when they sit down. Back fat spilling out over jeans that is in clear view because of the exposed middrift is gross even on 20 somethings! I love Helen Miren - she dresses classy much like Audrey Hepburn always did. My husband tells me that I dress for men (which may be true) but it's always how I have dressed without everything hanging out exposed like some meat on display. It's all about illusion and mystery on being sexy with your clothes. Minimum make-up and a good hair cut makes you look together (even if you've pulled your hair in a pony tail). I see too many young women now that go out looking like they just crawled out of the sack - house slippers should stay at home! Clothes that fit and are alluring can make you feel confident - and that is totally sexy to men!!!

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  Posted by Cynthia Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:38am PDT

  I totally disagree with one of the rules pertaining to dark or bright color lipsticks. I am 54 years old with blond hair and a light to medium complexion. I've tried pale lipsticks and look totally washed out and like a corpse. And forget lip gloss. Doesn't stay on long and have to keep reapplying. If you like yourself and feel confident in your own skin it shines from within.Age is just a number.Love yourself and keep a positive attitude and you'll always look beautiful regardless of your age.

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  Posted by rockin' mom Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:29am PDT

  Michelle looks FAB. Dressing "your age" is so stupid. As long as you look and feel great, what does it matter?!?!

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