Reading this was like reading about myself, just changing the gender to 'elderly gentleman '. I still wear what I choose, not what society demands of old blisters.
A former friend left a leather jacket, the style generally worn by motorcyclists, at my house and never came back for it. I thought, "Hmm, being a gentle soul and an easy target for bullies, let me try this out." I put on my favorite jeans, Levi's 501s that show off my bowed legs from horseback riding as a child, donned the jacket, and went public. Amazing! Men, women, and even teens, all who generally ignore me, took the time to say, "Nice jacket." That gave my ego a boost. I started wearing it as protective gear. Who's going to mess with someone who looks like a biker.
I always wore clothing of my own choice and it almost always got me noticed and often in receipt of compliments. So, like you, Ms. Slater, I was myself. It really works.
Thank you Richard, That really made me chuckle with admiration. I had a jacket like that years ago how I wish still had it. Like you I have never conformed 😜😁😁x
I love this, Lyn. I have always loved to play dress-up, and still do! Though sometime I also feel pressure from society to pick a style and make it my uniform, so I can be efficiently productive in a predictable way. That aim always has appealed to part of me, as I can spend a silly amount of time picking out my clothes for the day, but I just can't bring myself to pick one "personality" and stick with it. Thank you for putting together such beautiful words on the topic! I now feel more peace and resolve to let myself be messy and creative in this way.
I, too, appreciate your writing voice - neither too "haute" nor assuming. You speak of the passing of time the way only older, experienced people can do. Memory is faulty, but very powerful. It can bring us to our knees, and yet it can be abstract like shifting sands. I don't always think so much while I'm getting dressed, but it's true. Everything one is, might be discovered - or our identity formed - in our closets. Our clothes, hair, bookshelves, fridges. How we zip up our boots and hit the streets.
Beautifully written. What does spring to mind is how, as we age can we be fashionable on a budget? What advice can we get and where from? I spend a lot of time in dog walking clothes, they are part of my style for that part of the day. But I do want to be me other times and it can hard to find a style that works, particularly as my shape has got even weirder. I love feeling me in clothes and accessories, scarves, etc.
You could start out by looking in thrift stores, also a fun way to choose something for your home decor. But the variety of clothing that others wore? You might find a bit of yourself and move on to the mall.
I must try! I have my staples, and try to dress things up with scarves jewellery. It would be so good if there was fashion advice for older people, or as I put myself into the curmudgeonly old f%£t category, but before you shout I own that title x
You don't need fashion advice. Just wear what makes your heart jump. Others may not be too good at making you look what they like. It's all about you, Jo. Who knows you better than you?
You need to start writing your own substack Richard it would be great mine is my latest post shows my fashion sense. Manky shoes and Wellington boots... not really but they do the job
Thanks, Jo. I've needed a way to express myself broadly for a long time. Facebook turned into a battlefield and caused much anxiety. I'll look into what you've advised.
I wear clothes that make me feel and look amazing. I don't follow trends, Facebook, Instagram, You Tube. I don't feel invisible to the world. I communicate to the world though my smile, body language and the clothes I wear. Thank you, Lyn, for another inspirational article.
Thank you for this essay. Your beautiful way with words expressed my exact feelings about how our clothes evoke our inner selves’ past and should be ever evolving. Ageism and social restrictions have no place in our closet or how we choose to wear our clothes as a form of self expression. I have been following you for awhile and continue to admire everything you are about, from fashion to your writing and how you choose to live life to the fullest. Thanks again for bringing us along.
"Clothes can be an assertion of value, a repudiation of invisibility."
It has been said that as women get older, they become "invisible". I loved this quote from your article as I refuse to be invisible as I age. Clothes help me with my promise to myself.
I'm 65 and going through a season of change and weeping. I'm shedding attitudes and tastes rapidly. Actually,I think I'm behind because it's hard to get rid of clothes. Anyway,thank you for sharing.
Reading this was like reading about myself, just changing the gender to 'elderly gentleman '. I still wear what I choose, not what society demands of old blisters.
A former friend left a leather jacket, the style generally worn by motorcyclists, at my house and never came back for it. I thought, "Hmm, being a gentle soul and an easy target for bullies, let me try this out." I put on my favorite jeans, Levi's 501s that show off my bowed legs from horseback riding as a child, donned the jacket, and went public. Amazing! Men, women, and even teens, all who generally ignore me, took the time to say, "Nice jacket." That gave my ego a boost. I started wearing it as protective gear. Who's going to mess with someone who looks like a biker.
I always wore clothing of my own choice and it almost always got me noticed and often in receipt of compliments. So, like you, Ms. Slater, I was myself. It really works.
Thank you Richard, That really made me chuckle with admiration. I had a jacket like that years ago how I wish still had it. Like you I have never conformed 😜😁😁x
Yeah. It's great to be yourself, isn't it.
I love this, Lyn. I have always loved to play dress-up, and still do! Though sometime I also feel pressure from society to pick a style and make it my uniform, so I can be efficiently productive in a predictable way. That aim always has appealed to part of me, as I can spend a silly amount of time picking out my clothes for the day, but I just can't bring myself to pick one "personality" and stick with it. Thank you for putting together such beautiful words on the topic! I now feel more peace and resolve to let myself be messy and creative in this way.
Thank you, you express very eloquently so much of what I feel.
I, too, appreciate your writing voice - neither too "haute" nor assuming. You speak of the passing of time the way only older, experienced people can do. Memory is faulty, but very powerful. It can bring us to our knees, and yet it can be abstract like shifting sands. I don't always think so much while I'm getting dressed, but it's true. Everything one is, might be discovered - or our identity formed - in our closets. Our clothes, hair, bookshelves, fridges. How we zip up our boots and hit the streets.
I like your choices in wording. Your message flows quite nicely. Thank you.
Beautifully written. What does spring to mind is how, as we age can we be fashionable on a budget? What advice can we get and where from? I spend a lot of time in dog walking clothes, they are part of my style for that part of the day. But I do want to be me other times and it can hard to find a style that works, particularly as my shape has got even weirder. I love feeling me in clothes and accessories, scarves, etc.
You could start out by looking in thrift stores, also a fun way to choose something for your home decor. But the variety of clothing that others wore? You might find a bit of yourself and move on to the mall.
I must try! I have my staples, and try to dress things up with scarves jewellery. It would be so good if there was fashion advice for older people, or as I put myself into the curmudgeonly old f%£t category, but before you shout I own that title x
You don't need fashion advice. Just wear what makes your heart jump. Others may not be too good at making you look what they like. It's all about you, Jo. Who knows you better than you?
You need to start writing your own substack Richard it would be great mine is my latest post shows my fashion sense. Manky shoes and Wellington boots... not really but they do the job
https://jolinney.substack.com/
Thanks, Jo. I've needed a way to express myself broadly for a long time. Facebook turned into a battlefield and caused much anxiety. I'll look into what you've advised.
There is load of advice if I can do it anyone can x
Truly your words align with my thoughts and attitudes and choices I make wearing clothes in my daily life!
What a beautiful article, full of musings of yourself! You are beautiful inside and outside! Thank you for sharing!
Love this. You are a beautiful writer. This helped me better understand why fashion has always inspired me. It's a portal to the personal. Thank you.
I wear clothes that make me feel and look amazing. I don't follow trends, Facebook, Instagram, You Tube. I don't feel invisible to the world. I communicate to the world though my smile, body language and the clothes I wear. Thank you, Lyn, for another inspirational article.
Thank you for this essay. Your beautiful way with words expressed my exact feelings about how our clothes evoke our inner selves’ past and should be ever evolving. Ageism and social restrictions have no place in our closet or how we choose to wear our clothes as a form of self expression. I have been following you for awhile and continue to admire everything you are about, from fashion to your writing and how you choose to live life to the fullest. Thanks again for bringing us along.
"Clothes can be an assertion of value, a repudiation of invisibility."
It has been said that as women get older, they become "invisible". I loved this quote from your article as I refuse to be invisible as I age. Clothes help me with my promise to myself.
I'm 65 and going through a season of change and weeping. I'm shedding attitudes and tastes rapidly. Actually,I think I'm behind because it's hard to get rid of clothes. Anyway,thank you for sharing.
Oh I love this. Thank you!