https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:28:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-772172 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 06:10:14 +0000 Jenava 772172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also, this discussion reminds me of similar discussion of the very traditional role of "hag" or "crone" that I have seen. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-772170 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 05:57:49 +0000 Jenava 772170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to keep my sense of humor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-772159 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 05:28:00 +0000 catgirl 772159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question! Although I'm not upset about being my age, I think having a 9 year old son keeps me young. (We just got a pet lizard!) I also mostly do what I want, feel free to act silly, go out with my girlfriends when I can, and totally ignore most rules about what age means. </p> <p>Physically I have no idea whether I look my age. I figure if I'm about to be 47, then this is what 47 looks like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771845 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 20:00:38 +0000 Suz 771845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very well said, Gaylene. </p> <p>One of the benefits of (positive) aging is wisdom! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771841 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:44:04 +0000 Gaylene 771841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've already expressed my thoughts on "youthfulness" so I debated jumping back in but Deb's comment, along with some of the others, about coping with physical challenges is too important to get lost. Because I've always been blessed with good health, moving into my sixties with the inevitable changes that age brings has made me much more aware of how difficult life must be for those who struggle daily with a chronic illness or a physical challenge. Anyone who can cope with these challenges while retaining a sense of optimism and zest for life is awe inspiring and has my total admiration. </p> <p>Many of the negative associations with age come, I think, from the physical challenges that many of us come face to face with in our 60s, 70s, and 80s. Creaky joints, arthritic stiffness, fatigue and a host of other challenges can turn even the most optimistic soul cranky and pessimistic, especially when a person has taken physical health for granted during their younger years. I now realize for many of my friends that a frown and disengagement can be from discomfort as much as from a negative attitude.</p> <p>I mentioned before that my views on aging changed once I entered my sixties. Visualizing how you would like to age is akin to visualizing how you would like to be a parent. In reality, my memories of the days when I was coping with work and raising children bore little resemblance to the glossy image promoted by women's magazines. There were days when I felt like a drudge instead of a "yummy mommy", but there were also moments of great joy when I felt that little hand hanging on to mine. Aging is a bit like that.</p> <p>My images of how I was going to be a fabulous combination of wisdom and youthfulness as I aged makes me smile. The reality is some days I am a cranky, opinionated old professor, while, at other times, I am surprised by my ability to laugh at something that would have driven me off the rails a few years ago. Some of my students have commented on how things that drive other profs crazy just don't seem to bother me. I think I have a greater tolerance and empathy for the busy, complicated lives that my students have today. Handing an assignment in a few hours after a deadline doesn't seem to be a big deal anymore, but being ill-mannered towards other people is something that I refuse to ignore anymore.</p> <p>I think my biggest revelation has been that aging is a gift that I can accept and enjoy instead of fight. It has its challenges (with the changes in my physical appearance being the least important) and, at times renders me cranky but mostly makes me so greatful to enjoy what I've had and what remains. It is truly a good time of life for me.</p> <p>Now, I promise this will be my last post on this topic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771748 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:09:22 +0000 merwoman 771748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great read!<br /> So many have commented on the youthful spirit or attitude - and that's what resonates with me. And yes, it's a bit of a stereotype. Caro has summed up nicely my feelings on 'youthfulness' - curiousity and engagement with life - and I would add passion, laughter and optimisim.<br /> And it may help to think of the opposite - being youthful (to me) is not being set in my ways, closed off to the world passively watching life pass me by.<br /> . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771610 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:11:09 +0000 Mona 771610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Deb! you have had several strokes since the age of 29 and you manage to look so healthy and fiesty. Hats off to you. I really like your point about listening to anyone who wants to talk. I always thought listening is so much more important that talking and I can see the connection with stayinig spry. I have a good friend who is 65 years old and has a great fashion sense and tons of curiosity about everything in life. Needless to say she looks not a year older than 50. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771586 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:59:13 +0000 Caro in Oz 771586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to stay curious, engaged, active &amp; creative I personally don't associate these characteristics with youth. I believe we can only be youthful when we are young but we can be beautiful at any age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771583 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:35:20 +0000 deb 771583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My goal is to stay spry. I was blessed with very good external genes. At 58, I have very few wrinkles, very few gray hairs, and wonderful flexibility. Internally, I was not so fortunate. I got all the genetic disease crap from both sides of my family. I had my first stroke at 29 and several in the years following. I have had seventeen surgeries to keep my body functioning. What really amazes me is that people think I am in my late 30's or early 40's. I agree with MaryK, a great therapist really helps. As does laughter, listening to anyone that wants to talk, especially the children, teenagers, twenty-somethings, and well, everyone. Appreciating all of the wisdom I have gained through this process of living helps also. So do I want to stay youthfull? No, I want to stay spry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771581 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:27:43 +0000 cciele 771581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think these qualities of youthfulness are associated with children, because that's where they originate, in how children innately see the world -- they experience life with pure joy, and see the world as an exciting place to be in -- until someone tries to impose rules on them </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771572 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 05:45:36 +0000 Kiwichik 771572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of interesting views and interesting to see the distinctions made (or not made) between being youthful and being young. The more I think about being youthful the more I think the essence I am trying to capture might be better illustrated by using the words joie de vivre -a cheerful enjoyment of life, a joy of spirit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you/page/2#post-771554 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 05:08:49 +0000 soobee 771554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahahahahahahahahahahah - Rachylou! I try not to be dead also! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771544 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:53:05 +0000 Echo 771544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do take Gaylene's point that it seems most of the "good" adjectives are used on the young, and we seem to assume that older people are supposed to be cranky, tired, set in their ways, luddites, etc. Why is energy and enthusiasm or being open to new ideas "youthful" characteristic? I know some very closed and small minded, cynical and negative young people, which leads me to believe that these are attitudes that are inherent to SOME people and not to others. They have less to do with age than with temperment. And I can see the irritation in assuming that those attitudes are "youthful".</p> <p>It is important to me to remain positive and energetic, regardless of age, and it always has been. That's just the kind of person I am, and I don't find it any harder at 40 than I did at 20 because it is who I am. Again, there are plenty of young people who, by many of the standards listed here, are not youthful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771533 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:30:10 +0000 Kiwichik 771533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha - note to self avoid at all costs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771522 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:03:14 +0000 JR 771522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On a humorous note, here is how NOT to try to stay youthful:</p> <p><a href="http://www.jumbojoke.com/dress_code_for_baby_boomers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.jumbojoke.com/dress.....omers.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771514 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:50:29 +0000 JR 771514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that it's an attitude more than what's on the outside. I have cheerfully, and deliberately, left my hair uncoloured because I don't see anything there to be ashamed of. (Of course, I lucked out in that I greyed rather nicely. I might have a different attitude if it had gone all mousey on me.) And Gaylene's points are well taken. I do not want to go back to the younger me. I am rather embarrassed by a lot of my former attitudes and very happy to have outgrown them, even if the process was often painful.</p> <p>On the other hand, I definitely do not want to give in to the mental hardening of the arteries that can be the negative part of aging. You know the "back in the good old days" kind of attitude. I cringe every time I hear the phrase, "Young people nowadays...". Yikes. Not that I approve of everything young people do. Neither do I automatically disapprove. But I want to maintain a sense of wonder and enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, that is often associated with youth, but which I think is an important part of a good attitude toward life in general.</p> <p>How this translates on the outside? Well, I have silver hair, but I wear cobalt skinnies. I will stay true to who I am and to my own tastes, but I will also stay aware of what's happening out there, and embrace any "new" fashion that is true to who I am and that will work with the body I have. And I completely ignore the ones I don't like. But then, I did that when I was young too.</p> <p>Other than that, I have gotten very aggressive in improving my health through better eating, some exercising, and researching what works for chronic fatigue. I am making slow, but real progress there.</p> <p>And moisturizers... LOL! Mustn't forget the moisturizers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771487 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 02:56:02 +0000 Mona 771487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a lively and youthful discussion! Thanks for posting this question, kiwichik. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the responses. Youthfulness is surely an attitude. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771481 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 02:41:29 +0000 Kiwichik 771481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I posted this last night and have only just had an opportunity to read everyone's comments. I have to say when I originally posted I was thinking of youthful In a purely aesthetic sense but reading the comments has made me refine my meaning a little more. Yes I would like to look youthful and ageless but not young(because that would be recreating the past &amp; the future is so very evciting) and I agree that looking youthful can be partially achieved by keeping your body healthy and well dressed. However youthfulness is very much a state of mind and a reflection of spirit rather than the physical. My 94 year old grandfather was youthful. He was always interested in the world and what was going on and had a wry and self deprecating sense of humour. My maternal grandmother was a beautiful woman in her eighties and that was partially due to good genes but mostly due to her love of life and adventure. I don't want to be younger I like the confidence that comes with getting older but I certainly always want to retain a youthful spirit and as I age look the best I can for me and that look will change as I age - for now I can look 40 sonething as I enter my fifties I will look fifty something - but you won't know which end of the 50 scale and when I'm sixty and so forth. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771320 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:16:50 +0000 Mo 771320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to say my body, at 42, is much creakier and talks more than my BF's at 52. I never wish to *be* younger but I do wish to physically feel it some days </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771315 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:11:37 +0000 Nadya 771315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Leaf stomping helps. This is me Wednesday night.</p> <p><a href="http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?sns=em&#038;v=c5ygUlS6TI0&#038;desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dc5ygUlS6TI0%26sns%3Dem" rel="nofollow">http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?s.....26sns%3Dem</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771313 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:10:46 +0000 Gaylene 771313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MaryK, you caught me on that one--that tolerance thing is something I keep needing to work on. LOL But, in my defense, I wasn't trying to dismiss "youthfulness" as much as just not accepting its appropriateness when attached to my current age. And, truthfully, I am, in hindsight, rather appalled by much of my "youthful attitude" although it seemed to be shared by most of my peers. But then, we knew that we would never grow old...</p> <p>Angie, Cathy, Mochi (and probably a bunch of others)-- I'm not saying that "youthful attitude" is a bad thing--it's just that it is so associated with being "young". Being involved with the world and people around you, living zestfully and fully, having fun, and enjoying life are not age-specific qualities so why do we persist in calling them "youthful"? I'm all for what's IN the category, just not the term we are using to describe it. But I'm game for growing old with a "life affirming" attitude if that could be arranged?</p> <p>Being a bit more serious, though, I do question the pressure put on older women to keep "young at heart" or to maintain a "youthful spirit" (and appearance?). It seems as though agreeing to have an "old spirit" or an "old attitude" is something to be avoided at all costs. Aging is an interesting process and we all approach it differently. But I'm not sure that buying into the well-meaning assumption that maintaining a foot in the youth camp is always the right message to send in a society that reveres the young and dismisses the aged. I know that many of my ideas about being old are changing now that I'm at the point where I can collect a pension cheque.</p> <p>By the way, thanks for a lively discussion. This cranky old lady is smiling as she writes this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771304 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:01:08 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 771304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion. I'm not particularly interested in being youthful right now, I'm interested in getting deeper into what I care about rather than keeping up with other people. Not that I want to live in a cave and be unaware of my surroundings (actually, that's a lie, I'd love it, but I know it's not good for me psychologically or as a creative person). </p> <p>I'm 36 and there seems to be a moment for a lot of folks in our late 30s early 40s where we realize we can't pull off young anymore, in a lot of ways, and we start thinking about how we want to appear to others (clothes-wise but also in appearance and priorities). I think once you're in your 50s or 60s you can embrace being youthful and current in a whole different way, because it's like you're not trying to fool anyone about being 25 anymore whereas in your 30s people might think you are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771273 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:56:04 +0000 Angie 771273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, that's why I said that being older allows you to be the best of both worlds. It's like you can only be young when you are young, but youthful when you are grown up. I so DON"T want the same attitude that I had when I was 20 years younger either. But as you get older, you can take the fab of young and mix it up with the fab of old - which results in a melting pot of THE BEST. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771264 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:47:04 +0000 cciele 771264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I'm not saying that you personally should embrace youthfulness! That's a totally individual choice. I was trying to make a distinction between being youthful and being young. I respect your POV and like you I don't want to have the same attitude I did when I was younger. But I also strive toward a child-like fresh view. Perhaps that's veering a bit too much toward religion or philosophy though </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771261 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:40:11 +0000 MsMary 771261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But, but... Gaylene, aren't you equally dismissive now, but just dismissive of different things? Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that. Nobody can keep up with every. single. thing. for one's whole life, I don't think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771258 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:36:49 +0000 Gaylene 771258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cciele, I understand the POV that says we ought to keep a "youthful" attitude as we age, and, until I started thinking about it, I would have agreed. I realized, though, I DON"T want to have the same attitude towards life and people that I had in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. To be honest, I think that I was often flighty, dismissive, easily swayed by my own interests, and rather self-absorbed. I thought that "old" people ought to keep up with what was going on in my world and I didn't particularly care for being around people who were not in good health or didn't keep up with current music, art, technology, etc. </p> <p>My point is that a "youthful attitude" is a mixed bag--some good traits and some bad traits. The same goes for an "old attitude". And I guess I resent the assumption that I ought to "be youthful at any age and embrace the energy and attitude it entails". </p> <p>Just a cranky old lady? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771256 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:29:32 +0000 Mochi 771256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, intentionally being silly keeps me youthful, or at least childish. </p> <p>Also I feel like I'm focused on what I like, so that encompasses things that are trendy and popular with all age groups as well as stuff from way way back. Could be Big Band music. Could be an Emily Bronte novel. I'm totally willing to give something current a shot, too. </p> <p>And I've always had friends of wildly varying ages. People seem to get on with me because I am very egalitarian like that, and don't patronize (or get overawed by people, either). </p> <p>I don't know if that's answering your question at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771241 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:10:51 +0000 Angie 771241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I was just going to respond because it's like you mixed up being young with being youthful - and then Cathy took the words out of my mouth. (Thanks, Cathy!)</p> <p>You can be youthful as you age, and fully embrace the energy, humility, power, empathy, wisdom, and strength that goes along with it.. One can be old and youthful at the same time! It's like having the best of both worlds. I hope that makes sense. </p> <p>Too Rachy's point - being young is overrated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771224 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:57:20 +0000 cciele 771224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I think there's a different between youthful and young. I think one can be youthful at all ages and embrace the energy and attitude that entails. One can be old and youthful at the same time, but striving to be young when you are old is something different. For me, this attitude is similar to the Buddhist goal of being childlike. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-a-fashion-sense-what-does-youthful-mean-to-you#post-771202 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:45:10 +0000 Gaylene 771202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first response to this question would have been similar to Suz, Angie, and Janet, but Rachylou's and Lyn's comments made me stop and rethink.</p> <p>If "youth" is associated with an "eagerness to keep up with the world" (Angie), "energy and optimism" (Suz), "staying current fashion-wise, as well as music, art, technology" (Janet), then what do we associate with the label "old" --lack of interest in the world, tiredness and pessimism, being stuck in the past, wrinkles, dowdiness, poor health... No wonder we recoil at the thought of becoming "old" and see maintaining "youthfulness" as the holy grail.</p> <p>Rachylou's comment about associating "youth" with "befuddled, obnoxious, AND also underdone" and "old" with power and command, and, I am going to add, self-knowledge, humility, empathy, and inner strength makes me want to stand up and tell the world that I don't want to be "youthful". Now, I'll agree that these labels are stereotypes and that not all young people are obnoxious and not all old people are empathetic, but really, how did we get to the point where youth gets all the good adjectives and age is left with all the negative ones?</p> <p>So, at 60+, I'm hereby pledging to do my best to avoid "youthfulness" as I spend my remaining days trying to achieve that state of empathy, humility, strength, and self-knowledge that I associate with age. I'll dress to reflect my pleasure in knowing who I am but also realizing that other causes and interests may take precedent at times and what I wear may not be as important as what I do. I'll take care of my appearance because I recognize that, by doing so, I'm showing respect to those who see me on a daily basis. I'll keep trying to improve and learn and understand the world I inhabit so I can be wiser and more understanding of myself and others. Finally, I'll leave "youthfulness" in attitude, dress, and deportment to the young so that they can enjoy it and then be ready to move on when it's their time to become "old". </p>