What makes people look behind the times is being behind the curve in their attitude.

In terms of hair, there's been a cross-ethnic reclaiming of one's textured natural hair for at least 10 years and the Youth of Today DGAF that people think their hair is too "extra." A lot of us oldies have gotten on that bandwagon.

At the same time the movement *for women* to embrace one's grey has gained traction. [Because of course men get to be silver foxes, distinguished, etc.]

So even if we want to use "older" as a slur, grey + curly isn't automatically, universally seen as an "older" look than grey + straight. As any number of YLFers demonstrate....

Ditto for grey over dyed-to-cover-grey.

In terms of style, a person's total package tends to communicate a visual timelessness. But in the end, I think it's personality and outlook above all else that communicate vitality.

WOW. This is a really long thread

Jenni NZ & Janet have both offered meaningful definitions of authentic style. Like ethical fashion - you have to decide what authentic style means to you. Milk it, and run with it.

I don't think it's a straight or curly grey hair thing. Latching onto what Vix said, looking good and having a great sense of style is a sum of its parts. It's not one thing, but the total package. Style is beyond age and size. It’s an energy, attitude and confidence that is expressed through clothing, footwear and accessories.

OK, I’ve resisted adding my two cents, but can’t hold back any longer as grey, curly-haired woman who loves her current cut—a slightly wild, assymetrical, stacked bob.

Angie is right (again!) that it’s the energy, attitude, and confidence we bring to our style which makes us look good as senior women. Surely, at this stage of life, we’ve earned the right to make our own decisions about our appearance without fretting about our “authenticity” or feminist credentials. My grey hair isn’t some form of social/political/ feminist statement; it’s just my current hair style. Aging happens, my appearance isn’t static, and so, if I suddenly decide to dye my never-been-dyed hair a bright red tomorrow, that’s still me peering out from under those strands. As long as I’m having fun, why should I restrict my options?

*applauding *