Many thoughts... With Smittie, Ryce, Gaylene in theirs. I read your other link too Janet which was interesting and not so self- congratulatory. Those of you who live in the US may be somewhat skewed in comparison with parts of the world like NZ and Australia. We in NZ have to travel to enlarge horizons beyond our own tiny country when we don't have an enormous one like the US to travel in. So what we call our "OE" ( overseas experience) has been an accepted rite of passage for young women as well as men for many decades. The OE is becoming a bit less of a concept now travel is relatively cheaper and easier- it was so far to go and so expensive going for a year or more used to be common. We marry later here, average age of first marriage for women now 28. I was 25 ( 30 years ago) and did not feel that was late.
While I understand the recent articles about a lack of stuff to buy in one's 40s and 50s eg shared in Link Love in the past month or two, I am also with Ryce in that I find more to buy than my budget, closet space and now ethical principles will allow. As for people surprised that your husband "lets you" do stuff Janet- did Doc Brown's Delorean time machine travel from the Dark Ages?- or at least from pre WW1?
And Rachy, you are so educated that I will have to Google Dictionary "neotony"- what the heck is that?

Neoteny is the retention of juvenile features by adults. It's like the difference between dogs and wolves (which are now considered the same species). Cute in dogs, not that cute in people, IMO. One of my fave words, after 'Jesuitical'

Thanks Rachy. I did Google it, see I spelt it incorrectly. It is an awesome word. And yes, if we have hard-earned wisdom let's be willing to share it rather than pretend we never grew up! But then it is kind of worrying how many of today's younger people have trouble leaving home because of the cost of living independently ( high rents, house prices). I'm pleased my 2 girls did both leave about 21/22 but they both have to rent at this stage, no hope of a house purchase. Of course I realise that's the case for millions of people but in NZ renting is quite insecure, not like in Europe.

Spellcheck messes up 'neoteny' a lot. Watch out for that, lol.

Here in Northern California, we are all frankly living on the edge. All ages, all circumstances. $100k - an executive salary - is poverty. I frankly don't encourage young people to wait for security, like I was encouraged. There isn't any. I think they should just get going and let the chips fall. And maybe they can work the marriage tax break in their favour...

So many excellent points. Money can buy the appearance of youth but this 91 year old gymnast clip that's bopping around is awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlzJbVTPF1w

Bumping. I think Shevia's link to the inspiring 91 years old gymnast deserves more attention. What an amazing lady! Thanks for sharing, Shevia.

Thanks for posting this.

I'll comment more later, but for now will just say that part of why I don't want to wear dowdy clothes is that they make it very difficult to be as active as I'd like to be. I had enough restrictions placed on me when I was growing up, related to being ladylike and keeping my clothes clean and nice. I'm certainly not going to do that to myself now!
In response to the comment that this isn't the first generation to think this way--I'm not so sure. My mom played tennis when it was popular in the 70s, but was glad when that faded. Exercise for her has generally been a pain, not something pleasurable. How much of that is her and how much is generational?

rachylou - I was thinking, and this is getting off topic of course - if you live in poverty on 100K in California or another high paying/high cost of living state, you at least can rest in knowing you will receive a high SS wage in the future, right? (best 35 years of income used for SS wages) I always wonder about that - wouldn't it be best to live in a very high earning state for at least half of your money making years, then move to a lower cost of living state when you retire and still collect the higher benefits? Seems like it should be adjusted for where you live in retirement but I don't think it is.

Heh. They lost me when they dissed the Rotary Club!

Signed,

President-Elect who met her fabulous husband at the Rotary Club

Interesting articles, thanks. I have a feeling style may just be becoming more generation-less as the way it's marketed and sold evolves. When retail was mall-based, everything was designed to be very niche -- the teen stores (F21, Claire's, Charlotte Russe), the "grown up" stores (J Crew, BR) the "boring grown up" stores (Eddie Bauer, LL Bean), the "old people" stores (Blair, uh, Northern Reflections? Sears?) -- those distinctions seem to be breaking down. Online shopping means no more embarrassment over whether someone will "catch" you shopping at a store that's outside your target demographic. And we wonder my the kids are all wearing Birkenstocks and Tevas and mom jeans -- the "middle age" look...

The baby boomer generation (my parents) are in their 60s, early 70s, and they don't dress anything like their parents did at 60/70. I don't see the Boomers around me wearing polyester slacks and no-iron polos, which is what my grandparents were wearing 20 years ago. They're in jeans, or course, and band tees, and artsy handmade sweaters, and lots of gear, etc. Of course, their parents were already retired or thinking about it, and most of the 60-somethings I know are still working. So maybe that's a factor. Age 40-50, to me (a 31 year old), feels like just getting started, certainly not over any hills. I mean, apparently you can't run for Pres 'til you're in your 60s, so it seems our whole conception of peaks and primes is shifting.

Echoing La Padestrienne's sentiments! The marketPLACE is changing along with the market itself. This offers some good possibilities for savvy shoppers who can vote with their dollars... and the businesses who care to listen to them and avoid the ridiculous ageism and size-ism.

And of course there's the bottom line - it's pretty foolish for companies to be ignoring the preferences and requests of eager consumers!!

I'm only 2 years away from retirement, but don't see myself wearing polyester pants and no-iron polos. I look hideous in any type of polo shirt, and don't get me started on polyester pants. I much prefer my jeans.

At 68, I am still working on ageless style. i want to wear something striking -- no matter what age it is associated with -- as long as it suits my body type. I have no fear of looking like mutton dressed as lamb. I just regret all those years I "dressed for success" when I could have been following my heart.