I think people often don't want to dress a generation older (or younger) than their age. At 47 I dress quite differently to how my Mum dressed at this age, and even more differently to how my Grandparents dressed at this age. I also have little desire to dress a generation younger than I am.

I remember commenting on a thread a couple of years back that I think in the past people were less fashionable, but more stylish, and I stand by that comment.

There has been a lot of wisdom in comments above this one. My own mother is currently battling RA and complications and many people may think she has given up on fashion - she can no longer wear shoes and barely get dressed and pull on sweaters. I have struggled to find clothes both small enough in length and frame size for her, yet with room in the mid section where she is a little bigger. Jeans and pants with buttons and zips are hard, but she can't manage many drawstrings or pants that need any force to lift. Tops are easier thankfully. To be honest if I had her pain and complications clothes would be low on my priority list too.

I interpret this thread as being about people who can dress better but don't. It's not about people who have medical conditions or whatever that prevent them from being able to dress the way they'd like.

Great insights and conversation here. These days I'm conscious of keeping these things in perspective and keeping judgment out of it. I am less and less worried about 1) what anyone else chooses to wear, and 2) whether other people like what I wear. I want to look "good" and current and not older than I am, sure, but I'm not putting a *ton* of energy into these efforts, mainly because I have a wardrobe that usually allows me to pick out something I feel good in. But I will always put in effort according to how I feel.

One of my best friends watched his wife slowly die of cancer last winter, after 17 years of battling on and off. She was always a gorgeous woman who ate right, worked out, and dressed beautifully for as long as she could. Disease gradually robbed her of most of her bone mass, half a lung, and about four inches in height. Right up to the final months of her life, she still made an effort to look nice, and I know it bothered her that she could no longer wear her beautiful clothes from her old, healthy body, but that paled in comparison to the fact that she wanted to see her four children grow up. She did live way longer than any medical professionals thought she would at the time of her diagnosis.

So I understand what many of you are saying about dressing an aging body, and keeping it all in perspective. My mom lived to be 80 (which doesn't seem all that old to me), and dressed nicely right up until the day she went into the ICU because she was able to. As long as I am able, I will make an effort too.

Such great stories and inspiration. Thank you to all who shared. I suspect that we will all keep trying to dress the best we can for as long as we can, trying to have fun with fashion and feel that we look good.

No matter your age - the goal is to look healthy, stylish and modern, and not to look younger than you are. You want to look like you care, that you matter, and that you are comfortable in your own skin. (from Angie)

My feelings exactly -- at 68. And learning is the main reason I recently joined this forum. I think it's sad that so many women my age think/feel they have to settle for frumpy.

Susan, I am thrilled that you have joined the forum. Thank you for posting Angie's wise words!

Yes, Angie's words are so true!