Ageless Style: Dress for Now, Not for Numbers

Ageless Style: Dress for Now, Not for Numbers 

By Lauren Williamson

© Cover photos from Instagram @greceghanem,@joanijohnson6000, @kellyrutherford

Recently, I posted a TikTok showcasing my 50-year-young mum styled in my clothes. The video went viral, racking up 700,000 views. It began with her in her usual work attire – black ribbed long-sleeved top, midi skirt, and thick tights. Then, the transformation: she strutted in wearing my backless crop top, embroidered jeans, and an Adidas hoodie, looking nothing short of fabulous! The comments ranged from admiration, with viewers wishing to look as stunning as her at that age, to disturbing ones from some men that I’d rather not repeat. But this viral moment made me question: why does it become such a spectacle when someone defies their fashion age bracket? 

Ageing is a double-edged sword. On one side, a myriad of products – wrinkle creams, hair dyes, promising to keep the passage of time at bay. On the other, don a daring short skirt or a bold neckline, and suddenly, you’re accused of dressing ‘too young’ for your age. The term ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ epitomises this paradox, unfairly criticising women who refuse to let age confine their style choices. First coined in 1811 in a social gossip journal, ‘mutton’ played on the word ‘matron’, which, in the early 19th-century, was associated with older women. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as describing an older woman dressed in a style deemed more suitable for a younger lady. 

It's both infuriating and somewhat amusing that we’ve imposed arbitrary ‘age limits’ on fashion, as if clothing itself comes with an expiration date based on the number of candles on your birthday cake. In a world where trends spread like wildfire, some pieces inevitably have a short lifespan – like those neon-swirl tie-dye tops from fast fashion websites, which swifty end up as landfill fodder. These trends are (unfortunately) designed for a fleeting moment. However, this transience of trends doesn’t justify imposing age restrictions on the types of clothing women should wear. Fashion is  personal expression. Its beauty lies within the eye of the wearer, not the beholder, and definitely not in the gaze of a random middle-aged man walking down the street with his arse hanging out. 

There’s an unwritten rule that once you hit 25, fashion begins to conspire against you. By 40, you’re expected to abandon your vibrant wardrobe for something more subdued and conservative. And let’s not forget motherhood – suddenly, you’re ushered into the realm of ‘Mumsy-clothing,’ where bright colours, midriff, and bold styles are off-limits. Are we really supposed to believe that the invention of ‘mom-jeans’ was not another way of relegating women with children to a specific fashion domain? 

I accidentally stumbled into a toddler takeover morning at my local café, and the mothers there looked like carbon copies of each other: boxy t-shirts, skinny jeans, and unremarkable footwear. Sure, motherhood means you’re busier and have less time to focus on your appearance, but does that really mean all mothers dress alike? Is this the so-called ‘trend’ for mums, or are we simply reinforcing a uniform style that sidelines individuality?  

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Fashion is (thankfully) entering an era where agelessness reigns supreme. The ideal is not to be bound by age but to wear what makes you feel vibrant and youthful, reflecting who you are today rather than adhering to outdated age-based rules. Look at icons like Jennifer Lopez and Helen Mirren – both embody ageless fashion, with Lopez showcasing contemporary and dynamic designs, while Mirren effortlessly combines classic elegance with modern flair. This shift towards ‘age fluidity’ is gaining momentum. Designers like Giorgio Armani and Stella McCartney are creating collections that cater to both older and younger generations. Armani’s timeless suits and McCartney’s chic, versatile pieces break down the barriers of age-specific fashion. As fashion continues to evolve, even highstreet brands like H&M and Zara also advertising across age groups. It’s clear that embracing agelessness is the new frontier, encouraging everyone to dress in a way that truly reflects their essence, irrespective of their age. 

Authenticity is always in. If you wake up on a Tuesday morning and those black stiletto knee-high boots are calling your name, wear them. Be bold, be confident, and don’t lose your edge just because you’re gaining life experience. And if that means borrowing your daughters’ clothes, like my mum did in that viral TikTok, then do it. Let your style to evolve, radiating the confidence that only experience can bring. With each year, we’re becoming more attuned to the clothes, materials, and colours that truly suit us. After all, age with fashion, don’t let fashion age you.