Newsletter

Why there are no rules on what to do, say and wear over-40

— by Alyson Walsh

What connects Julianne, Moore, Vera Wang, Jane Campion, Wendy Dagworthy and me? We’ve all failed the Saturday Times’ Age Limit Test: what not to do, say and wear over-40. Unless you’re Patti Smith, the age limit for long hair is 50, ‘You will tend to look a bit witchy if you have shoulder-length hair or longer in you’re sixth decade. Ain’t Patriarchy a bitch,’ mansplains journalist Sam Leith. Firstly, 40 is nothing. Secondly, bollocks to these ridiculous age-related rules. I’d like to be able to laugh at this tongue-in-cheek feature but unfortunately, it’s too close to what we normally see, to be funny. And although ‘What not to do, say and wear over-40’ gives age limit tips for both men and women, it’s illustrated on the front cover by a woman of indeterminate age in a swimsuit. Sexist, insidious nonsense:

 

Baby boomers do their own thing and I don’t usually give this kind of thing air space (or headspace). When you’ve rocked out to the Rolling Stones or pogo-ed to the Sex Pistols, prescriptive style rules are irrelevant. No long hair for women over-50, festival-going or getting drunk? Here’s one age limit the Times might want to apply –  Old Etonian’s writing style rules for women over-40: NEVER.

Photos: Dvora @fashionistable

 

My festival chic top is by Graham & Spencer (available HERE and HERE), jeans are MiH  (Phoebe boyfriend style available HERE) and sandals are last year’s Penelope Chilvers.

Keep Reading

Wrinkly lips and what to do about them

What connects Julianne, Moore, Vera Wang, Jane Campion, Wendy Dagworthy and me? We’ve all failed the Saturday Times’ Age Limit Test: what not to do, say and wear over-40.