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A Fashion Challenge to American Women Over 50 & 60

take the fashion challenge

by Tina Gregoire (Christina Gregoire)

I understand that you're over 40 or 50 and it's hard to find fashion that you can get excited about... yes, I'm a Baby Boomer and I turned 60 last October... so I am in the same pickle as you. But, what if you went out of your house and you ran into your old high-school sweetheart or your best friend from college? 

read about european style

French Women Have Style

Would you be embarrassed by your random clothing and your lack of makeup? Well, let's do something about that.

American Women Should Dress More European

If you want to know how to look good when you’re over 40, 50, or 60, just look to European women.

Women in most European cities dress better than we do in the states. I think it may be because Europeans walk everywhere, and they aren’t hiding in their cars all the time.

Sure, all of us American mothers have driven our kids to school when our kids missed the bus – and we were probably all hiding in our bathrobes... behind our sunglasses... slumping down behind our steering wheels.

That was desperation. But, why do we still do things like this?

American Women and Jogging Suits

Well, we may have switched our bathrobes for jogging pants and sweatshirts and Mom Jeans, but I don't think we would dress like that if we knew we might run into someone we knew back in the day... back when we still cared about how we looked.

So, stop it right now.

I know there are times when we all need to run to the mailbox to mail a check or run to the store for ice cream at midnight. And, that's not the type of thing I'm talking about. C'mon. You know the difference.

American women used to be fashionable trendsetters. Doesn't it seem reasonable to ask that older women (over 40) not go out into the “real” world in jogging clothes unless we really are on our way to the gym.

I think it’s crazy. Are we really all that broke that we can’t afford a new wrap dress from Old Navy? Are we so used to sneakers that we can’t zip up a pair of boots?

What have we become… a nation that wears only pajamas and baseball caps?

read about europeans

Not All Europeans are Fashionistas

Not All Europeans Are Fashion Icons

In Europe, I always see a few short, stocky women who look like Russian Borsht-cookers, but even they are usually wearing skirts or dresses. Sure, the Borsht ladies might be wearing knee-high nylons (so you can see the tops) with their black orthopedic shoes, but at least they are trying.

At least they don't look like they've gotten lost in the Spandex aisle at Walmart.  It's not like I'm raising the bar so high that you'll give up before you try.

Most Europeans Try to Look Good in the Summer

I suppose it depends on which part of Europe you're visiting, but I usually see quite a few EuroChicks of all ages wearing skirts and dresses when... (Please be so kind as to click here to continue American fashion article.)

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Tina Boomerina (AKA Christina Gregoire) is a Baby Boomer born at the end of 1952. Her mission is to make the internet a kinder and gentler place for Baby Boomer women around the world. Tina's specialty is fashion for women over 50.

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11 Comments

  1. Judie M

    It's good to get tips...I try to stay current but worry a out trying too hard and embarrassing myself.thank you and would like more from your site.

  2. Sarah

    Amen!!!

  3. Marcia

    Love it! I've been looking for all this for a loooongggg time! Thank you! :-)

    • Tina

      Marcia,

      I've been looking for someone like you to say that for a looooooooooooonnnngggggggg time! Thank YOU!.

      Cheers,

      Tina Boomerina

  4. Denise

    I sorta went "boot" crazy this past month with all the great sales, so I came upon your site searching for some fashion ideas. I'm 58 and want to be trendy but being realistic about my age. Thank you so much for your real and genuine advice for this boomer with the less than perfect body!

  5. shorst

    I would like to subscribe to your newsletter

  6. Terlur

    Thank you so much for this website and for writing a newsletter. I would love to receive a copy. I am struggling to still look stylish at 60. I seem to have lost my way when it comes to stylish clothing. I used to love clothes shopping and looked good in about anything I tried on, but now I don't recognize my figure in the fitting room mirror. Not sure how to help me to internalize what my body looks like now, but I think your newsletter may help me to accept my 60+ body.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Terlur,

      I'm not writing my newsletter until I get settled in my new house. I'm stuck in cheapie dog-friendly motels and at relatives' houses for about another month, but I'll put you on the email list.

      If you don't look good in the clothes, you're trying on the wrong stuff. There are things that will look good on you. You just have to try a little harder than you used to and experiment more.

      Tina