Do You Like This Story?

Clearly, Helen Mirren didn’t get that memo….and I’m glad she didn’t! I’ve written about miniskirts before here and what 63 looks like here.

According to The Daily Mail:

helen mirren 47 is too old to be wearing a bikini. Oh bollocks.

Helen Mirren is 63

A survey has revealed that women don’t think it is acceptable to wear bikinis on the beach once they reach 47.

The study, carried out among 2,000 women, found most wouldn’t be comfortable wearing a two-piece on holiday once they approach their half-century – and frown upon others who do.

But the survey also revealed that women believe – perhaps a little unfairly – that miniskirts are a ‘no-no’ on anyone aged 35 or more and that high heels should not be worn by anyone over 51.

The study, commissioned by Diet Chef, also found 44 per cent of women regularly worry they are too old to wear certain items of clothing.

The report polled women between the ages of 18 and 65 and found that boob tubes are a no-no from the age of 33, and that no self-respecting woman over the age of 35 should be showing off a pierced belly button.

Knee high boots should be restricted to women under the age of 47 and trainers should not be worn by women over the age of 44, unless for sport.

Screen shot 2011 05 12 at 2.31.48 PM 47 is too old to be wearing a bikini. Oh bollocks.

Pic credit: The Daily Mail

The age limit for leather trousers was 34, while leggings should be banished to the back of the cupboard two years later.

It also revealed we think that Ugg boots should not be seen on women over 45, while swimsuits are a no-no once retirement age has been reached and see-through blouses are dead and buried at 40.

One in ten women have bought something only to take it back to the shop soon after amid fears it was ‘too young’ for them. Five per cent of those polled said a shop assistant had warned them an item wasn’t right for their age.

More than 20 per cent of those polled agree with the saying ‘If you’ve got it – flaunt it’ but a more conservative two thirds believe that you should grow old gracefully.

Oh, a diet company commissioned the research? How convenient. I say bollocks to that. Wear what you like. Do you agree or are there things you don’t think you ‘can’ wear because you’re too young or too old? Do those rules exist anymore? They don’t seem to at Supre or Sportsgirl where I often find myself shopping next to women who are 50 and girls who are 15……

Check out this gallery of celebrities who may or may not dress ‘their age’….

Lisa Wilkinson, 51

Comments

Comment Guidelines : Imagine you’re at a dinner party. Different opinions are welcome but keep it respectful or the host will show you the door. We have zero tolerance for any abuse of our writers, our editorial team or other commenters. So if you’re rude, mean-spirited, snarky, aggressive, defamatory or bitchy, your comment will be deleted (so will any replies to the original comment – so don’t bother arguing with rude people, instead just hit the ‘alert moderator’ button).
And if you’re offensive, you’ll be blacklisted and all your comments will go directly to spam. Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re going to be – cool. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation…

Use your profile to comment: Or, comment as a guest:
(Max file size is 150kb & jpeg's only - if you need help resizing go here »)

116 Comments so far

  1. Pingback: In the News: Angelina Jolie’s Right Leg & What it Tells Us About Youth & Beauty. « The Early Bird Catches the Worm

  2. karenwilson

    I still can’t believe Elle is 3 years older than me and my god she looks better at 47 than I’ll ever look in my entire life. If I could have one wish it’d be healthy and have a killer bod just like Elle. She’s smoking hot. Other smoking hot ladies are Christie Brinkley, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  3. shellystone

    Luckily, Australia is a free country. It is not only appropriate, but a right for all women, and men no matter how unfortunately looking, or old, or whatever, to wear a bikini, or whatever they feel they should wear. This, despite all our complaints and opinions.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  4. AJ

    Helen Mirren is stunning! Love this gallery, I think they all look more beautiful now than they did 10, 20 years ago!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  5. donna

    Well that sucks. I just had a tummy tuck and I have my pre- babies tummy back. But I’m about to turn forty-seven. Does that mean I can’t buy that bikini after all? Dammit I think I will anyway….

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  6. Cleo

    That’s bizarre. Everyone is different, you can’t just pick a random age & say you can’t do/wear something after that age.
    I wear leggings & knee high boots under long skirts, so why should it matter what age I am? I’ve never been one for bikinis, I wear swimsuits I can actually swim in, but apparantly I won’t be allowed to swim after I’m 61. Glad they didn’t mention jodphurs. lots of older women are still wearing them so they can ride their horses in comfort.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  7. Johanna

    Just wanted to point out these people are celebrities, yes, but they are still real women. They might have access to cosmetic enhancement, but if you can afford it, so can non-famous women. But to say that you can only have a good body if you have an army of nannies and expensive personal trainers is just stupid and a big excuse.

    Case in point – google the name “Jenny Masche”. Jenny had sextuplets, and ran a marathon a year later. She’s a regular, non-famous, regular income person who happens to have SIX babies demanding her atention, yet she still takes care of her body. Are peope really going to trot out their same old “I’m tired and I don’t have people waiting on me like I’m a celebrity” excuse? Exercise is still hard work; celebrities can’t pay someone else to do exercise for them.

    For us to slander celebrities as being bad role models or somehow crushing women’s self-esteem by looking good is ludicrous. It’s incredibly hypocritical to say that women should wear whatever they feel good wearing, but then blast celebrities (who are women too) for doing the same.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      Genetics plays a big part in women’s ability to regain their post-baby figure. No matter how much weight one can lose if you’re not genetically blessed with elastic skin then some women will have a saggy pouch of skin on their belly forever unless they can afford a tummy tuck.

      So yes maybe it’s doable for some women but still not to the same degree of ease as wealthy celebrities.

      And I don’t think anyone is really blasting or slandering celebrities, it’s just that the survey about the cut-off ages for certain clothes for your average non-celebrity women was placed in comparison to pictures of gorgeous celebrities that could wear almost anything doesn’t really make sense to support the argument of the author.

      I’d say that the retouching of images is more so “crushing women’s self-esteem” than the women in the pictures.

      PS Jenny Masche has her own reality TV show now.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Johanna

        I would agree about the retouching of images – if we are looking at computer fixed images, then that definitely is an unrealistic thing to aspire to. But the candid snaps of Helen Mirren weren’t retouched – and she hasn’t had a child, so hers isn’t a post-baby body, but there is an another article on post-baby bodies here that touches on that kettle of fish…

        I think it’s a fact of life that some women will have little ‘aprons’ (that’s what my Mum calls hers!), stretch marks, scars and sag – my Mum has a stomach like a road map that is her badge of honour for having four kids. Othersare lucky to have that type of skin that just snaps back – but it’s just a trick of fate that you were born to people with more elasticity in their skin.

        My comment was mainly directed to the nasty commenters below who blasted celebrities as narcissistic, vapid or irrelevant for having good bodies. I know many middle aged women who exercise regularly, look good in ‘younger’ clothes and have ‘good’ bodies. I just can’t deal with the excuse that exercise is somehow easier for a celebrity, as if they can pay for someone else to do it for them – yes, exercise could potentially be more fun if you could have a personal trainer, but anybody who owns a pair of trainers is capable of going for a walk or run.

        I just feel like it’s a dumb excuse to say that these celebrities are poor role models. They look fabulous, but women we run into in our everyday lives look fabulous too. Every woman is ‘real’.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  8. kathrynoncoast

    This is my first post, although I visit the site each day. I’m jumping in here because I’m 50, menopausal and hell I still have my belly button pierced, wear boots, trainers, longish hair (sometimes in a ponytail) etc etc. There no way I’m ready to shop in Millers, but I know a few women in their 30′s who do! I ask my 25 yo Daughter for advice like ‘is this too young for me’ – because I would hate to look like an old bat trying to pass for 20! But you know, honestly, I’m not ready to start being old yet – life passes by so quickly and before you know it 50 is looming. It’s just a number but society and unfortunately we women put so much pressure on ourselves and each other. We all know how retouched the photos of famous people, it makes ordinary women feel like crap to be compared to them.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • deeofadelaide

      I thought you were my mum for a minute there! LOL

      I’m the 30 year old who shops at Millers.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  9. Maddie

    The women in that gallery (most of them) have achieved things with their physical appearance that regular people simply cannot do, or cannot afford to do. They can get away with wearing anything if they’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars on physical perfection.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Maeve

      Absolutely! I agree. PLUS, it’s their job to maintain their looks. Otherwise, they won’t get paid. Certainly isn’t the case for us mere mortals.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  10. quiet observer

    Like some others have said, I find it strange that Mia is using pictures of celebrities [who don't look their age] to illustrate the point. While I agree re wearing what you like if it suits you – the use of those photos is just another message to the ‘average’ woman that she doesn’t measure up if she doesn’t look like the celebrities. Sometimes I find that there are some really mixed messages on this website.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Kathy W

      Yep agree! I the same age as Elle but don’t look like THAT!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  11. Francesca

    This is so Australian. Authors clearly didn’t ask any Europeans because if they had they’d find out that they’d rather go topless. Well well well over 50 as well.

    Heels as well? What nonsense. My Mum wears heels every day and looks fabulous.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      Diet Chef is a UK company.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  12. SB1

    Like a few other comments, I hate these cutoff years for what you should and shouldn’t wear! If you want to wear it and you feel good, just do it. My mum is in her sixties, has had 4 kids and rocks a bikini every summer including going topless sometimes! She looks amazing! My parents look freakishly younger than their biological ages and it’s just down to good genes, good food and a healthy lifestyle. My sister and I look much younger than our ages and are always getting shocked comments how good we look for our ages. I’m in my mid 30s and I gotta say, I’ve lost count seeing women my own age dress dress like some old biddy. I worry the most when I see age inappropriate dressing by the young ‘uns and I turn into such a nanna worrying abt their jeggings. I saw a recent ad on the back of a bus for jeggings for a young demographic storechain and dry barged into my mouth. Very young girl in jeggings, topless with long hair covering her boobs…it’s disgusting!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • whatahooha

      i was driving with 3 little girls in the car, and that ad was on the bus in front of us. I was worried about the image/message that sends to their impressionable minds… Miss 3 pipes us “Look! She’s in her rudey!!” and everyone dissolves into fits of giggles.
      Not so suave, now, are you Miss Topless Jeggings?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  13. Betsy Fuller

    I do not think it has to do with age. If you are fit and look good in a two piece. Then you should wear one. Not a skimpy string bikini. Some women like to have a tan stomach too.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  14. Pinky

    Hmmmmm…not a fan of the slide show…Demi Moore famously had her entire body ‘pruned’ and ‘pimped’ years ago…when the article was about ‘What to wear for what age’…it seems bizarre to me that half of the celebs here go to every extreme to look more ‘youthful’…with all kinds of surgical help…not so much help from clothing..confusing message I think…or is it just me?
    I’m not anti surgery…I’m just not loving particular celeb pics here…I’d rather see women like…Melissa Doyle, Johanna Griggs, Layne Beachley for the 30′s- 40′s age bracket.
    They are all gorgeous as well… but appear…more like the women I see everyday :)

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  15. nooglejoogle

    While the examples you provided of celebrities +40 look bloody fantastic, I think your argument that these women look great in bikinis/knee high boots etc, would have been more realistic if they were everyday women. Elle, Helen etc, pay who knows how much for personal trainers, creams, makeup artists etc… these are famous actress/supermodel etc… yes they look great. Wear what you want if u look good in it, despite the age. But geez, of course elle mcpherson & co look good..otherwise the photo would’ve never been taken! where are the photos of real women that we can relate to?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • nooglejoogle

      And, I’m going to go out on a limb, but if you had provided normal women with NORMAL bodies, and not ex supermodels and gorgeous actresses..then perhaps the story would be somewhat different. It comes across as “yes, you can wear a bikini @ 47, but only if you have a flawless body!!” My god the pressure. And that pic of Elle… she looks like she could be in her early 20s! Do you seriously think everyday women could, and should, aspire to that?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Tracey

      Totally what I was thinking as I looked at the photos. Nearly stopped after the first few but decided to check if maybe there were any non model bodies on display. Think you have done yourself a disservice and doesnt seem to be what MamaMia is all about.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  16. Gracie

    Well bollocks to whoever came up with those rules. I am 46, fit, toned, wear a bikini and short skirts and knee high boots etc, etc. Wear what you feel good in as long as you rock it with confidence and class. Many teenage girls shouldn’t leave the house with their cellulite ridden muffin tops exposed but no one makes rules for them. Helen Mirren looks fabulous in her bikini and all those who think otherwise should bugger off and take a good hard look at themselves in a mirror!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Lilliboo

      Oh how I so love this reply Gracie. I am 43, I wear boots, leggings, short skirts, it absolutely has everything to do with confidence and knowing what suits you best. I’m rockin’ being in my 40′s and have never felt so comfortable with myself, especially after having 3 children!! I feel this ageist society is so frustrating when individuals as Helen Mirren look amazing in a bikini…

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  17. Colleen

    yes, bollkocks I say too. Good on Helen, I am there with her. Let no-one tell me what is age suitable for me. I love shoes, clothes and fashion and you guys with your rules can go back to school – you won’t be telling me what to wear.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  18. stylingyou

    Women no longer need to dress a certain way dependent on their age. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Just make it a stylish flaunt!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  19. ladybird

    The one that bothered me the most was trainers (44)…is that basically saying that women older than 44 should not be exercising, or at last not wearing trainers while they do it??? Disappointing!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  20. joanie loves chachi

    I just really really wish Madonna would put on some damn clothes. Enough with the knickers already.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Flower

      IT just wouldn’t be Madonna without the knickers!!!! lol

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  21. Flower

    If you feel good in it wear it. So what if you don’t always get right. It’s really not that important. It effects no one else whatsoever.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  22. Anonymous

    Has Helen Mirrin had kids?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  23. Bradley

    Regardless of the garment…if you look good in it, then wear it. If you are kidding yourself that you look good in the garment…don’t wear it regardless of your age.

    I have seen plenty of sweet young things who should never leave the house in anything less than a boiler suit covered by a trenchcoat and many groovy grannies who look absolutely fantastic in the most revealing, and thought provoking designs.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  24. poss

    if i looked like helen mirrin at her age i wouldnt even bother wearing a bikini

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  25. Anonymous

    Is that really Helen Mirren? She looks AMAZING!!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  26. KateA

    I think the gallery is irrelevant because it’s all photoshopped, surgically ‘enhanced’ narcissistic celebs. God help anyone taking photos of themselves in front of the mirror at any age beyond 20!

    The survey is also rubbish – I’m not sure what shoes you are allowed to wear beyond mid life? Trainers and boots are out.. Slippers perhaps?

    That said though, it looks better to cover a little as you get older- not because you have to, but because it is more flattering. There are many classic, well cut styles that flatter everyone (not just oldies). Dressing like a teenager in your 40s looks a bit desperate, and as though you aren’t happy with who you are. It isnt attractive. Embrace age – you gain a presence and gravitus as you get older that a giggling teenager can never have. So why try and emulate them?

    And please, no matter your age, do not wear leggings as pants. Revolting!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Johanna

      Gosh, I’d hate to happen to be realy good at acting or modelling and get famous for it…. seems like it is permission for people who don’t even know you to make big assumptions about your personality (narcissistic?) and slag you off publicly.

      Or are you just upset because Helen Mirren looks better in a bikini than you?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • KateA

        Botox, cosmetic surgery, taking photos of yourself in a bikini in the mirror, posing in mens mags = narcissistic. These people aren’t role models.

        I’m jealous of australia’s female nobel prize winner – not a rich lady going for a swim. But nice of you to make assumptions about my appearance!

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Johanna

          Well, I figured a dose of your own medicine…

          By your standard, everyone is narcissistic. Everybody cares how they look to some degree, whether this is by having fake boobs and botox, or just plucking your eyebrows or wearing a bra.

          Pretty and smart aren’t mutually exclusive. Helen Mirren, Elle McPherson, Gwyneth Paltrow.. they could all be really nice, intelligent people, but you don’t know because you don’t know them. By the same token, Dr Elizabeth Blackburn looks as though she takes efforts with her appearance in the same ways we all do – shock horror! She could be incredibly intelligent AND care about the way she looks!

          You don’t have to be ugly or slovenly to be a role model or a good person, nor do you have to be vapid or irrelevant to look good. And at the end of the day, you being nasty about good-looking people doesn’t make you any smarter or prettier. It just makes you nasty.

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
          • KateA

            Thankyou for your delightful assertations, Johanna. I’ve obviously hit a nerve. You’ve accused me of looking terrible in swimwear and being a nasty person because i slandered your favourite celebs. One thing i don’t appreciate is hypocrisy.
            I dont see any point responding to your claims about narcissism as you will simply twist my words to suit your purposes; suffice to say there is a difference between being clean and well presented as compared to surgical/chemical manipulation. And whilst i may be nasty to the vapid Demi Moore, Elizabeth Blackburn would no doubt be disappointed that you compare her with the likes of playboy model extraordinaire, Jerry Hall. You don’t win nobel prizes by looking in the mirror. Have a nice day anyway – i’ll go and take some photos of myself in my bikini instead of seeing patients. That’s not narcissistic, after all ;)

            GD Star Rating
            loading...
            • Johanna

              They’re not favourite celebrities, I just realize that you can’t put women into groups and say that certain ones are deserving of being ripped apart for the way they look, whether they have had surgery or not.

              It’s obvious that this isn’t going to get anywhere, as you are incapable of seeing that attractiveness and intellect or valuableness are not mutually exclusive. Women have enough limiting labels and stereotypes inflicted on them without people like you creating stupid myths that women should be plain and unkempt in order to be respected. You don’t personally know Helen Mirren, do you? Neither do I. So we have no clue as to what sort of person she is. But she does happen to be an amazing actor. She can do that AND wear whatever she wants to the beach – that does not make her a bad person.

              If you can’t see that, then go and worship your poster of Dr Blackburn by all means, but spreading women-on-women hate and unhelpful stereotypes about what a valuable woman can and can’t look is just nasty.

              GD Star Rating
              loading...
    • Amandarose

      I love your comments Kate- your interesting and I agree with most of the things you say but do notnhave your articulation.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • KateA

        Thanks Amandarose – i like your comments too; especially when we disagree ;) !!

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  27. AnnaB

    Wear what you like, and if you like the feeling of the sun on your body then wear a bikini.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  28. rhianonwalls

    oh for goodness sake Mia, why do we go on about how good these women look?? I’m 51 and don’t look a day over 45! and thats with out diets, personal trainers, liposuction and plastic surgery or walk around looking photoshopped. No I personally don’t want to wear a bikini, but, when I wore a pretty dress (almost knee length) with leggings the other day someone made a comment about my “teenager clothes” go figure??
    I love your stories usually, when they are about reality you write so well!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  29. fee283

    the one thing i am strongly opposed to is leggings as pants – & it’s not larger [like me] or older women that wear them like this, it’s 13-17yo… all i want to do is buy them a jumper long enough to cover their butt – i am a 26yo nana!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  30. Alyssa KT

    Not sure about some of those choices of yours in the photo gallery – Liz Hurley barely looks human she’s been so airbrushed in that photo (#8) and Demi and Courtney Cox (and the rest!) have had so much surgery they may not be human anymore… Not sure how they’re dressed in these photos could be considered inappropriate for their ages though. Bad examples. Apart from Demi in a bikini – but only because she’s taking photos of herself in the mirror like a desperate teenager flirting on Facebook!

    The older ladies that you included (Judi and Sophia) ARE actually dressed their age. So what was your point again?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  31. Shelley

    Oh for heaven’s sake…I work in a gym where so many of the younger girls have heavy thighs and muffin tops and some 50 and 60 year olds are trim taut and terrific. I am lucky to have a flat belly at 56 and I have no qualms about wearing a bikini….or tights….or sheer blouses…..I am not sure what growing old gracefully means …..as long as I look good in what I wear (and my 26 and 28 year old kids reassure me I do)…then I will continue to wear fashion garments.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      I agree with you that plenty of older women look far better than many younger women. BUT I don’t think ten year olds should wear bikinis, and I don’t think 60 year olds should either. Clothes is not just fashion and what looks good, it’s a personal statement.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Flower

        Yes. It is their personal statement, not yours. It may not be your cup of tea but that doesn’t mean it is wrong.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Anonymous

          OK sure, but this whole thing is a debate on what is tasteful.
          I don’t actually care that a 50 year old wears a bikini, or that
          an obese woman wears bike pants, or that a twelve year old wears
          revealing tops, but I am going to make certain judgements on who I think they are, or who they’re trying to be. I can’t help it, we all do it.

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
    • Flower

      And so you should Shelley. I bet you look fit and fabulous in whatever you wear!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  32. Anonymous

    I will agree with one thing… belly-button piercings. I had mine done when I was a teen and I’m 21 now. But if kids come along, or I hit my late 30s – something says to me, that needs to go.The thought of it still there when I’m rocking a pregnant belly or am 40 is ick.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Lilliboo

      Please wait until you hit that age before making assumptions about what you’ll do in your 30′s or even at 40, your ignorance is quite profound.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  33. Groovy Baby Boomer

    Funny how we never see surveys like this for men. Wear what you like, when you like. If it makes you feel good, who cares what other people think.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Rose

      … other than the regular articles about men in budgie smugglers, and we all seem to have an opinion on that…

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  34. alice

    My mum is 51 and she still wears a bikini – and even (gasp) mini-skirts! She works out like a mad woman but, boy, I wish my 24-year-old legs looked half as good as hers.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  35. deeofadelaide

    I’m a fuddy duddy.

    I like everybody covered up. I have no idea why. I also hate patterns, long hair and a bunch of other things.

    As a general rule I keep these thoughts to myself. Even when my 60 year old mother wears opaque tights and boots and wool dresses that barely cover her privates…

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Johanna

      Haha! The mental image of your mother…

      But if that’s what she feels happiest wearing, more power to her.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  36. Cordeline

    I can’t scroll through any of the picture galleries on this site. Used to be able to but not this week! :-(

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Natalia

      Hey Cordeline, sorry to hear that! What browser are you using? xx

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  37. caro

    I heard that the pic of Helen Mirren was photoshopped. Hope it’s not, but big *sigh* if it is.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  38. lauren91

    If my body looks remotely like Helen Mirren’s when I’m 63, I’ll be wearing a bikini too! As long as you dress for your shape in cuts and colours that suit you, age shouldn’t really be a factor. That’s the beauty of clothes – you can accent what you like and hide the bad bits! This survey makes it seem like as soon as women hit 40 or 50 we should be stuck wearing trackies. Come on, it’s the 21st Century where 50 is the new 40 and 40 is the new 20! As a 20 year old, I’ve noticed in the media that growing old certainly isn’t what it once was and I was proud to know that when I get to 50 and 60 I won’thave to dress down and suddenly start feeling like an old woman. But, according to this survey, I was dreaming…
    Perhaps it would have been more productive to take a walk through some of the stores that sell kids’ clothes and survey whether or not shorts that could pass for underwear is really appropriate for young kids. If people are so worried about grown women wearing clothes suitable for teenagers, why do people assume it looks any better on a child? What sort of a mixed message is that? If kids are wearing it now, what do you think they’ll be wearing in 50 years time?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  39. Anon

    I’m more concerned about what children and young teens are wearing these days than what is considered too old.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  40. ED

    How about we all stop judging each other and just be inspired by the bravery and beauty of women who dress exactly as they want to?

    I dare everyone to tell a complete stranger they look great over the weekend, it’s a lot more satisfying than putting them down behind their backs!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anon 2

      What is brave about getting dressed?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Cordeline

        I’m pretty sure what ED means is that many people know they will be criticised for what they wear, so the ‘bravery’ is really them just saying ‘f… it, who cares what you all think’

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Rose

      When I see people (usually young teens) poured into tights with all their cellulite showing through, or in shorts/ minis which expose really fat thighs and muffin tops, I’m torn between admiration that they have such robust self-esteem that they are dressing to please themselves no matter how they might be judged, and wondering what on earth they were thinking when they got dressed like that!
      But that’s just me, I was bought up to dress to flatter myself, not to expose my flaws. If it looks crap, don’t wear it!

      Despite that, I wear things that apparently I shouldn’t, according to that (silly) list ;) . I’m 47 and I wear tights and leggings with short dresses, knee-high boots, and even a bikini, when I’m feeling thin! Perhaps its because I’ve always been able to do something about my weight (even thought its a struggle), but I can’t about my age!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  41. Faybian

    I think the fact that these are photos of rich celebrities that put in a huge effort to look good is unrepresentative of the average woman. Personally I don’t wear a bikini, but will wear a tankini and skinny legs, but no mini without tights or leggings. As you age certain parts of you droop like boobs, knees, arm triceps. So I look out for those parts of myself.
    Btw I think the photo of liz Hurley was ridiculously photoshopped.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  42. zazazo

    I think if you always dress to reflect your own style, and in cuts and styles that suit you, you will look great at any age. A 50 year old with a great figure, like my Mum, looks fantastic in skinny leg jeans and cropped jackets. A 25 year old of spoon shaped proportions, like myself, does not. Dress to your shape and feel comfortable in your own skin and you will always look beautiful!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  43. meerkath

    My late mother worse a bikini at 53 better than I did at any age. She wasn’t vain, but she was just a naturally beautiful woman, just like Helen Mirren. A’s long as you don’t look like mutton dressed as lamb lol, then wear what ever you like and what suits you I say!!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  44. Static

    my partner is in her 50s and wears a bikini and I reckon shes the most gorgeous thing on two legs,always will too.Me Ill wear speedos too and if it annoys anyone then so much the better

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  45. Cathy

    Did anyone see the picture today of Jane Fonda wearing a white dress in Cannes? Her bum seriously rivals Pippa Middletons! Jane’s awesome.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  46. elli

    Who are these fuddyduddies?! Wear what suits you, regardless of your age.

    I have no intention of getting my shoulderblade-length hair cut in ten years time, I don’t even need to dye it yet, and if I had a body like Helen Mirrren’s I would definitely wear a bikini.

    I remember a friend’s grandmother who was in her 70s wearing a pair of hot pink floral capri pants. I’m sure these would appear on this list if it were longer, but she looked fabulous.

    As for “no knee-high boots over 47″, I plan on wearing my new Doc-like ones long after that. With my new purple laces, so there!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  47. Mizzy

    Long hair and ponytails by 53 and 51? This survey is just ridiculous.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      I Know people in their twenties who consider themselves “too old for a ponytail”. Sigh….

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  48. Julie

    Dear The women who were surveyed, mind your own business and perhaps offer support to your sisters who constantly have had to fight for their right to do what they want, when they want. Don’t tell me what to wear at what age, geez in the 80′s I had to struggle and smash through the glass ceiling, now it’s the glass elevator. Wake up to yourselves women surveyed, if I want to wear 2 sequins and a feather, I will. Don’t you dare define me by my age, which is 46. I haven’t given up on me, dont you.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  49. Amanda

    Although I essentially agree with the concept of your story, the gallery of women shown are hardly the norm, most of them are significantly genetically blessed or have an intimate relationship with a cosmetic surgeon :) However I think if you hve the confidence to wear something and it makes you feel good go for it. Burn the rule book!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  50. Lillibet

    I’m 45 and regularly get mistaken for somebody much younger BECAUSE I wear those things. When somebody tells you to get in the box, tell them to f*** off.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...