"Why do you sometimes dress like a women, then the next day a teenage boy?
Why don't you just pick one style and stick to it?!"
This interesting question was asked of me recently.
I MUST add at this point that this was said in good-humour, by someone without any malice.
They were genuinely curious, and trying to understand us complicated female creatures!
(Especially those of us who like to dress a little bit differently)
I took no offence to the question....but it did get me thinking about expectations.
Our expectations of ourselves.
AND... other people's expectations of us.
When we start to push 40 (or roll down the other side, gathering speed) some people may expect us to grown up, and start dressing like sensible women.
There is a MAJOR problem with this though.
No matter how old I am (or look) I never feel old, so these so-called grown up and sensible clothes leave me cold!
I'm not ready to grow up when it comes to fashion, and I'm certainly NOT ready to give up when it comes to my style choices.
In fact, I'm not ready to give up on anything!
- Give up on acting daft, laughing and being a bit silly? ...No thanks!
- Give up on taking risks and trying new things? Maybe later.... When I'm pushing up the daises!
- Give up on style, and having fun with fashion? Hahahaha... not any time soon.
- Give up on self expression, and pushing my own boundaries?...Erm? Not on your nelly!
Being over 40 is (for me) the perfect time to be silly, act the goat, take a few risks and have fun with life (including your fashion choices).
If not now then when?
What are you waiting for?
I think it was mostly because of the mixture of "joggers" and "proper shoes".
Someone else asked me....
"Why aren't you wearing those joggers with trainers.
(Laughing) "They're actually dress trousers."
"Oh...are they? They look like trackie bottoms."
"I know, cool eh?"
"Did you realise they looked like joggies?"
"Yes, I was there when I bought them you know!" (laughing again)
"BUT why are you wearing them with shoes (brogues)?"
"Because I like how they look together."
"Oh....Right....Okay then...Erm....I don't like it."
"That's okay, I'll not make you wear them!"
As you have probably guessed by now, I am VERY rarely offended..... in fact, I can't remember the last time I felt hurt by someone's opinion of me, or my style choices, so this conversation made me smile.... and inspired this post!
I really like the look of these trousers, and they are the only black trousers I own.
Do they even count as black trousers with this stripe?....I'm not sure.
However, they are as far as I am prepared to go down the black trouser road!
This look might not be for everyone, but they certainly float my boat.
I also really like the way they look with a crew neck jumper, and a leather jacket.
Simple.
Androgynous.
AND... how I want to look today!
Do you 'chop and change' when it comes to your fashion and style choices?
Or, do you have a specific style that you stick to?
Please let me know by leaving a comment.
I would love to hear your opinion on this!
JACKET: c/o Hidepark
SHOES: Aldo... these are so cool!
BAG: Barbour
JUMPER: Vintage Cashmere
TROUSERS: Next... similar.... these are lovely!
OVER TO YOU.....
I had a few technical issues last week so I am unable to feature my favourite post.
Apologies for that, but I promise to have a proper rummage around this week's posts!
Cheers to all of this, Sam! My fashion taste stretches the expanses of many so called genres! I dress the way I want based on how I feel EACH day. Some days I feel like a proper lady. Other days I feel a little bit rock and roll. Other days, I want to be Goth. And on others, a straight up preppy mom uniform is in order. Sometimes, I prefer classic. And other times, I like a little bit of edge and a whole lot of sass. And the only person who gets to decide is me and I am the only one who has to like what I am wearing! You look fabulously "you" in this outfit and that is exactly how you should look!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you so much Shelbee.
DeleteWe are lucky to be free to dress how we want on any given day. I'm with you when it comes to mixing it up and having fun! XXX
But we do dress like women! This is what women wear, and it's the other person's expectations (or idea of what women should look like) that are, to use a polite term, outdated. Just saying...
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...yes indeed Tiina! XXX
DeleteI find so much inspiration from your posts because I too don't want to look the same day after day. Looking predictable is to be avoided and I like the mixing of quirky with classic. Thank you for sharing your styling brilliance and for faking it!
ReplyDeleteRena
www.finewhateverblog.com
Thank you so much Rena! What a lovely comment. XXX
DeleteWhat a great question, and how refreshing that it was asked in good intentions!
ReplyDeleteOne of my answers is that my personality isn't one sided, so I don't want my clothing style to be either. It's quite fun to be open to new and different ways to dress, and it's only taken me 50 years to figure this out---ha ha!!
XOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
I didn't mind the question at all Jodie... it was said with a genuine curiosity.
DeleteAND made for a post inspiration too!
XXX
Very fun look and I love the hooded jacket! While I do admit I have a certain style I am drawn to and wear regularly, I also enjoy having fun and trying new looks on all the time, too. Have a wonderful week, Sam!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennie.
DeleteI love this cosy hood.... although it blew down a few times when I wore it again today. It's SO windy here!!
XXX
Well I think that someone without a specific style is far more interesting then someone who always wears the same old. I always love your colour combinations!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy.
DeleteIn my "Fantasy Style" life I would pull off minimalistic, clean and sharp lines with ease.
BUT.... even if I try it it always ends up with colour or pattern or both!
I'll stick to admiring other styles on other people :o)
XXX
Totally agree with you Samantha, I don't feel old, only in my body lol. thanks for the great read Hun. x Jacqui
ReplyDeletewww.mummabstylish.com
Thank you so much!
DeleteI'm still in my 20's.... in my head at least :oP
XXX
Hehe you KNOW my thoughts on this Samantha... I just hope people's attitudes are slowing changing and that we won't have to keep justifying the fact that we wear whatever we want for much longer!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to the question, "Why don't you just pick one style and stick to it?" I can think of many answers, but the best is surely "Who says I have to?!""
I love your casual style as much as your smart style... trackie bots and brogues are a winner in my book!!
C xx
Trackie bots....hahahaha...I love that!
DeleteXXX
You look cute as a button. The brogues are a particularly appealing choice - I'll be following your lead. I can't imagine always wearing the same style/color/pattern/fashion/whatever any more than I can imagine always eating the same food. There are so many fun choices of items and potential combinations. I just wish I had more than one lifetime to enjoy them all!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree Kathleen!
DeleteImagine going back to being 20 with all of the choices availible now.
When I was 20 I only had 2 pairs of shoes...my DM's and a pair of sandals. LOL!
XXX
I agree! I personally grew up being bullied, so that gave me a thick skin. I have learned along the way to embrace who I am and ignore the peanut gallery. As for your outfit, it's super cute and comfy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Gigi.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you have experienced bullying, I can empathise.... I'm glad to hear your experience has made you tougher, and able to face things head on without fear. We are resilient, resourceful and SO strong!
XXX
I do enjoy playing with my style but I am guilty of playing it quite safe much of the time! But you look great and I love that your style is just like your personality - fun!
ReplyDeleteSuzy xx
www.suzyturner.com & www.yogadocious.com
Thank you so much Suzy!
DeleteI'm a uber chic minimalist trapped in the body of a slightly haphazard colour lover :oP
XXX
I loved reading your post! I'm glad you're able to see the funny side of this situation. Well, I can only say that it's now more and more of us, "not-sensibly dressing women over 40" that eventually people will get used to it. By the way, I'm new here and I didn't even know about this link up thing. I think I'll add it to my blog too! There aren't many English-language posts yet but I'm working on translating the rest. (I live in Greece). Glad to have found your blog and I did add my latest (English) post! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Eleanna and Welcome!
DeleteThank you so much for popping by and leaving your comment and adding your link.
XXX
Oh my, this post was too fun to read. I don't dress anywhere near as creatively as you, and yet I still get these types of reactions. I think mine is a mix of because of where I live and my age. I just love your attitude!
ReplyDeleteIt's not you Amy.... age has nothing to do with it!
DeleteIt's definitely where you live/work.
Sometimes I wish I lived in a big city where no one bats an eyelid. :oP
XXX
Oh please tell us what 'act the goat' Means? That's a new One! Xx
ReplyDeleteHahahaha... "Acting the Goat" just means being silly, or behaving in an unpredictable and impulsive way.
DeleteXXX
Blinkin' heck Kathleen...I'm hearin' ya Hon. Who are these style police anyway! I've linked a similar post where I've ranted about those folk too. I love your thinking. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Mimi!
DeleteXXX
100% with you!
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh, as it's exactly the question I have asked myself on more than one occasion: "Why do you sometimes dress like a women, then the next day a teenage boy?
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you just pick one style and stick to it?!"
At work I tend to veer between androgynous with some feminine touches (often retro inspired), or nipped-in waists with full skirts and heels (very Dior 'New Look'), and confuse myself sometimes with why I don't have one 'signature' style! And then come the weekends spent relaxing with my husband, when I wear an oversized sweatshirt and jeans, and don't much care about how I look!
I think for me it's to do with having different personas (work, social, home, etc.), and what I want to project or express on any one day. And also because what's the point of style and fashion if it can't be fun, whimsical, individual, expressive and experimental?
I like unexpected combinations - such as your brogues and casual-look trousers - as I think they're a great way to show one's own unique style.
I managed to track down some very nice Adidas track pants last Spring at a thrift shop and I've combined them with lots of variations on top. For these pants I really thinkants the top that dictates the look. Love the oifit Samell
ReplyDeleteThese so-called "rules" don't just apply to over 40's, I think. I'm 31 and I get "Why" style comments too (except I used to get it more often, now most people just accept my 'eccentric' taste in fashion - which isn't even eccentric, really).
ReplyDeleteExample: when I was younger, I learned about the proportion rule, as in if you wear a fitting top, you have to match it with a looser bottom, and vice versa. Some people still hold on to this silly rule!
We can wear tracksuits with brogues now. We can wear skirts with sneakers now. We can wear babydoll tops with ripped jeans now.
I'll be honest, I'm one of those people who think WHATEVER goes AS LONG AS I don't look utterly ridiculous, but I choose whose opinion to trust when it comes to how I look. Most people who dare to comment are actually those who don't understand how style works, and are scared to stretch their style imagination. These are the people whose two cents on the way I dress are not even worth listening to!
You look adorable here, Samantha! Ahhh, can't say I don't totally envy your long legs. I only have one tracksuit pants but I've been on the search for a red side striped one. If I see you walking around in this garb and I didn't know you I'd be like "Wow she looks so cool I want to be friends with her!"
Never grow up, it's a trap! I don't have a set style either - why would I want to limit myself? I never know how I'm going to feel from one day to the next regards outfits, so I dress according to my mood. You have the right outlook, life's too short to not have fun!
ReplyDeleteEmma xxx
www.style-splash.com