SOMEWHERE BETWEEN “TOO YOUNG” AND “TOO OLD”

I caught myself doing something the other day that I swore I wasn't going to do anymore.

I picked up a piece of clothing I really liked and thought:

Am I too old to wear this?

There it was.

That ridiculous little question.

And I'm 63 years old, which means I should know better by now.

I don't remember exactly when women started getting all these imaginary fashion rules attached to birthdays, but apparently at some point we're supposed to receive a list.

No short skirts after this age.

No leather after that age.

Be careful with ripped jeans.

Don't wear anything too trendy.

And heaven forbid a woman over 60 wants to wear something a little edgy.

Who made these rules?

Because I'd like a word.

I've actually found that getting older has made me more interested in developing my own style, not less.

I know myself better now.

I know what I like.

I know what I don't like.

And perhaps most importantly, I know there are some things I simply don't care about anymore.

I don't need to dress younger.

I don't need to dress older.

I just want to dress like me.

That doesn't mean I'm going to wear everything I would have worn at 25.

Trust me, there are photographs that should probably remain safely tucked away.

And it doesn't mean every trend belongs in my closet.

Some trends come around and I think, Oh, that's cute.

Others come around and I think, I already survived that once.

That's one of the advantages of being 63.

You've lived long enough to watch fashion repeat itself.

Sometimes you're thrilled to see something come back.

Sometimes you're wondering why we didn't collectively agree to leave it in 1987.

But I think there's a big difference between saying, “That's not for me,” and saying, “I'm too old for that.”

One is personal style.

The other is letting a number make the decision for you.

I've watched women do this while shopping, too.

They'll pick something up.

They like it.

Then almost immediately they'll start talking themselves out of it.

I can't wear that.

That's for someone younger.

Where would I even wear it?

And sometimes they're right. Not everything works for everybody.

But sometimes I want to say:

Would you just try it on first?

Because the mirror gets a vote too.

Maybe the jeans you thought were too edgy look fantastic.

Maybe the color you've avoided for twenty years makes your face light up.

Maybe you put something on and immediately think, Oh. There I am.

Those are the clothes I like.

Not because they're age appropriate.

Not because they're trendy.

Not because somebody told us they're a “must-have.”

Because when you put them on, you feel like yourself.

Owning Edge & Ivory has probably made me a little braver about that.

I'm surrounded by clothes all the time now. I see things on hangers, on models, on customers and on myself.

And I've learned that you really cannot decide who should wear something based on age.

Style is much more interesting than that.

So I've made myself a new rule.

If I love something, I'm allowed to try it on.

That's it.

No checking my birth certificate first.

And if I put it on and decide it's not for me?

Back on the rack it goes.

But at least I made the decision.

Not my age.

I think I'll keep doing it that way.

Joanna

Edge & Ivory Boutique