Attitude vs Cliché
The internet is saturated with outfits like this one: a pleated metallic skirt, a graphic tee, a leather jacket, a fringe bag, trainers… So, did I consciously decide to start the new year by turning into a cliché? Because, isn’t this outfit more or less what you see a million or so 20-something bloggers posting every day? Or am I trying to make some sort of a point?
There are a lot of fashion editors and bloggers out there telling middle-aged women what they should/should not wear, and there are also a lot of middle-aged bloggers defiantly declaring that age should have nothing to do with their clothing choices. I have zero interest in that particular debate. I save my anger and defiance for more important matters: what I wear (or don’t wear) is totally irrelevant in the big scheme of things. Yes, I really think so.
So, let’s make something clear…
No, I’m not ‘copying’ anyone. And no, I’m not trying to look younger than I am. And no, I’m not rebelling against any ‘style rules’ (whether real or imaginary).
Swap the skirt for jeans and this outfit is what I wear most days. So, in that sense the only item taking me out of my comfort zone is the pleated skirt. And in my eyes the skirt is a bit retro: after all, my (very stylish) mother used to wear a lot of pleated skirts… Everything else is perfectly in tune with my lifestyle, personality and age.
Generation X Bites Back…
Leather jackets, trainers and graphic T-shirts are probably standard items in the wardrobe of any Generation X woman. And why wouldn’t they be? We’ve been wearing them our entire lives.
After all, we’re the original anti-establishment, break-all-fashion-rules, rebel-without-a-cause generation. Mismatched flea market finds, combat boots, grunge and punk references, that’s our style legacy.
It’s the identikit 20-somethings who are copying us, minus the attitude to pull it off. I’m just reclaiming what was mine to begin with.
Outfit details:
skirt: Zara / leather jacket: Karen Millen (old) / top: Custo Barcelona /
bag: Lancel (old) / shoes: Nile (old) / sunglasses: Marc Jacobs
Let’s start 2017 with some attitude!
Tiina
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Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Coco et La Vie en Rose, Fashionably Employed,The Fabulous Journey, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Sheela Writes, Shelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots
OMG, what a coincidence — I just saw my friend Daphne wear the same clothes: graphic tee, metallic pleated skirt, trainers (we call them sneakers). You both look good. Her outfit: http://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com/2016/12/metallic-pleats.htmlI wish you a Happy New Year!
She looks fabulous. As do all the other women wearing this outfit, all over the internet…
Fantastic look! Love the skirt! Happy New Year dear Tiina!
Thanks, Nancy.
Much as I like your outfits, I think it's precisely your attitude what makes you stand out from the crowd, so well done! I look forward to another year of interesting, fun posts – and outfits. Happy 2017!
Thank you so much for your words. It makes me feel that what I do with this little blog of mine is worth it. And I will be coming back to your words here whenever I start doubting myself (yes, that happens, more often than I'd care to admit…). Muchas gracias!
I think you look bloody terrific. I really do, no flattery, just my honest opinion. I agree with you that the debate is of no interest. I don't care what people on the internet approve of or not. It is my reflection in the mirror (or rather the photo I took of the outfit) which is decisive. Again, this looks awesome on you.Greetje
Thank you, Greetje, I appreciate an honest opinion, and I'm flattered (even if it wasn't your intention to flatter). I think we should all just do whatever we think is best, and stop explaining, defending or apologising for it.
We are of the same mindset. I preach the mantra that style knows neither age nor body shape not because I'm interested in dissecting the topic but because I believe firmly in self love and in wearing what I want. If the latter falls into a specific category (or strains against), so be it 🙂 and to echo Greetje, you look bloody terrific. I don't wear pleated anything because on me, they add bulk, but I very much appreciate it on someone else. And that grunge tee shirt with those boots make you my spirit animal sister xoxo
Thanks, Sheela. Yes, we should wear whatever we like, whenever we like. I think style should be something that goes hand in hand with personality, that we take a person's style in clothes as a given, no more subject to value judgements than the colour of their eyes or the shape of their face. Styel is sort of an outward expression of personality, in a way. Yet, clothing is loaded with cultural connotations, and we all tend to 'read' other people's appearance filtered through our own cultural framework (I certainly do this…). It's just this defiant attitude towards 'age-appropriate' dressing that annoys me. Can't we just wear whatever the hell we want and leave it at that? If somebody has a problem with it, well, then, it's their problem…
Happy New Year, Tina! You look wonderful and very organic wearing your outfit (and your attitude)! Thank you for adding a bit of punk to MODISH MATRONS. 🙂
Thanks, Natalia! 'Organic', I love the way you put it. I often use that word, too, to describe something that looks 'right' (for the person, situation, weather etc).
Love your outfit and your outlook, Tiina! You dress how you like to, and you look fab. xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks, Patti. I've never understood why age should have any impact on the way I dress. Of course, style evolves with age, but so do many other things. It would be scary if our thoughts, or style, never changed…
I don't see this as a trendy outfit – I see it as a strong woman wearing stuff that makes her feel fantastic! The whole thing eclipses definitions of trendiness. For me wearing what I want is also a political act, a small way of saying I dress for myself in whatever I choose. It feels good.
Yes, I suppose you can see style as a political act. Especially if we consider the sustainability of our clothing choices… and when expressing our individuality through clothes, rather than going for the trendy uniform of the moment.
Well said Tiina , it always amuses me when items are considered the latest trend but everything comes around again, nothing is ever really new. That said this does look so good on you because you are yourself wearing what you like.
Thanks, Jill. Style evolves over time, of course. The way I see it, I have worn many, many versions of this type of an outfit over the years, and will be wearing similar outfits in the future, too. While the individual elements of the outfit change, the overall style remains the same.
Thanks for joining the Ageless Style linkup. Great outfit suggestion. Real streetstyle
Thanks, Nicole.
Much of fashion is about attitude, right? Love this! Especially with the silver pleated skirt. Looks great Tiina!Thanks for linking with turning heads tuesdayjess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Oh yes, absolutely! I think attitude is going to be my mantra this year, maybe my style should reflect that more.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style
LOVE the pleated skirt with the silver shine. And the purple shirt with it goes perfectly! :)www.sincerelymissj.com
You are looking fierce in this trendy combination! I really want that metallic pleated skirt. Thanks so much for linking up with Fabulous Friday, Tiina!