Is Cher Too Old to Show This Much Skin?

An open letter to Cher

By: Cynthia Nellis

November 17, 2010

10 Comments

Source: Kevin Winter, Steve Granitz/Getty Images

Left, at the 2010 MTV awards, right at the premiere of the new Cher movie "Burlesque."

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Dear Cher,

You have no idea how much it pains me to write this. After all, I consider you one of my style mentors.

But I'm wondering if maybe, just maybe, it might be time to start thinking about wearing a few more clothes. You know, if you want to, and all.

It's not that you don't still have the body for baring it. You absolutely do. And it's not like you are old (64 is totally the new 40.)

It's just that you've always sort of been my hero. Even when I got bored with other gutsy icons, you were always there to show me what to do (Win an Oscar! Fight aging! Be your own person!)

And now that I'm thick in the middle of middle age, I struggle sometimes with what is, you know, age appropriate anymore. You're not exactly helping matters, either.

I know you recently made a big deal about still looking hot in a see-through bodysuit you wore 21 years ago. And that was quite an impressive feat. It's just that being middle-aged and wearing the same thing we wore 20 years ago isn't really an option for most of us.

What most of us – at least the women I know – are looking for are some examples of how to navigate the New 50 and 60. My friends and I are looking for older women to emulate, ones that encourage us to think beyond fanny packs and mom jeans. I just sort of always thought you'd be the one.

I still have a glimmer of hope that your everyday persona – the one I've seen in your "off-duty" pics – in cool jeans, multi-wrapped scarves, and sexy leopard print pencil skirts – will overtake your still-living-in-the-past, see-through, cut-to-there all-black ensembles that you seem to favor for your public image.

I know modesty on stage was never really your strong suit. And I know it must be hard to be an aging icon. But wearing exactly the same thing we wore 20 years ago seems a little dated. I was sort of counting on you to show us a new way to dress sexy and hot, but still look like a grown up.

Yours truly,

Cindi N.

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Anonymous | Oct 10, 2011

Dear Cindi N. I think you need to look outside the box. Don't leave it up to Cher to teach you how to dress. I'm a 32 single mother of three, if I had a body like Cher I would flaunt it every chance I got. It is not up to her what you wear, you are an adult so you should be able to find appropriate clothing for you. I just wear what I feel comfortable in with my body & whats in style. If you look for someone else to choose for you or set your trend, then you will never be an individual, you will always be a minority. I think Cher totally rocked it 20 years ago & she still rocks it today. If she has taken care of herself to be able to wear today what she wore then, then I say let her rock it as long a she can! sincerley, Kim M.

Anonymous | Sep 17, 2011

I have to add that when selecting clothing (trying to age with some dignity), I continue to keep in mind how it would effect my two now-thirty-something sons. While I agree it's my right to "let it all hang out" and "be myself", my pride is in being their mother and I'd never do anything to sacrifice that.

Anonymous | Sep 17, 2011

I don't think women should show too much skin whatever their age. Personally I challenge the belief that it's more disgusting or wrong for a woman over a certain age (35, 40?) to show a lot of skin as it is for a younger woman. The former presupposes that something is the matter with older women and their bodies that is disgusting and shameful. It also says that younger women are somehow obligated to always be flaunting themselves. A little modesty goes a long way. I don't think any woman should have boobs, legs, arms and belly on gratuitously on display unless she is on stage or at the beach. And even then it should be her choice, whatever her age. I think Cher is fine. She's an artist, an entertainer and she looks good. No, she doesn't look 25 but that's no reason she should HAVE to cover up. That's just ridiculous reasoning. If I looked as good as her I would be proud to strategically show off whatever body parts I chose. Leave her alone.

MissDiamondPearl | Jul 28, 2011

I don't see why we shouldn't wear what we want no matter of age? I have friends of all ages and genders who aren't afraid of showing who they are and what they feel like inside. So, if at 50 you still feel like the goth punk you were in your 20's why shouldn't you be allowed to show that still? Of course, there are clothes and ways of wearing clothing that won't suit your body any longer, but why stagnate? If you want to be a grey mouse, be a grey mouse, and if you want to be a peacock, be a peacock! Just as long as you stay true to yourself and be the best YOU you can!

lizzieb | Dec 4, 2010

I say wear what looks good on you. If you're not sure, take someone with you that you know will give you an honest opinion. I have one girlfriend that isn't afraid to hurt my feelings and I love her. I also feel if I have to ask if something looks okay it probably isn't suitable.

Anonymous | Nov 29, 2010

LADIES, Think Katharine Hepburn, Marlena Dietrich etc( Sorry if I spelled anything wrong) I am 54 and a little overweight so I ordered Fitted slacks a nice blouse tucked in and black and white wing tips with a nice blazer. I look great and feel more like myself in a very classy way...

karenofbethany | Nov 23, 2010

I agree one thousand percent. Cher is so beautiful and has such an outrageously candid and attractive, engaging personality she doesn't NEED showy clothes. In my opinion, the body-baring outfits are distracting and kind of leave an impression one can't take her seriously, when CHER, WE KNOW YOU ARE A WISE WOMAN If she wants to go sexy, I think she'd be beautiful in a Sharon Stone type outfit: maybe leather-look leggings, a man's shirt and maybe some red boots. I'd love to see her with her hair up and just a bit of bed-head, maybe a scarf either wound through her hair or loose around her neck not covering her clearage. After all, she has that sultry gypsy look. On a tv show, clingly, flowy fabrics with ONE statement like a high slit, for example. She has to make her fans happy who love her crazy sexy stuff, but leave that on the stage.

Anonymous | Nov 18, 2010

I agree. I love Cher, always have. There was a time and place where I glowed when people would come up to me and say I looked like her. Funny, my mom looked even more like her...in her younger years. I am 47 now, and still don't know where I fit in. I feel and look a little younger, but I know I'm not. I don't want to look like a granny yet. I am with you that we need more role models in this area!

Anonymous | Sep 17, 2011

Be your own role model! Do what you want. They say women at this age are invisible anyway, so why not do what pleases you. You can't please everyone, that's for sure. I'm your age and I still dress the way I did at 27. Jeans, boots and blazers, big old earrings. As the styles change and I like what I see, I change the style of jeans, boots, blazers and earrings I wear. I never had a style crisis because I was never into short, tight, sparkly wild club styles that other young women seem to favor (and are marketed to them). It seems that its the women who are into that who have problems as they age.