What If I Don't Want to Dress My Age?

I know fashion experts are trying to be helpful when they point out that women over 50 should invest in timeless classics or that by 60 women should have their style all figured out.

As I pore over magazine spreads that spell out precisely what the fashion editors think is age appropriate for your 40s, 50s and 60s, one thing pops in my mind: What if I don't want to dress my age?

I mean, much of the time I still don't even act my age (whatever that's supposed to mean.) I ride fast horses, prefer texting over talking on the phone and love to belt out Lady Gaga songs.

If I don't feel middle-aged, why should I have to follow some fashion editor's silly rules about what she deems age-appropriate fashion?

After all, I'm not ridiculous.  I'm not going to run around in middle age with my stomach hanging out or in ruffled miniskirts and knee socks. But if I want to wear leggings – which I've seen several sources cite as a no-no for over 40 – I'm going to wear leggings.

Same goes for things like crossbody bags, sequined tops and hot-looking shoes: if there's a trend I want to wear, I'm going to do it.

Over the summer, I admired my teenage niece's glitter Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow. It's nothing like the heavy eye shadows of my teenage years; these new formulas are sheer and luminous.  One day she did my makeup for me and used that amazing eye shadow. After years of wearing "age-appropriate" neutrals, I felt like a million bucks.

My niece convinced me that you're never too old for shimmer, although I will say that if you have crepe-y or wrinkled lids it might be harder to pull off (but you could still dot it under the brow for an accent.)

I bought myself the Showstoppers shimmer eye shadow and started using it on my similar-aged friends, trying to let them know that it's OK to still have fun with makeup.

Which brings me back to my big problem with the so-called rules of what you can and can't wear at a certain age: it takes all the fun out of fashion.

Let me de-bunk some popular myths about  age-appropriate fashion:

• No miniskirts over 35. I saw a 60-something celeb on TV the other day with outstanding legs. While I don't think a micromini would be appropriate (and it's not on 99% of the population at any age), an above-knee dress looked just fabulous. If you are over 40 and want to wear a miniskirt, pair it with opaque tights. And just about anyone can work a tunic dress/minidress  when worn with leggings underneath.
• No long hair over 40. Here's an outdated idea, but you'd be surprised how many women still listen to this old rule. The truth is that it's not length, but shape and color that can age you. I know plenty of middle-aged women who look gorgeous in longer hair. I happen to think that mid-lengths look aging — sort of soccer mom-ish — and that either short or long works best. But that's just my opinion.
• As we reach 50 we learn to buy less, but buy better. Sure, I've got lots more experience at shopping than a 20-year-old, but I still love to shop.  And even though I have more income than I did at 20, I also have more expenses.  Who are these imaginary 50-year-olds with the cash to plunk down on $5000 designer dresses? As for "buying better" there are only so many cashmere sweaters a girl can own. And I still love fast fashion as much as the next girl.

So does this mean I want to sample every trend, dress 30 years younger and go fashion crazy? Not at all. But it does mean that at this age I think I've earned a certain fashion latitude. If I don't feel like opting for neutral colors or boring classics, then I can thumb my nose at the experts and wear what I feel good in.