Certain rules are not enforced by law but by judgments of others. One such expectation is that as you grow older, you must dress older. No one forces older women to dress like “old ladies”, but you rarely see one breaking the status quo. While shopping, I have overheard the same conversation several times of someone expressing interest in a piece of clothing but deciding they are too old for it. Originally, I thought this may be a generational difference in approaches to modesty. It could also be the result of different religious or societal expectations that differ between Gen Z and the older generations. But when I paid more attention to people’s interests in clothes, I noticed it was more about the attention that would be harbored in the outfit and the judgment that would most certainly follow and less about modesty.
I own a pair of bright red Steve Madden ballet flats that I wear almost daily. They are comfortable and low to the ground, but when someone older mentions how cute they are, they immediately follow up by saying that they could “never wear something like that”, even though they are versatile shoes that meet even the strictest modesty rules. These shoes were also a major social media trend that would have never reached their age group.
The older generations are not the target audience for most brands. The newer, trendier brands don’t see anyone over 40 as worthwhile to attract. Not to mention, there is a disparity in the availability of fashionable clothes for people whose porportions aren’t that of a 20 year old’s body. Even if someone older wanted to dress differently, it is more unlikely they, or anyone not a size 0-8, could find something their size that fits their ideal style.
This size disparity is not new; it has been around since the first fashion catalogs and continuously influences how fashion is perceived differently between body types and ages. Most reasons for the associated “Old people style” stem from comfort over everything and not wanting to spend money on unnecessary things. It is functional and has stood the test of time for versatility and practicality.
No one should be judged for dressing within the existing cultural conditions. However, if someone not 25 wants to express themselves with extravagant clothes, they should!
Creative Direction, Photography, and Words by Abigail Wornock
Photo Assist by Aaryn Cardenas and Urja Atre
Styling by Anna Jara and Noah Miller
Talent by Marie Aja-Hererra and Andrew Fionda