Are You Growing Older or Bolder After 60?
Ladies, let me ask you a few questions today. How often do people comment to you, “You don’t look your age” after you tell them your age? Or do you prefer not to share your age because your age doesn’t define you as a woman over 60? Are you growing OLDER or BOLDER after 60?
Ways to Go Bolder after 60
While she’s figuring things out, Weishaus wanted to pass along three tips that she thinks can help 50+ women lead bolder lives:
Don’t be afraid to dream.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What do you want to accomplish?
- What do you want to create?
- What’s important to you at 60+ and how is it different than in previous years?
- What have you always longed to do?
Then go after it. Take a risk.
Talk about your age.
There’s a stereotype that you shouldn’t talk about your age when you’re over 50. Do it! We’re extraordinary. Why hide that?
We all age, but for women, it’s like a disease. We need to get rid of that whole concept.
I belong to a movement that wants to shatter the perception of women and age. I believe that age is just a number and I feel young and vibrant at the age of 66.
Do you enjoy being judged, evaluated, critiqued, desired, or dismissed based on a number?
The Age Perception of Growing Older
I was recently contacted by a casting director for a television show based on interior designers in the Atlanta area. I had a lovely conversation with the casting director and immediately told him I was 66 years old. It is a deal breaker being older than 45. Is that age discrimination? Yes, but every television casting director has asked me my age. I can’t lie about my age, because they also require a photo of my driver’s license.
Every year I get contacted by a casting director to be considered for a show they are working on and I’m tired of pretending age doesn’t matter. It does. My age immediately disqualifies me for consideration to be cast on the show even though I have 21 years of experience as an interior designer and run a very successful design firm, but television isn’t about qualifications, it’s about selling the show to viewers.
Have you ever seen anyone on HGTV or other reality-based interior design shows with designers over the age of 45? The biggest interior designer on television is Joanna Gaines and she is 45!
There are factors to consider when women reveal their age and why they don’t.
- By telling our age we are judged against that number and what we perceive in our mind what we should look like and be doing at that particular age. How we dress, how we look, how we act, and whether are we still viable in the workplace are all judged by a number.
- By not telling you our age, there is no perception of what we should look like, how we should dress, our careers, and our dating life after 40 are also protected.
Stylish at Any Age
Women should dress and express themselves at all ages. Why should only younger women look fabulous? Do we need affirmation that we certainly don’t look our age? Why do we as women struggle with aging?
I enjoy working with brands like Clara Sunwoo who designs stylish and chic outfits for midlife women. You have seen me wear their clothes in many posts because I always feel stylish. However, comfort is also another criteria when I am working with a clothing brand. I am wearing Crush Silk Knit – Half & Half Sleeve Top – Dreamy Floral-Blue with the Medium Knit – Straight Leg Pocket Pant in white for this post. The BOLD floral print is what got me thinking about writing a post about being BOLDER after 60.
We have a lot of work to do to shatter the age perception and allow women to embrace their age without judgment.
In the meantime, I will continue to wear what I like as BOLDLY as I want!
Don’t forget that as a brand ambassador for Clara Sunwoo, you can get 15 % off your purchase using my code: ROBIN10
Thank you for stopping by today!
Do you share your age with people or prefer not to?
I would love to know!
Hugs,
I love your age and bold style ❤️!
Thank you so much Rita!
Have a wonderful weekend!
As always, I love your posts, but this one in particular speaks LOUDLY to me! I struggle with growing older…the gravity that causes sagging in all the wrong places no matter how hard I work out. I believe in dressing bold, but I think it’s because I am trying to hide my tummy, my age, my imperfections, etc. I need to stop hiding and get bold because I love RIGHT WHERE I’M AT. Thanks for this amazing post. I love your “61” T-shirt that you wear with pride. And I sure hope to see you on TV breaking that age ceiling. It would be a celebration for all of us older women!
Thanks so much for linking up with us for the first Sunday Showcase! I am hoping the tv show works out – how will they know if they never try? We want to see mature, real, accomplished women on tv!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you Kellyann!
I appreciate your support but we will see if the producers go with an elder statesman!
Thank you for the link up party!
Hugs,
Robin
You are amazing, dear friend! I love your style and enthusiasm. I’m in the “number is irrelevant” camp I don’t believe age should be a part of any discussion-especially related to one’s competence, being suitable for jobs or personal style. Like you, I am living vibrantly and wearing exactly what I like. Looking forward to catching up soon💕💕💕💃💃💃
Nina,
I agree with you about the age number being irrelevant, but in some industries like television, youth sells, being over 50 doesn’t.
We shall see. I’m talking to the producers again tomorrow! Wish my 61 year old self good luck!
Hugs,
Robin
Hi Robin,
I think you look fabulous and so do all the other ladies. It is really sad that age is such a big deal here especially in certain industries like entertainment. I am 54 and I don’t have any problem telling my age. One of the reasons I started Jacket Society was because I was not hireable in the fashion industry as a designer any more…so it is the same problem in my industry. So I started my own company 🙂 I hope I can provide women, especially older women, beautiful clothes and jewelry just like Chicos.
Nora,
Wow that is amazing about you!
You are a stunning woman and I love your fashions!
Age should not disqualify the most talented women, but it seems it happens everywhere.
I am a fan of your clothing line.
Hugs,
Robin
I love your look, and your outfit with the shirt and jeans! You look modern and original, but with a wonderful touch of personal elegance.
Josep-Maria,
Thank you for your kind words today!
Regards,
Robin
You already know that a number does not define me! We’ve come so far, but still have so far to go in regard to ageism. Your television show is a perfect example. It’s utter nonsense…you are accomplished, professional, beautiful…the number is meaningless. I’m still not sure why producers and advertisers don’t get that they are missing out on a huge demographic. In any case, looking beautiful and fierce as always my friend!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Thank you Debbie, I appreciate your support.
Yes age doesn’t define who we are as vibrant women over 50, but we live in a youth obsessed society.
Television associate producers and casting directors are still very young men looking at a 61 year old interior designer who is probably their mother’s age.
I had a heart to heart to the casting director why age shouldn’t matter, but we shall see.
Hugs,
Robin
Very thought provoking article, Robin. I’ve already entered the HowBoldAreYou contest and proudly used my age of 68 Years Bold. I’ve no qualms about revealing my age even though I was taught that “A lady that will tell you her age, will tell you anything.” My husband is 11 years younger than me and most assume I am in my 50’s until I tell them differently, we have been married 20 years. Once I retired from a profession that required business attire, I began to fill my closets with Chico’s clothing. My Florida closets are 98% full of well-chosen Black Label/Chico’s clothing. I’m packing for a cruise and truthfully the suitcase will be all Chico’s garments & jewellry to match. I am prepared for the compliments to be bestowed, along with “Where did you get that?” My husband calls “Chico” my boyfriend when the boxes arrive and I smile and say “Yes, he always knows just what I want.” Congratulations on the BOLD campaign and fingers crossed for the TV show.
Dona,
I am so happy you entered the contest and good luck!
I also use a lot of my Chico’s clothes for trips because they travel so well and I can wear styles from seasons ago with their current collections.
I love your boyfriend, Chico’s. He seems to take very good care of you!
Hugs,
Robin
Hello Robin 🙋🏻♀️
I hope that you and wonderful family are well.
As always you look Great…
I enjoy shopping at Chico’s myself and also at Talbots and Ann Taylor and they have nice accessories (though I make my own jewelry).
I believe there’s too much emphasis on what women over forty should and shouldn’t wear. I wear what I like and feel comfortable in. I wear capris and off the shoulder blouses and skirts and dresses above the knees. I’m 45 and supposedly I shouldn’t be wearing any of this according to some people. Of course I don’t pay attention to negative comments. As long as we have a good attitude we should wear what we enjoy and feel good in and wear it with a great smile 😃
Thank you,Robin for sharing 🤗
Blessings always,
Raquel
Raquel,
I am so glad you wear what you enjoy and don’t follow the advice of young writers who think they know what women over 40 should or should not be wearing.
You keep doing what makes you happy!
Hugs,
Robin