TGIF all!
On Tuesday I participated in Lane Bryant’s Twitter chat with their hashtag #AskLaneBryant. I tweeted “And while we’re uplifting younger PS women, don’t dis older women. We have style & want nice clothes too.” Often when the state of plus size (PS) fashion is brought up, women over 40 are automatically left out of the conversation. We are looked upon as lacking style and treated as some punchline. It doesn’t help when the PS offerings for older women are dreadful and depressing as hell! It erroneously perpetuates the myth that style dies once you hit 40. Thats is a load of crap! PS women over 40 are just as stylish and on trend as our younger sisters. We want clothing that reflects our REAL lives, not the lives designers think we live. The PS fashion industry has improved dramatically over the years and there are more options for us than ever before. There is room at the table for older women to be apart of the conversation. PS fashion should be for ALL of us, not just our younger sisters. While the PS community champions for body diversity in our society, we also need to do the same for older women to combat stigma surrounding aging in our community. Older PS women need to see stylish, mature women like themselves represented too. Just like our younger PS sisters, we too want to be acknowledged and seen as the beautiful women we are!
Have an awesome weekend!
Shirt: Old Navy (old, similar here and here)
Bustier: ASOS Curve (old)
Jeans: Eloquii (here)
Shoes: Nine West (old, similar here)
Totally! And something smart retailers would do well to grasp, we older women have money to spend, and we know the value of investing in quality, classic pieces. And once a customer, we’re more likely to stay loyal, unlike younger customers, who often require more marketing dollars to keep their attention. A good post. 🙂
Yes, at 50, I find it interesting how when I was in college all the PS clothing was matronly. I was happy to see when they started making “younger” PS clothes — but lately it seems very hard to find a decent, well-made jacket or suit for work that isn’t black– everything is casual or sparkly or wicked expensive. I’d like to see the full range of clothing in plus sizes (and more shoe widths, too!)
All right now! Great post – I appreciate you making mature women part of the style conversation!!! It’s so essential. It amazes how we are ignored in so many areas so your comments were right on time.
And the outfit is cute as hell!!!! Go ‘head Ms. G.!
SO APPRECIATE your post! Designers need to remember we are ‘not invisible women’ …we want to be seen in stylish clothes too! Many women are coming into their own after 40 & we want clothes to represent who we are TODAY…NOT how they thought we were yesterday. I want funky clothes not frumpy! THANKS for your part of getting the word out for us. Almost forgot …NICE PICS, like that pink top…keep smiling!
Even though I am not plus sized, I still enjoy your blog because I think you have great style. However, as a woman “of a certain age”, I appreciate today’s post. Fashion needs to respect the diversity in our society. We are all entitled to look and feel great!
LOVE this outfit! And like the others, I appreciate the “older woman” perspective. At 36, I feel stuck in the middle and I worry that the day is coming when my blog will no longer seem relevant. Thank you for proving otherwise!!!
I love it! The truth is, soon enough they will start turning 40 and they will be able to thank today’s 40 plus community for paving the way! You are awesome! Such an inspiration!