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How Much Skin Should You Show After Age 40?
If you want to look hip, sexy, and keep up with the latest in style and beauty, visit FabulousAfter40.com. They send out daily fashion alerts and I always read them to see how far behind the times I am when it comes to fashion and glamour.
Thanks to the site I realize that shoes I have been saving for 60 years are back in style. Not only that, but those 60-yer old shoes that probably cost a hefty $30 are now going for $300 or more. Wow! Am I ever glad I'm a pack rat. That the shoes no longer fit doesn't matter. I have them in my possession. Know what I mean?
But on to the subject at hand.
Recently, the Glam Gals (that's what they call themselves) who run FabulousAfter40.com asked "How much skin should we show after 40?"
My immediate reaction was, Girlfriends, you don't need someone to tell you how much skin to show-- use your common sense!!
It appears there are two camps out there in the world when it comes to the question of skin exposure. The first says, "My body with all its wrinkles, fat and flab belongs to the world. I'm gonna show it off and if you don't like it, don't look." This camp is supported by a TV show that encourages out of shape women to love the way they look. I argue that those women would be better served if they were helped to get back into shape, but then, that's just me being crabby.
Then there is the other camp that says, "My body belongs to me. My fat, flab and wrinkles are mine and I'll expose as little skin as possible because I know I look better and more sexy covered up than I do uncovered." Yikes! Such prudery!
But back to the Glam Gals question. I decided to agitate a little so I emailed this burning question:
"Why the obsession with showing skin?"
I thought for sure I'd be quickly castigated by someone claiming the right to show as much skin as possible, regardless of age. But I was wrong. There was one reply (so far) and here it is:
"You're right. There is an obsession with showing skin in our culture.
The other day I took yet another top I had bought to the dressmakers to be hiked up a bit at the shoulders, because it was so low cut in the front.
I don't feel comfortable hanging out of my top at the grocery store or while picking up my kids from school. It's not sexy. It looks cheap.
My dressmaker told me I'm not alone, and that in the last couple of years she has never done so many alterations like this. Sure, some skin is attractive, but there's a point when too much cleavage, particularly in the daytime looks vulgar.
Sexy is an attitude not a neckline."
Isn't that great? Let's all say it together: Sexy is an attitude not a neckline.
Yaaay!!! My buttoned-up, puritanical, antediluvianism has been vindicated! If only by just by one other woman. What a triumph! But I gotta think there are more of us than the world suspects. But I could be wrong. :-)
Of course I am not wrong! I asked image expert Sandy Dumont, at http://www.theimagearchitect.com to weigh in on the subject. She said:
"Even if you have the best bod in town, it is never appropriate at any age to dress provocatively. According to Prof. Peter Glick, PhD., in a working environment, provocative dress gets you labeled a bimbo and will ruin your chance for promotion, etc. In her landmark book, "The Female Brain," Louann Brizendine, MD, says that even in festive after-hour business occasions, you can't dress provocatively.
So, as to how much skin to show. It depends on where that skin is. At the chest, tummy or thigh area, be conservative. If you have great legs, like Betty Ford, then you can wear your skirts above the knee by an inch - maybe two - even if you are 85!"
There you have it ladies. You can take it from crabby me or from an expert who really knows what it takes to dress for success.
About the Author Barbara Morris is a pharmacist, age management expert and author of the new book, "No More Little Old Ladies!" Check Out No More Little Old Ladies! website and sign up for Barbara's free content-rich monthly newsletter and receive a complimentary copy of "Thirteen Tested Tips for Fabulous Skin".
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