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Hi Ladies
HildaRuth from Brighton here
I really enjoy the comments in Life as it goes on and they often cause my mind to wander over all sorts so here goes with my latest set of wanderings.
None of us wants to be seen as ‘mutton dressed up as lamb’ but for us older gals dressing with feminine elegance is sometimes an issue. I wondered who might act as role models for elderly femininity, particularly amongst those who do not try to hide there age. Here’s the list I came up with:
Judi Dench – tough and adorable as M in Bond movies
Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple
Julia McKenzie also as Miss Marple
They all look the age of the character they are playing; yet they all look feminine, fashionable and elegant. Who would you choose as an elderly lady icon?
We recently debated the sexism of Chess pieces which led me to watch the Netflix serial The Queen’s Gambit. The central character is a wonderful young woman, beautiful, charismatic, wonderfully feminine, stylish in the extreme, obsessed with chess, very strong minded and independent and if I had dressed when I was young I would have wanted to look just like her! Pity bucket lists can’t involve time travel.
And finally in ordering some cosmetics on line for the first time ever I gave the name with my address as my femme name HildaRuth Beaumont. HildaRuth because they were my mother’s names and Beaumont in recognition of the Beaumont Society that provides wonderful support for the transgender community. It was such a thrill to receive a package addressed to HildaRuth! I was so pleased that I took a photo.
Well that’s the end of my wanderings. I do hope they have provided some diversion during this terrible pandemic lock down.
Love and hugs to all my sisters on CDH
HRxxx
Great post HildaRuth
We should dress our age but these days there are many that do not conform to the blue rinse stereotype (thankfully) . We have to be sensible. Certainly not Brighton!
Hugs
AverylHi HildaRuth
Something I will never be is a role model for older women….or sheep!!…I would let them down terribly!!!
I wear anything I like the look of, and definitely don’t dress my age, and if any one EVER sees me sporting a blue rinse, please shoot me …quickly…..and my motto is :-
The older dis grace grows…the more dis graceful she gets!!!!
Smiles, grace xx
Hi Grace
Thanks for your reply. I can see from your photos on CDH that you are a classy and outrageous dresser. I’m with you on blue rinses. I’m particularly fond of my platinum blonde wig. I’m keen to grow old disgracefully in terms of what I get up to but I wouldn’t want to look disgraceful if you get my drift. I’m striving for elegance!
HRxxThanks Hilda
Classy and outrageous….I will take that…..obviously, four inch pink heels, mini skirts and low cut tops are not my modus operandi when everyday shopping…..not this week anyway!!!!….
Smiles xx
[postquote quote=438961]
Me too Grace! YOLO-go for it. Think I can still rock a leopard print bodycon minidress💕❤️B
❤️B…..looking at your profile pic…I KNOW you can !!!….grace x
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HildaRuth
Whilst I understand the logic of the avoiding a mutton dressed as lamb approach it is not something I can personally encompass. Whilst I would not try to emulate the fashion trends of today’s young GGs my mind when choosing Rachel’s clothes is largely on the theme of the GG girls that attracted my attention in the 1860s / 70s and indeed what my wife was wearing when we met in the 1970s. Whilst Judi Dench would not be out of question as a form of role model I could not see my mind going in the direction of any of the interpretations of the Miss Marple character.
Just as well we are as different in how we want to see ourselves as the GGs are
Rachel One of my favourites is Jamie Lee Curtiss, she has let her self grow old, she hasn’t dyed her hair and no face lifts or any of that garbage, not like she needs it but she still has one hot body and screams femininity and the lady knows how to carry herself. Definitely someone I admire.
Well, I like lamb and even cook it well. I like chess, but don’t play well. Don’t know much about mutton. I’m sure I don’t dress age appropriate, but I do please myself, and I’m probably only off by a few years… or more, lol! I don’t let society tell me if I’m allowed to wear womens clothing, why should I let them tell me which womens clothing i can or can’t wear? As long as I feel good in it, I’m fine with it. I think i look good, and it’s all that really matters to me. On the other hand, you won’t see me at the beach in a bikini! Trust me, nobody wants to see that, including me.
Bridgette vS
We have here in Oz a club for older folk (as in >50) who like to ride motorcycles and socialise with others who do also.
Its called ‘the Ulysses Club’ and their motto is ‘Grow Old Disgracefully’.
Its a good motto and sounds like more fun than being reserved, prim and proper.
So IMHO, to hell with the labels and dress as you wish, and age-inappropriate dress and hemlines have to be more fun than the alternative.
Lovey subject and nice to meet you Hilda ! Always good to have a new British member!
I agree with the ageing process and maturing fashion sense, but tend to look into retro fashion for my self, however I am only too familiar with the use of the mirror and the calendar in the assessment of my presentation.
But looking at role models, look at the British acting Dames, such as Judie Dench, Maggie Smith, Dianna Rigg, Joanna Lumbly Helen Mirrian, Joan Collins, Penelope Keith Kristen Scott Thomas, and Julie Waters to name but a few …
But these should be a starting point – you may find it hard to be dressed to the 9’s every day like Joan Collins – but for the occasional night out it would be fun!
use these as a basis for your starting point and then develop your own style from there – you have a kaleidoscope of people to emulate on your doorstep by having a vantage point in a coffee shop on your high street, were a vast population of elegant and mature ladies parade up and down while shopping – watch and learn !
hope that helps
Dawn x
Hi Hilda
What a topic! A commentator just mentioned Dianna Rigg and Joanna Lumley in the same breath bless them! Twiggy is still with us (?) and many of her contemporaries… well into their seventies.
Joanna Lumley is a woman apart… her beauty has transcended her age and epitomises English beauty!I think… and shoot me down if you think I’m in the wrong but… age is just a number… I’m still six years old not sixty plus. I love my blonde hair and I dress accordingly. No old maids outfits for me… yet!
I will not criticise anyone for wishing to dress to their actual age but I tried that and my wife just laughed and said “WTF” or words to that effect.
I’m 64 and I have no idea what age I am emotionally or mentally. I dress according to my own dictates and not those of others (detractors or not). I have a feeling that some may feel if they dress ‘younger’ they will not be ‘clocked’ as CDs?
Some of those ladies look fabulous and would look even better if they would step out of female ‘drab’.If I suffer from foot in the mouth disease… well, I deserve what may come!
Love Polly
Dear Polly,
Thanks for responding. I think you are right about age being just a number. My experience of cross dressing is that I look younger and feel more ‘alive’ when dressed as HildaRuth than I ever did/do as David. When I’m dressed and go out whether for a meal or just for something more mundane like supermarket shopping I feel exhilerated. I’m in the process of building up a wardrobe for particular activities, domestic duties around the flat tunic & leggings or dungarees over a roll neck sweater, everyday shopping long skirt plus blouse and waist coat (under a warm coat when it’s cold), for relaxing in the evening I have two wonderful rope knitted roll necks and pantaloons, for good time going out a range of frocks and jackets. In the Sumemr I find T-shirts and culottes a great combo.
HildaRuth 💋
Well stated Steph as only a true Herts girl could do
AverylThat’s what I like to see….girls having a Wilde time!!!!
Oh, Hilda… I have inherited my mother’s hands and her love of fashion. A mixture of Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga and numerous other designers. Sadly, she was too small for me and my step-father (damn him) threw all her clothes out when she died. I was in Sweden at the time and couldn’t prevent him.
I did however, find one of her beautiful coats from the sixties and it actually fits rather well… I will post a public pic soon.Hugs Polly
Every time!!!!!
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