Am I now the Mutton dressed up as lamb?

I got a shock a few months ago when Ms 24 (niece) accused me of not dressing for my age at a family BBQ.

Apparently my bright purple jacket and colour matched ankle boots looked ridiculously too colourful and why was I trying to draw attention to myself?

Was she joking? Nope! Seems I’d stepped out of the age conformity fashion line somehow.

I subconsciously put on a brave smile and second guessed my fashion choice until the birthday girl (cousin, 60) came up to me and complimented my boots and matching jacket.

This got me thinking. Is there any age limit or cut off point for just wearing what you want?

When I was younger, I used the ‘mutton dressed up as lamb’ comment to describe what I thought was inappropriate attire on older women. At the same time, I received pitying glances from those same women as I teetered around in too high, ill-fitting stiletto shoes.

I have a lot of retrospective respect for those women now, I couldn’t even stand in stilettos now, let alone wear them all day, or night!

But as I’ve grown older and wiser, my tastes and my wardrobe have taken on a more artistic focus.

Gingham with polka dots? Wonderful.

Stripes and florals? No problem.

Taboo colour palettes mixed together? Absolutely fine!

My footwear collection is mostly flat, or low heels now, with colour and maybe a bit of bling thrown in.

I’d like to think I dress for the occasion, not overly or underly stated but comfy and practical. I do like to add a touch of me. Those who know me also know my colourful shoes and patterned finger nails: my touch of individuality, especially so in a corporate drab office.

I live in Uggs and trackies in winter at home. In warmer months it’s yoga pants and T-shirts. Trainers are always on my feet, complete with (thank you stilettos) orthotics.

My boss once commented on my flat multicoloured shoes and how inappropriate they were. I was employed on merit wasn’t I? She didn’t win the fight.

There are some professions that I expect out-there uniqueness in dress. Hairdressers come to mind, tattoo artists, your hip cafe baristas.

I do not like bare-all shock factor clothing or lack there of. A couple of ‘celebrities’ come to mind in this category. But it’s their choice. However I wonder what they will choose to wear when their body parts start heading south?

On the other side, some professions rely on the corporate attire or smart business sense. Lawyers, real estate agents, accountants. Is this a demand of respect for the profession maybe?

I do note some younger surgeons tend to go the comfy clothing route now; maybe relying on smart casual to put their patients at ease. One of the doctors at work, 82 years young, is an exception, he still wears a three piece suit even in summer. Gotta love him!

For a few years now nurses in Australia have been wearing scrubs at one hospital I frequent they go all out on Crazy Fridays- zany coloured scrubs that brighten everyone’s day! Fabulous! And a darn sight easier to work in than the starched uniforms and caps of my mum’s nursing days.

I love that in Adelaide, we have casual Fridays, where most office workers in the CBD don jeans in place of their corporate fitted pants or skirts. I love it even more that many businesses ‘charge’ their employees a gold coin for charity on these days.

So, is there an age where we have to tone down our uniqueness? No. (Nearly!) anything goes in my book. Comfy, stylish, colourful, show your individuality.

Just be you.

-Bel

Editor’s Note

At GreyMatter, we see you. We see the colour in your wardrobe, the courage in your choices, and the quiet confidence it takes to walk into a room as yourself, no apologies, no disguises.

Bel’s reflection reminds us that style is not a number on a birthday cake. It’s an expression of self.

Trends fade, but authenticity never dates.

So wear the purple jacket. Match the boots. Clash the patterns if it makes your spirit sing. Because the truth is simple: the world doesn’t need another version of “acceptable.” It needs the one thing only you can bring—yourself. Everyone else is already taken.