The women of Vibrant Nation are resolved to look and feel our best in 2010. It doesn’t take long, however, to realize that our members embrace not only a broader, but deeper definition of the role fashion and beauty have come to play in our lives.
I realized this early on, when I asked for a recommendation for a moisturizer and found myself instead engaged in a conversation about whether to accept or fight signs of aging. I still wanted the recommendation of a moisturizer, by the way—but appreciated the refreshing dimensionality and level of dialogue with peers I trusted. Trust me, this was not a conversation I was ever going to have with the girl wearing black lipstick behind the Lancome counter.
There is, in fact, a kind of ease and graciousness that has grown along with our membership, as we seamlessly segue between ballerina flats and the meaning of life. A great example of this is found in the conversation: “A good look for 2010″ initiated by KMC. If you think tension or dichotomy, you’ll get whiplash from following this thread. Think expanding to embrace the whole of what it means to be a vibrant woman 50+, and you’ll get a much better read on what it means to be in the VN zone.
The thread begins with Catharine and I talking about things like belt buckles and dress coats made of boiled wool. SeaWriter meets us with the revelation of her lifelong collection of Hermes scarves, then raises us one with her retention of a personal trainer “that takes a holistic approach to fitness and energy.”
Now Catharine is off of boiled wool and onto meditation, but it’s only a couple of comments later before we’re onto Olga’s “good underwear is a must.”
By the time we’ve made it through the first 13 comments or so, we’ve touched on finding love, losing weight and yes, the meaning of life.
Writes Matriarch: “I really feel women need to concentrate less on what society says we should look like, and love self enough to wear what we want.” And Olga (who if you recall last piped in about the importance of good underwear) replies: “It’s not about conforming to society’s expectations, but about saying, ‘I like myself enough to take care of my physical appearance as well as my inner self.’”
Wow! Think about it.
Then we’re off again, onto new hairdos and blending jeans with heels. See what I mean?
There was a time when I thought I would have to pick a team—care about my appearance or care about things “that really matter.” Not any more. The VN zone is large enough to embrace it all, as together, we create a new definition of fashion and beauty that includes everything we are and can be, including the paradox.
omg you nearly had me PMP again. sitting at my desk in my private office, giggling away to myself.
I forgot to mention on the looking good thread about SILKS Long Johns, for women. This bitter cold has me absolutely converted to ladies long johns. I have on a $700 suit, over my SILKS long johns I’ll have you know.
Thank God – literally – that I found this site. I am so excited and I want to read every single thread. I could cry with happiness and relief. I don’t know where to start.
This is so timely as i am looking for new clothes for the roles in my life as public speaker (look professional and modern from a stage) and as a consultant at a site all day (less dramatic) and for the times out dining and playing with friends where that fine line between over-dressed and under-dressed is often hard to achieve …especially as a former tomboy who still feels much like one
I am going to read all these links – what a fun way to get to know more members here. Thanks Carol
I’m with Olga. Moisturizer is not so much about fighting the signs of the natural aging process, as it is about keeping the skin on your face and body supple enough to keep from cracking in the cold weather. While I don’t exactly embrace my wrinkles, I do acknowlege them for the life they bear testimony to having been lived.
What wrinkles? Don’t you mean laugh lines and character? Thanks to all for your atta girls! We are a gorgeous bunch of spirits!
How I look is a huge part of how I feel. If I don’t look good I don’t feel good. Sorry but all the stuff about we shouldn’t worry about what society says we should look like just rolls off me. I wish I could get there but I can’t and know I never will. I love looking good and do a lot to maintain my looks. Always have and always will.
The phrase”, If you look good, you feel good”,is very true. I completely agree with Matriarch. We should,by the time we reach the 50+ stage of our lives, feel free to choose the wardrobe that suits our style rather than religiously following the trend of the day.
I think we should concentrate on lasting quality, good fit, ease of care and most important, comfort. A few reliable mix and match outfits with the aforementioned attributes will free up our time, money and mental energy for the more important aspects of our lives.
We never want to be an embarassment to our loved ones, friends or coworkers. So, it’s very important that we maintain a neat,clean and age appropriate appearance. When we’ve got that covered, our self confidence allows us to put ourselves aside long enough to experience the joy of spending precious time with them.
Now is our time to be our authentic best and enjoy life to it’s fullest.
I was very fortunate to have had a life-changing experience about society and fashion at a very young age. I grew up in the conservative, suburban 50′s. One day,walking to school, I saw a woman on the path I took walking towards me. She was “old” (I was just 10 or so) but incredibly hip! She wore a beret and turtleneck sweater…but the thing I remember most was her two dalmatians. What a fashion statement those two dogs made to me! I had this thought that it was possible to break free of society’s norms and have an original take on beauty. The othe day, walking my dog in the neighborhood, me wearing a beret and turtleneck, I had this uncanny feeling that aside from the breed and number of dogs, I had seen a glimpse of my own future possibilities that day so long ago.