I went to a friend’s 76-year old friend’s birthday party, karaoke machine included. We cheered, toasted and belted out our favorite songs (mine- Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark). As we winded down, the talk inevitably turned to our country’s disastrous current affairs. At that point I noticed I had lost an earring and the hunt began. A party goer held it up and asked if it really mattered how we looked at our age! She said she now wakes up, showers and throws on whatever is handy in the closet because “who is looking at an old lady?” Another woman piped in that the current affairs has her, at times, not caring how she looks. The buzz began. Some agreed. Some did not. I did not. I enjoy looking the best I can because it makes me feel good to shower, perfume, decide what blazer and boots to wear with my jeans. It is not about who is looking, but more the fact that I care how I look at 73 or 103! World events and all!
Looking My Best by Donna Robinson
January 15, 2021 by ElderChicks
16 Responses
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You look good you will feel better. And that’s even if casually dressed.
Right On Donna ! You are my kind of woman..Appearance makes me feel alive and strong. And besides, I am 73 years young and still have my heart set on finding love in my life !In fact I have my heart set to find him this year !Looking good, feeling good, life is far from over…
Well hello Donna, Do I agree with you! Not only do I coordinate my outfits but my underwear too. And that goes for my cooking for one. Right now I’m ladle spoon deep in crock pot of homemade split pea soup with the “tale” end of the roasted ham.
If you get as many catalogues as I, you might have noticed that at least half the pages are sleep/leisure wear and the rest is dullsville. Alas!
So to all of us who value ourselves, the following has not gone out of style…nail polish, fingers and toes, eye makeup, lipstick, earrings, scarves, bracelets, rings, belts, real shoes, not sneakers, wine and cheese before a prepared dinner, not boxed. No I’m not an old buddy dude as I am planning my vacation home on Mars.
I agree. Once we stop caring, it’s a long slippery slope-down and out. Don’t dress for others but for yourself. Dress your best and most of all, don’t forget to wear a smile, it can even be seen behind a mask
Karen, you go girl! My friend, 20 years younger than me, just found a fantastic man on a dating site. She talked with a lot of frogs, but 8 months later she met a wonderful man.
I believe that if you are looking for love so is someone else.
Keep us posted.
Goodness, how I admire you ladies! Having to remain isolated due to the virus, I find I am no longer that interested in dressing up and instead wear my favorite comfy jeans and tops. My dogs don’t seem to mind and since the only places I go are to the pet store, the vet and the grocery store, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal as long as I am neat and clean. I do wear my earrings, however, for zoom calls, so there is a still a hidden princess in me. Lol
Betty, I am a preschool teacher. Our private school has remained opened this year. We have been fortunate with our limited cases but we take extreme caution. Dressing in the morning makes me feel good when I step out the door, mask in all. On the weekends, total different dress code! The zoom with your earrings had me LOL. This pandemic just has not succeeded in removing that touch of Princess in us all!
Betty, just wanted to clarify. I too have remained isolated (with the exception of work). This Christmas it was the tree and me, BUT for my friend’s birthday celebration neither an earthquake, hurricane, or this pandemic would stop me. There are 4 of us that met during our cancer battles(6 years cancer free), and we made a pact that every year we would celebrate each others birthdays and we do, masks, 6 feet apart and thankful to be here…🌿🌻🌿
I agree with you Donna. I have heard so many comments about Zoom calls where people say, as long as you are dressed on top, that is all that matters. But for me, I put on makeup every day. Some days it may just be eyebrows and mascara (I am very blonde) but I don’t want to look in the mirror and see some tired person looking back at me. And I do coordinate what I wear.
I have worked from home for so many years, and learned early on that if you dress for work or dress your best, you feel better and you are more productive. That is what it is all about for me.
Totally agree. Dressing does make me too feel so much better and actually I am quite liking the fact that our masks, beside keeping us.protected, hides the wrinkles!!! 😊
I was walking home from shopping at a farmer’s market today in San Francisco when I was stopped by a woman asking if I lived in the neighborhood. I said I did, only a couple of streets down. “I love your jacket,” she said, “you look so put together.” She told me she worked in the field of diabetes prevention: I told her I’ve lived my life focusing on prevention. So, while her husband waited patiently in the car, she gave me her card and a book her organization published on diabetes prevention. I said I would get in touch. As the marketing jingle goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I’m always looking for San Francisco senior feature stories for SF Senior Beat. https://sfseniorbeat.com/
Do you have one? Please get in touch: janrobbins@sfseniorbeat.com.
ps. I always try to look my best – for me – but how it pays off!
Jan, that it totally did!! I was married in San Francisco in ’72. ‘Tis.a gorgeous city.
I will definitely check out SF BEAT.
Take care.
Donna 🌿🌻🌿
Thanks, Donna. Sadly, we’re looking shabby now – a lot more crime and homelessness than in times past.
Any women in Elder Chicks who live here and might be interested in being interviewed for a feature story for SF Senior Beat?
They can reach me at:
janrobbins@sfseniorbeat.com
Stay well.
Warm regards,
Jan
I am more interested in comfort than fashion but that is just my style and I don’t care about impressions good or bad. I know who I am and I like myself just the way I am.
Cori, I love your attitude!! I have never followed fashion trends and have always been a white in the winter person!! No one has ever dedicated what and how I wear it but me!!
Cori, YOU are your style and,.again, I love your attitude. 🌿🌻🌿
Donna
Donna even when I was just a young chippy and the fashion trend was to have designer’s name on jeans back pocket. I rebelled…the only name that goes on my ass is my name!!