There’s something nostalgic about finding your groove in life especially when you hit your 50s and finally feel free to embrace who you are, weirdness and all. For me, that groove has come from doing what I love: creating, accessorizing, and sharing my funky, unapologetic style with the world. Hence my online business Funky Grunge Boutique
Now that I’m in my 50s, I can finally say it with my chest:
Real ageless style stands out, not in.
And honestly? It feels so good not trying to disappear anymore.
I’m not a personal stylist but I am a hairstylist, and I’ve been one legally for over three decades. That chair has been my classroom and over the years, I’ve heard so many stories from women who just want to feel good in their own skin, in their own clothes, and in their own life.
Most conversations start with hair, but they always drift into style and how to keep it up for work, or a night out, or just to feel good while walking through the grocery store. And even though no woman I’ve ever met wants to look like someone else, we do sometimes just want to belong. I’ve had clients bring in magazines and say, “Can you make me look like her?” #we listen and don't judge.
Dressing up, keeping your hair done, showing up “polished” it’s part of the seen and unseen rules we’ve learned to follow. No one really talks about it, but it's always there, shaping our choices.
But somewhere along the way, we were taught to tone it down with age to shrink our wardrobes, stick to neutrals, and choose “classic” over “creative.”
What if standing out is the whole point now? But not in the way you may think
At this stage of aging, we know ourselves better. We know what flatters us, what fuels us, and what makes us feel alive. That’s not a midlife crisis that’s a midlife awakening. We’re not trying to match someone else’s idea of beauty. We’re matching our insides with our outsides. That's the style.
That’s what I love most about accessorizing. It’s how I transform the everyday into something that feels like me. As a hairstylist, I live in the same five outfits most days because of hair dye stains, but accessories are my way to switch things up.
Funky rings, layered bracelets, and those odd handbags that make people stop and ask, “Where did you get that?” that’s where my personality shines.
And then there’s the creating part. Making handbags out of old denim or piecing together a stack of bracelets that are bold and a little offbeat brings me so much joy.
Every item I make is a little piece of me a celebration of the weird, the unconventional, and the unapologetically funky. Some might call my designs “ugly” (shoutout to the Ugly Denim Bag Collection!), but I’ve learned to take that as a compliment. Ugly is just another word for unique in my book.
Through my online boutique and my writing, I’ve found a way to share that joy with others. It’s not just about selling a bag, a dress, or a bracelet. It’s about inspiring other women to embrace their funk and wear their confidence , literally.
Life in your 50s should be fun and without apologies.
It should be about doing what you love, wearing what makes you happy, and ignoring anyone who tells you otherwise.
The happiness people see in me doesn’t come from following rules. It comes from living out loud and in my own truth, creating from the heart, and saying yes to the style that makes me feel most like me.
So here’s my reminder to you:
Real ageless style doesn’t hide. It stands out.
And we deserve to stand out every chance we get and that’s on every Funky thang!
Xo tangie
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