Somewhere between our thirties and fifties, we start hearing the chatter about “age-appropriateness.” You know, that little talk from other folk that says maybe you shouldn’t wear that skirt, or those high OZ boots, or that bold lipstick anymore.
But here’s what I’ve been thinking: who decided that style had an expiration date?
I’ve been in my fifties for a while now, and honestly, this is the most confident I’ve ever felt in my clothes, rather I dress up or not. As a Black woman who grew up loving fashion and cutting up clothes in my room for hours, thrifting, and making things by hand, I’ve seen trends come and go, but what never fades is the feeling of putting something on that makes you feel alive.
So, this isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us who’ve been told to not wear this or that, or to fade, or dress our age. Let’s talk about it.
Yeah, let’s talk about it!
Style vs. Age: Who Really Makes the Rules?
Somewhere along the line, somebody decided there was an age limit on style. That once you hit a certain number in life, you were supposed to tone it down, cover it up, and quickly move into “comfortable” clothing territory. And I get it our bodies change, our priorities shift but what if we never wanted to “tone it down” in the first place? #realtalk
Because let’s be real age might change our perspective, but it doesn’t erase our personality. At least, not for me.
As a 50-something Black woman, I’ve noticed how people start to assume your style should calm down with time. You’ll hear words like “appropriate,” “mature,” or “classic” tossed around like the only options we get to choose from. But what if that’s not your style vibes at all? What if, like me, you still love bold prints, chunky boots, and clothes that make a statement without saying a word?
The Style Rules No One Asked For
There’s this unspoken list of rules that shows up the older we get don’t wear short skirts, don’t show your arms, stay away from loud colors. But I can’t help but ask… who made those rules?
When I was younger, I thought getting older meant blending in because all the church ladies looked the same and dressed the same. If you grew up in the southern south as a baptist christian girl: You Know what I am saying. #istheTruth
Now, I realize that getting older just means I’ve earned the right to wear what the FUNK I want without needing a committee to approve it.
I’m not dressing to impress anyone anymore. I’m dressing to express who I am, and that’s something age can’t take away.
When Age Meets Style
Aging doesn’t take your style away, it just teaches you how to own it. Oh and honey that is a whole subject by itself.
In my twenties, I chased trends. I wanted to fit in, be noticed, look like “everybody else.” But now, in my fifties, I’m dressing for comfort and confidence. I care about how my clothes make me feel more than what anyone else thinks they look like.
And yes, my body changed. I don’t wear Daisy Dukes, and I’m not walking around in six-inch heels like I used to. But that doesn’t mean I’m out of style. It means I’ve adapted. I found new ways to layer, to accessorize, to mix funky grunge with comfort and make it my own. Not a copy cat version of the way others think.
That’s what aging has given me: freedom.
Style Isn’t About Youth: It’s About Energy
Have you ever noticed how people say “You look good for your age”? I’ve learned to take that as code for “I didn’t expect you to still have it.” But style isn’t about still having it, it’s about never losing it.
The truth is, style isn’t trapped in youth. It’s carried in how you show up, how you feel, and what you bring to a look. You can wear jeans and a tee, but if you add your favorite funky earrings, bold lipstick, or that denim bag that turns heads , that’s your personal style.
It’s not about trying to look young. It’s about showing that your sense of self is still alive and unbothered.
The Rebellion Against Age-Appropriateness
I don’t believe in “age-appropriateness.” I believe in me-appropriate.
That’s why I started Wear What The FUNK You Want because style doesn’t have an expiration date. We really do get to keep showing up in ripped denim, big jewelry, and thrifted pieces that make us smile.
I see my Funky Grunge Boutique and everything I create as a childhood nostalgia against playing small. It’s a reminder that we can age and still be bold, creative, and a little unpredictable.
Every ripped jean, funky bag, or crazy pair of shoes I wear says, “I’m still here, and I’m still me.”
Yes Too Aging Out Loud
Honestly, I think this is the era of aging out loud.
We don’t have to hide behind beige sweaters or soft pastels unless we want to. We can wear our age like we wear our favorite pair of jeans stretched, worn, and perfectly ours.
So, maybe the conversation isn’t really Style vs. Age.
Maybe it’s Style vs. Fear.
Because most of us aren’t afraid of getting older we’re afraid of being judged for still wanting to be seen.
But here’s the thing: we deserve to be seen.
In our bold colors, our thrifted finds, our handmade bags, and our unapologetic confidence.
Yes Let’s Talk About It
So, I’ll ask you: How has your style changed with age? Are you finding your groove, or still figuring out what feels like you?
Drop a comment below or tag your outfit with #WearWhatTheFunkYouWant so we can keep the conversation going. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that confidence never ages; it just gets bolder once we stop giving a FUNK what other people think or say. And that’s on every Funky thang!
Xo Tangie Bell
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