I’m sick of being forced to dress like an old woman

Walking into a shopping centre today is one of the surest ways to give myself a headache.

I avoid shopping centres like the plague, but when I’m in need of new clothes I find myself heading there and the regret sets in almost instantly.

When I was young, I loved getting dressed up and wearing bold, bright and sometimes outrageous clothes (it was the 70s after all!), but nowadays finding anything that looks halfway decent and doesn’t cost a fortune is near impossible.

It’s not like I’m looking for the same crazy things I used to wear, but it would be nice if the only options weren’t “ailing grandmother” and “daggy senior”!

I didn’t have have this problem when I was in my forties. Turning 50 was a real turning point though… Everything on the racks seems to be either aimed at 30 year olds or 80 years olds with no in-between.

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Being 60 is so different nowadays than what it used to be, but it seems like these so-called designers didn’t get the memo.

When my mother was 60 she dressed like an old lady (in my mind anyway), as did all my aunties and most older women I knew. They were winding down at that time in their lives and settling in to taking it easy, while I feel like I’m just ramping up.

Turning 60 isn’t the ‘death sentence’ it used to be. We’re not old biddies who spend their days playing bingo at the local RSL; where travelling, laughing, being active and some are still working, too!

Why should we have to dress like we’ve given up on life? Why should I be reduced to wearing another fleece zip up jacket from Millers for the rest of my life?

While there are definitely nice clothes out there, most of them are too expensive for my budget so I find myself having to shop at cheaper stores that often don’t offer much more than a basic top and stretchy pants – not that I don’t appreciate an elastic waistband these days…

What I wouldn’t give to be able to afford the fantastic clothes Helen Mirren, Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn get around in. While I definitely can’t boast to having the same figure as any of those ladies, I’d appreciate at least being able to try to pull of their styles!

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For me and most over 60s I know, it mostly comes down to Rockmans, Katies, Big W and Myer when they have a sale. I wouldn’t mind saving my pennies for something from Country Road or David Jones, but even if I had the money the options just aren’t there.

The styles aren’t suited to a 60-year-old woman’s body nine times out of 10, which means it’s back to Millers for me!

Maybe all of us over 60s should jump up and down a bit more to make these labels pay attention to us, but on the other hand who has the energy?!

All I’m saying is it would be nice if half of the fashion and clothing industry didn’t ignore us oldies!

Do you struggle to find clothes you like nowadays? Where do you shop?