The Middle of Age

It came as quite a shock to me to hear my recently turned 40 friend referring to herself a middle aged, I am the “baby” of the group but i myself turn 40 in a years time and i hadn't quite thought what bracket leaving my 30s would push me into. Don't get me wrong, i don't want to turn back the clock (well physically maybe a little…) but i would want to be a teenager or in my 20s again for all the tea in China, all that angst, plus the internet makes everything so much more intense for young people, I'm happy with my wasted youth all captured on throw away cameras and photo boots in night clubs. So why my panic? I already watch Call the Midwife, stop at One glass of wine mid-week for fear of a “big-head” the following morning, I’m no young whipper snapper, but the stereo type about middle aged people freaks me out, I don't want to cut my long hair into a short style for a start and then the fashion, I don't believe fashion has an upper age limit, I like fashion that is fluid, unisex and diverse, so why should it be age-ist? 

It drives me bananas when its suggested than perhaps someone is “a little too old to be wearing that” Lets be honest its usually directed towards a woman, usually when said woman is wearing something revealing or kooky, mini skirts, dungarees, hot pants or anything baring their navel and its usually accompanied by a whole heap of unjustified sneery judgement. Men are not immune from this behaviour, it usually strikes when men choose not to exchange their cool trainers or sportswear for flat fronted slacks and sensible jumpers the minute they hit 50, Why would they? Its like changing your personality just because you have completed 50 laps around the sun. Some very famous women turn 40 this year, Beyonce & Sienna Miller among them, and I cant see either of them adhering to any dated stereotypes about how middle aged women should dress either, so I'm in very good company.