Am I too old/young to carry that bag?
- Thread starter snsaundersva
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I'm in my 30's and I find that I gravitate more to bags that are classic, rather than trendy so I guess that would make them more age appropriate. Having said that, with some certain exceptions, I don't really give my age a second thought when it comes to what I want to carry/do/wear.
I am 32 and I will not invest a lot of money in a bag which I can not also carry 20 + years from now. I think a true classic such as a Speedy or a Chanel Flap Bag can be carried at any age. But although I for example like the Alexander Wang Rocco / Rockie, I am not buying it because of its "youthful" and trendy spuds on the bottom. I can not see myself carrying that bag later on in my life. Instead, I bought a Speedy B 25 in Damier Ebene, same style bag, same price here in Germany, but it is timeless and ageless to me, so I will get much more use out of it!
I was at the outlet center a couple of weeks ago. There is a Dooney store there. I like some of their bags but I've come to associate them (at least the more popular styles) with very young women. I don't think I'd carry one unless if was very understated - not an obvious D&B.
There are some brands I carry that I see mostly girls half my age carrying but it really doesn't bother me. I definitely buy what I love and I only think about if I love it now, not "will I love it down the road." My taste in bags changes far too frequently to do that 
Yes... Just recently, I am contemplating the same question. I wrote down all the handbags I want to have in my collection and few of the "mini" bags have been bumped out of my list. Mainly because I don't see myself carrying those bag if I am in a certain age.
So far, I've not considered about the age-appropriate issue when it comes to buying bags. If I like it and also able to pay the amount, I buy it. There's no point in buying a bag you don't like, even if the style is more timeless and can last you more years of wear despite the age.
As an early fortyish (and genuinely looking forward to hitting 5-0), I think fondly of this poem, which for some silly reason never fails to cheer me up (meaning: wear what feels like yourself!):
"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple."
Jenny Joseph
I think the message is: age and gravitas aren´t always a match... so don´t take yourself (or others) too seriously. Make yourself smile, and they might just smile in turn!
That said, there are a few exceptions where goldies over fifty simply look stunning: croc, fur, and anything exotic or skin.
"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple."
Jenny Joseph
I think the message is: age and gravitas aren´t always a match... so don´t take yourself (or others) too seriously. Make yourself smile, and they might just smile in turn!
That said, there are a few exceptions where goldies over fifty simply look stunning: croc, fur, and anything exotic or skin.
I'm right behind you in age.
My fashion style tends to be casual along the lines of jeans. white tshirts, sweaters/blazers and I've always read women my age should never carry pink bags but since that it my favorite color, I've decided to break the rules and not worry about what others might think. I can say without a doubt that I'd never carry a Hello Kitty bag though! lol
Funny you should both mention pink bags, as I just invested in one! It's a Mulberry Small Willow, and I would ordinarily buy a bag like this in Taupe, or Oak, or perhaps even Red (one can never have too many red bags!). But last November I got it into my head that I simply had to add a "hot pink" bag to my collection. I looked at many pink bags, and decided that if I was going to pull it off, the bag style had to be classic. Thus, a Mulberry.
I think that as long as the rest of the outfit is age-appropriate (no miniskirts! no sleeveless tank tops!
) a pink bag is a nice pop of color... no matter one's age. (I'm 67.)Attachments
Funny you should both mention pink bags, as I just invested in one! It's a Mulberry Small Willow, and I would ordinarily buy a bag like this in Taupe, or Oak, or perhaps even Red (one can never have too many red bags!). But last November I got it into my head that I simply had to add a "hot pink" bag to my collection. I looked at many pink bags, and decided that if I was going to pull it off, the bag style had to be classic. Thus, a Mulberry.
I think that as long as the rest of the outfit is age-appropriate (no miniskirts! no sleeveless tank tops!
You look amazing with this bag! I smiled just by looking at your smile! Enjoy!
Funny you should both mention pink bags, as I just invested in one! It's a Mulberry Small Willow, and I would ordinarily buy a bag like this in Taupe, or Oak, or perhaps even Red (one can never have too many red bags!). But last November I got it into my head that I simply had to add a "hot pink" bag to my collection. I looked at many pink bags, and decided that if I was going to pull it off, the bag style had to be classic. Thus, a Mulberry.
I think that as long as the rest of the outfit is age-appropriate (no miniskirts! no sleeveless tank tops!
What a perfectly splendid bag, Elaine! That shade of pink is perfect for you. The same bag in Taupe or Oak wouldn't nearly compliment the twinkle in your eye or your mischievous smile as well as your Pink Willow!
