Should your age determine your handbag style?

[KookyMeow]

i was just having this conversation w/my mother recently... asking her if at age 80 i could still wear little pink bags i have the theory that women in the higher age bracket (maybe 65+) who still dress very young-ish (think Betsey Johnson here) were in creative fields during their work years as opposed to just trying to recapture their youth. i happen to think women who are in extremely artistic/creative fields just cannot help but to dress a bit bizarre as they continue to age b/c it's entirely authentic to them.

I believe so too, think Iris Apfel!

Last week I saw a woman who was probably in her mid-40s, rocking a pink flouro bag (the style resembled an Alma), and her top with flouro
prints. I wouldn't carry the bag myself, but I admired the fact that she wore something she loved and looked proud of it.

 

[bobkat1991]

it has nothing to do with the h they are carrying, rather, it is the energy that they radiate.

perhaps if i may, i would suggest thinking about the energy level the bearer has when they are carrying their handbags?

lets face it, most of the time, i am flat - zero energy to radiate, and yes i admit i do carry h at those times to as a reminder of the nicer things in life. the people whom radiate energy are a sight to behold, with or without h.

These are some of the wisest words I've EVER read!

May I humbly add my own thought? Your aura is your best accessory - if you keep it in good shape!

 

[ladysarah]

Spot-on reading of recent trends and relevant repercussions

I believe this is also why a lot of the traditional handbags are 'updated' in colours that would have been unthinkable 20 and more years ago.

Excellent point PT - the only limit in age appropriateness is things like kitty cat bags and that sort of thing, though who knows. The right outfit can make anything work.

 

[Mousy]

I loving some of these posts. I appreciate the quotes and wisdom.
Yes, I too hit a milestone birthday. The big 5-0!
I still feel young at heart, I can pass for my early forties in the right lighting (smile), but have been told by other women certain bag styles are for the younger gals.
My mom is an artist (free spirit) and yet she still subscribes to the notion I should have one of those little old lady bags.
A SA at a local department store was very funny around the time of my birthday. I was looking at a marigold yellow/orange bag and she said, "Oh no, that's too bright for you." She handed me a walnut colored conservative bag. I happened to have on all charcoal grey that day and I put on the yellowish crossbody bag. The color popped, her eyes brightened and she said that it was the last style and color she would have ever tried on a gal my age, but she was impressed it looked good.
As some of you have said, it's attitude, energy, confidence, the wisdom to know what works and just the right color and style.

 

[Love Of My Life]

I loving some of these posts. I appreciate the quotes and wisdom.
Yes, I too hit a milestone birthday. The big 5-0!
I still feel young at heart, I can pass for my early forties in the right lighting (smile), but have been told by other women certain bag styles are for the younger gals.
My mom is an artist (free spirit) and yet she still subscribes to the notion I should have one of those little old lady bags.
A SA at a local department store was very funny around the time of my birthday. I was looking at a marigold yellow/orange bag and she said, "Oh no, that's too bright for you." She handed me a walnut colored conservative bag. I happened to have on all charcoal grey that day and I put on the yellowish crossbody bag. The color popped, her eyes brightened and she said that it was the last style and color she would have ever tried on a gal my age, but she was impressed it looked good.
As some of you have said, it's attitude, energy, confidence, the wisdom to know what works and just the right color and style.

Age is just a number. There are so many women who can rock so many
different style bags at any age including silver foxes.

Attitude, how you present yourself & your smile is what is timeless
& ageless..

 

[madisonmamaw]

These are some of the wisest words I've EVER read!

May I humbly add my own thought? Your aura is your best accessory - if you keep it in good shape!

thank you kat. =) you summed up my post with great grace!

 

[rainnebeauxday]

Great style is eternal, the most important thing is to pick your aesthetic and wear it with conviction! How comfortable you are in your skin, and clothes…and accessories…will determine how others perceive you, confidence goes a long way. I have heard a quote before that I liked, it goes something along the lines of, "A cool girl with any bag makes the bag cool", something like that. Basically, age be damed! Wear whichever bag fits "you".

 

[marbella8]

Thank you birkel and papertiger

papertiger, I think you really hit on something with the updated colors. They are also adding some trendier hardware as well. The latest thing seems to be using a bag strap that is of a color that you would not expect. I rather like this trend and it does take a traditional Kelly and make it a bit fresh looking. Many are currently resisting this idea and when Hermes came out with the Amazone multicolor strap, the majority of tPFERs were not thrilled with it. I loved it and had the minority position I believe that this is part of this trend and we know that Fendi has embraced this as well. Some of the Fendi straps have been showing up on the thread as well as those made by other companies. i say YAY to this! It shows less rigidity with the wearing of a classic brand and bag.

I completely agree. I used to think a Kelly was an older-lady bag, and I now think it is the best bag. However, sometimes I want to make my vintages especially a little funkier, so I am on the hunt for a strap that'll match all my Kellys and won't be too expensive! The fact that I want to add a lit spunk to my vintage-box Kellys has nothing to do with age, but my personal taste, as I am not young, but like some individuality and fun to how I dress, and I have been like that since I can remember

I think, like others have said on this thread, if you are comfortable with yourself and what you are wearing, that shows.