Yeah...It's All Relative, But Just What Is An Old Lady Bag????

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#46
I think the term that should perhaps be used might be 'generational', rather than 'old lady.' In looking back, I can see that some things belong to a certain generation ... because that's what was popular during the time of their youth. Interesting note: As I've cleared the 50 mark, it's very interesting to see 'what was old, young again'** - we keep bringing back the same, just re-working it and giving it a different name. Younger people don't know that, unless they've done their research. But who cares, you know? If it works, no matter what age or sensibility, that's what matters.

So that 'old lady bag' will come back to haunt us all, if it was popular 'during the day.'

As far as a generational 'look' - I have the image of a plain black handbag with a white kleenex sticking out of it stuck in my head. That's 'grandma', for me. LOL.

And no matter how well they advertise it - on the male side - Old Spice makes me think of my nasty old grandfather to this day. Glad I don't know any 'young' men who wear it.

**Can we please be done with the 70s already? Sheesh.
 
#47
indiaink said:
we keep bringing back the same, just re-working it and giving it a different name. Younger people don't know that, unless they've done their research. But who cares, you know? If it works, no matter what age or sensibility, that's what matters.

.
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LOL so true.... like leggings, knee high boots, boot cut and bell bottom jeans , clogs, are something new. What goes around eventually comes around again - just hold on to it long enough.:laugh:

In some cases, the bad stuff back than is still baaaad.;)
 
#50
How many times do we have to tell people that age does not matter when it comes to handbags? The same applies to many other fashion decisions. Last year in France I saw a really stylish-looking lady in a great sweater and leggings. She must have been around seventy but looked better-dressed than most of the people I saw that day!
 
#51
I totally agree DiorDeVille:))) I get the chills from most 80's inspired stuff and this is probably why to me old lady looking bags are typically those inspired by the 80's small crossbody bags for example of a certain 80's look lilke everyone wore back then while to me 50's retro kisslocks etc. are not old lady at all, not sure why, I should probably say distasteful and not old lady though but then I am sure some will disagree ROFL. I have long thin legs but would rather die than be caught wearing leggings:)))
 
#52
I feel as though it's ageist and sexist as well. I happen to know a lot of oldER (older. not old.) women who have fantastic taste in bags! And some younger ones who don't! I have been told the Hermes Birkin "looks like an old lady bag" however I disagree. I think it has a very classic style to it that is simple and understated. Not to mention just plain chic! Satchels and top handles do seem to be the target of this little phrase, and I happen to like those a lot. So I think it's all a matter of preference.
 
#53
diamonddigger12 said:
I feel as though it's ageist and sexist as well. I happen to know a lot of oldER (older. not old.) women who have fantastic taste in bags! And some younger ones who don't! I have been told the Hermes Birkin "looks like an old lady bag" however I disagree. I think it has a very classic style to it that is simple and understated. Not to mention just plain chic! Satchels and top handles do seem to be the target of this little phrase, and I happen to like those a lot. So I think it's all a matter of preference.
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I think it really just depends on who can carry the bag off. I've seen some AMAZING breath-taking bags that I just cannot envision on anyone, anywhere, any age, but my grandmother's age without the bag looking ridiculous, stiff and pretentious. Put it on someone with the gravitas and maturity to pull it off, though, and it will look INCREDIBLE. I don't see "old lady bag" as an insult at all, for that reason - although it's certainly not the most flattering way to express a sentiment.

Most of the bags that fall into that category, IMO, are some of the better made, more classic and long-lived styles, anyway.
 
#55
I think it is just used to refer to a bag that's very conservative. Of course, my mom usually carried a plain black leather shoulder bag, so I guess that's what I think of as "old lady" or "mom" bag.

I love most of the classic looks, and I also carry a lot of 1940s-50s vintage bags. I'm 35.

Just for the record, I'm not hot on the return of 80s fashions. :yucky:
 
#57
papertiger said:
The phrase is just awful, sexist and ageist and there is no excuse for ever using it in my opinion. When some one uses the phrase as in "is this too much of an 'old lady bag'?" they never mean in a good way. They could use the word 'stuffy' or 'conservative' just as easily. Old ladies are easy targets. I hear other phrases too like 'don't be such an 'old woman about it' meaning stop whining and so on.

It has nothing to do with reality, total cliché with no basis in fact. My mother has never liked framed bags wears bags that are bright, glamorous and casual whereas I love a smart vintage framed bag.

Young women using that phrase should watch out as one day it's going to come back and haunt them :D
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Yes, ITA. :yes:
 
#58
Personally, I really like styles from the late '70s and early '80s - so I guess I like stuff that was/is worn by stylish women, who would now be in their 60s to 80s?

What I don't like, so much, are the type of bags Margaret Thatcher always carries/carried (which weren't even stylish, or fashionable, at the time).
 
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#59
heather123 said:
How many times do we have to tell people that age does not matter when it comes to handbags? The same applies to many other fashion decisions. Last year in France I saw a really stylish-looking lady in a great sweater and leggings. She must have been around seventy but looked better-dressed than most of the people I saw that day!
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:tup:
 
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