Why, when alot of women get into their 40's...?

Question

They seem to choose to switch-off their femininity.. It's a shame.. I have seen a few women in their 40's and 50's look 25 from a short distance. It seems they have worked on it though.. they kept their hair long, they project a youthful attitude etc.
We live so few years..why "act your age"??

Answer 1

I feel qualified to answer this because I will be 40 in about 10 weeks. When people find out how old I am, they invariably are shocked and tell me I look 28. That I attribute to good genes, staying out of the sun, getting lots of sleep, and God's blessings.

As for hair, makeup and clothing, I dress appropriately for my age, but I pour over fashion magazines, as I always have, and I always look current. I don't wear camisoles or shorts or ulta low-rise jeans, but I do wear jeans with heels, funky jewelry and the "It" handbags. I have a hip hairstyle with highlights. I change my makeup every few months, if not every few days, but I don't wear a lot. I wear self-tanner too.

I have a youthful attitude because I'm happy. I've worked hard to make a good life for myself, and I have a great marriage, good friends, and I love my family. I take classes at our local college from time to time, and all my friends at school are 20 years old. We have a blast together. I find them so funny and cute, and they enjoy me too. We even go out together when we're not in class!

Life is what you make it, and like you said, we only live so many years. I would like to be the best person I can be while I am here, which to me not only includes doing volunteer work and being a good employee and a good friend and wife, it also means keeping my weight down and my looks up. I don't care how old you are, that is always in style and is always "acting your age."

Answer 2

I've been thinking about this same thing recently. I just turned thirty and became a teacher, and feel a lot of pressure to look..well, like a 30 year-old teacher. I've never been very trendy, but that pressure suddenly make me wanna dye my hair blue and purple and get my nose pierced. I really don't think my school or community would be very accepting of that. I don't even think they'd be OK with a moderately sexy look.

That's the way it is for a lot of women. There is this sort of push from society to be respectable and look the part. Those women who stay looking really young are often the butt of jokes (especially if they are trying to hard to look that way). I'm sure many of the jokes are made out of jealousy, but those petty comments we have heard for years are still in the back of our minds when we go to the hair salon or shop for new clothes.

I agree that it isn't right, and when I see women like Christie Brinkley who have managed to remain youthful gracefully, I admire them. Others, though, like Goldie Hawn, are the epitome of over-the-hill women who just seem to be trying way too hard.

Answer 3

I'm 46, and I appreciate your comment. I've noticed that sometimes women my age start to go crazy with the hair spray, and their short hair style just looks crunchy. It's hard when you get older, because you see your youthfulness disappear and it's kind of depressing.

It's funny what you said about some women my age looking younger from a short distance. I'm a teacher and last year one of my students told me, "You look like a teen-ager except you have those lines on your face." I just cracked up because it seem like saying, "You'd look young if you didn't look so old." So, you have to laugh sometimes at your looks slipping away, but it still kind of hurts.

But don't get me wrong I agree with what you said and I appreciate your sentiments. I think you are trying to tell us not to give up on appearance. Thanks, we need to be reminded sometimes.

Answer 4

I used to play the game of hair and make-up and current fashion just to project an image. I am 49 and have come to terms with the fact that who and what I am is the result of my work, my family, my career and the effects produced by each. The sum of my being is not whether I wear Lancome or Estee Lauder. I am just as productive in Levis as I was in a Gucci suit. I used to be superficial. I grew up and got over it. It is enough now to be happy and productive.

Answer 5

Not me baby! I don't think I look my age (I just turned 45) and I strive not to act like it. In fact, my mom died 10 years ago when she was 70. She would get together with other ladies with whom she graduated from nursing school in 1942. She would tell me that they were always impressed that she "never dressed like an old lady." At least that credit she gave to me. The only problem I have with the age is that I sure don't feel like I should be this old. Other than that, I'm young!

Answer 6

Most woman in their 40's and 50's are settled. They usually already have a mate. And the mate they have has changed along with them, and still sees the pretty girl he married.
They are more comfortable with just being themselves, and are usually more confident then they were in their 20's and 30's. They feel feminine inside. They don't need to prove their femininity to the world.

Answer 7

Why is it that men get into there 40's they seem to let themselves go? They allow the belly flab to remain, and just lower where their pants go. It's really to bad they could look so much younger.

I guess the 40's is the point when people decide if it's worth the effort !! Unfortunately women seem to have so much more to have to take care of themselves, it does get tiring after awhile.

Answer 8

Why is it that women are expected to look youthful all of their lives?
Men are allowed to grow old and are not expected to look youthful forever. Cary Grant , with his gray hair and facial age lines was considered sexy up until the day he died.
A female actress with gray hair and facial age lines is considered dowdy , frumpy and most definately unsexy.

Some of us "older" women, reach an age where we no longer feel we have to dress and act as we did in our twentys.
We wear comfortable cloths , comfortable shoes and are comfortable with our selves.

We have earned the right to do so.

Our values and attitudes of life change and we evolve as we travel down the road of life.
For those women who want to hang on to a certain look, fine, go for it.

For those of us who no longer bow to the pressure of Americas' idea of looking "youthful" thats fine also.

I agree that keeping healthy and fit is important, but, if I choose to wear 'Crocs' over heels, and jeans over dresses, and no make up, thats my right.

I take classes in things that interest me, I volunteer where I am needed in my community, I have raised my children to be good productive people in society.

I feel that I have an attractive mind, attitude and personality.
I have a lively interest in life around me.

I don't feel that I have to dress or look a certain way in order to be an attractive female to men, as that is no longer the driving force in my life today.

Answer 9

I plan to look like i'm in my 20's when i hit 40, so i'm working hard at it, I have a few years to go still

Answer 10

We do not switch off anything. Our bodies switch it off for us. When you go into menopause you lose a lot of the hormone that makes you femine. sorry it happens okay.
Men are the same way why do you guys when you turn 35 learn it is okay to have your belly over your pants and your beard never shaved or hair never cut. it is happening to you guys as well.