'Fabulous Fashionistas'

How sad for your mother-in-law deeda

Actually appygran some people do choose to be an old lady sitting in a home with her mouth open - my mother in law for one! She embraced old age in her 40's, was pleased to give up any interest in fashion, sex or entertainment and just waited for people to do things for her. She complains about being stuck in a chair now but it's her own attitude that has put her there.

I don't give a toss what anyone thinks, which is obvious when you see me! I dress for my lifestyle, which is mainly walking in the Alps - not much elegance in my uniform of black trousers, white tee shirt, and walking boots, plus a fleece and cagoule when needed.
I didn't see the programme but I have looked at the photos. I don't think I would have worn such over-the-top clothes even in my glamour days, but if they feel comfortable in them, good luck to them. If they have always been flamboyant personalities, why should they change?

Clearly there aren't that many older women around like them or they wouldn't have made a tv programme about them.

The women actually made me feel a bit inadequate. I would like to be able to say"I don't give a toss what anyone thinks" and really mean it like they did.

I just watched it. The Baroness was the only one who seemed genuine. The others were all trying too hard. I guess the production people had something to do with that though.

I wouldn't want to see all that shrunken flesh wobbling around in real life. I think there is a lot to be said for being on the plump side actually. They did look amazingly old!

It was sad at the end when the presenter asked them if they thought a lot about death. Their answers said it all really.

Elegran, I thought that at first about squaredog's post, but then I looked back to the very beginning of the thread and saw what she meant!

janeainsworth I think an old woman could possibly get away with giving the V sign to a young man. An older man giving it to a woman, of any age, would be beyond the pale. That might be politically incorrect but, nonetheless, it's a fact.

Galen I might try that next time I'm having a pub lunch. If I'm brave enough.

I saw the programme last night on iplayer and it really was inspirational. These women are great. Most of all they love life. The clothes looked amazing but it wasn't just about the clothes it was about them. They looked great and had lived amazing lives and dealt with life,love and loss. I am in My fifties so just a youngster in comparison but it really inspired me and I will remember their words of wisdom and enthusiasm .

Appygran
"I wondered if the message was that we can all emulate the attitude of these women if we try. A short step to victim blaming?"

Spot on with your comment there.

Hope she said please and thank you.

I enjoyed the programme and found much to admire in the women. Mostly their individuality, their enthusiasm for life and their determination to express this through their very different and unique fashion styles.

However the programme left me feeling a little uneasy and left me a little perplexed. What was its purpose? I cannot quote accurately but one comment made by one of the women was that she would not choose to go into an old peoples home and sit with her mouth open with all the other residents. This is not a choice for many old people, stuff in life happens. Another comment was about being in pain in the morning but still doing her exercises. Lucky her not everyone is able to exercise through pain or even has the mobility. I wondered if the message was that we can all emulate the attitude of these women if we try. A short step to victim blaming?

On the other hand maybe it was just a celebration of what older women could be.

I like Jean trumpington, I've met her on a couple of occasions, she's quite a formidable character, when asked what she wanted to drink with lunch 'I'll have a large g and t with a half pint of beer chaser?'

I suspect squaredog has assumed that we are bound to have made ageist comments and has not bothered to read the rest of the thread.

Doesn't pop onto this forum very often, so has no idea what we are like.

Ok cat among the pigeons time......
I watched this last night and had rather mixed feelings.
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to admire.

The clothes? Not my style, though that's not a criticism, just a comment. I'm more an understated elegance type, like Bags. But Baroness Trumpington looked positively dowdy, to me. And why was she the only one referred to by her title? Why wasn't she called Wendy, or Beryl, or whatever her name is? I thought she was arrogant too - quite rude to the interviewer, famed for giving the V-sign to a younger male colleague, but how would we have felt if say Ming Campbell had given the V sign to a younger female colleague?

The fact that they were still working? Possibly, but I don't envy them that. It's possible to have a full and interesting life in retirement, I find.

Their physical fitness? Yes, I admired them for the self-discipline in maintaining that.

I admired their self-confidence.

I admired Bridget for her courage in trying to find work as a model, and could hardly bear the pathos when she was rejected each time, despite the admiring comments of those who had viewed her portfolio. The man who said old women in advertising was tokenism, and old people would never make it into mainstream fashion showed just how entrenched younger people's ideas about old people are.

I admired Jean for coping with the loss of her husband so courageously.

The fact that they had obviously all still got their marbles? Given that there is little evidence of anything one can do to prevent the onset of dementia, I think that this is their good fortune, rather than something to admire.

How would we have felt if the programme had shown Dementia sufferers going out and about wearing bizarre clothes? Rather differently I suspect, and that thought made me very sad.

Just someone attempting to stir us up, bags

People have expressed delight at seeing old women enjoying themselves. How is that ageist?

Please back up your assertion with evidence of ageism in "these posts", squaredog. Otherwise, we'l think you're talking bullshit.

Oh what an inspiration.......

Jean, etc I love you, ha!

(Blimey, I don't pop into this site too often, but from the negative comments.......which really SHOCK me, maybe I can see why......)

Channel 4 is to be congratulated, for showing us real people of a 'certain age'. TV can be SO ageist.......

Bit like some of these comments, I'm afraid.

I loved the programme. I was so pleased that Gillian Lynne is still so happy with her young man. Sometimes relationships like that really should work! Lovely to see people being so positive and enjoying themselves.

When I was at school our art mistress' mother used to pose for us. She always wore very gypsy like clothes with lots of scarves and beads, and I always wanted to look like her when I got old (I'll let you know when I do!)

I loved this programme. Have you seen the other documentaries that Sue Bourne has made? My Street was one of them. Weren't they wonderful the people in this programme?

They have a tremendous zest for life, bags xxx

I've just watched the first part of the programme on 4oD. Those women make you smile, don't they? Great characters!

Daphne has poise. I've a hat like Lady Trumpington...I wear it well-rammed down on a rainy day. Just sayin'

Tyke!