Is there 'a cloak of invisibility' which overcomes women over the age of 50?

Yes I do feel invisible most of the time but luckily it was what I was looking forward to most about being over 60 ?

Helen Mitten has been photographed several times wearing a bikini on the beach and in the sea.

ayokunmil Why not? That must be a very British hang-up. Go on beaches round the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts of France and Spain and you will see that age is no limiter to wearing a bikini.

Would I wear a bikini? No, but the reason has nothing to do with age. I wore a bikini on a holiday when I was in my mid 20s and found them so restricting, not good for serious swimming or bending and stretching that I have never worn one since.

Hooray! No invisible women here

No not at all I got the best career change ever at 53 and embarked on a relationship with a man 8 years younger when I was around 50/51 ok I finished it 8 years later but that was my choice I don’t even feel invisible now in my 70 s although I often wish I was as I don’t like attention much

I doubt many 75 year olds would wear a bikini

I think some women get ignored because that is what they expect.

I do think this idea that a woman has to be attractive to get anywhere is also outdated, except in very limited circumstances. I am, and have always been fairly ordinary looking, as are the vast majority of women. I spent most of my career in engineering and related industries, so male dominated, but I think looks and gender were generally irrelevant in my job. Competence was what my colleagues and managers were looking for in everyone, male and female, not looks.

Understanding gives clarity to enable change.

Food for thought........When was the last time anyone saw a bikini clad 75year old woman in the papers???

Why is that, if we are all treated the same?

Just saying, is the underlying meaning of suggesting women are invisible past a certain age, connected to ones sexual appeal??

I don't think its weak for women to accept that society treats them differently at differing ages.

Well I do sometimes wonder when driving whether my car actually has an invisibility cloak.

Not a problem here.

Exactly eazybee, it is confidence not age which counts. I think a lot of women lose confidence over 50 rather than becoming 'invisible'.

I became invisible when I was in my twenties and tried to get served in a bar or restaurant; now, fifty years later I know how to assert myself if it is necessary. Usually it isn't.

Thanks for your replies and I am pleased to see that most of us are more confident as we mature!

@knickas, why are you judging yourself by your looks, when you obviously have so many talents? Gone or nearly gone are the days when tv programmes were hosted by men in mid to late middle age and co hosted by attractive young women young enough to be their granddaughters. Look at May and Merkel if you want role models, regardless of what you think of their politics. There are so many women in various spheres who are refusing to roll over, just because they are over 50 (and in their prime!). Yes, there is ageism, it is tolerated in a way that other forms of discrimination are not, but it is our duty to confront it, hold it up to the light, show how ridiculous it is, and smile!

mmmm knickas, you sound like a highly capable person and a great parent.

Maybe time to flaunt your assets a bit more!

I am 55 and I definitely feel invisiable, I was never a looker, but I made myself attractive. Now I am just wallpaper or furniture. I was pleased and proud when my daughters got a lot of attention in their teens, but was conscious even then that my time was over. As far a society was concerned I felt surplus to requirements. It isn't just about looks either, it is opinions and and respect. Women are often seen as a bit dotty, silly and as people to be patronised once they pass 50. So many posts and articles about parents of young adults having no clue about the modern world and social media. I have trained people in IT, am a wizz at MS office, use most forms of social media, but still people talk to me as if I may have trouble using my phone or turning on PC. It infuriates me. It doesn't help that I look 'mumsy', which in general I am happy with.

My sister (69) and I (75) travelled to Marseilles last week (by train). Including a three day hotel stay.

Throughout our 5 day (in total) trip, on and off trains, asking for information and assistance, in the hotel, restaurants, and on other public transport, I do not think there was a single occasion that we felt passed over, missed or patronised. We got the same excellent service, rapport with the bar, hotel and restaurant staff and equal service as everybody else round us was getting.

No cloak of invisibility at all. No standing out in a crowd either. Why is there always a certain air of virtue about saying you do not want to stand out in a crowd?

I think it means women over 50ish are invisible to good looking young men! Which of course most of us are if truth be told.

No,I don't feel invisible. I make sure I leave a lasting impression with my humour wherever I am. I just seem to get on with everyone, young and old.

Sometimes we are there’s no denying it. Was on self checkout at Tesco earlier and naturally there was an issue with an ‘unexpected item in basket area’ and the red light flashes for assistance. It was only a cabbage.

But no! It’s lunch time and all the young men are getting their ‘lunch deals’ and needing help too. Guess who gets ignored? Yes, the little old lady.

Eventually had to abandon my checkout point gather up my goodies and set myself up on another. That too didn’t recognise my cabbage, so abandoned that check out too and managed to clear everything through a third which was happy to accept my cabbage in good faith. As I carried my goods through the exit I had to laugh at the young girl assistants face as she tried to figure out why two of her checkout points were empty but flashing,

In what situation do you mean Dolcelatte? In shops/restaurants etc? More a general cloak of invisibility with age? Frankly I would not be worried by the cloak, I have never wanted to stand out in a crowd.

I am 75 and have yet to take on a cloak of invisibility. Like sodapop I am a confident assertive woman and like Jane10, I am getting annoyed with people constantly parroting this phrase.

The version that makes me laugh most is some over 50 celebrity with a full page spread in a newspaper discussing how she is invisible now she is over 50

Not happened to me.

Me too. I'm fact I get annoyed at hearing that women over 50 are invisible! Oh no we aren't!!

No, I'm a confident, assertive woman as well so I don't feel invisible. Sometimes like
Dolcelatte I get annoyed by ageist or misogynistic remarks.