Gransnet forums

Chat

“What are grandmothers supposed to wear?”

(62 Posts)
Sarah74 Tue 18-Oct-22 19:16:41

I sometimes read posts by the American blogger, ‘The Accidental Icon’, and I thought this latest one about what older women might wear, was interesting -

www.accidentalicon.com/blog/2022/10/03/what-are-grandmothers-supposed-to-wear/

Our roles are fluid and change throughout our lives. Mothers, lovers, married or not, workers, professionals, caregivers, retired or unemployed sometimes it’s hard to remember that who we are inside is someone who transcends roles even though it may be hard to find her when the roles she plays become all-consuming. It seems in older life we get the gift of re-discovering the person we may have lost or found as our roles change, or we can become someone we never knew before

MissAdventure Wed 19-Oct-22 16:50:43

Oh, I meant to say, she is probably late 70s in age.

MissAdventure Wed 19-Oct-22 16:45:42

There is a woman around this area who is covered in tattoos and piercings.

All over her face, as well as what looks to be the rest of her. smile
I rather like it.

Callistemon21 Wed 19-Oct-22 16:00:09

Maggiemaybe

Kim19

How about black dress and full wrap around floral pinafore with black matronly button strap flat shoes?

I'm quite drawn to this, actually....

The pinny must have pockets, though. I'm with Glorianny when it comes to pockets.

Pockets are essential.
Just so you can watch a tissue slowly shredding in the washing machine.

Maggiemaybe Wed 19-Oct-22 15:40:04

I've changed into my new outfit. What do you think?

Maggiemaybe Wed 19-Oct-22 15:14:42

Kim19

How about black dress and full wrap around floral pinafore with black matronly button strap flat shoes?

I'm quite drawn to this, actually....

The pinny must have pockets, though. I'm with Glorianny when it comes to pockets.

Riverwalk Wed 19-Oct-22 14:42:13

I think most of us would avoid the stereotypical older woman's outfits, for example the one the late Queen wore at times, midi pleated skirt, pastel blouse, cardigan, and block-heeled court shoes with a stiff leather handbag.

At one time women in their 60s would have dressed like this.

Glorianny Wed 19-Oct-22 14:20:35

I want a wrap round pinny! Does anyone know if they are still available? They had if I remember rightly a very handy pocket at the front you could stuff all sorts into.
Actually that's my wardrobe must have just now-Pockets!. Dresses with pockets
Trousers with pockets
Jackets with pockets
Cardis with pockets.
If it ain't got pockets I'm not wearing it.
I wonder what sort of "role" that means I'm playing now.

Norah Wed 19-Oct-22 14:10:59

LadyHonoriaDedlock

Clothes. What else would they wear. Is somebody proposing a uniform?

Perhaps she doesn't want to feel constrained by what she thinks are prevalent notions of how GM should dress.

I certainly don't want to follow old sartorial advice. Nor do I dress at all as I perceive others think GM should.

I don't think GM is a role to fill, merely a tiny facet of life that for some comes far too young. I understand not wearing stereotype elderly clothing.

Callistemon21 Wed 19-Oct-22 13:11:20

Farzanah

According to what is known in psychology and neuroscience I think she describes what happens throughout life very well. The person who is “you” is constantly changing, although we think that our “inner person” is the same.

We're not constantly changing

Circumstances change, roles change but we are not defined by our roles, they are defined by us.

Witzend Wed 19-Oct-22 12:15:19

storynanny

Just read it. Sorry if I sound childish but her bag “ lambskin Fanny” made me giggle!
I try trying to smile when my American daughter in law refers to her Fanny pack!

I was once ? to read in a novel evidently carelessly ‘translated’ from the American, ‘He patted her fanny as he went past.’

storynanny Wed 19-Oct-22 11:23:01

Just read it. Sorry if I sound childish but her bag “ lambskin Fanny” made me giggle!
I try trying to smile when my American daughter in law refers to her Fanny pack!

LadyHonoriaDedlock Wed 19-Oct-22 11:16:16

Clothes. What else would they wear. Is somebody proposing a uniform?

Witzend Wed 19-Oct-22 10:49:41

fiorentina51

For those who might need a bit of sartorial advice, I offer you this.....

??
I just need one of those hats and some Norah Batty stockings!

Witzend Wed 19-Oct-22 10:45:01

It was decades ago now, but I once went with my mother on a Shearings coach tour to the Shetlands. She wasn’t a coach tour type at all, but had been deprived of a Scottish Island holiday because a friend had pulled out last minute, and she’d never have gone on her own.

It was actually brilliant, but my point is that before going, I’m afraid to say we joked that we’d need to kit ourselves out in floral summer frocks (it was in June) and white cardis, plus of course the curly perm.

paddyann54 Wed 19-Oct-22 10:18:02

I still wear things some might think too young ,my 13 year old GD reassued me by telling me "dont worry Granny I'LL tell you if what you've on isn't age appropriate"

I wait that day in fear...lol

Farzanah Wed 19-Oct-22 09:46:11

According to what is known in psychology and neuroscience I think she describes what happens throughout life very well. The person who is “you” is constantly changing, although we think that our “inner person” is the same.

Fleurpepper Wed 19-Oct-22 09:39:34

GrannyGravy13

Whatever they flipping want to wear

there is only one right answer, and it was answer 1- so that is it!

GrannyGravy13 Wed 19-Oct-22 09:07:23

kittylester

The thing about the article that struck me was that she continually talked about the roles we play. That struck me as very superficial. I am a whole person not a series of roles.

Yes kitty I am me, always have been.

kittylester Wed 19-Oct-22 08:56:50

The thing about the article that struck me was that she continually talked about the roles we play. That struck me as very superficial. I am a whole person not a series of roles.

Esmay Wed 19-Oct-22 08:47:14

If in any doubt as to what to wear - think Miss Marple - hat , embroidered blouse , a cardi , thick tweed skirts , thick stockings and brogues .

My grandma looked and dressed like Margatet Rutherford .

Some years ago now -on holiday , I saw a 90 year grandmother wearing a blond wig , a lot of make up and only the bottoms of lurex bikini .
She goosed waiters as they walked past .
Her children were repeatedly told to cover her up and they replied ,
you try !

fiorentina51 Wed 19-Oct-22 08:36:31

For those who might need a bit of sartorial advice, I offer you this.....

Aldom Wed 19-Oct-22 08:29:25

lixy your grandson's insightful comment made me smile. grin

argymargy Wed 19-Oct-22 07:56:48

Ugh she really does think she’s all that, doesn’t she? Unkind of me, I know, but anyone who refers to themselves as an icon is a sitting target.

I do love that jumper though…

Blondiescot Wed 19-Oct-22 07:55:59

Form an orderly queue, ladies. First, we will hand out the lovely beige crimplene slacks and comfy shoes, followed by a nice wraparound pinny, then you will be guided over to the hairdresser for your perm and blue rinse!

M0nica Wed 19-Oct-22 07:05:48

Callistemon21 Absolutely agree with your last post.

I confess that I find the modern trend for constant navel gazing a bit wearing.