Margit’s Note: Perfect At Every Age

By Margit Detweiler

(Photo Credit: Mac Premo/TueNight)

I cringe at our theme name this week. It’s a term I’ve never liked and one that magazines and tabloids continue to foist on us.

When is it still ok to wear hot pink lipstick? A mini skirt? Pigtails? Ride a skateboard? Do a cartwheel at a fancy fashion event… in your 70s?

Always, dammit.

As 93-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel says in the film Iris, “I don’t have any rules because I would only be breaking them, so it’s a waste of time.”

We give lip service to the idea of age-inclusivity, but we don’t always believe it or practice it. In our hearts we question, am I too old to do this? I don’t give a crap if Madonna’s arms are too veiny for that dress — and you can bet she doesn’t either.

The genesis for TueNight was in part a backlash against the ageist attitude that defines a particular attitude or ideal haircut in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s. The most authentic way to live is to chart your own course, loud and proud.

Oh, and if you need a little sartorial inspiration, scan through the blogs Advanced Style or our friend Kristin Perers’ blog Thisis50 — these are truly women living their joy.

Let us be…. awesome.

• Susan Linney lives like she’s 25.
• Suzan Bond flies over Manhattan.
• Val Medina embarrasses her kids.
• Judy McGuire holds off the Mrs. Roper caftan.
• Juli Cola hides her Barbies.
• Cecily Kellogg defends dark lipstick.
• And I put on a wig and dance this mess around.

Here’s to aging inappropriately,

Margit

p.s. That’s our own Adrianna Dufay rolling along on her skateboard, her daughter by her side.

Originally Published June 2, 2015. Updated April 4, 2021.