With summer approaching all of the fashion websites have tips and ideas for cool new clothes. In my web surfing for some summer duds I ran across an interesting article. “What never to wear if you’re Over 40”. Um, I’m sorry, excuse me?

I thought we were grown woman, spending our own money, thereby allowing us to purchase and wear what we liked. While there are some time honored old rules grandma taught us about what’s appropriate for work, church, showing up for your parent-teacher conference, the rest of my life is up for grabs.

What’s the over 40 dig about? Oh that’s right; I lost my mind for a moment. We all know any woman over 40 is no longer attractive, vibrant, or should be interested in being fashionable. Oh and if you weigh more than 100 pounds you’re a cow. Who makes these decisions and what gives them the right to decide I’m too old for something? Are you kidding me?

Why is ok for the over 40 Hollywood women to wear fabulous, hot clothes but the soccer mom in suburbia is rule ridden? Because we’ve not been nipped, tucked, starved or touting a $400 hair cut? Give me a break; we’re the only real women left.

I’ll admit it. There are things I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing, but not because someone in Milan, New York,or Paris has decided it for me, but because I don’t feel it is right for me. There are also many things I wear at my almost 48 rocking years old simply because I like them. Am I always age appropriate (whatever that means)? Probably not, but that’s ok. I feel much younger than my age and I believe that in the right environment it’s terrific to wear what makes me happy. Oh, I see the looks. Well they can keep on looking. I’m wearing it. Don’t be a Hater.

We all have that girlfriend who wears the jeans a little too tight and likes the girls showing through the top of the V neck shirt. Not for me, but I say work it sister. I’m not buying into hating other women. It’s not what sisterhood and supporting each other is about. I want you to be you.

I’m actually a little jealous when I see someone strutting a swimsuit, or cute little clingy dress I’d be self conscious about. There’s a part of me wishing I could be more like that. I’m the first to admit I’ve let my distorted perceptions of my own body limit my clothing options, but they are my choices, not that of some self-proclaimed fashion guru.

The good news is the older I get the less I follow fashion advice. I wear brighter colors, wilder prints, tons of jewelry and my hair is now blonde and growing to a rule breaking past 40 length. That’s my other gripe. Why do I have to have short hair if I’m over 40?

Where are these snarky, insulting articles regarding what men should wear? Men are described as distinguished looking after a certain age but we’re just old?

Why are fat guys described as “a big ol boy”, or stout and we’re just fat asses who didn’t lose the baby weight?

I’m proclaiming that we are now in charge of fashion so let’s get the rules straight.

Rule # 1- There are no rules.

Rule # 3 – If your kids hate it, it’s probably fabulous.

Now let’s go shoppin. I think you look beautiful.
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L.D. Lee is the proud mother of two daughters, ages 28 and 6. A single mom, she works as a Patient Services Coordinator during the day and as a freelance writer late into the night.