Do you spend time worrying about what to wear?

I read a weekly newsletter in my inbox called "Ageist" by the aging enthusiast David Stuart. He interviews people worldwide who are breaking down the stereotypes of older people. For example, he talks to elders that play tennis at 99, run marathons, or start new businesses at 87.

All of it is very interesting, but I don’t really relate to those achievements and have very little ambition to follow in their paths.

Today’s "Ageist" interview did catch my attention. This is not a life-and-death discussion, but do you worry about what to wear?

The interview was with Dorrit Bøilerehauge. She is a fashion scholar, influencer, fashion model, and age advocate. Her research area is fashion branding on social media. In recent years, she has been digging into the representation of age in fashion.

She has become an advocate for the mature cool.

Now, who wouldn’t want to be mature cool? But what is it? So many fashion magazines say older women should eliminate vivid colors or bright lipstick. I reject that completely!

But I agree that dressing like a 16 year old leaves much to be desired and way too much revealed!

Many would say that what you wear shouldn’t even matter when you get older.

My mom wore what we called back then “housedresses.” They were very practical and comfortable. I would not say that they were fashionable. But it went along with the idea that women were “housewives.”

If you haven’t noticed, things have changed! I never understood why you would think a woman would be married to the house. Dorrit Bøilerehauge says it best: “Age, beauty, and fashion are particularly thorny subjects at any age.

Once we think we have it figured out, things change, and we change. How do we want to be seen, and how do we want to see ourselves?

We may want to just blow these off as foolish non-issues, but how we present ourselves will have an impact; it is a form of communication. Should we try to look fun … classic, cool, sporty, bold, or subtle?

Whatever we choose, we are saying something.

As older people, we have a lot more freedom to be our authentic selves. It’s time to throw off the expectation of others. So, if you are sick and tired of the fashion dilemma and just want to be comfortable – go for it.

But if you’re like me, fashion is fun and a way to express myself. And as my husband says, “Oh, it’s another costume!”

And by the way, men do not escape this dilemma. It’s been said that a well-dressed man is to a woman as lingerie is to a man!

So, what are you communicating?

Find Connie’s book, “Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging,” at www.justnowoldenough.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Mature men and women express themselves through various fashions