Now that I’m in my 50s, I care less about how my appearance is perceived by society. It’s a subtle shift from age empowerment to age liberation

I

am noticing a growing movement where women are less concerned about looking their age, whether it’s makeup-free Pamela, silver and chic Andie Macdowell, or Ashley Judd not caring what we think about her swimsuit-clad mature form in a splashy Instagram frolic.

In fact, it almost seems like older women are caring less about what people think about their appearance, despite other age groups feeling less confident than they did a decade ago. This isn’t to say that older women don’t want to present themselves in fashionable and stylish ways like their younger counterparts; they’ve just probably grown a little tired of the narrow societal expectations of having to look the youngest they possibly can.

There is a growing and healthier trend where more women openly discuss their age, the challenges of growing older and how to maximise their years without necessarily prioritising beauty. This is one of the core messages of the Silver Sirens group who hold various events annually for women over 50.