As I Grow Older, Here's How My Fashion Choices Are Changing — Big Time

Claire Conners, 66, a New York City celebrity wrangler who finds models and locations for magazine shoots, says she’s “Determined not to be invisible.” Hence, her bright blue hair. In addition to the constant stream of compliments she receives, Conners’ bold fashion choice has provided a way to connect with others.

“During the pandemic, mail stopped being delivered to our building,” she says. “I went to the post office and the first postal worker I approached dismissed me. But then I spotted another worker who had blue hair — and she was happy to help get our mail service restored. We were on the same team of blue-haired women,” Conners adds with a laugh.

Then there are the seniors who are “nailing it” with whimsical designs. Older women are increasingly opting for vivid bright hues such as Shamrock green and purple, moving away from neutrals or classic reds.

This surge in nail art includes geometric patterns, metallic finishes, jewels and even playful, themed designs that reflect personal interests.

Former 60-something CNN correspondent Jill Brooke started flowerpowerdaily.com, a site that examines how flowers intersect in culture, fashion, art, decor, food and wellness. The goal is to make her audience “feel upbeat and happy,” says Brooke, who connects “to what I do every day with my special floral manicure and pedicure. I’ve had more comments on my nails and toes than any fashion choice I've ever made.”

Lida Corredor, 62, posts pictures of her fanciful nails online. “I get all of these compliments on Instagram, on vacation people give me compliments,” she says, flaunting fingertips that shine in canary yellow, electric orange and ones intricately painted with clusters of balloons. What’s more surprising about Corredor’s nails is that she works as a housekeeper, a field that is hard on hands.

“People ask how I can do it?” she says. “I tell them I take care of my hands — I wear gloves. It’s worth the effort because my hands make me happy.”

But how far will our generation go with their fashion choices to feel happy? AT 70, Terry Rubin, already a licensed practical nurse, made the courageous decision to go back to school to become a registered nurse. And she’s no less daring in her fashion choices.

“I have 10 ear piercings, three in one ear, seven in the other,” says Rubin, of her collection that features studs, hoops, a lotus symbol and some dangles. “At this age, I’m more comfortable and less affected by what people think.”

What do people think? People are always stopping Rubin to tell her how much they love her ears. “People of all ages, from store clerks to random strangers, stop me and say they admire my bling.” And then there’s Rubin’s husband. “He’s conservative, never in his life would he do anything like this,” she adds. “But he appreciates that I’m creative, this is my style, my temperament. I guess I’m a little bit of an old hippie.”

This old hippie also has six tattoos, a palette of five leaves, a starfish and a pink ribbon that marks beating breast cancer two times.

I found during a Pinterest search dozens and dozens of pictures of older women who had multiple ear piercings, nose and naval piercings and even a few with lip studs. Ouch! 

Debra Umberson, professor of sociology and director of the Center on Aging and Population Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, thinks she knows why.

“Boomers have always made bold choices,” Umberson says. “Vietnam protests, the sexual revolution, feminism, rock and roll. They were the first age cohort to embrace self-actualization. It should be no surprise that aging looks bold and fun for boomers.”

Creativity with hair and nail color? I’m down. I might even coordinate some crazy nail design with my cousin Faye at our next family reunion. But lip or piercings on the soft cartilage of my ear? I think I’m more likely to get a second tattoo.

Have you made any bold fashion or style choices? What are they? Let us know in the comments below.