In the New York Times article, “Don’t Dress Down,” author Julia Baird preaches to women, trying to persuade us to dress as we wish. Julia Baird is actually an Australian journalist for The New York Times, broadcaster, and author so she is able to write to women in Australia and The United States. Baird’s purpose for sharing this with her audience is because she was “old shamed.” She retells an anecdote from when she was looking for a vintage dress and her former husband said in her ear: “You know, there comes a day when wearing old-lady dresses is no longer ironic.” Not only was that a rude thing to say to her, but it made her feel old. She was only 36 at the time so she wasn’t even middle aged. She uses a metaphor to express how she felt that she was dressing, “And apparently not even a lamb dressed as mutton, but fast approaching mutton dressing as jerky.” So what exactly does it mean to “dress your age?” How does someone dress at 16, or 21, or 42? Women are criticized for wearing things that make them look "too young" or "too old," so where is the happy medium? The media and popular culture are one of many reasons as to why women feel so discouraged when they step out of their homes. Once you turn 40, you should use "plenty" of conditioner and avoid getting your haircut into a bob, according to a fashion writer in The Telegraph. A Daily Mail survey showed that women a quarter of 50 year old women and up are afraid it wear high heels. Titles like "Are You a Middle-Aged Fashionista Who Just Doesn't Know When to Quit?" are very crestfallen, because women deserve to feel good and look good. Julia Baird did reach her purpose, in my opinion, because she advised her readers that whenever someone tries to "old shame" them, just brush it off because women merit the right to appreciate and love themselves.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/opinion/sunday/dont-dress-your-age.html?_r=0
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