What is too Old for the Distressed Trend–Showcasing 8 Decades of Women
Quote of the day: “Nothing limits achievements like small thinking; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination.” William Arthur Ward
Many of my older friends shake their head at this distressed trend. I mean, I get it. I totally felt the same way when I first saw it. That’s why I chose this quote. Because I do think it’s important to be open to new ideas and trends. Not that we have to follow and like them all. I’ll explore the reasons why it’s good to stay modern in the tips and tricks below.
When I talk about the distressed trend term, it’s not only holes in our jeans. Distressed can mean a raw hem or uneven coloring for example on boots. It’s always interesting to think about the significance of the trends that come and go. I’m sure 20 years from now we will look back on this and explain it away. As for now….
Many women can’t wrap their heads around this style that has taken over. Yet I bet if you look back to 70 years ago, your mom wouldn’t have understood wearing jeans like we do now. So as much as I believe we don’t need to embrace everything, I also thinks it’s SO important to keep an open mind about things.
That’s why this is the perfect subject for our Magnificent 8 post. This is group of women that showcase a style or idea for women from their teens to their 80’s. And for the 3 of us, I wanted to showcase different distressed items.
Jodie’s (50+) Outfit
Jeans: G-Star (similar here)~~Jacket: Sugar + Lips (similar here)~~Top: Bebe-thrifted (similar here)~~Boots: Dolce Vita-thrifted (similar here)~~Belt: Garnet Hill (similar here)~~Scarf: I knitted it (similar here)~~Earrings: Modern Sage Designs c/o (similar here)~~Purse: Unique Vintage (similar here)
Why I Wore This Outfit
My distressed trend item is my white denim jacket. It isn’t ripped, but it has the raw hem on the bottom hem and the wrists. And even though most of us wouldn’t think to wear a white jacket in the cooler months, I’m trying to push myself out of those rules.
Since it was a cooler day, I even added in some print tights under my jeans. Normally I would have shown off my bare ankles, but I needed the warmth. Which is why I also added in my hand knitted scarf.
How You Could Change This Outfit
We were walking around the Cider Days festival all day, so flat booties were a must. That being said, you could easily change up this outfit by substituting your black booties.
Yet if you like the idea of a print bootie, there are some fun versions out there. Some floral booties or camo booties would also add a little sass to an otherwise solid outfit.
Interesting Tidbit
You don’t get to appreciate my blouse under all my layers. If we had been inside then you’d be able to see my navy, silk blouse. I have a bunch of these from my working days, yet don’t reach for them much any more. That’s why I grabbed it for this day. I want to start wearing what’s in my closet. And adding a silk blouse to jeans seems a great way to mix and match.
Nancy’s (70+) Outfit
Jeans: Dara-thrifted (similar here)~~Jacket: TA Coalition (similar here)~~Top: Coldwater Creek (similar here)~~Shoes: Blowfish (similar here)~~Necklace: (similar here)~~Earrings: (similar here)~~Purse: (similar here)
Why Nancy Wore This Outfit
Once I heard about the theme of the distressed trend a couple of months ago, I told Nancy to be on the lookout for something when she was out shopping. Needless to say, she didn’t really have anything “distressed.” Although after returning from her Ireland trip this summer, she did mention that her roommate had a pair of raw hem jeans on the trip. And Nancy loved them.
Since Nancy has lost weight over the summer, she needed new jeans anyways. And this pair she found at a second hand store. Just tell me you wouldn’t see her from the back, and think she was a 30 year old dying her hair grey?? That’s the power of modern items.
How You Could Change This Outfit
I can hear some of you as you’re reading this. You’re saying to yourself that the ripped knees are the silliest thing ever. And that’s what is so wonderful about style. We can all be different yet still be stylish. So you can join in on the distressed trend with just the raw hem on your jeans.
Since I end up having to shorten most jeans, it makes it so much easier to get them to fit correctly in length. Just cut them off and wash them a couple of times. If that’s not going to work, then you can always buy a pair too.
Interesting Tidbit
This jacket has the hood and sweatshirt part attached. We found it in Seattle after we debarked from our Alaska cruise. Nancy always loves having a hood on her jackets, even though we don’t need it much here in Denver. I think it’s another element that lends itself to a youthful look.
Charlotte’s (80+) Outfit
Jeans: Braintree (similar here)~~Sweatshirt: (similar here)~~Sweater: Garland (similar here)~~Boots: Jambu c/o (here)~~Scarf: It’s Rob’s scarf (similar here)~~Earrings: (similar here)~~Purse: (similar here)
Why Charlotte Wore This Outfit
I was so impressed when my mom tried on this sweatshirt AND jeans on our Seattle trip last fall. We were visiting a local boutique, Drizzle and Shine, and my mom found both of these pieces herself. The sweatshirt is an example of distressed where nothing is really exposed. And I’m sure many of you like that fact.
Let me point out in the photo right below here. You would never look at this outfit and realize that an 80 year old woman was wearing it. Right? Not that I would EVER say it’s bad to be 80. Yet that’s the power of wearing the right clothes. They not only can make us feel young; they can affect how others react to us.
How You Could Change This Outfit
So say you do buy a pair of bright colored jeans. I’m sure you would wonder what footwear to pair with them. I’m sure not everyone has plum booties. But if you do want a pair of these booties, make sure you use the code JODIE18 to get 20% off. Really, you can still order any shoes from Jambu with that code, until the end of December.
Needless to say, there are many other options of booties that would work great with this outfit. Any neutral would be great, but I especially like the grey pairs. I think either the darker grey or lighter grey versions would complement the outfit nicely.
Interesting Tidbit
Since my mom’s distressed trend item was the sweatshirt, I didn’t want her to wear a coat over it. Luckily she knows how to layer like the best of them. She has a long sleeve long underwear top under her purple sweater that is underneath the sweatshirt.
And as an added benefit, she stole my husband’s grey, wool scarf for added warmth.
Tips & Tricks
When I’m first considering a new trend or style, I will often look for it at the second hand stores. I’ve discussed ideas to make online thrift shopping easier and I’ve written a guest post about thrift store hacks.
The other aspect is to start with this trend in little pieces first. You know? Like with the raw hem detail. To me the raw hem is something not super obvious, yet you’ll still know it’s there.
So why should you even take the time to try out the distressed trend? Because it’s all about how clothing can change the way you feel about yourself. And how your clothing choices can change how other people react to you.
Personally, I think it’s more important in the fact of how it makes you feel. And when you are feeling stylish, you are projecting a more confident air. And ripped jeans? They almost make you feel rebellious. And don’t we all need that from time to time?
So finally, I do think it’s important to only wear what you are comfortable wearing. You do NOT have to wear this craze. It’s your choice, just like it’s other people’s choices TO wear it. One should not judge someone else based solely on their style.
The Magnificent 8
The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration among 8 stylish women from every decade of life showcasing our style one generation at a time. The mission of this collaboration is to show you just how ageless style is, how we can each dress however we’d like and in ways that make us feel fabulous. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence.
And be sure to check out all 8 of these amazing gals! We will be sharing these posts on a quarterly basis…so be sure to check back in January for the next post in this series. Last time we talked about what to wear to the beach.
Courtney of Sugar Coated Bears is representing teenagers.
Michelle of Michelle’s Pa(i)ge is representing the 20-somethings.
Roxanne of Glass of Glam is representing the 30-somethings.
Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge is representing the 40-somethings.
Rena of Fine Whatever is representing the 50-somethings.
Cathe of Atypical 60 is representing the 60-somethings.
Nancy of Jodie’s Touch of Style is representing the 70-somethings.
And Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style is representing the 80-somethings.
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