'Sex and the City' vs. 'The Golden Girls'

Are Carrie Bradshaw and co. the new "Golden Girls"? Yikes!  Just imagine Bea Arthur in a bustier, drunk on Cosmos.

"AGING sucks," announces author Charla Krupp in the introduction of her new book, "How Not to Look Old." She goes on to list her anatomical pet peeves -- including age spots and spider veins -- and I get it. She had me at chin hair. But then I read on and see that Krupp doesn't want to carp about it, like I do, for a few paragraphs. On Page 2, she outlines her boomer manifesto for 40-plus women: an attack on aging that includes "Y&H" (younger and hipper) concepts to replace "OL" (old lady) habits.

Y&H? How about T&C (tired and content)? Or W&TO (wider and that's OK)? But Krupp isn't alone in her clarion call to resist crow's feet. There's also the upcoming "1001 Little Ways to Look Younger" by Esme Floyd, which seems like 901 too many ways for someone who can't always remember her ZIP Code. The 40-plus woman can also pick up the just-released "Brenda Kinsel's Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style!" Or there's "Forever Cool: How to Achieve Ageless, Youthful, and Modern Personal Style," which advises 50-plus women to attain a youthful edge by wearing a serape.

Somewhere, between high-waisted mom jeans and snug Juicy Couture track suits, isn't there a middle ground? Like the wedge, which is, in essence, a chic ballet flat on stilts. I'm 40 and quite frankly, "Y&H" sounds like a desperate anthem for a newly divorced dad. You know, that 45-plus guy with spiked hair from Marina del Rey who constantly quotes Tony Hawk? And the idea of donning a serape only makes me long for a plate of mile-high nachos, which leads to elastic waistbands, which Krupp deems so OL.

It was inevitable that all this "40 is the new 30" chatter would lead to new rules for age-appropriate dressing. And believe me, I'm thrilled that women can now wear their hair long and their skirts short. Personally, I can't wait to see the get-ups on Sarah Jessica Parker and company in the upcoming "Sex and the City" movie.

If the "Golden Girls" aired today, Bea Arthur would stalk around in stilettos while Rue McClanahan flashed her fuchsia thong. I wouldn't like it one bit. Nor do I plan to devote myself to achieving a Y&H look. It's only in recent years that I have come to completely appreciate my own style, which is evolving alongside me.

Besides, I spent much of my 20s and some of my 30s breathlessly chasing down trends. Guess what? It aged me.

Photo credits: "Sex and the City," New Line; "Golden Girls," NBC; "How Not to Look Old," Hachette Books

Comments

[Kat]

It's bad enough that all of society throws us 40 somethings on to the sexual trash heap of life but then we have bitches like telling us that 40 is old and we need to make an effort to look younger?!

Even when I was young I admired the womanly look of attractive mature women. I thought that women who embraced the older stage of life had a wonderful depth and confidence to them. The women I did not admire were the ones who just could't give up. They look foolish and desperate and also unattractive. Miss Carrie Bradshaw (and SJP too) is exhibit one and as much as I loved that show you will not get me in to see that stupid looking movie.

I always hoped - even back then - that I would be able to face aging with acceptance and dignity. Whenever I saw the pathetic aging woman trying to look young by wearing a skirt up to her ass or making a fool out of herself in front of a man 15 years younger than she, I always hoped I wouldn't be like that.

I still wear stillettos by the way, my hair is shoulder length and I still have a 25 inch waist. But what I don't do is wear jeans down to my pubes, and skirts up to my ass. I am keenly aware of age appropriate clothes and behavior. Forty year old bimbo wannabes can write all the books they want but 40 is 40. Period. And what's so damn bad about it anyway? I'm the happiest I've ever been. I'm not living in denial or anything but I'm glad to have money, and have my kids raised, and have a little sense. I like the other people my age. They are intersting and wizened and they dont' get drunk and go on crying jags or puke on themselves. I enjoy younger women too, as an older woman. My nieces and my son's girlfriend seek me out for advice on everything from their love lives to fashion. Just because I'm 40 something doesn't mean I don't still follow the trends.

What do women like this want? Do they want to hang around with Kim Kardashian? Do they want to fuck Ashton Kutcher? Do they think a man drooling over them validates them? Or maybe they want past the velvet ropes at those silly clubs every one wants in. I don't know. What I do know is that aging sucks but it's a part of the deal . All these young girls this author wants to emulate will be 40 too one day and we 40 somethings were 20 somethings in another life. We had our turn. That's the way it works.

And oh, I love the airbrush job this bitch has gotten for her book cover.

[serenity]

What I enjoyed about both shows (SATC & GG) was the friendship amongst the four women. No matter what happened, what men came or gone, they always had each other in the end. But both shows also made breakthroughs in television by addressing sensitive issues like sex/sexuality, aging, life/death, etc. And of course, both shows gave us plenty of laughs.

I agree that there's too much "trendwhore"ness going on in SATC, at least for my taste. However, i also think that as long as it's tasteful, women should appear however they want (long hair, shorter skirts, bright colors, etc.). What i mean is i don't think age should restrict people from wearing whatever style they like. With that said, however, "slut" never looks good on anyone, young or old.

[Sherrie Mathieson]

Just a note on "Forever Cool" (Random House, 2007).
The book is dedicated to classic pieces for all and very diverse real women with different bodies, backgrounds, ages, and personalities. The objective was to look great at any age (the book begins at age 50, for women AND men)--not necessarily young but rather youthful and with one's uniqueness in mind.Of course there are outfits etc. that not every woman relates to. Diversity is what makes the world go round. However the 78 year old woman wearing the classic serape, owns it and LOVES it--and I believe looks great , and unconventional yes--in it.It's alook that is classic in the southwest, as well as other areas of the world (as is the kimono, or tunic).
"Forever Cool" is about style concepts that will last for "the long haul".
An open,observing, curious mind will keep us ageless.
(www.sherriemathieson.com)

[Car Wise]

Charla posts a ton of tips and tricks on her blog every day, and I must say, I've learned a lot of ways to look thinner and younger, and it's been so beneficial.

Here's a link, if you're interested:

http://www.charlakrupp.com/blog/