Am I too old for AllSaints?

AM I TOO OLD FOR ALLSAINTS?

When I started RCM a year ago it was with the intention of building a successful business. I had arrived at that place most Mummy’s get to around the time their youngest has settled into the routine of school. I knew I needed to go back to work, not only for the income but also for my sanity – I wanted purpose in my life. Caring for children, the home & Hubs was no longer enough for this Mother duck.
I wasn’t about to go back to work as a Hair & Make Up Artist because of the long hours. I still wanted to do the school run, help out in the children’s classes (they love that) & attend every single class assembly. This posed an enormous dilemma.
I envied my friends who went back to work with the help of their parents for child care. Although to be honest that wasn’t really the problem, being home for the children was my main concern. These 9.30am – 3pm jobs are gold therefore few & far between especially for a 47 year old woman with no office skills what so ever!
Then it occurred to me out of the blue – A Fashion Blog is like an online business that if successful could be monetized Boo Yah!
How perfect for me? I have clothes, I love fashion!!! Heeheehee
Whoops forgot the part about knowing absolutely nothing about the internet or indeed computers…
Skip ahead a year & I’m having the time of my life working on RCM. The hours are entirely flexible although with my limited tech skills I put in MANY, but I don’t care I LOVE IT!
As you, dear readers know, so far I’ve had a few exciting brand collaborations plus I now include affiliate shopping links which yield a teeny tiny “penny” per click. You may also notice I’ve recently added a couple of small ads in the sidebar. These too are “affiliate links” where I receive a small commission on click-through sales.
Of course there are costs involved with running RCM & so far I’m just breaking even. However I am bang on track to reach my goal of earning a profit in two years & I now have even bigger ideas to aim for. More about that another time.
Now I suppose you’re wondering what all this has to do with AllSaints? You see I was rejected as an affiliate for them last week because I don’t “compliment” the brand. Therefore I won’t be able to display their ad in my sidebar. Hmmmm interesting

Am I too old for AllSaints?

The question of age had NEVER & I do mean NEVER entered my mind before I began blogging. Yet it seems to be in my face constantly now, whether I like it or not!

Quite frankly I find the entire notion of age appropriate dressing bizarre. Don’t you?
I have been wearing AllSaints since their very beginning back in 1994 & I still adore the brand today. You may remember some of the outfit posts I’ve published here? The jumper dress, the funnel neck jumper, the popular leather jacket & these incredible over the knee boots to name a few.
Now let’s be clear – I’m in no way suggesting I am too old for ANYTHING – AN-Y-THING. Although this does pose the question…Do AllSaints think I’m too old to wear their gear?

So without further adieu today’s outfit

A daring (how dare I) sheer back top paired with my old favourite AllSaints Ikat print maxi skirt Tah dah

Fabulous (very old too) tangerine sandals by Prada with my hard working Raoul clutch & Loewe sunnies.

You likey?

AllSaints Ikat maxi skirt fashion over 40

Am I too old for AllSaints?

Prada orange t-bar flat sandals

Loewe square framed black sunnies

Prada tangerine orange t-bar flat sandals

AllSaints Ikat maxi skirt fashion over 40

AllSaints Ikat maxi skirt fashion over 40

Thanks for reading my rant – love you guys, Mx

  • Comments ( 37 )

  • avatar
    Astrid

    I absolutely do not think you are too old for All Saints – too classy maybe but that’s not the point!

    It seems a very blinkered view in this day and age, to be honest and they are surely missing a trick if they choose to ignore an ever-growing, influential, high spending section of the population – ie. modern, stylish 40+ women. After all, you are not asking to sit in their shop window to ‘scare all the 17 year olds’ – the only people who will see the ads on your blog are the people visiting your blog who are looking for fashion to suit their particular requirements and they will have chosen your blog for a reason. Teenagers, or whoever they are ‘targeting’ will be unlikely to visit your blog and won’t be aware of any ‘associations’, ergo no 16/17 year olds will be harmed in the process! Sorry, that was a rather long-winded and clumsy way of saying they are bonkers and backwards thinking!

    Reminds me of all the fuss surrounding Hollister a few years back with their alleged policy to only hire young, beautiful sales assistants – my teens had a craze for all things Hollister, but it lasted all of a year or so and then they were on to other things! The youth market is very fickle.

    You look stunning in this outfit and very gracious of you to still feature their clothes and, in the process, direct all us old dears to their site to spend our money! 😀

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Astrid you just blew my mind!
      I love the way you phrased these points – had me in stitches yet absolutely spot on. Now I quite fancy sitting in the AllSaints window scaring all the teens 😉
      xM

  • avatar
    Wendy Lane Bailey

    I have think the idea of age appropriate dressing is ridiculous, not to mention sexist. I believe in wearing whatever makes you look good, feel good, and express yourself creatively.

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Hear hear Wendy! Bloody cheek of it, right?
      xM

  • avatar
    Connie D Martin

    This is a fabulous look on you. And to answer your question, you definitely are to old to wear all saints.

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Thanks Connie, none of us are – should we choose to wear it that is 😉
      Mx

  • avatar
    Nicole Mölders (@HighLatitudeSty)

    I think you or we are not too old, but we are not fast fashion. That’s the problem the fashion industry has with us over 40.

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Excellent point Nicole, it’s high time we slowed it all down.
      Although I have to point out AllSaints are not what you’d call cheap fashion in fact their line is well made, high quality & therefore rather expensive. Which is why I love it, I have pieces from them that are many years old yet remain in excellent condition & haven’t dated.
      Begs the question why they’re not actually targeting the older more discerning woman?
      Nice to have you pop by btw xxx

  • avatar
    sequinist

    How weird; I can ONLY imagine that the person who made the decision about rejecting you for affiliate links with All Saints is some man in a marketing department somewhere, who has never read your blog and doesn’t understand that opening ANY brand to older customers is a profitable idea. You look great, as always. Oddly, I don’t really think of All Saints as being a young brand. Edgy and Urban, sure, but not necessarily young. You really suit their merchandise, and I’m surprised at their response. xxx

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Hahaha you are probably right Lisa.
      And thank you for the lovely compliment. Of course I’ll still spend my money at AllSaints even though it did cheese me off just a tad 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    Abby@midlifecrisisnut

    Hmmmmm interesting indeed! Well, I believe in karma. And I see them running after you in two years time, except it’s going to be too late, because you’ll be this blogging super star and you won’t forget who treated you so badly in the first place. I just say – their loss not yours. BTW All Saints or not – you look great! xx Abby

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Yeah baby! I’ll go with that 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    Samantha

    Sock it to ’em, Chelle!

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Mwah!

  • avatar
    Lady of Style

    Michelle, I wonder how long it will take until brands finally realise there is no age limit when it comes to style.
    Needless to say it is more likely our agegroup can afford their 278£ handbags or a 358£ leather jacket rather than a young student …
    I like what Astrid said about Hollister (same with A&F of course!)

    You look fabulous, Michelle, I love maxi skirts in summer!!

    xx and see you very soon!
    Annette | Lady of Style

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Yes Annette absolutely crazy & short sighted of them! They could enjoy lifetime loyalty, buy ya gotta give a little love to get it back right?
      Let’s see how the next couple of years pan out. I think a change in attitude is coming.
      Maxis are the best 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    Rozanne Swift

    Frankly, I am baffled by their attitude Michelle! You always rock All Saints clothes – and this skirt is no exception. The best way you can respond to this is to carry on looking amazing in their clothing! They clearly have a very blinkered and outmoded attitude towards age…. xx

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Thank you so much Rozanne, you always leave the most wonderful compliments for me I’m truly flattered – & grateful xxx

  • avatar
    Katie Haydock

    Love this – especially the top. Just gorgeous xXx

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Thanks Katie, love a little risqué look from time to time 😉
      Mx

  • avatar
    wendy m wellen

    When a brand pigeon holes themselves as only for a certain age group they are really limiting their sales! It’s pretty ignorant! It’s fun to pair something fun and “young” with our “age appropriate” closet staples. I will be 50 in two years and already I’m stressing about having to give up the fun stuff. This outfit looks great on you. I’ve never heard of AllSaints but they really need to hire someone who knows what they’re doing!

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Well said Wendy!
      Promise me you won’t “give up the fun stuff”! I’m 50 next year & I have absolutely no intention of changing the way I dress xxx

  • avatar
    cheriejamesp

    Are you kidding me?!!! I love All Saints and NO you are never too old. Shame on them for not allowing you to advertise for them. You look great in your All Saints maxi Michelle! And, I adore the orange sandals – one of my favorite colors. I may just have to pull out my All Saints leather jacket for an upcoming post. Your post has inspired me!!

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    STYLE NUDGE

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      I know it’s madness Cherie!
      Can’t wait to see you in your leather jacket 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    Midlifechic

    Interesting post Michelle. It’s horrible when a brand rejects you – I was turned down by Hobbs and Mint Velvet so I dread to think what that says about me! You (and your readers) are exactly the sort of person they should be targeting, I’m not sure how many kids can afford their clothes or understand the architectural form of a lot of the pieces. Crazy – but you look gorgeous, you remember that. x

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Don’t worry Nikki I certainly will & I’m not about to stop buying their clothes but I admit it did tick me off!
      xxx

  • avatar
    Elizabeth Yeowart

    I likey. I likey a lot. You look amazing and I don’t think anyone in the world could disagree. It’s odd isn’t it how we get rejected for affiliation. Like Nikki I was rejected by Mint Velvet yet I feel I’m their perfect demographic. I feel like doing a Pretty Woman. “Big mistake. Huge”!!! xxxx

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Love that Liz – “Big mistake. Huge!!!” Yes it is remarkable that any brand would reject a woman over 40 – I mean we have the money 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    sandypatti

    I love, love this look and I too say phooey to “age appropriate” – I dress for “me-appropriate” and that does rule out tiny or tight things : > Great skirt, wear it forever and look fab, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      You bet I will Patti! Thanks 😉
      xxx

  • avatar
    Shelbee on the Edge

    As one 40-something to another 40-something, you look fabulous in this outfit. Actually, you probably look fabulous in just about anything you wear! So rock on, 40-something gorgeous girl! You have what it takes!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Thank you Shelbee that’s a really lovely thing to say – We will “rock on” together 😉
      Mx

  • avatar
    hanna marie

    That skirt is so pretty! –Hanna Lei

    Latest Post: Outfit: Floral Skirt + Stefilia’s Stone Necklace

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Thank you Hanna xxx

  • avatar
    Michelle – The Barefaced Chic

    I likey a lot!!!
    I do wonder sometimes if brands have been hiding under a rock for the past few years. I mean, have they taken a look at the internet lately? Have the seen the interest that mature bloggers are stirring up? Have they noticed how much disposable income we have compared to young girls?
    I wonder if brands that peddle their wares to the mature woman would turn down young bloggers because they are too ‘young’? Judging by the prepubescent models they use, I doubt it. And doesn’t that drive you nuts? I am a WOMAN I want to see clothes on WOMEN not really young girls.
    Get your act together brands – the mature women of this world know what we want, and it’s more models like Michelle!!!
    Michelle xxx

    • avatar
      retrochicmama

      Ha! Touché lady, you tell ’em 😉
      xxx

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