Aging Gracefully

[The Goth Apple]

I don't believe this topic has been covered yet, I certainly haven't seen it, and I apologize if I missed it.

As much respect as I have for my elders, I can help but noticing certain people, mostly women, and mostly at pagan pride events, who are clearly proudly wearing the same makeup they did twenty years ago. But it does not look the same. It is somewhat ironic in my view, that I've seen goths in their fifties with their hair dyed black again and twenty-something goths bleaching white stripes in.
In my view, but I'm sure the women in question do not share it (I personally encounter more female than male goths of any age demographic), white or silver hair looks very cool, and it makes wrinkles stand out less. The fact is, whether one is a goth or not, one cannot wear the same makeup they did at seventeen at forty.
And the goth community is aging. We know better than anyone we aren't a bunch of teeny boppers rebelling against our parents.

Seeing as we know it is possible for a person to be attractive well into one's golden years (Sean Connery, anyone?) it would only make sense that it possible whether or not I have personally seen it. Have you? How does one age gracefully and remain true to their personal style?
In fact, I'm sure people more into the goth scene can think of examples of people who have aged gracefully, and who haven't.  

[Rellik San]

I have no intention of ageing gracefully.

Mainly because I'm already physically aged beyond my years... mentally, more of an elastic band scale between acting 8 and 80.  

[Autumn Caledonia]

I'm not too concerned about aging. I think it will be quite amusing to have my grandkids thinking me as being old and weird listening to my ancient goth and metal music.

There are a few people I've seen on occasion at my local goth club that seem to be aging gracefully as goths. So I'm not too concerned.

I just love the idea of me being 80/90 listening to Marilyn Manson, Arch Enemy, Combichrist, etc. Though VNV is classy no matter what age you are.  

[L Ron Jeremy]

For some reason, Dinah Cancer comes to mind...

Then again, I practically worship the woman.  

[Metranil Vavin]

I'm old. I still have long hair. I like to think that I'm not to the point yet (I hope) where it's sad and/or creepy though.  

[The Goth Apple]

I know I'm in the minority, but I was raised by medieval reenactors, and I don't think there's anything weird about men with long hair, even old men with white hair and long white beards. (though it seems growing a beard out long is very difficult and annoying, I wouldn't know. -^^-; )
Anyway, even normal people are starting to wear their hair long again, which I highly approve of since nearly everyone looks better with long hair. But that's just my opinion.

Infection XIII-I think that the women I keep seeing think that they look like Dinah Cancer. I also believe they are mistaken.  

[L Ron Jeremy]

The Goth Apple

Infection XIII-I think that the women I keep seeing think that they look like Dinah Cancer. I also believe they are mistaken.

Precisely. I mean, Dinah Cancer is around 45(my friends don't believe me when I tell them this) if I recall correctly, and yet she doesn't seem to be a day over 30. And if things continue as they have, she'll be one sexy g-milf.

Then again, I do have a thing for older women...
ninja

 

[Death of Cool]

Infection XIII

The Goth Apple

Infection XIII-I think that the women I keep seeing think that they look like Dinah Cancer. I also believe they are mistaken.

Precisely. I mean, Dinah Cancer is around 45(my friends don't believe me when I tell them this) if I recall correctly, and yet she doesn't seem to be a day over 30. And if things continue as they have, she'll be one sexy g-milf.

Then again, I do have a thing for older women...
ninja

Her Myspace says she's 48. Don't know how accurate that is.  

[Ms Dahl]

The Goth Apple

I don't believe this topic has been covered yet, I certainly haven't seen it, and I apologize if I missed it.

As much respect as I have for my elders, I can help but noticing certain people, mostly women, and mostly at pagan pride events, who are clearly proudly wearing the same makeup they did twenty years ago. But it does not look the same. It is somewhat ironic in my view, that I've seen goths in their fifties with their hair dyed black again and twenty-something goths bleaching white stripes in.
In my view, but I'm sure the women in question do not share it (I personally encounter more female than male goths of any age demographic), white or silver hair looks very cool, and it makes wrinkles stand out less. The fact is, whether one is a goth or not, one cannot wear the same makeup they did at seventeen at forty.
And the goth community is aging. We know better than anyone we aren't a bunch of teeny boppers rebelling against our parents.

Seeing as we know it is possible for a person to be attractive well into one's golden years (Sean Connery, anyone?) it would only make sense that it possible whether or not I have personally seen it. Have you? How does one age gracefully and remain true to their personal style?
In fact, I'm sure people more into the goth scene can think of examples of people who have aged gracefully, and who haven't.

Queenie (from Pocket Full of Posiez) and Jillian Venters (from Gothic Charm School) are both in their forties and look great! Eva O, Patrick Mata, Lydia Lunch, and Monica Richards all look great for their age also. 3nodding

I think it is possible to age and stay true to yourself. Just take a look at the people I named above. They are all well into their forties and fifties and still look like a living sketch by Tim Burton. I think it's all in how you work your style that makes the difference. Certain styles a twenty something year old Goth may be able to pull off (i.e EGL and revealing PVC outfits) might not work for Goths who are twice their age. Whether or not someone recognizes this is entirely a different story.  

[Henneth Annun]

The Goth Apple

I know I'm in the minority, but I was raised by medieval reenactors, and I don't think there's anything weird about men with long hair.......Anyway, even normal people are starting to wear their hair long again, which I highly approve of since nearly everyone looks better with long hair. But that's just my opinion.

I love guys with long hair...it can be a huge bonus. xd *girl using guy's avitar here....*

----

Personally, I think one just needs to find ways to adapt one's style to their age as they get older so that it continues to look good on them. Evolve it, change it, adapt it...do whatever you need to do because when X changes, Y may no longer work. If you can still pull off what you wore at 25 at 45, great. If not, and you care about your appearance, you might need to consider changing some things...  

[broken_joker]

Some may not agree, but I say for 36 Dani Filth still manages to look pretty damn good. I think he actually looks better now than he did 5, if not 10, years ago.  

[XXX Zombie Porn]

Tairrie B is 44.
 

[The Goth Apple]

broken_joker

Some may not agree, but I say for 36 Dani Filth still manages to look pretty damn good. I think he actually looks better now than he did 5, if not 10, years ago.

He may be as attractive as he was five or ten years ago, but my eyes are still bugging out of my head at the suggestion that thirty-six is old.  

[broken_joker]

The Goth Apple

broken_joker

Some may not agree, but I say for 36 Dani Filth still manages to look pretty damn good. I think he actually looks better now than he did 5, if not 10, years ago.

He may be as attractive as he was five or ten years ago, but my eyes are still bugging out of my head at the suggestion that thirty-six is old.

Compared to the average age of the current goth scene (which I'm guessing is most likely around 16), I'd say that he's no spring chicken. But yeah, he is still pretty young in the big picture of life.  

[Death of Cool]

broken_joker

The Goth Apple

broken_joker

Some may not agree, but I say for 36 Dani Filth still manages to look pretty damn good. I think he actually looks better now than he did 5, if not 10, years ago.

He may be as attractive as he was five or ten years ago, but my eyes are still bugging out of my head at the suggestion that thirty-six is old.

Compared to the average age of the current goth scene (which I'm guessing is most likely around 16), I'd say that he's no spring chicken. But yeah, he is still pretty young in the big picture of life.

I have met only a handful of people under 20 that are into legitimate goth. I'm guessing the average age is probably more like mid to late 20's. Of course I'm not including the Hot Topic kids who throw on a black shirt and some eye liner, listen to MCR and call themselves goth. There is no scenario in which they count.