A MUM approaching her 60s has rubbished the suggestion that people should dress their age, rocking daring outfits and leggy displays.
Trish Roda was made famous by her daughter Suzannah Gagliardi after she started posting just some of her mum’s bold outfits on TikTok.
The Australia-based mum, who is 58, regularly shows off her attire, which ranges from figure-hugging dresses with eye-catching cutouts to ripped jeans and busty crop tops.
According to Suzzy, her mum believes that “style doesn’t have an age limit” and these are the clothes that make “her feel good”.
“Age is just a number,” Ms Roda told news.com.au.
“Style is who you are. Style is character. Style is showing your own expression. Style is just being you.”
The mother and daughter duo believed Trisha’s passion for fashion deserved a bigger audience, so they turned to TikTok – and right away, the bold colours and cuts were quick to gain traction to the page.
“I just felt like I wanted to put it out there and show how amazing she is at 58,” daughter Suzannah said.
Online, Trisha is proving that age and authenticity are the ultimate style statement, constantly pushing fashion boundaries and expectations placed on middle-aged women.
“We’re dictated by how we should dress, how we should look. It’s really about knowing who you are as a person, and that’s hard to do,” Trisha told Kidspot.
Although this is a message many of us could use more of, the pair haven’t escaped the dark side of the comments section where Trisha’s been subjected to trolling.
Their most viral post has amassed more than 807,000 views, with the mum looking sensational in a pair of black leather pants and a sparkly top.
However, despite rocking the outfit with confidence, the Melbourne mother came under fire by the internet’s self-appointed fashion police.
“She’s proof that looks don’t last forever,” one critic wrote.
“If that was my mum, I’d be telling her to wise up,” another said.
A third added: “She looks lovely, but I just think when you get to a certain age, you can dress lovely without trying to look like you’re 30 years younger. Just my opinion.”
In another video where Trisha looked stylish in a sparkly dress and a bright pink jacket, trolls begged her to “give her granddaughter her clothes back”.
But none of the negative comments bother the Aussie mum – in fact, they “empower her”, she said.
“It’s like, ‘Wow, bring it on. Bring it on. Wait till you see my next outfit.’’
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8 clothes mistakes giving your age away
By Fabulous’ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend
Crossbody bag
Just a bag, right? Think again.
The politics of your handbag choice is more complex than it appears.
If you spent your younger years cramming everything into an over-the-shoulder bag, you’ve probably transitioned to a crossbody bag by now, much like Sarah Jessica Parker, 59.
You might opt for a crossbody that rests at the hip or higher up.
A longer strap suggests you belong to Gen X or the baby boomer generation.
A shorter strap, referred to as the “millennial Birkin” by TikTokers, indicates you’re in your thirties or early forties.
Interestingly, Gen Z – who typically carry just a phone and keys – now favor the slim shoulder bags we adored in the Nineties.
French tuck
In the early 2000s, the term “French tuck” was popularized by male stylists on the show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. It describes the Parisian-inspired look of tucking in the front of your shirt while leaving the sides and back untucked.
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex, a millennial, embraces this style. However, older generations, as well as Gen Z, typically prefer a full tuck.
The hashtag “Gen Z vs Millennial Shirt Tuck” has garnered 71.2 million posts, with younger users advocating for tucking everything in to accentuate the waistline.
If you’re Gen X or a baby boomer, kudos for consistently opting for a full tuck—you’re right on trend!
Short denim jacket
Throwing a denim jacket over your floral midi dress and pairing white trainers with a leather Radley rucksack might be your go-to ensemble. However, it also reveals your age.
According to Gen Z, the classic short denim jacket with chest pockets and occasional rips or embellishments is outdated. This might spell bad news for Amanda Holden, 53.
The trend now leans towards oversized denim jackets sourced from pricey vintage shops. The hashtag “Faded leather jacket” has amassed over 450 million views on TikTok.
So, it’s time to dig out your oversized biker or denim jacket from the Eighties or Nineties.
Trainer sock
Layering a denim jacket over your floral midi dress and pairing white trainers with a leather Radley rucksack might be your signature style. But it also reveals your age.
Gen Z declares that the typical short denim jacket with chest pockets and occasional rips or embellishments is passé. This could be unfortunate news for Amanda Holden, 53.
The current trend favors oversized denim jackets from expensive vintage stores. The hashtag “Faded leather jacket” has garnered over 450 million views on TikTok.
So, it’s time to bring out your oversized biker or denim jacket from the Eighties or Nineties.
Mom’s Jeans
The most divisive denim trend is mom jeans, named after the moms of the Eighties. Think of Rachel from Friends and Cindy Crawford.
Though this tapered, ankle-length style made a comeback in the 2010s and has been seen on fashion-forward models like Kendall Jenner, twenty-somethings on TikTok aren’t thrilled when older generations sport this look.
They consider it a major fashion faux pas and suggest opting for wide-leg or barrel-leg jeans instead.
Converse
From Sixties rocker Danny Zuko in Grease to Noughties icons like Alexa Chung and Rihanna, Converse All Stars have been a footwear staple for decades. Originally designed in 1922, these trainers have a long history.
However, Gen Z wouldn’t be caught dead in them. If you’re still holding onto your pair, you’re definitely not in your twenties.
Today’s trendy trainers include chunky “Dad” styles and vibrant designs from top brands like Nike, New Balance, and Adidas.
Another sign of your age is tucking your laces inside your shoes instead of tying them.
Mini Skirt
Mary Quant revolutionised women’s fashion in 1958 with the creation of the miniskirt. However, if you’re sporting one today, it might be considered outdated.
Unless it’s a micro-skirt with a crotch-skimming hemline, which is the length favored by Gen Z. Heavily influenced by the Noughties’ “skelt” (a skirt-belt), the micro-mini is taking over TikTok.
If you prefer a more modest miniskirt that sits a few inches above the knee, reminiscent of the style popularized by ’90s celebrities like Melanie Sykes, now 53, you’ll look lovely—but you might as well have your age written on your forehead.
Wrap Dresses
It’s been fifty years since designer Diane Von Furstenberg introduced the wrap dress, and it has certainly endured, with icons like Madonna, the Princess of Wales, and Michelle Obama, now 60, embracing the style.
However, Gen Z has declared the look passé, meaning you won’t spot a twentysomething wearing one on a night out in your town.
On social media, the wrap dress is predominantly seen on women over 30. While it flatters the waist, bust, and stomach, TikTok deems it uncool.
Gen Z prefers cottagecore, favoring milkmaid-style dresses perfect for whimsical strolls through sunlit meadows.
