Beauty & Style

Should a 45 year old wear this? Or am I being too harsh?

I feel torn and guilty and like I should be banished from the Sisterhood forever. If I’m honest, I’m also a bit jealous after seeing pics of Jennifer Lopez at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

One part of me wants to cheers “onya J.Lo – you’ve still got it, girl!”

The other, much bigger, part of me wants to scream “JUST PUT SOME CLOTHES ON. You don’t look stylish. You don’t look fashion-forward. You just look a little bit desperate for attention”.

And with that, my guilt has hit an all-time high.

J.Lo caused a bit of a stir at this year’s event – and it was all because of a frock.

The 45-year-old mother of two arrived on the red carpet in what the fashion world has dubbed a ‘naked dress’ – it’s not hard to see why:

Yes. Lots of skin, lots of sparkers, and lots and lots of see-through.

This style of gown (Jennifer’s was made by designer Charbel Zoe) has been everywhere at recent red carpets. Kim Kardashian and Beyonce wore it to the Met Gala Ball two weeks ago in New York.

As did J.Lo.

And the style goes way back: Cher pioneered it at the Met Gala more than 30 years ago, and Kim Kardashian said that inspired her to don something similar in 2015.

 

There’s no doubt J.Lo still has a sensational bod – boobs that look natural, abs that women of ANY age would kill for.

And she definitely has fashionista chops. She looked sensational in sheer Donna Karan at last year’s Billboard awards. Cosmo and Elle have both published spreads devoted to her best fashion moments. She knows how to flaunt her best assets and disguise the others (if there are any).

But her Billboard dress this year feels a very long way from the dazzling, split-to-the-navel number she wore to the Grammys in 2000.  It feels try-hard and a little bit ‘me-too’.

Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards in 2000. Image via Getty. 

This is her recreating the look at a concert last year:

JLo in 2014’s version of THAT dress. Image via Getty. 

Am I prude? Am I ageist? Am I just worried she’ll catch a cold?

Take a look at JLO’s latest video – post continues after:

Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that I want J.Lo to dress in a way that’s (WARNING: Loaded term ahead) more appropriate and go down the path of elegance rather than showiness.

There have been so many stars who’ve done it well recently.Take Cate Blanchett. At 46, she opts for a classic but edgy dress at Cannes.

 

And style icon Sarah Jessica Parker, 50, who took a quirky approach to the Met Gala theme China: Through the Looking Glass:

 

There’s Naomi Watts, 46, looking fresh at Cannes:

And funny lady Amy Poehler, 43, also at Cannes:

Justine Clarke, 44, at the Instyle Women of Style Awards:

Danielle Spencer, 46, also at the Instyle Women of Style Awards:

 

And finally, the divine Julianne Moore, 54, in Cannes at the Mad Max: Fury Road premiere.

All of them fashionable. All still on-trend. And all of them classic.

So what do you think? Should J.Lo cover up a bit more? Or is she right to keep wearing whatever she likes? Leave your comment below.

And while you’re here – why not take a look at some of our favourite Aussie celebrities at the Instyle Awards last week:

Here are the comments
  • Angela Cheryl Waters

    I think it’s a bit too much attention seeking. I’m not suggesting that she completely cover up, however I do think she’s trying to keep up with those that are twenty years younger than herself. Having said that Madonna’s worse and she’s in her middle fifties. I just think a woman of any age can be sexy and elegant without letting it all hang out, as your examples of Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett showed.

  • Kate

    I agree with Agent99, I think these dresses are pretty ghastly but I also think that J Lo and every other woman on the face of the earth, should be able to wear whatever they want. Who cares! The more we all tell each other what to do, the more we perpetuate arbitrary social norms about how women should be, or look like, as they age. We should all back the **** off and give each other the space to be whoever we want to be-in whatever outfit we damn well please.

  • Benison O’Reilly

    I agree with the earlier comment; these ‘naked’ dresses are tacky, full stop. What no-one seems to consider is that she has a daughter, as do Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, although the last is frankly a lost cause. Yeah, we *get* they’ve got good bodies but do they really need to have everything on display? Beyonce is the one I’m really disappointed in. She is an incredible successful and influential musician yet she’s subliminally passing on the message to her daughter that the only way to harness that power is by being sexy. Whatever happened to clever and talented? As for J Lo, it looks like insecurity to me. Wants to keep proving she’s hot and desirable but it comes across as a little desperate.

    • Kate

      I am pretty sure that Beyonce has dressed like this right the way through her career, as she became ‘successful and influential’. Her daughter has a great role model, a mother who’s in charge of her own life. These powerful women are all making their own choices, no one is telling them what to wear, why are you?

      • Benison O’Reilly

        Because until women stop trading on their sexuality men aren’t going to take them seriously. Have you read about the rampant sexism in Hollywood? There’s been a lot in the press lately. Who would you rather your daughter have as a role model, Beyonce or Amal Clooney?

        • Kate

          I think they are both great role models. I am a feminist, always have been, always will be. You’re positing that Beyonce, a woman who is in charge of her career, has achieved fame largely through trading on her sexually? Beyonce’s sexuality is part of who she is, she backs it up with talent, determination, super smart strategic thinking and business acumen. Beyonce is a proud, confident woman who does her own thing. We don’t have to subjugate our sexuality to be successful. Amal Clooney is a brilliant woman, she’s dedicated her life to improving the lives of others and she does incredible work. I wish she was famous world wide for that. She’s not though, she’s globally famous for marrying George Clooney (she took her husband’s name too, something I hope my daughter doesn’t do). Amal Clooney’s fame is the product of her attachment to a powerful movie star, I’d say this is an example of the rampant sexism in Hollywood.

          • Benison O’Reilly

            That’s not the point I was intending to make. Amal Clooney had a life that I’d hope young girls would aspire to before she she met her husband. Being famous is irrelevant. And she dressed just as beautifully when she was “simply’ a human rights barrister not the wife of a movie star.I was just making the point of comparison because she was also at the Met and looked a million times better. It’s great you’re raising your daughter a feminist, but if so, would you be happy for her to go out wearing a ‘naked dress’ (as it was called), like Beyonce wore to the Met? A journo over at the SMH has made exactly the same point as me. Her words, not mine: “It’s not a competition. Beyonce, you don’t have to wear less clothes
            than J-Lo who wears less clothes than Kim Kardashian who is trying to
            remain on people’s radars by wearing less clothes. It’s like a race to the bottom. Remember how cool you dressed about two seasons ago Bey?”

            • Kate

              As an adult woman, my daughter will be able to wear whatever she wants, I only wish that she will be free to do that without judgement and particularly not the judgement of other women. My point is, we should lay off each other with the judgement. Both you and SMH journalist have made the assumption that Beyonce is not choosing to wear this dress because she wants to, she likes it, it feels good and she’s proud of her body and not ashamed of showing it. Amal Clooney looked gorgeous, she looked like Amal Clooney. Beyonce looked exactly like Beyonce. Both women are brilliant role models, we don’t all have to look the same, we don’t have to cover our bodies to prove we have brains.

  • Lulu

    1 word #ageism – she looks fantastic, age doesn’t matter. This way of thinking is restrictive.

  • Mel

    You gotta stop the dissin’ of the sister ! If she has a great body, why not flaunt it. CMon ! We bag blokes for commenting or admiring how hot a woman looks…lets not sink to their level by making bitchy comments. How do you dress your age any way ? I know some 45 year olds who dress similarly to 60 year olds. #DontDissYourSis

  • WP

    If she feels good wearing it, then good on her. Its not up to me or you or anyone else to say what she should wear.

  • R. Fitch

    Doesn’t matter how old u r. . Cover up.. I don’t want my almost teen boy seeing anybody’s “goods”

    • Kirraah

      When did your ‘almost teen boy’ become King and everyone have to rally around him.? Better option is for him to NOT LOOK.

      • R. Fitch

        Sure.. have him walk the streets eyes closed.. run over by a car. Cover up your girls.. modesty.. purity.. God honoring. . Why would u want your girl walking the streets looking like she’s desiring 2 be objectified. . Used. . Automatically assumed to be easy

  • Stacy Shaver

    It would have looked completely different if she had been smiling. Her attempt at having a seductive look on her face is what makes her look like she is trying too hard

  • Ja Sam Ja

    She is a showbizz person and a performer, everything she wears is just a costume. She is not actress, she is living her act.

  • Sue Pearce

    Just showed my partner and he didn’t think any of the naked dresses looked good…he liked Kate Blanchett and Julianne Moore. ..i personally think it is classless. .

  • Alison Pereira Rodericks

    I don’t see it as an “appropriate for your age” issue. In my opinion, it’s a “dress decently – not matter what your age” issue. It can apply to men OR women. Of course, it’s fab to flaunt it if you’ve got it, but what about leaving something to the imagination? How low can the plunging necklines and cutout capers go?

  • Emily Peddlesden

    So you’re saying women are beautiful only if the conform to your version of ‘classy’ which involves being covered up.
    Bullshit, I think it’s a great look if you do it right, and if you can pull it off then go for it!

  • Tania Hutchins

    she looks great! if she can pull it off, then more power to her!

  • Monique Bowley

    That is why her name is “J-Lo”. And your name is Anne. Just saying. ;)

  • Anita Black

    I know exactly where your coming from, I feel the same too. She should dress more modestly at her age yeah….she should take a leaf out of Julianne Moores book.

  • Gangle

    If JLo wants to wear a tacky dress then she should go for it. Personally I’m not into these dresses. Yes, all these women have fantastic bodies and good on them if they feel happy and confident flaunting them. But the dresses just aren’t stylish and the only risque thing about them is the naked factor. Boring!

  • Ange

    Leave her alone, why should anyone have to dress a certain way just because of a number? J Lo has always dressed like this so why change now, the other women you have pointed out would never have dressed this way even when they were in their twenties, they all have their own style too

    • Kate Ritchie

      Yes I agree with that, you shouldn’t have to change your style to ‘elegant’ once you hit a certain age. One person’s elegant is another person’s boring. And one person’s tacky is another person’s wonderful xx

      • Kim laing

        I agree. There are other high profile people who don’t cut as nice an image as some of their older counterparts, but we don’t take to them so brutally.

  • Agent99

    Regardless of age – no-one should be wearing those tacky things (gowns) – they’re just plain awful. Cate Blanchett was magnificent in that Giles gown – drama!!!

  • Kate Ritchie

    Oh look a photo of me! First comment on DD. Or anywhere that showed a photo on my profile. Been a while since I’ve played let’s comment on the internet :) Um, anyway…back to the point!
    Yes Anne I DO think you’re being a bit harsh! Let women of any age wear whatever the hell they like without using that horrid A word – appropriate! A gal shouldn’t be restricted to ‘classy’ or ‘kooky’ past the age of 40. Or even 80. If JLo or anyone else wants to mix it with the younger ones and their flesh baring styles, good luck to her/them. If she wants to wear a tasteful doona cover fashioned into a neck to toe dress, also good luck to her. Now let’s get you kitted out in something bejewelled and racy, because I think inside that pursed lips comment is a heart that’s yearning to frock up and strut! xx

  • Ru

    I think if J Lo is comfortable and happy showing off her gorgeous bod then there’s no issue? I think we should stop judging women on what they wear and what they look like. The important thing is that she’s comfortable, and that’s awesome in a world that tells her she shouldn’t be.