In this week’s Time Magazine, designer Tommy Hilfiger says he doesn’t like to see people wearing floral prints.
I think they really don’t have great taste. Why would you want to wear a print you see on a bedspread or wallpaper in an older person’s home?
Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Why would you disrespect a whole group of people based on nothing but age? That’s textbook ageism, my friend, and at sixty-one you should know better. Think I’m overreacting? Try this: why don’t you repeat that sentence but instead of older, use the adjective black. How does that look?
If it’s not okay the one way, it’s not okay the other, Tommy. I will assume you’re a nice guy and didn’t mean it, and if so, that makes my point: we’re so comfortable insulting people based on age that we don’t hear ourselves. It’s not intentional or conscious, just an easy stereotype to slip into. So next time, try to be a little more careful, won’t you? Maybe, in so doing, you can set an example for the rest of the world.
The other ignorant part of it is that patterns on wallpaper or bedding are part of “textiles.” How can he not know that, working in a “sewing industry.”
Be sure to send this to Tommy directly. He should know better.
Shame on Tommy and good for you, Lynne, calling him on this!
and, to think that just yesterday I saw this great pair of floral pants that I thought I’d consider! So glad I have my own voice and dress like I want! Thanks Lynne for reminding us to be aware of what is written and said out loud by those we would assume might have some sensitivity.
I hope you’ll go back and buy those pants, CSL.
LOVED this post! Having come from the world of the morbidly obese, I always said that obesity was the last safe prejudice – meaning that while it is no longer politically correct to judge and have fun at the expense of blacks, native americans, Pollocks, etc it is still o.k. to make fun of those dealing with obesity. As we start to deal with the nations growing obesity problem, it is becoming less of a “safe prejudice”. As the population gets older and older, let hope the ageism becomes takes the same track!
Pennie, I agree. Goodbye to “safe prejudice.” I think as a country we’re moving forward, learning together. Things that were once thought to be just the way things were done (e.g. sexual harassment) are seen differently now. Makes me happy.
AMEN!!! I don’t understand why people think it is okay to disrespect people due to their age or weight. NOT OKAY!!! He should know better. I love that I can wear whatever I want and not care if Tommy or anyone else likes it.
You go, girl.
Designers make clothes that look best on young, tall, skinny women, and then slam older women! I think that is a prejudice in the industry. If we ‘over sixties’ wore some of the designs created by them we’d be called eccentric and worse. There is nothing wrong with wearing florals if it makes you feel good.
Absolutely, KB. And Tommy, at 61, must hate what he sees in the mirror. (I recommend a ballsy floral shirt.)
I was sitting on a curb with my large bag of organic groceries waiting for a cab in San Miguel de Allende today wearing a floral turquoise/orchid skirt and an orchid blouse. Something I’ve had for years and loved the design. Two Americans walked by laughing out loud as they complimented my colors. I actually said,”I’ve been wearing gray all week and this morning I decided on something more cheery.” They howled with laughter. These well dressed people (wearing beige and gray) must certainly have read the Hillfiger article, while I did not. Worth a giggle!!!
Lisa, I have to say that your comment is the most colorful and vibrant of all the wonderful communing I’ve enjoyed here today. My second thought was, it’s so flippin’ cultural. In the US, we make fun of old people. In certain Asian countries, they revere us. In the US, Tommy H says florals are an embarrassment. In San Miguel de Allende, it’s the epitome of fashion. I am in your debt.
Good for you for absorbing their hurtful actions instead of reflecting them and sending something smartass back to them. That really takes the wind out of their sails. Learned this from Seven Habits of Successful People (or something to that effect).
This really hit me funny – at Christmas I got my daughter (age 39) a floral jacket with a diagonal zipper up the front. She looked like a Martha Stewart biker. We as a family always “love” whatever each other gets us, but when she opened the box, she said, “Oh, it’s floral.” Well what do I know about what’s in? I’m so sick of seeing ALL women in black, solid, stripe, print Black, black, black. Come on ladies show a little creativity. Personally I’ll be thrilled when florals are back in. For me, they never went out. And to Tommy Hilfiger – ph-h-f-f-f-t-t-t!!
Mar, I didn’t get the memo either! So I guess I’m out of style. Whatever that is – because I just try to please myself, mainly. I’m wearing faded jeans and a zip-front pink golf shirt as we speak. But you know how they say women our age are invisible? What a blessing. They don’t have to look at us if it bums them out so much.
As far as I’m concerned, TH has no clue about clothes or personal behavior. Several years ago, he docked his massive yacht here in Savannah. From what I heard, he didn’t realize that to a 20 something woman, he was an “older” man. It was all over town that he behaved rather foolishly. Personally, I would never wear his clothes. They’re boring to look at and I don’t find it “cool” to wear clothes with his name on them. So his statement is a joke to me and I doubt that he has much taste. However Lynne, I’m glad you have called him and others out on ageist remarks. There are so many people 60 plus who are intelligent, competent and graceful…and then there’s TH. Enjoy your blog very much!
Thanks, Cynthia. What an interesting story. I wonder if his peeps will get in touch?
Good call, Lynne. And while we’re talking about clothing and design, where are the clothes for classy “older” women these days? Who’s designing those?
There are probably some…but this too has been an issue for the longest time. I’ve been happy with Chicos for winter or fancy, Fresh Produce for summer/casual, and NYDJeans.
?? He can’t see all those wrinkles in the mirror . . . but he can see a few flowers on somebody’s pants?? And REALLY Tommy . . . didn’t your mommy teach you manners?
Good going Lynne!
I know! the dude is 61. What does he define as “older” anyway?
Get ’em, Lynne! Tommy should be more careful with his words. He’s sixty-one, for Pete’s sake — what part of “older person” does he NOT think he is?!!
Uh-uh. Bad Tommy.
I am thrilled to be 80 years old. My wife is very unthrilled about aging—she is super sensitive about it. She would blow a gasket at this kind of age remark. My wife is also very aware of age discrimination.
I am just happy to be 80. lol I am the only male on my dad’s side of the family to live past 71.
I sure see your point.
Congrats on getting to 80 and being healthy enough to think, write, and be in a relationship. It’s no small thing. Life can be cruel. We have to appreciate stuff. I don’t want to get old for the reason that it’s hard on us, and gets us closer to death. But I’d rather be old than “not here,” which I’ve come close to a few times. Almost died in a car wreck the last week before summer break when I was a junior in high school. And then there was that perforated appendix…etc. So I agree with you…just happy to be here!
Great call out Lynne. And I think you are right, it’s one of those things that we don’t even think about. I hope he sees this….. I don’t really think an apology is needed but it would be good food for thought for him and for all of us.
Yes, that’s all I care about, that he and others think about their words and act differently in future.
Yes, that was ageist. And utterly ignorant and inconsiderate. I won’t wait for the superficial apology from him.
It was ignorant…I assume he’s a decent person who wasn’t thinking. But that’s my point – we wound the old with our unconscionably ignorant comments and behavior, again, again, again. He is the example of a culture that needs to grow the hell up.
You make an excellent point. We’ve, as in ‘culture’, have found older people an acceptable target for derision. So glad you called him out in that way!
Couldn’t agree more…there’s an irony in all of it though – creating clothes for a population that he is removed from by at least a generation if not two – leaves him clueless about his own cohort group. Denial perhaps? 😉