At 72, we often find ourselves reflecting on what is “appropriate” behavior, especially when it comes to appearance and modesty. Recently, I encountered a situation that left me questioning the norms for our stage of life. I saw a woman my age at the beach, confidently walking around in a revealing swimsuit. While I admire confidence at any age, I couldn’t help but wonder: shouldn’t we dress a bit more modestly as we get older?

Feeling the need to share my thoughts, I approached her and politely suggested that perhaps a more modest look might be more suitable. To my surprise, she just laughed it off, seemingly uninterested in my well-meaning advice. Her response made me question if I was being too traditional in my thinking.

Shouldn’t we, as older adults, embrace grace and elegance? Or has the idea of modesty changed with time? Flaunting a body in your 70s, as if you’re in your 30s, feels out of place to me. However, times are changing, and so are the perceptions of beauty and self-expression.

So, the real question is: Am I stuck in an outdated mindset, or should there be a point where we acknowledge our age and adjust how we present ourselves to the world? What do you think?