Woman's iconic response to people telling her to 'dress your age' is inspiring Gen X

Women constantly face pressure from society, which dictates what they wear and how they choose to live. But this 59-year-old model and public speaker is setting a bold example for people of her generation and encouraging them to speak out against outdated stereotypes. Mia Mauge has garnered a loyal fanbase on social media, especially on her Instagram @miamauge, where she regularly posts her stunning outfits, fashion and beauty tips. 

In one of the most popular videos on her page which has amassed close to one million views, she gets filmed while traveling in the subway, flaunting her attire. She wears everything from track pants to dresses and suits and carries herself with confidence, ignoring people who want her to "dress according to her age." Mauge has something special to say to her followers which she addressed via an interview with Newsweek. "My fashion is a part of who I am," Maugé admitted. She had finally found her style and what truly made her feel beautiful after years of self-discovery. Mauge belongs to Gen X or people who were born between 1965 to 1980. 

She now lives in London and refuses to give in to the societal pressure that wants her to dress like other women in their late 50s. "Find what makes you feel good and what's comfortable in terms of who you are. For me, when I wear streetwear, it's saying that I come from this generation who created the look, and it's expressing who I am," Maugé said. "The way I dress could be deemed cross-generational because I take inspiration from all ages. But people who struggle when it comes to being middle-aged are the ones who are most influenced by society, and they tend to lose their way." Mauge started documenting her style statements on social media when she felt that there was a lack of visibility for her generation and what they wear. 

Mauge continued, who is often seen sporting everything from animal print boots to comfy sneakers or stilettos, "I really struggled with my 40s because I believed everything I'd been told about aging, and I felt irrelevant. I really felt like I was falling apart, I saw nothing positive about it and then something just switched when I hit 50," she told the outlet. "In 2016 I started challenging why I felt like that. I decided to stop worrying and hiding my age by dyeing my hair. I thought it was getting my attention for the wrong reasons, as it was like a beacon that said: 'This woman here is old.' But once I tapped into it, I realized I am the best version I could ever be, and I value the experiences I bring to the table."

In the caption of that popular video, she also expressed her disappointment towards those brands who ignore the Gen X crowd when they are the generation that popularized streetwear. "I never imagined that I would appeal to young women, but I regularly get comments from them saying how wonderful it is to see what they might look like in 20-30 years. For me, that's the biggest motivation because it means the next generation can inherit something," Mauge spoke about her lovely fanbase that includes women from various generations. The comment section of her video was full of praise and people admiring her confidence.

@_iamjamisha wrote, "You'll be surprised how many young girlies look at your videos and get inspired. Don't count the youth out. You can dress and don't have to show too much to be seen. That's what a lot of girlies appreciate. Learning how to dress appropriately and still have a style and feel confident doing it." @fromlexspantry commented, "Love all these looks, but especially your hair! Gorgeous and fun!" @marcumwonda added, "They are all beautiful! We came up with them, we can wear them as long as we want! Wear what you feel good in, regardless of your age."