I’m 59 and covered in tattoos – people expect me to ‘fade into the corner’ but I refuse
A FASHIONISTA has hit back at the expectation that women should become less visible and dress boring as they age.
Lonni Pike (@grayhairandtattos) has racked up over 1 million followers on TikTok since becoming an influencer at age 51.
She has also built up a legion of followers on YouTube and Instagram with people loving her alternative sense of style.
The trendsetter explained to Mamamia that the journey to embracing her true self started when she left a bad marriage at age 30.
She recalled feeling “empowered” after getting her first tattoo in a biker shop in the American desert.
Lonni said: “I felt it kind of was like a catalyst of what started me on this journey of finding who I was.”
She is now age 59, sober, and has a very eye-catching look with multiple inkings, trendy outfits, and a shaved head.
She continued: “I started hearing the whole message of, ‘well, when you’re over 50… you’re supposed to wear beige and fade into the corner.’
“No, I don’t want to fade away. I just started liking myself.
“Fashion doesn’t stop at 50… It’s never too late to find [your] version of happiness.”
Lonni said she launched an Instagram account after struggling to fit in with both people her own age and the heavily tattooed crowd.
“Everything exploded and I have not tried to fit in with any niche ever since,” she added.
The style enthusiast has left her followers admiring her confidence and eager to experiment with their own clothing.
In one TikTok video, she looked relaxed in denim jeans, sandals, and a white top as she rounded up all of her outfits from the past week.
She donned a thigh-split skirt and black vest with chunky boots and a blue backpack in a second video.
“What to wear over 50, anything you want!” she captioned the post.
One commenter said: “I wanna look and dress like you when I’m 59. You are so cool and this is such a fit.”
Another wrote: “I turned 40 this year and I am loving that you have such a youthful style still.”
A third commented: “You are such an inspiration. 51 here and now I know I can actually dress how I want to. Time to be me unapologetically.”
A fourth added: “I love your look. I’m tired of being afraid to try new looks and need to enjoy fashion more.”