Women feel ‘invisible’ once they reach this age, according to research

Research suggests that women start to feel ‘invisible’ in both professional and social scenarios from the age of 36.

A survey of 2,000 females revealed that 44% have grappled with feelings of being ignored and unrecognised. These sentiments have been experienced in social gatherings, at work, and within the healthcare system.

In their professional lives, 29% reported feeling less visible after turning 40, with a substantial 60% feeling their views are frequently disregarded due to their age.

The study found two out in five women felt particularly neglected after struggling to find clothing suitable for their age group.

The research, commissioned by fashion retailer Klass, discovered that three quarters of women believe high street stores favour younger customers, making them feel worse.

Many older women feel overlooked and struggle to find appropriate attire for special events such as weddings, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, and holidays.

Overall, 62% of participants believe societal beauty standards have significantly contributed to women feeling invisible. Meanwhile, 57% think the underrepresentation of women in their 40s and 50s in the media plays a significant part.

As a result of these feeling, over half of those aged over 40 want to inspire younger women to embrace every phase of their lives to prevent similar feelings and encourage them to celebrate their uniqueness.

Simon Barnett, director of Klass, voiced his concern, saying: “It’s a shame to see that a recent phenomenon called ‘Invisible Women Syndrome’ does seem to exist,” signalling a troubling trend affecting mature women.

He believes that by “talking openly about these issues, we can work towards creating a society where women feel valued and seen at every stage of life.”

Lynne McKenna, celebrity stylist and ambassador for Klass, stressed the importance of these discussions: “These conversations are important, not just in the fashion industry but across society, to ensure women feel empowered to express themselves and live authentically,”.