Mumsnet Talk

PS: doesn't Great Aunt Loretta off of 'Grampa in my Pocket' wear Converse?

Yeah, I do see your point but I still love her. Even if I couldn't carry off her look. I couldn't carry off the elegant ubiquitous skinnies/scarves/jackets look either. I'd just get something wrong. And even if I didn't, the packaging just wouldn't match the inner product. Meh. I don't bloody know.

My only answer to the original thread question might be midriff-bearing tops (although I wouldn't be surprised if there's some gorgeous minx out there who could disprove even that). It's just that the other day I visited the Top Shop website, y'know, just looking like and it was the headline on the homepage 'top of the crops!' which made me think 'mmmm, think I might have come to the wrong party here'

My friend then informed me I should be on the Damart website instead. Helpful

(I'm 39, gonna be 40 any minute now, hence all my sudden style-soul-searching)

That lady's yellow tights are truly, truly hideous. Deffo mad cat-woman-esque.

Chandon, I'm sure you look gorgeous, I bet you do. I'm just jelous... I've always looked a bit dishevelled-verging-on-bonkers even when trying to be elegant and fit in. So I'm desperately seeking ways for my 'style' to grow with me without giving in and entering full-on mad-old-cat lady territory :-)

Totally agree Alan. I look much better with some colour near my face. It may depend on your season if you are into CMB.

dark muted colours make me look grey and drab.

I am 45 and I feel more confident wearing a shorter skirt now than when I was 20. My parents thought a skirt above the knee was 'up your bottom'. My dads ever tactful phrasing.

Roundwindow, that is exactly how I dress, the buttery soft jacket included!

Made me

I am indeed nt very rebelious in terms of dress

Did anyone say don't wear brights? I think brights look best in classic shapes and more 'fashion' stuff in dark/muted colours, but there are plenty of people who that doesn't apply to. I don't get a lot of the arsiness on this thread, if you think you look good why do you care? Wear what you like! Most advice was aimed at the OP who seemed less confident.

Personally I dislike supergas on anyone under about 45, the shape looks better on older people. Don't know why. And I'm very bored of converse after nearly three years of baby groups.

I remember my best friend at school (17) expressing the opinion that Mums shouldn't wear jeans ....how times have changed.

The BBH gave me newsreader hair. It had to go.

Still not clear about 'dealer' style, is that the new term for sloaney?

Good thread. I like that description of newsreader style.

I'm 42 but I'm in better shape now than I've even been, well toned, fit and slim. I don't feel too constrained by my age but I used to feel constrained by my flabby bits.
I think people become more conservative as they age, they get stuck in a style rut, they would probably describe their look as classic - others might describe it as dull and safe. My dh always jokes about older ladies in their flowery dresses and ponders when my style rut will set in and what it will be.
I don't like heavily branded clothing....younger people seem to wear it quite a lot. Don't wear Superga or Converse, I don't find them comfortable - I wear Spring Court instead - does the brand matter or is it canvas plimsoles that are only for the youth?

What won't I wear now? - uncomfortable shoes that are too tight, that the sales assistant earnestly promised will give with a little wear - I'm too old to fall for that shite any more!

So if I cannot wear decent leggings (not the cheap tights), hoodies, dm's, biker jackets, shorts, skirts above the knee, superga, converse, knee high boots, (are thigh ones acceptable?) What am I supposed to wear?

Would rather stay indoors in my pj's that go out in a twin set and pearls.

This fab Canadian lady, imho, refutes the idea expressed earlier on this thread that older ladies need to avoid bright colours:

stylesud-est.blogspot.co.uk

I don't know her from Adam. I just discovered her blog recently. I've only recently started looking at fashion blogs at all, and was delighted to find a 40plus blog that didn't feature the whole skinny jeans/buttery-soft-taupe-biker-jacket/huge scarf/ash trainers look.

(not that I have a problem with the above look, these ladies look elegant and lovely... but what about those of us who have always had more artistic/experimental/rebellious/non-conformist leanings?)

A light tan gets rid of both and a spray of oil!

Cleavage is nice if not too crepey or doughy

I still like a bit of cleavage in a lovely bra and nice shirt if skin well moisturised and a bit tanned

I don't do cleavage, never really had one anyway. But legs are fine, knees are fine.

Must admit I stick to the rule of no cleavage, full stop. I think it looks awful, even on younger women tbh. The only time my cleavage is seen is in a bikini on holiday.

My legs/knees are okay - and that's why good quality opaque tights were invented too!

37 this year and think as I get older I get more comfortable about wearing what I like.
I wear a leather biker jacket, shorts with opaques and supergas in the summer.
Over the past couple of years I have upped my running game and am in better physical shape now than I have been since my early 20s.
I love a bit of leopard print too!
I suppose the only thing I draw the line at are bottom skimming mini skirts. I also stick to a rule of above the knee skirt, no cleavage. Or cleavage and trousers or longer skirt.

at MorrisZapp

Experimentation is not just for teenagers. Fashion evolves and innovates, your character changes and you get more confident as you get older. I personally have a much better body now than I did in my takeaway eating, binge-drinking, chain-smoking 20s. I don't want my 'experimental' phase to ever be over. I know what suits me, but sometimes I just want to dress for the moment and fuck phooey to what anyone else thinks.

I'm 41 and have the knees of a 19 year old

The older I get, the more 'youth' wear I buy. Mainly cos it's only now that I can afford labelled stuff.

But I'm forced to agree about the scruffy look. My mum still does a slightly rock chick, slightly studenty look in her sixties and I don't think she looks her best.

Hello, I'm the OP. Wow I didn't think this would get so heated. Just to clarify, I don't think that the things I mentioned in the first post are mutton at all. I want to wear them and do. I think, like I said earlier, that because I am spending a lot of time around teenagers and 20 somethings (at university), it's made me aware that some of the things I wear are the same similar to them. I'm quite a introverted type and would hate to think I was being judged as muttony by said young, firm-fleshed trend-setters but that is totally my hang-up and has nothing to do with the discussion this thread has created.

I am horrified that this thread has depressed people or made them think it is based on a woman-hating premise. Style is completely subjective as many people have pointed out and what one person wants to wear and just as importantly, can carry off, varies greatly from the next person.

I always have too Poly and remember first big buy in early 20s (the indulgence!), was the start of it all, although did the de rigeur top shop etc.

Realised how bored I was of all the Covent Garden brands when I overloaded working there mid 20s. Probably the most uninspired by fashion I have felt.

Can't do the newsreader look.

"flowers in the air at 39 omg!"

But one of the most beautiful women I know must be in her 50s, and often wears flowers in her hair. She also wears - on her - incredibly fetching green outfits which I know she makes from reworked charity shop finds.

The thing is it all depends on what suits you and, sadly, whether you are naturally stylish or not (sadly because I fall into the 'not' category & therefore have to tread with care).