Any complete fashion No No'sfor the over 50's

[calisha]

As an over 50 (size 12) I have a set of personal "things to avoid" fashion rules.....Need to avoid skirts above the knee, avoid low cut tops, avoid sleeveless, avoid skinny jeans to name just a few..... But what should I actively seek bearing in mind I quite like not to be mutton as lamb but a bit fashionable?

[Savagebeauty]

I'm 56 and wear skinny jeans and sleeveless tops.
Who made the rules???

[calisha]

They are my own ridiculous rules! I see other women of the same age looking fantastic in them. DD thinks I'm bonkers

[ElfinStardust]

why are you lumping all women over the age of 50 together? Is a 52 year old the same as a 72 or 85 year old?

Some women over 50 have better legs, slimmer waists, smoother chest skin than much younger women. It makes me furious the way women are expected to view themselves differently once they reach 50. I wish we wouldn't buy into it.

[Savagebeauty]

Dress for your shape. If you like something and it suits you, wear it.

[YaySirNaySir]

Eh? I am not 50 but not far off and that list is most of my wardrobe.
I'm only going to avoid daft ageist 'rules'

[ExpandingRoundTheMiddle]

I'm over 50. The only clothing on my banned list is a shroud.
Life's too short to worry about that stuff OP.

[lurkingfromhome]

It's got bugger all to do with age and everything to do with shape. Wear what suits you. How desperately sad that so many great clothes should be on your banned list just because you're over 50. You're a size 12, which suggests that you're going to look good in most things. Avoid that ageist claptrap and wear what you like.

[RickOShay]

I am 48. I wear skinny jeans, diamonte hair clips, denim mini skirts, sleeveless tops, flip flops, straw cowboy hats -but not all at once . There are some things I don't feel comfortable in any more, off the shoulder tops, strappy dresses, flimsy stuff, at this stage of the game I think you should please yourself, well at any stage really. Wear what makes you feel you, whatever that may be.

[PurpleWithRed]

Over 50 myself - agree on knees and low cut tops are just plain disappointing although that's because I am under endowed. Skinnies definitely in and my arms are great.

I find a good crew neck most flattering, wrap tops are great, and I do like to wear bum-covering tops at work as I find the shape of my bum is an age giveaway despite me being the right weight for my height.

[NicknameUsed]

I'm 57 and dress for my shape. I wear skinny jeans and sleeveless tops. I draw the line at short skirts in summer as my knees are horrible and old looking. I used to live in shorts in summer but can't get away with that now either. I have never worn low cut tops as I am under endowed in that department.

All my life I have had skinny arms. They look normal now and I feel less self conscious in sleeveless tops. I even had a halter neck maxi dress until last year.

[BestIsWest]

53 and wearing skinnies. Love a crew or a boat neck. I don't wear short skirts because I have fat legs. I never liked showing much cleavage any way.
Wear what suits you not your age.

[TellMeDani]

I won't be making rules, google the following and look on images:
Julianne Moore age 55
Susan Sarandon 69
Helen Mirren 70
They look amazing! I know they have loads of money bla bla bla but they seriously know how to make the most of themselves, that should be the only rule imo, make the very most of yourself that you can and enjoy it!

[JohnCheese]

Why would you define yourself by your age?

[DebCee]

I have been pondering this since reading the "stylish in summer" thread.

I lost a lot of weight 5 years ago and discovered the joys of cotton dresses, thick tights and boots for winter. This kind of style:

74pcb.esellersolutions.com/item/productImages/product_image_114_6_9_21_6_33.jpg

I have been wearing similar dresses with leggings and flats in the summer, and feeling pretty good in them. But apparently leggings in summer are a big no-no?

So am I a total fashion disaster? And should I care?

[P1nkP0ppy]

I'm over 60, and I dress to suit myself.
I wear skinny jeans with longer tops, above knee skirts, sleeveless tops etc.
The important thing is to make sure your clothes fit you and to look in the mirror before you leave the house!
There are days when I feel scruffy but that's when I'm not going out.
Enjoy wearing whatever you like, make the most of life!

[NicknameUsed]

I really like that dress DebCee. That is the sort of thing I wear.

[OurBlanche]

Sod the rules.

Mid thigh - knee length dresses and thick, cropped leggings are my usual attire - and anyone who has a problem with it can piss off!

DebCee that's the kind of thing... looks really nice

[NicknameUsed]

I bought this the other day. Sadly we haven't had warm enough weather for me to wear it yet.

[DebCee]

NickNameUsed, that's a bargain!

[Eliza22]

Depends on your shape/confidence/style really.

Personally, I try to stay "on the knee" with skirts but that's because my knees are past their best and I have cellulite. I've lost a stone recently so, may re-think that one. I look awful in jeans and trousers as I'm a typical pear.

I think if I were a 12 I'd wear pretty much what I wanted.

[Oldraver]

I'm over 50 and wear skinny jeans.....and I'm not skinny myself but feel happier in them then wide legged stuff. I have a big belly and found everytime I try on wide legged trousers they look ridiculous on me and flap around.

I stick to below the knee as I dont like my knees...not because I should do due to my age or anything.

I dont mind sleeveless, even though I am aware I have lovely bingo wings...the only thing that stops me is when my skin is playing up and I dont want it on show

[Darklane]

There should only be one rule, look in the mirror & if you like it, & feel happy in it, that's all that matters

[UhtredRagnorsson]

Oh god. I'm 49 and I live in skinny jeans. And all my dresses and skirts are above the knee (not as far above as they are designed to be, granted. But above. If I bought anything designed to be below the knee of a person with normal leg length I'd look ridiculous). I don't wear low cut tops particularly, because I have no boobs, near as makes no difference - no cleavage anyway - I do wear sleevless stuff though.

Will I have to buy an entire new wardrobe next year?!?!?!?!?

[Ginslinger]

I'm 60 - I wouldn't wear a very short dress with bare legs but I haven't done that since I was thirty - I've got rotten knees. Apart from that it's business as usual.

[WhiteHairReally]

OP, I can relate to your rules and have been operating under them all ( bar the low cut top, blessed with 32FF so need to divide and rule them with V necked mock wrap tops and scoop T shirts) since forever.
This has been due to being overweight, working in a conservative profession and being the daughter of a Victorian minded father.
"You look like a prostitute."
I was wearing a high V neck jumper and was 13. It explains a lot.

I am now also a size 12 and am having my own issues adjusting to clothing options that were once banned.