What instantly ages?

[MadameNaice]

Whether that be clothing or cosmetics, I'm interested to hear your opinions. I have a few of my own thoughts on this, though I could be way off the mark.

Am in need of a boost and think I might be unwittingly ageing myself before my time.

Thanks.

Mum boots

It’s very individual, the idea of “style rules” is in itself very ageing

For example no short skirts over 49, no long hair over 50, no grey hair under 60 whatever... very outdated concepts (my mum would tell me I am wrong and need to cut my hair and wear long skirts now I am 50 )

The only thing I can think of as ageing is the idea that rules like this apply

Set yourself free what do you think feels ageing to you?

Heels.

What even are mum boots?! Lol that is such an old concept, goes back to 2000-2010 🤣 in the MN style board

@LobotheBotanist they still exist, though!

Mums boots - the ones with the heel, I'm guessing.

@LobotheBotanist I can't quite put my finger on it. It may possibly be that I wear a uniform of long sleeve tops, skinny jeans and trainers. I can't find a foundation or tinted moisturiser to fit my skin tone and type. Also I have an usual body shape.

an unusual body shape

For me, weight. I instantly look 5 years older when I'm heavier.

@LobotheBotanist

What even are mum boots?! Lol that is such an old concept, goes back to 2000-2010 🤣 in the MN style board

They only actually exist on MN S&B.

According to the shops that me and my friends have mostly known, pretty much all women have an unusual body shape!

Too tall, too short, legs too long/ short, same with body, boobs too big or small, top heavy, and etc etc etc. I'm sure your body shape isn't particularly unusual.

TBH I think it's attitude that is ageing. And confidence makes you look good.

Not very helpful I know!

To me:
Bobs
Pixie cuts
Fringes
Chunky jewellery
French polished nails
Over plucked brows
Chinos
Blazers
Etc

Fleeces.
Clothes that don't fit - too big or shapeless.
Stooped while walking - shoulders back shows great confidence, even if fake.

Otherwise looking like my mother

@AfterSchoolWorry I agree with most of your list. Fringes and over plucked brows are very ageing IMO. So is thick cakey make up.

Being rigid about what’s ‘allowed’.

And fleeces.

Ohhh what’s your unusual body shape?

Mine is very wide hips, like proper banging-into-the-furniture wide

It’s hard to dress tbh

Cold shoulder tops
Matte foundation
Kohl eyeliner

Grey hair. Sorry but it does. It can look fabulous if you are fully made up and it is immaculately styled, but otherwise it is so ageing. A friend of mine has recently grown hers out and I'm glad she has liberated herself of the dye, but there is no question that she looks quite a bit older. I guess it depends on how much you think that matters?

On me?
Matt make-up.
I need my skin to look dewy - otherwise I look really old I think

@LobotheBotanist I have extremely long legs - and arms. Shorter upper body. Fat buttocks, skinny ankles. Delicate wrists.

My facial features are also a bit weird.

White or grey hair - I am the owner of a fair amount of white hair, but I dye it because it's incredibly aging.

'Sensible' shoes or boots. Trainers are better if you need comfort (I do!).

Jeans that are ill-fitting or an unfashionable cut eg. bootcut.

A waterproof coat worn anywhere except on outdoor sports/activities.

Conversely, I don't think anyone is too old to wear something fashionable and 'young'. Wear it if it makes you feel good!

Agree with grey hair. I don’t think it doesn’t look nice, lots of women have amazing grey hair and look fabulous with it. But they look older than if it was coloured.

I think the worst culprits are things that are done/worn for the sake of it, out of habit, or because they are arbitrarily deemed age appropriate or ‘feminine’. For example:

Badly cut and dyed hair, especially when the colour is too dark.
Similarly, badly plucked eyebrows, especially when coloured in too dark.
Overly heavy, dated makeup. (Heavy makeup is fine if it suits a person).
Shapeless polyester trousers with shapeless shoes.
Wearing black shoes or carrying a black bag when they clearly don’t go with the outfit/season.
Wearing some sort of shortish, sensible jacket no matter what the rest of the outfit.
Shoes with moulded soles (mum boots often have moulded soles too).
Garments with apologetic, pointless ‘feminine touches’ like flowers, sequins, ruffles, buttons etc.

Things like very long or very short hair, short skirts, certain styles, all depend on the person wearing them. There are plenty of styles I don’t like, but if the person is pulling it off because it’s their style and they believe in it, it tends to work, irrespective of age.

Another who agrees with grey hair.

Hair that is dyed too dark a shade. My auntie does this. She has very dark brown/black hair in her youth and dyes it black still at 73. She's a very good looking woman but it makes her look older rather than younger.

Going against the grain here but flat, dyed hair, usually too dark for skin tone, mimicing the colour they were at 20, it's so ageing.

Too much make up, it just sits in pores and wrinkles.

Not updating make up colours and looking a decade or two out of date. Ditto hairstyles.

Boring, safe, sensible clothes but even more so shoes and handbags.

Heady perfumes.