To wear clothes like this at my age

[PookieDo]

I’m not brave enough to post an actual photo of myself but will describe it!

I am nearly 40. I have a professional job where I wear smart/casual type clothes, not as casual as leggings to work, but not full on suits required. Smart tops/trousers or nice (but not expensive dresses). I own heels but prefer flats. I don’t cross my work wardrobe with my out of work wardrobe very much at all

I am not the slimmest of women I am 14-16 and 5ft 6 with size 7 feet so I don’t feel very ‘girly’ and never have done

My out of work wardrobe is the AIBU here because I absolutely love wearing sportswear, or what they call ‘athleisure’ nowadays. Over sized T-shirt’s, massive hoodies, leggings, jeans and I love love love trainers. I don’t wear gym clothes out. My DD’s are teenagers and have the exact same look but with crop tops, which I do NOT wear 😂. I am wearing a black oversized hoodie with black leggings and Nike air max trainers today. It’s so comfortable and I just feel great

But I feel like i look like a fat old version of Ariana Grande or Billie Eilish and that people may be laughing at me . Do you think I need to start ‘dressing my age’?

[70sWitch]

Yes. You must buy a twinset and pearls and a headscarf immediately.
And make sure your hair is regulation shoulder length bob too.

Or not.

Seriously, I'm not sure there's an age where you suddenly can't wear whatever the hell you want.
I'm 47 and dress much as I have my whole adult life.

[MorrisZapp]

How massive are these hoodies? Wear what makes you happy and comfy but massively big clothes might not be your best friend, in public anyway.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

You feel great and you sound absolutely fine. Wear what you like

[MorrisZapp]

I'm a hoodie wearer to btw, no judgement, I'm 48!

[CaptainPovey]

I am 53 and currently wearing skinny jeans, vest top, oversized cardigan and Stan Smith trainers - what do you think I should be wearing?

[Redshoeblueshoe]

I'm old enough to be your mother
And I wear what I want, which is mainly jeans and t shirts

[pigsDOfly]

Wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in.

I'm 70 and live in jeans. I wear jumpers and vest tops, depending on weather. Occasionally wear dresses but usually only for smart wear, although I might wear a hippy type skirt in hot weather or shorts sometimes.

Shoes: mostly pumps, sometimes heels with dresses. And wear trainers or wellies for walking the dog.

I think the idea that women get to a certain age and start dressing like their mothers has disappeared. My mother wore tweed skirts.

The clothes I wear haven't changed dramatically over the years.

[skybluee]

I wear similar - I love sportswear and it also helps in terms of my injuries which are sometimes aggravated by clothes that are restrictive or tight (causing pressure) like skinny jeans.

As long as your clothes are clean and presentable I don't think it matters what you wear. Wear what you're happy in. You're the one who's in it 16 hours a day!

I love trainers too because I refuse to disable myself for fashion. When I used to go out at night, I never knew if I'd have to walk back (2-3 miles) etc. That's when I switched to trainers because I wanted something safe and to know if I needed to walk a few miles I could. Also, there so much choice now. Enjoy your sportswear.

[KUGA]

As long as you are comfortable thats great.<br /> I wear what Im comfortable in and Im 60 next year.<br /> And I love wearing combats.<br /> I think my family would tell me if I looked too old for them or they dont suite me.
Actually they I don`t think it I know it.
Be happy and comfortable is my motto.
Your not hurting anyone at the end of the day.

[ShirleyPhallus]

I think your age is irrelevant here but irrespective of how casual your workplace dress code is, I thought it was a no-no to ever wear actual sportswear

So for that reason, I’d keep the athleisure wear for weekends and smarten up a bit at work. But OMG it is the most comfortable clothing ever and I’d wear it all the time if I could

[Sleepathon]

Sounds absolutely fine!

[ShirleyPhallus]

Totally misread your OP, thought you were wearing that to work. Apologies OP! Yes crack on as you were

[WanderingTrolley1]

Yanbu.

Wear whatever you like!

[81Byerley]

Wear just what you like! I am 70. I never worry about what other people think about what I wear, because I've realised that generally people are more worried about what people think of how they look, than how I'm dressed!

[fromthefloorboardsup]

Wear whatever you're happy in!

I think the idea of 'older' people wearing certain clothes (I say 'older', I don't think 40s is old!) is a bit of a misnomer. I'd say my nan dressed like we expect old ladies to dress (she'd have been 90 this year) but looking back at pictures, she dressed like this at 20/30 etc too! Fashions just change.

[LaDrem]

These kinds of threads are interesting. It is perfectly normal to wear similar clothes in your 40s and beyond as you wore in your 20s and 30s. The "pearl and twin set" look is worn by the older generation because it is what they wore when they were young! My grandad (who was born in 1917) wore tweed suits even as leisure wear until the day he died. I never realised until going through his photos that the reason he wore it was because it was how he had always dressed! My Nan always wore fitted dresses and a hat...same as when she was young.

My mum is in her 60s and lives in T-shirt and jeans, as do most of her friends. She also lived in these in the 70s and 80s.

In other words, nobody is ever too old for the clothes they wear, it just depends on what the fashion has been throughout your life

[StillCoughingandLaughing]

I’ve personally always thought hoodies were a bit ‘teenage’, but that’s a personal choice. If that’s what you feel comfortable in, stick with it.

[LaDrem]

@fromthefloorboardsup epic cross post! We totally agree

[womaninthedark]

If you're comfortable and confident in it, wear it. I'm 61 and I wear hoodies whenever I like. And oversized ones, too.

[CrowleysBentley]

Wear whatever you are comfortable in. I used to wear lots of heels and skirts, now (I've just turned 43) I have realised that I actually prefer leggings, harem pants or long skirts with vans, converse or DMs. I love a nice snuggly hoody or a longish cardigan that I can wrap around myself. I don't really give a crap what anyone else thinks, I'm the one wearing it, so it's me that needs to be happy and comfortable in it.

[catlady3]

Just my personal view, I tend to admire those women the most who feel comfortable in their skin. So I reckon dress in what feels like "you"! Besides, the sporty look is badass, age doesn't really come into it. And by doing this, you're also doing a service to the younger generation because they'll see more diversity, gotta be a good thing.

[catlady3]

PS if wearing massive hoodie, make sure you take it off your head before entering a corner shop.

[RedWoollyHat]

I remember my mum (now in her mid-seventies) went through a phase in her early 40s where she got her normally lovely straight hair done into a short curly perm and started wearing sort of tweed skirts and turtle neck jumpers with court shoes. She says she thought at the time that she should start dressing her age, but soon realised it was a nonsense. Now at 75 she wears smart jeans, trainers, tops 'n big cardis and looks fab (I know I am a wee bit biased, but she does) and more importantly looks like herself. Honestly, you'll look best when you're happy in your clothes, which you are.

[manicinsomniac]

They sound like totally normal clothes - literally what 60%+ of adult women wear for casual. I don't understand why you think you'd be too old for this. Just look at the people you pass on the streets.

[notsohippychick]

I’m 42 and I go for comfort but still like to look stylish! I wear converse trainers, sometimes paired with skirts or dresses! I’m only 4 11 inches and could do with wearing a heel but can’t be bothered!