Denim jackets and white trainers

outoftouch123 · 2025-05-30T22:15:19+00:00

Just went to a comedy show tonight. I have been living under a rock and haven't really been out for a loooonng time, I obviously haven't been paying attention when I have been out previously. I was so surprised to see several woman in their 70's 80's ( very generic comedian) wearing demin jackets, wide leg trousers and white trainers. This is a look I would have associated with a much younger age bracket. I thought they all looked great and very trendy. As a woman in my early 40's and in a mid life crisis when it comes to fashion as I've grown too old to wear what I have always worn ( short pleated skirts) , I would have comfortably worn a denim jacket and wide leg trousers, Now I feel all it's going to do is age me. AIBU to even care about this in my forties or should I be paying more attention if I don't want to look like I'm dressing like my mother.

henlake7 · 01/06/2025 22:28

Surely trousers go on top of your curly hairs though?

Sidebeforeself · 01/06/2025 17:28

Nannyfannybanny · 01/06/2025 13:45

Said friend is a very old 60, with white curly hair which she has actually had dyed orange. A lot of her work colleagues whome I know have been saying for years did she not think it was not right,so sometimes if it's not too hot she puts trousers underneath, which is even worse.

Trousers underneath her orange curly hair?!

Nannyfannybanny · 01/06/2025 13:45

Said friend is a very old 60, with white curly hair which she has actually had dyed orange. A lot of her work colleagues whome I know have been saying for years did she not think it was not right,so sometimes if it's not too hot she puts trousers underneath, which is even worse.

cardibach · 31/05/2025 20:02

Nannyfannybanny · 31/05/2025 17:37

There was a post on here recently where people said you shouldn't wear a denim jacket and white trainers. I don't suit very wide trousers,5ft 1in I do wear baggy cargos. A very nice denim jacket my 54 year old DD just outgrew,faded blue,long flowery dress or skirt, white trainers,I'm 74. I have a friend of 60, who insists on wearing a thigh length faded denim mini skirt, and it's not a good look.

It’s great if she feels comfortable and likes it. Who cares whether you think it looks good?

cardibach · 31/05/2025 20:02

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 17:45

She avoids them for whatever the fuck reasons she likes 🙄😎

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And I just asked what that was…why the aggression?

cardibach · 31/05/2025 20:00

GRCP · 31/05/2025 17:23

@sciaticafanatica@cardibachits really not that deep - just a general observation. You don’t have to be offended by absolutely everything.

I’m really not easily offended. The idea that older women should disappear is something which makes me very cross though.

henlake7 · 31/05/2025 19:08

Surely it's more sensible to dress for your size and shape, taking into account personal style preferences.
Age is honestly the last thing I'm thinking about when I get dressed in the morning!

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 17:45

cardibach · 31/05/2025 16:07

Why? Because you don’t like them? Or because your mum does?

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She avoids them for whatever the fuck reasons she likes 🙄😎

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 17:42

outoftouch123 · 31/05/2025 07:21

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1201524/No-longer-bees-knees-Should-woman-legs-40.html

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Papers are STILL doing this shit! Remember the Hot or Not from Heat Magazine? Fucking awful.

BIossomtoes · 31/05/2025 17:37

GRCP · 31/05/2025 16:53

I reckon go boyfriend or mum jeans rolled up at the ankle for a tapered look and wear with ballet pumps and a jacket with a collar, like a shacket. Denim jacket and white trainers is middle age plus I reckon. Might depend on area - I’m in London, but this is my take FWIW

Hate to tell you but that’s pretty much what I’m wearing today. I’m 71. No shacket obviously because it’s too hot for it.

Nannyfannybanny · 31/05/2025 17:37

There was a post on here recently where people said you shouldn't wear a denim jacket and white trainers. I don't suit very wide trousers,5ft 1in I do wear baggy cargos. A very nice denim jacket my 54 year old DD just outgrew,faded blue,long flowery dress or skirt, white trainers,I'm 74. I have a friend of 60, who insists on wearing a thigh length faded denim mini skirt, and it's not a good look.

sciaticafanatica · 31/05/2025 17:31

@GRCPThe “Dress” your age comment is ageism.
im not offended by everything.
but ageist bullshit should always be called out!

Rainiac · 31/05/2025 17:27

outoftouch123 · 31/05/2025 07:21

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1201524/No-longer-bees-knees-Should-woman-legs-40.html

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OP that article is from 16 years ago. Attitudes to fashion and aging have changed since. Would you consider tights? I love Snag & wear their coloured ones from autumn to spring, they have skin coloured ones too which you can barely see if that gives you a bit more confidence. I am seeing more young women in short skirts and tights into the summer too. But, really, don't stress about it!

GRCP · 31/05/2025 17:27

I don’t want to dress the same as my 9 year old daughter - is that ageist too? Or just that I don’t want to dress the same as my 80 year old mum? OP it isn’t ageist to want to dress your age - I swear the AIBU board would make literally anything into a drama.

GRCP · 31/05/2025 17:23

@sciaticafanatica@cardibachits really not that deep - just a general observation. You don’t have to be offended by absolutely everything.

Original poster

outoftouch123 · 31/05/2025 17:11

oh yeah, that DM article is horrible I completely agree, I just posted as someone asked what people were talking about when they talked about their knees. I wish I looked like her, knees and all!

OP posts:

sciaticafanatica · 31/05/2025 17:03

@GRCPso in the whole of London only middle aged women own and wear Denim jackets??
what a load of ageist bullshit!!

cardibach · 31/05/2025 17:02

GRCP · 31/05/2025 16:53

I reckon go boyfriend or mum jeans rolled up at the ankle for a tapered look and wear with ballet pumps and a jacket with a collar, like a shacket. Denim jacket and white trainers is middle age plus I reckon. Might depend on area - I’m in London, but this is my take FWIW

Why do you allow outdated notions about age affect what you want to wear? How dull.

Enough4me · 31/05/2025 17:00

outoftouch123 · 31/05/2025 16:49

Thank you all for your feedback, it appears I have ignited a sense of injustice in some people.
You have certainly given me pause for thought and definitely some reflection.

I would never have considered myself ageist, however reading some comments I suppose I have unconsciously been so. I am very sorry for that. I am always open to personal growth.

I don't think it's a case of, I won't wear that because an old person did. A lady in my office who was probably 25yrs my senior used to come in everyday looking absolutely amazing, I looked forward to seeing what she was wearing and often took some tips. I think its more to do with me and my confidence. my face looks a lot older than 40's I was just thinking If I take on this look it will age me as this seems to be a very 'in' look for the older generation. I wasn't criticising , I thought they looked great.

I genuinely feel anyone can wear what they feel comfortable in, that's always a good look. For me, I don't follow fashion, I found a look and stuck with it for 20 odd years and now I feel its tired, it doesn't suit me , not because of my age just my body doesn't suit it anymore.

I don't want to dress younger or older just what suits me.

Apologies again for causing offence.

OP, you've really taken feedback on board. You've also generated lots of discussion so thats a couple of positives.
I've been caught in clothes style ruts before. Recently got rid of all my skinny jeans and felt better for it (I've lost weight going to the gym but they still don't suit me). Today I'm wearing a belt for the first time in years as I saw a photo of an outfit with one and thought I'd give it a go. I like it and think I will accessorise more in future.
Have you thought about posting for ideas on your body shape to get suggestions from Mnetters?

GRCP · 31/05/2025 16:53

I reckon go boyfriend or mum jeans rolled up at the ankle for a tapered look and wear with ballet pumps and a jacket with a collar, like a shacket. Denim jacket and white trainers is middle age plus I reckon. Might depend on area - I’m in London, but this is my take FWIW

Original poster

outoftouch123 · 31/05/2025 16:49

Thank you all for your feedback, it appears I have ignited a sense of injustice in some people.
You have certainly given me pause for thought and definitely some reflection.

I would never have considered myself ageist, however reading some comments I suppose I have unconsciously been so. I am very sorry for that. I am always open to personal growth.

I don't think it's a case of, I won't wear that because an old person did. A lady in my office who was probably 25yrs my senior used to come in everyday looking absolutely amazing, I looked forward to seeing what she was wearing and often took some tips. I think its more to do with me and my confidence. my face looks a lot older than 40's I was just thinking If I take on this look it will age me as this seems to be a very 'in' look for the older generation. I wasn't criticising , I thought they looked great.

I genuinely feel anyone can wear what they feel comfortable in, that's always a good look. For me, I don't follow fashion, I found a look and stuck with it for 20 odd years and now I feel its tired, it doesn't suit me , not because of my age just my body doesn't suit it anymore.

I don't want to dress younger or older just what suits me.

Apologies again for causing offence.

OP posts:

Lovemycat2023 · 31/05/2025 16:45

EwwSprouts · 31/05/2025 13:49

@Mikart A tip I followed from Nigella Lawson was buy a denim jacket that is fitted on your back but isn't necessarily generous enough to fasten over your boobs. So long as it looks as if it there is a vague chance as most people never fasten their denim jacket anyway.

I have one like that - didn’t use to be but as I’ve got bigger it won’t button anymore! Looks good though provided it’s not too cold.

bungobungobungo · 31/05/2025 16:39

I wear my denim jacket with a flowery dress but only infrequently. I also wear it with linen trousers, wide legged cropped trousers or even a flowy maxi skirt. Most often I don’t wear that jacket at all. I am 70 and not slim but have never ever thought I was wearing a kind of uniform that all old ladies wear. Yes white trainers sometimes, or other trainers -or crocs even! Just wear what I want and feel
comfortable in. Denim
jackets are great for keeping warm, especially in the wind!

Craftycorvid · 31/05/2025 16:34

I think the era of a ‘uniform’ for women much past 40 has (thank goodness) faded. I do still see very well dressed ladies of 80+ wearing the smart twin set and set hair look (and if you genuinely love it, rock it, the only rules are the ones you choose for yourself). I know there are looks I really don’t love, but it’s the style I don’t care for, not any fixed ideas about what someone of a particular age ‘should’ wear. I probably veer from
’too young’ dressing to ‘cliched’ dressing for my age and I’m epically un-bothered what anyone else thinks. I know that very formal or ‘ladies who lunch’ styles look awful on me, but I find them very glamorous on other women. I don’t like double denim on me as it looks a bit too blocky. I do love me a pair of dungarees though. Life’s short, often bleak and clothes are a superb way of feeling better on a grey day.

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 31/05/2025 16:30

Yeah, suck it youngsters, it’s ours now! (Evil cackle) If you dare to wear such comfortable, versatile clothing again everyone will assume you are an unfeasibly youthful looking pensioner.
Embrace what you like, if you love the short pleated skirt, go for it. Bet your legs are still amazing.