Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

cheeky to ask my mum about her dress sense?

38 replies

ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:20

My mum has always had a decent dress sense. She’s early 60s now and has always worn different colourful outfits etc.

except for the last x6 months or so she wears the same oversized shirt and black stretchy pull on trousers every time I see her. She also suggested I get a pair too ‘because they’re so comfy’! This is what my gran started doing aged circa 80.

every time I see her in photos with friends she’s in the same bloody outfit while her friends look stylish. She’s a 14-16 and feeling a bit overweight but she was always stylish regardless.

should I say anything or not? I don’t want to hurt her feelings but she looks like she’s given up and she’s a good looking woman too.

OP posts:
Lomonald · 28/04/2026 17:35

ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:31

@maftaz i should say we want to a special occasion the other night and she wore a nice blazer but of course with that same outfit still underneath 😁

Is it the exact same shirt or variations of the shirt ? Maybe she doesn't like tops clinging to her, i am getting like that tops seem to stick to me and show bits im not keen on.

DramaAlpaca · 28/04/2026 17:35

Are you concerned about her generally, or it is just about what she's taken to wearing?

I'm your mum's age and I still adore clothes and fashion. It's possible that there might be something going on, and if you can talk to her about it sensitively perhaps you should. Only you know how she's likely to take it.

I'd be quite touched if one of my DC noticed I wasn't quite myself and spoke to me gently about it. I have a history of depression and when I feel like that the last thing I want to think about is how I dress, I just want to hide.

ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:35

I suppose maybe part of it is selfish, enjoyed going for a night on the town as stylish mother and daughter.

the other part is concern. But maybe she really is just fed up of having to look and be a certain way?

OP posts:
summitfever · 28/04/2026 17:34

I’d just ask her if shes feeling happier in comfies these days and what’s made her change it up. Don’t need to point it out as a good or bad thing just that you noticed a change and leave it to her if she wants to elaborate?

ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:33

@Ophir this is what worries me! And I’m not sure how to tackle it without making it sound like she’s looked awful for the last year. Or hurting her.

OP posts:
Lomonald · 28/04/2026 17:32

Maybe she just can't be bothered with tight buttons and uncomfortable waistbands any more and she is now dressing for herself, good for her.

Ophir · 28/04/2026 17:32

It’s not like you’re being mean either, I’d worry about someone of any age who had such a turnaround. My friend started wearing stuff like that when she was depressed in her thirties

ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:31

@maftaz i should say we want to a special occasion the other night and she wore a nice blazer but of course with that same outfit still underneath 😁

OP posts:
ScullyD · 28/04/2026 17:30

CeciliaMars · 28/04/2026 17:27

Leave her alone! She's in her 60s, she can wear what she wants. The pressure on women to look slim and fashionable is insane!

its not about looking slim. The point is she has always had a varied fashion sense until the last 6 months or year maybe.

wearing the same outfit every day though? It seems odd. Seems so far the consensus is say nothing.

OP posts:
maftaz · 28/04/2026 17:30

I'm similar age and honestly, finding easy to wear clothing is a godsend. No need for me to follow fashion or wear office clothes anymore and I don't want to either. Dressing nicely is for going out, then it feels special. I'm of the view that no one gives a shit about what anyone is wearing anyway, and at our age we are more or less invisible which suits me fine!

Ophir · 28/04/2026 17:30

I would ask her about the change, as it’s not a good sign, she’s maybe feeling a bit fed up and “old”; I’m 57 and get days like that, but it would be a bad sign if I just went full and comfy!

PurpleLovecats · 28/04/2026 17:28

Leave her alone.

CeciliaMars · 28/04/2026 17:27

Leave her alone! She's in her 60s, she can wear what she wants. The pressure on women to look slim and fashionable is insane!

Swipe left for the next trending thread