Do you really care what people think of your clothing choices?

[Broadband]

Just been reading a couple of threads in the Style board. It seems that there are people out there who really care what people think of their clothing/style choices, and also lots of people (me included) who wear what they like and really couldn’t care less if their clothing is deemed unstylish, inappropriate or otherwise tasteless.

For context, I’m a skinny 70 year old with charity shop tastes and budget, who lives a very outdoor type of life (rural home, dog, horse, garden) so a lifestyle where practicality and function trump elegance and style. But I do enjoy dressing up for social occasions - even if that means my choices are a bit eclectic 😀

I’m very much in the “if I love it, I don’t care what you think” camp, but fully accept that to other people their choices are much more considered.

So which camp are you in?

Interesting, I don't give a hoot about the men but I care enormously about what women think

Why? Genuine question. Why do you care so much what other women think?
Are you not comfortable with yourself, and the way you are and need reassurance?
Not meaning to be snarky, just trying to get my head round it!

I think you see me @TooExtraImmatureCheddar as I could’ve written that word for word.

I enjoy clothes. I enjoy putting outfits together. It’s like a hobby to me. I love it when I get a compliment but tbh I dress for myself not anyone else.

Mind you, a woman at my office said to me the other day “I really look forward to seeing what you’ll wear next”. I’m not sure if that was a compliment or not 🤔

Well the point of the S and B section is to gain opinions and ideas on what to wear in certain situations, so if everyone felt like OP the section would have no reason to exist.

I do care in that I don't want to look shit. But I will wear what suits me and will ignore certain fashion advice .

Ppl (teen dds) have told me I look shit in the past and that has annoyed me.

Couldn't give a shiny shit what others think. I like to make clothes too as I like colour and find a lot of high street stuff is bland. I do check the designers, but more to look at details and finishes. Life's too short to wear boring clothes.

Honestly? No.

I wear leggings, hoodies and coats at all times. Hair always scraped up. Unless there’s a nice event on, or I have to go into the office, I make zero effort. I don’t need to impress anyone.

I’ve heard people be really rude about the way I dress before and I’ve had shop staff follow me around in ‘nice’ shops when I’ve popped in on the way back from running an errand. I just find it amusing tbh. Should never judge a book by its cover.

Also similar lifestyle - late 70s, very rural, dog walks, much gardening, animals, and I totally care what I look like. The day I don't make some sort of effort is the day I've given up. Actually, having said that, it's a waterproof trousers sort of a day (Storm Bert) and nobody looks well put together in waterproof trousers. Even so, I have on a cream cashmere sweater with a shetland wool fair isle cardigan over the top, Rohan cords, and silver hoop earrings from a market in Italy Walking boots are ancient and mud- stained but I wear Birkies in the house. I also like to wear wool tights and a longish skirt as an everyday look- favourites are from Toast or (20 years old) Oska. I like good accessories.* *I care what I look like, but I also care how others perceive me.
I started to be interested in clothes in the late 6os when I saved up for a Ossie Clarke jersey shift with zips either side of the neckline. I've never stopped being interested. I've never had much money to spare but good clothes last and will adapt to current looks. If I go out I always dress up - it's the one time I can take a nice handbag out for an airing.

I guess on MN I'd still be written off as an old dear with that 'old person's smell' though. The ageism on here is something else again.

I'm 69 and would never wish to dress in anything deemed unstylish, inappropriate or otherwise tasteless.

I do care what people think of me and I also care what I look like.

I also live in a rural location and have horses... I love equestrian styles on the yard and off - tweed hacking jacket, polo necked sweater, tight jeans and Dubarry boots... timeless.

Generally speaking, I couldn't give a stuff as long as I am comfortable. This means that when I do make an effort, people comment on how good I look.

Female clothing is often far too impractical and sexualised. Men's clothing is fit for purpose. I respect any woman who makes her own clothing choices and doesn't fret about the male gaze, or their shape or size.
I have a colleague who wears very interesting combinations of patterned clothing, often paired with tartan DMs. I like that she dresses for herself.

Yes same here, Im very fussy and pernickity about what I like but its not for other people and I have quite a strange or out there style at times although boring at others and its for me, not for someone else.

I think it's a really interesting question. I have friends and family members who have zero interest on how they present. They happen to be very attractive so not sure if that's relevant. Have other friends and family members who care very very much about how they present and they have very particular views on what works and what doesn't - most of this goes over my head. I mean really detailed assessment of what works.

I am a bit eclectic I guess. I wear a lot of hats of different styles and whilst there is a practical aspect to the hat I am more than happy to wear a hat that is eye catching. These hats generate so many comments from complete strangers even the simple style hats. I once worked with a man who was so intrigued he told me he had to tell his wife about my hat wearing. During summer I wear wide brimmed hats and last year I used to get a nod of acknowledgement from other hat wearers particularly men. It's like we are part of a special group. Have you admit it amuses me.

I would like people who I think look good to think that I look good. If I don’t like their personal taste, it’s pointless to care what they think of mine. I always think it’s one of the ways S&B falls down- you’ve got no way of knowing whether the posters you’re asking for advice have the faintest clue what they’re on about. The only way of judging is whether or not you agree with what they say, and therefore you may as well just trust your own judgment.

I think as you get older you slip into a style that you like and know suits you. You don’t really care about what’s on trend etc.

I don’t care about fashion, I’m a jeans and T-shirt sort of person. I’d rather spend my money on other things! I don’t wear makeup, I don’t have a ‘skincare routine’, and a cut my own hair. To each their own, but I don’t feel like I’d gain anything for spending time and money chasing fashion. I am clean, my clothing is clean comfortable and practical, it’s all good. I find my skin does just fine with a simple wash - I don’t really want to mess with it. Wrinkles are wrinkles, greys are greys, we age…I’m not fighting that.

I do find it a bit cringy when people try to flaunt spending as if it’s something special. Photo of luxury brand handbag and flight tickets…that’s kinda sad. But we’re all different. I don’t suppose I’d get as many likes if I tried propping my backpack up beside some tickets. 🤣

I don’t care about fashion, I’m a jeans and T-shirt sort of person.

I’m always puzzled when people say this. How have you managed to avoid the evolving fabrics and shapes stocked by mainstream stores?

Maybe there’s an item of clothing you’ve been buying for fifty years? There are a million reasons why that item will not be the same as it was in 1974 - financial, environmental, ethical, aesthetic, changes in global production, changes in High St store buying. All of those things will play into the finished product - and when that happens on a national / international scale we call it fashion. I would be amazed if any individual not deliberately shopping only from vintage stores circa 1970, or only wearing what they bought pre-1980, is actually as unaffected by fashion as they think they are.

I genuinely don't care what random people think, I am not and never have been stylish or polished. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the effort other people go to, I frequently see people around where I live and think 'you look fabulous' , occasionally if the opportunity arises I will tell them

No, I don't care, other than not wanting embarrass my teen in public.

Do you know what, I don't actually know why I care! I make an effort I suppose and nice when it's 'rewarded'. Doesn't everyone secretly enjoy a compliment?

I don't care what people think
However I dress to blend in
Usually wear jeans and a popover top, but do like a bright lipstick.

I love clothes so always care what I wear (working from home days aside!)

I also look at other people's clothing choices as well and for example I could tell you what they were all wearing last time we were in together.

I might mentally question clothing choices but it doesn't influence my opinion on people and my friends come in all shapes and sizes and varying degrees of interest in how they're dressed or not.

It's like any kind of hobby - some people are interested. Some are not but I love clothes - always have.

I generally care what people think, but I know my clothing choices wouldn't impress anybody, I am safe and boring and buy what suits my awkward shape. I have no idea what my taste is as I've only ever considered my shape. If I had a nicer figure I might develop a sense of fashion taste.

What I don't agree with is that your clothing reflects your personality. It certainly doesn't reflect mine and most people I know are similar.

I’m not sure. I definitely enjoy clothes, but I dress for myself and not for others (I think?!). I consider all of my outfits, including my dog walking outfits and my yoga wear. It’s just something I really enjoy. I suppose I care what other people think to a point, because if someone said to me that I always look dated/hideous/silly in what I’m wearing then I suppose I’d be offended.

I also really dislike the whole “Why do you care/Just wear what you like/All that matters is what YOU think” stuck record that gets played on the style and beauty board. It’s really tone deaf and patronising, especially when people are just asking for fashion advice.

Interesting. I think I am more mindful of what women, whose style I admire, think than what men think.

I like what I like. I like fashion if it suits me. I like my clothes to be flattering as well as functional.

I've been in slobbibg about in tracksuit all day, but was in a spangly dress and heels out dancing last weekend. 49 yrs old and love clothes still.

I love seeing people who make an effort or have a style.
Not a fan of dull dressing.
I feel out of sorts if I know I look rubbish.

My priorities for clothing are:

1. Comfort
2. Pockets
3. I like

I don't really care what you think, and sometimes I probably do look a little odd, but I'm comfortable.

Currently I have on:
Long navy blue thermal top
Thermal tights, with socks underneath
And a lovely dress I got from ebay in red. It is one of those that could be worn in an office, or could be worn for an evening out. It's got short puff sleeves, and a fitted waist and circle skirt, but the most important bit is it's got nice deep pockets. The top is a little large, so if I didn't have the thermal top, then my bra would show.

I sometimes wish I could be one of those people who look like they've stepped out of a magazine, but then when I look at those clothes I realise I wouldn't find them comfortable, so stick with what I have.