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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I am not sure older women can do 'artfully dishevelled'

245 replies

PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:35

without just looking knackered.

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StackladysMorphicResonator · 05/08/2014 19:37

Correct.

StackladysMorphicResonator · 05/08/2014 19:38

However, you can do crisp white shirt and jeans in a 'I just threw this on' kind of way. That works.

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 05/08/2014 19:38

I don't think it's an age thing necessarily. I've always looked like a bag of crap.

MaryWestmacott · 05/08/2014 19:40

Yanbu, there's a tipping point in your early -mid 30s when you stop looking a bit boho and artistic, and start looking like you live alone with several cats.

The older I get, the more groomed I need to look.

BarbaraPalmer · 05/08/2014 19:40

yy
I used to be great at both scruffy-chic, and granny-chic.

Am now 37 and the "chic" part no longer applies, and I have to do actual high-maintenance grooming for work Sad.

PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:41

Me too. I think you can suit a look

for eg in ruffles and gypsy skirts ( remember them) I looked like I was in dressing up clothes. I suit plain lines. I cannot do wide legged trousers or wide skirts.

I look like a NOB in boyfriend jeans and converse. Or a female builder of some type.

OP posts:
PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:41

Cant do tea dresses -ditto dressing up.

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PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:42

WHEN i grow up I am going to be Rene Russo in thomas crown affair

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PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:42

OR thingy off the Game of Cards

I would love to be thingy off honourable woman but those wide leg blue trews blew it for her

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PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:43

HOUSE of cards

gah

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honeybeeridiculous · 05/08/2014 19:43

I looked 'artfully dishevelled' this morning when the damn delivery man bought a parcel at the crack of dawn 7 o'clock
It took no effort atall, smoky eyes smudged mascara
Hair ruffled, grubby dressing gown chucked on, it's easy Grin

Picklepest · 05/08/2014 19:43

Zandra Rhodes? Vivienne Westwood? Goldie hawn? What do you mean by older anyway? Kate moss usually looks like dragged through a hedge but people love the way she looks. And she's 40? Either the look suits you or it doesn't IMO.

PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:44

You know those Home county women - all blonde highlights and fading tan?
my mum calls them 'affluently elegant'

I likey

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BarbaraPalmer · 05/08/2014 19:44

Gillian Anderson in The Fall is what I aim for only fatter. I like a blouse nowadays.

PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:44

goldie hawn SHE IS AN EXAMPLE of how it doesnt translate past kinda... lets say... your early thirties throws bomb in

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PittTheYounger · 05/08/2014 19:45

pickle I am sure there are celebs it works for
can winkleman get away with her look in ten years or will she looks like she needs a room in a hostel for the night?

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StillStayingClassySanDiego · 05/08/2014 19:46

Pitt whoarr there!

I'm 46 and look good in loose jeans and converse, as I do in skinnies and a floaty top.

It takes a bit more fake tan and there's a stodgier middle [fucking menopause] and the make up takes longer to look natural.

Takes a good hour Grin at least.

Purpleflamingos · 05/08/2014 19:46

Agree the older you get the more high maintenance you need to look.
Used to be a brilliant grunge, then boho chic. I'm 37 now and the only 'just pulled this on' look I can pull off is my leather jacket with skinny jeans.

Purpleflamingos · 05/08/2014 19:49

I can pull off tea dresses though. I love them. The thirties and forties style suit my figure much better.

SaucyJack · 05/08/2014 19:50

When I'm 48, I'll be ecstatic if I fail at being artfully dishevelled as badly as Helena B-C.

MaryWestmacott · 05/08/2014 19:50

Picklepest- those three woman always look a bit shit. Kate moss in her own day time clothes looks rubbish but with a beautiful face.

Milmingebag · 05/08/2014 19:52

You don't need to overprimp and stress over this crap.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 05/08/2014 19:53

Yy to high maintenance, I'm considering a super short blonde crop for ease but that means a lot of visits to the salon.

Bugger, it's expensive getting older Grin

ephemeralfairy · 05/08/2014 19:55

I can't stand that wispy boho look. It never ever suited me, even when I was 21. I'm early 30s now with strong features horsey. I need clean lines and strong coulours!

fluffyraggies · 05/08/2014 19:57

Yeah, the 'pale and interesting' look suddenly turns into 'wan and stressed out', or even just 'ill' past thirty .... five ish IMO.

I love the Dolly Parton quote ''It takes allot of time and money to look this cheap honey''.

I find it takes a fair amount of time and money to just look half way decent these days. And increasingly i cannot be arsed Grin