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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wear clothes like this at my age

89 replies

PookieDo · 18/08/2019 11:34

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 Blush. Do you think I need to start ‘dressing my age’?

OP posts:
DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 18/08/2019 13:47

What happens if people judge you? Is there a consequence for you if other people don't find you attractive? Thought not. The only rule I can think of that you must follow, is to only wear your own clothes, because people can get quite stroppy if you wear theirs.
On the days when I vaguely wonder if my giant, snuggly hoodies(with extra pockets!) aren't nice enough to wear outside, I put on the one I made with fur-lined pockets and hood, and remind myself that no amount of approval is worth a second of discomfort.

Thequaffle · 18/08/2019 13:48

I am 36 and I wear that stuff. I don’t feel anywhere near too old for it!

wotsittoyou · 18/08/2019 13:52

You're old enough to have learned not to give a shit what other people think about what you wear.

IsobelRae23 · 18/08/2019 13:55

I’m 38, and today I am wearing: Victoria Secret Pink vest top, Victoria Secret Pink jogging bottoms and Victoria Secret Pink over sized hoodie.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 18/08/2019 13:58

About 80% of the mums I’ve seen this summer have been wearing a variation of shorts / T-shirt / flip flops / hoodie.

Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 13:58

I think I worry I look tragic as I am out with my teenage girls wearing similar clothing to them, and yes like I am trying to look teenage!

Oversized - usually bum covering iyswim

I look at women who look really nice and smart at the weekend and not sure how they manage it, I would feel like I am wearing my work clothes

OP posts:
Bananamint · 18/08/2019 13:59

You wear what you feel comfortable in.
I’m 57 and I will often wear( as casual) jeggings,hoodie and trainers.
My daughter ( in her late twenties) would be the first to tell me if I was wearing anything I shouldn’t for my age.

Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 14:01

@Meangirls36

I don’t feel girly. Not that it isn’t a girly size. I feel much better in trainers and a hoody than trying to do anything more glam. Again I look at some of the curve models they can look amazing but I don’t think I would enjoy wearing it

OP posts:
fantasmasgoria1 · 18/08/2019 14:01

I am 44 and still a raging goth! I am always fully made up and gothed up to the fullest! I don't care what other people think!

Oliversmumsarmy · 18/08/2019 14:04

I am just about to go out to Sunday Lunch and i have on combats, trainers t. Shirt and over sized hoodie. (I don't own a coat)

I am nearly 60.

I have felt judged

Oliversmumsarmy · 18/08/2019 14:07

Should say
I have felt judged by the older generation ,
But I don't give two hoots. It is all clean and paid for.
I wear similar for work wear.

I did once work on an office but office wear was so restrictive.

Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 14:10

I suppose I was thinking in terms of cultural fashion that this seems to be a huge current trend seemingly aimed towards youths but I am wearing what I have always worn, whether it was in high trend fashion or not. I cared less when it wasn’t particularly fashionable as it was just what I liked wearing.

Now when I am shopping for things they all seem to have some kind of inspo slogan on the front, I like the actual garment but avoid slogans. Also the price of sportswear seems to be more ridiculous than ever (you would think lower as competitive market) but a good quality sports wear hoodie can cost you £70, all the cheap stuff is so disposable and rubbish quality. As I am not buying for a look I want things to last me a long time. Where I live the charity shops (and shops) are very Per Una and Joules.

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 18/08/2019 14:12

What do you think of women in their 50s and 60s who wear trainers and hoodies then OP? Do you judge them?

JustWantALoverLikeAnyOther · 18/08/2019 14:14

I am 44 and still a raging goth!

Have to confess to having toned it down a bit over the years.

I'm not sure that I could be arsed with mohawk and corset everywhere I go anymore!!

Kudos to you!

Riddleofthesands · 18/08/2019 14:15

Sounds fine. Relax and enjoy.

Psssst KUGA where are your combats from, I am 52 and love them but can’t seem to find any.

YouokHun · 18/08/2019 14:16

What ARE you playing at??! Straight to Country Casuals for you my girl! Wink

Reallynowdear · 18/08/2019 14:18

Wear what you like, it all sounds great.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 18/08/2019 14:22

64 here. Live in skinny jeans or leggings with dresses/very long shirts. Went through a phase in my 40s when I thought I should dress 'older' but got a bollocking from my DC and reverted to type quick smart! Grin

BarbedBloom · 18/08/2019 14:25

Life is short, wear what you want as long as it is appropriate for the occasion. I don't dress down at all, I wear dresses almost all of the time and don't even own jeans. I am the other end of the scale and am sometimes overdressed but I don't care. It is so liberating once you stop caring so much about the opinions of others. My mum said once you pass 50 no one seems to notice you anyway Confused

The80sweregreat · 18/08/2019 14:29

Im early 50s and i wear jeans and trainers, converse and t shirts and i love a plain hoodie.
i like being comfortable and i dont care what anyone thinks of me.

Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 14:30

I have no issues with what anyone else wears or likes whatever age I was just asking for opinions of others Grin

If you saw nearly 40yo woman with her teenage daughters dressed in similar clothing would you think she looked tragic, most people say no so I will just carry on!

OP posts:
Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 14:30

And where do you all get your oversized clothes? 😂

OP posts:
StockTakeFucks · 18/08/2019 14:34

My mum is 65, I'm 33 and DD IS 7.

When out and about together we all have the same uniforms of trainers,skinny jeans/leggings and hoodies when it's a bit chilly outside. The styles and colours may vary .

Original poster
PookieDo · 18/08/2019 14:35

@InvernessAdventure

I also don’t like this word. It’s sports wear. I am not sure what defines something into athleisure wear but that is what it is now categorised on most websites

OP posts:
MarianaMoatedGrange · 18/08/2019 14:36

My mum said once you pass 50 no one seems to notice you anyway

True if you dress frumpily! I'm tall and have a penchant for bright colours in shoes, tops and bags and attract plenty of second looks!

It makes me sad to see women in their 70s/80s wearing dull slacks or pleated elasicated skirts with equally dull anoraks.. I suppose they like to 'blend in' and are just comfy not standing out in any way. Pensioner's perms AAAAAGH!