Denim jackets and white trainers

[outoftouch123]

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.

This is such a judgey condescending thread. Wear what you like!

Never understood the hatred of denim jackets and white trainers.
They are just 2 items that seem to go with pretty much everything and not everybody can afford multiple trainers and jackets for every outfit.
It just makes sense to have something so versatile in your wardrobe.
If somebody else thinks its ageing or unfashionable?
well.....f**k 'em! thats a 'them' problem not a 'me' problem!

It can be done. I have muscle for the first time in my life because I finally joined a gym and do a lot of weight training. It's that, rather than cardio, that benefits older women. I loathe the gym but I like the results.

It's M&S fashion, which appeals to women aged 40-80. If it looks good does the age matter?

They are not bothering me, YET. But I do wonder if I starting to see a bit of sag and I am very vain about my legs, they are my best feature!

This! There is too much crap on here about what people of xyz age should or shouldn’t be wearing.

I think the old style ageism re women and what they wear is finally crumbling.

I think it appeal to a younger demographic now.

Heard of Disney Keaton? She has perfected the wide trousers and (smart) trainers look. She’s more likely to wear an oversized blazer than a denim jacket but denim is such a classic any age can wear it.

My mum is 78 and wears those really chunky white trainers. I avoid them!

denim is such a classic any age can wear it
Any age can wear anything.

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

Well done you 👏 x lovely when the work outs pay off. I've been following an Aussie woman on You Tube "Fabulous at 50" since July. Have combined her workouts with calorie counting. My stomach is toning but its the bloody arms. Can see a difference because I'm starting to get the slight stretched skin. I think it's the weights I also need to go on to now.

mainl because I don’t like them but also I try not to dress the same as my mum. She is very stylish in fairness. I probably should copy her.

Thanks to extreme weight loss I have the fabulous combination of very toned arm muscles with loads of loose saggy skin as well!
I choose to ignore it. Somebody with no saggy bits, lumps, bumps, cellulite or wobble is basically like a unicorn...you rarely see them in the wild!😄

I will avoid the chunky white trainers though...just because I dont like chunky trainers. Wearing white Converse today though, thats my version!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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!