what are you really actually too old for after about the age of 35, even if people say you aren't?

[Peggotty]

Converse?
Superga?
biker jackets?

I'm nearly 37 and would probably wear all of these, but am I really basically too old for them?

[noddyholder]

I agree always you need to find your own style. I am 47 now and know myself inside out and just know what suits me! I (and my friends) all wear what we want and don't consider age. I do consider how I look in things and think unfussy hair and make up and minimal 'accessories' are the key for me. Too much in the way of styled hair and make up and statement jewellery is what makes things look old and inappropriate I see so many older women who should just leave half of the stuff they have on at home!

[MrsPennyapple]

This is a timely thread for me, as I'm 35 and recently realised that I can't carry on wearing jeans, hoodies and DC trainers forever. I'm beginning to feel like I look a bit wrong, but I've no idea what to wear instead. I'm pg at the moment and not showing yet, so for the next year or so I'm going to be in maternity and bf-accessible clothes. My plan is to charity shop / throw away all my knackered old clothes as they get too small, and then when I have some kind of decent figure again, replace with some better quality, generally nicer clothes. (My clothes are all ancient anyway and wearing out.)

The most pressing problem is my hair though. I used to have it very short, sort of like this (but I don't look much like Winona Ryder). I loved it short but grew it because I thought if it was long I could do more with it. I don't, I just tie it in a pony tail, which doesn't look great and isn't even tidy, due to curly hair. I'm considering going short again, but just not sure if I can still carry it off.

[noddyholder]

this is what over groomed over 35s look like. None of my rl friends look like this

[MarshaBrady]

Ujjayi when I posted that I thought of a friend who wears vintage very well. Peddle pushers, layering, belted tweed blazer, definitely granny chic. She works in fashion and is one of my favourite styles. Love what she wears.

So am going to amend and say I can't do it as much, but she can. But then I can't over accessorise so same sort of vibe.

I do shorts and skirts, not too micro. But usually with ballet flats and simple sweater or t. Which keeps it simple.

[lljkk]

I think Madonna would still wear that, CampbellBlack. Not that I mean to imply she's a paragon of taste. But she'd bring it off okay.

I wouldn't think it flattered many over 10, tbh.

[MerlotAndMe]

Schedule in a personal shopping day for yourself a year from now! but make sure the personal shopper is roughly your age, understands your lifestyle.

[lljkk]

May I shamelessly ask for link to what groomed over 35s wear that is practical, low heels, warm, office wear without being dressed-to-kill?

[OneHandFlapping]

"From the front most people look ok. However the back can either look ...like 25 til u turn round"

I really fail to see what's wrong with that. Do we have to look 50 from all angles? Wear a sign on our back saying Warning - old lady?

So what if you temporarily mistook someone older for being young?

[MerlotAndMe]

Even though i'm no spring chicken i look at that photo and think that they are older women. Some of them aren't i suspect.

[MerlotAndMe]

Yes, what that is saying is 'i thought she was attractive til she turned round, she caught my eye, butthen, when I realised she was 50, I realised I was wrong'. either you look good from behind or you don't. shoudl you aim to look attractive from the front but not from the back?

[MrsCampbellBlack]

The loose woman look is utterly hideous - cantilevered bosoms ahoy!

[florascotia]

I agree with Mrs C-B that style is subjective. But 'taste' is still influenced by social consensus, isn't it? - although far less than it used to be. There are also visual stereotypes out there that may not be accurate in real life, but which some people still judge women by. I am not saying that I approve -I don't - but I do think it sometimes happens.

In the same way, I think that there is probably a bit of truth in the saying that women wanting to improve their career chances in corporate environments should dress at the grade above their current status, because it will make people take them more seriously. But here am I, working at home - keeping warm in a fleece, for heaven's sake! So what do I know....?

[MerlotAndMe]

Yeh, not my look! it makes it seem like a lot of effort is required to look presentable. Like if you stripped them bare they'd be unrecognisable. I like to think people would recognise me as the same person if for some reason I met them at the swimming pool!

My philosophy I guess is to exercise, eat healthily, look after myself sufficiently well that you can ocassionally wear a tracksuit bottom and trainers and not look like you've let yourself fo.

If you rely too heavily on false tan, fancy corsets, kilos of make up......... well, if that floats your boat, no harm done, but yuck.

[joliejolie]

I don't actually understand that pic of Loose Women!! One is wearing an ORANGE(!!!!) sequins skirt and a man's shirt, another is wearing a poly-yuck animal print monstrosity which accentuates nothing but her arm fat and that "hip" one is wearing some kind of chain torture device contraption necklace/earring combo!! Did they not know they were going to be photographed??!!

[joliejolie]

BTW, I do think the other three look great!!

[MerlotAndMe]

ujjayi, i think young people are allowed fashion crimes. a young woman can turn up in a cullotte jumpsuit and people will think 'awwww' and remember their own fashion crimes. But a woman 35+ in short flowery dress with high heeled trainers, i know i would wonder if she had any self-awarenss, or even, a mirror.

[mum47]

I think the thing is that as you get older, you have hopefully developed the confidence to wear what suits you rather than what is in fashion. Likewise with hairstyles. Although trends come and go, there are so many styles out there to choose from now. When I look at photos of me in the 80's, I look older than I do now

[ujjayi]

Agreed that overdone is overdone & awful at any age.

Marsha you express what I was trying to say very well! I look at pared down chic - Alexander Wang, Acne, J Crew etc and I truly admire it but it just doesn't work for me. I either feel very plain or mumsy and yet I love it on other people. The most minimalist I ever get is a navy silk shirt and indigo skinnies....which I then add to with necklace, bracelets and cocktail ring with a vintage bag :)

[bigTillyMint]

Anything you wore the first time round

I think a lot depends on your bodyshape, hair, etc as well as your age.

[MarshaBrady]

Exactly Ujjayi.

I couldn't do knee high socks and culottes. But if you can and switch to acne, Lim etc then it doesn't work. I know my friend would look as if someone had chopped off her personality. It would be so wrong. And in Boden, even worse for her.

Loose women too over trussed for me.

[ujjayi]

Merlot I totally agree.

[MoodyDidIt]

although still only 33 think am 23

[ujjayi]

Confidence is also key. On holiday last year there was a woman in our hotel who was the spit of Donatella Versace. She must have been late 50s. She totally rocked a luxe bohemian vibe in a very showy, "look at me" way but I thought she looked fabulous. She had more confidence and style than most of the younger women there.

[higgle]

I find it is not so much the type of clothes but the quality of them that is important for me. I can wear body con dresses and shortish skirts in my 50's but if the fabric is cheap or they are not nicely made it is that that looks "mutton" not the actual style of the thing. I don't need Spanx type underwear but I have invested in some old fashioned M&S slips to wear under nice things where the fabric is a bit thin and that makes quite a difference. Shoes too - you can get away with more if they look like they cost £150 not £15.

[MerlotAndMe]

I would think of bodycon dresses as being for older women though. 35+