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?

You see I like bare arms even when not super-toned and I love fake tan (god knows why I'm having this argument when I am clearly pretty close to the edge re. mutton)

Ultimately I just think clothes are fun and like to see people expressing themselves with them. But you only have to read this board to see how many women worry about looking mutton - totally unnecessarily in my opinion. I mean converse, jeans and a hoody is not mutton. It may attract other comments but I'd never call it mutton.

I think the only thing that I would definitely draw the line at is a very short skirt, simply because although I have seen women into their 40s, 50s and beyond who might have lovely toned arms, or a nipped in waist, or a nice cleavage, I have never seen anyone over about 35 who has truly nice knees any more.

agree converse are very very ordinary. they are just trainers fgs

Families - who knew gravity would be so unkind to the knees?

re jeans, converse, hoodies - it's more that looks scruffy, you can "get away" with looking scruffy when you're younger as that's normally the time in your life when you look so good you could put on a sack and look good. Once you've got past that, you do'nt have the body to 'get away' wth scruffy, you just notice the scruffiness more.

I love wearing skinnies plimsolls and a t shirt in summer It is ageless surely? I look to Lauren Hutton and people like her not to the bloody newsreader look that seems to be de rigeur post 40. I like bare arms too Mrs CB.I also like loose undone hair and light fake tan. I hope I am like Goldie Hawn when I am 60 and not Jennie Bond

I know MrsCB. I never had great legs, but pregnancy and "wrong side" of 30 = not getting my knees out again

Isabella beautiful too. But lauren hutton my top older woman.

Oh I love Lauren Hutton - jeans, a white shirt, tanned skin - gorgeousness personified

Always looks gorgeous and glamorous without being cheap. Just add a cashmere jumper and a raincoat and you're done.

Cindy joseph also beautiful

I'm much older than 35 and agree that good jeans, nice Tshirt or shirt, and plimsoll type shoes, or ballerinas, or brogues, are ageless. What is aging is overdone/ fussy hair, makeup, accessories and clothes - the 'newsreader look' as said, which is to be seen in many older women's magazines.

I do find I prefer quality to cheaper stuff - but then to be honest I always did.

"flowers in the air at 39 omg!"

But one of the most beautiful women I know must be in her 50s, and often wears flowers in her hair. She also wears - on her - incredibly fetching green outfits which I know she makes from reworked charity shop finds.

The thing is it all depends on what suits you and, sadly, whether you are naturally stylish or not (sadly because I fall into the 'not' category & therefore have to tread with care).

I always have too Poly and remember first big buy in early 20s (the indulgence!), was the start of it all, although did the de rigeur top shop etc.

Realised how bored I was of all the Covent Garden brands when I overloaded working there mid 20s. Probably the most uninspired by fashion I have felt.

Can't do the newsreader look.

Hello, I'm the OP. Wow I didn't think this would get so heated. Just to clarify, I don't think that the things I mentioned in the first post are mutton at all. I want to wear them and do. I think, like I said earlier, that because I am spending a lot of time around teenagers and 20 somethings (at university), it's made me aware that some of the things I wear are the same similar to them. I'm quite a introverted type and would hate to think I was being judged as muttony by said young, firm-fleshed trend-setters but that is totally my hang-up and has nothing to do with the discussion this thread has created.

I am horrified that this thread has depressed people or made them think it is based on a woman-hating premise. Style is completely subjective as many people have pointed out and what one person wants to wear and just as importantly, can carry off, varies greatly from the next person.

I'm 41 and have the knees of a 19 year old :)

The older I get, the more 'youth' wear I buy. Mainly cos it's only now that I can afford labelled stuff.

But I'm forced to agree about the scruffy look. My mum still does a slightly rock chick, slightly studenty look in her sixties and I don't think she looks her best.

Experimentation is not just for teenagers. Fashion evolves and innovates, your character changes and you get more confident as you get older. I personally have a much better body now than I did in my takeaway eating, binge-drinking, chain-smoking 20s. I don't want my 'experimental' phase to ever be over. I know what suits me, but sometimes I just want to dress for the moment and fuck phooey to what anyone else thinks.

at MorrisZapp

37 this year and think as I get older I get more comfortable about wearing what I like.
I wear a leather biker jacket, shorts with opaques and supergas in the summer.
Over the past couple of years I have upped my running game and am in better physical shape now than I have been since my early 20s.
I love a bit of leopard print too!
I suppose the only thing I draw the line at are bottom skimming mini skirts. I also stick to a rule of above the knee skirt, no cleavage. Or cleavage and trousers or longer skirt.

Must admit I stick to the rule of no cleavage, full stop. I think it looks awful, even on younger women tbh. The only time my cleavage is seen is in a bikini on holiday.

My legs/knees are okay - and that's why good quality opaque tights were invented too!

I don't do cleavage, never really had one anyway. But legs are fine, knees are fine.

I still like a bit of cleavage in a lovely bra and nice shirt if skin well moisturised and a bit tanned