Fashion 'no go' areas over 45?

[purplegadget]

Even if you genuinely have the figure for it, are there still some things you really shouldn't wear if you're over 45? If so, what?

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

I'm younger (31) and have no real opinion on this but I just wanted to post to say 1944girl you rock!!!

[NoComet]

Yes to the all shapes and sizes.
I'm 46 and a big bummed 16, my size 8 66y old aunt looks stunning in fitted dresses I couldn't have worn as a size 10 18 year old.

I've always had hips.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I'd rather see a mini skirt with opaques than loads of crepey cleavage personally.

For me, at 41 I do show a lot less boob than I used to as it makes me feel as though I'm on Loose Women.

Everything else really depends on your shape and figure and overall style.

A friend does a lot of work with ASOS and laughs if I order anything from there as apparently I'm 20 years older than their target market.

[LittleBabyPigsus]

No such thing, wear what you love and fuck anyone else.

Bonsoir - all of me deserves admiration! I love my body.

[kaizen]

I'm 44 and wear plaits (pig tails) but only when I do triathlons or swim - I hope that's ok

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

I think that the basic rule of "if youwere old enough to wear it the first time around, then you're probably too old to wear it next time around" is a good rule of thumb; that and wear what suits you.

I do have clothes that would still fit me but would no longer suit me.

[MrsDavidBowie]

I wore a bikini on holiday and I am 53.

I

[50ShadesOfMaybe]

Mid forties here and refuse to start dressing in certain ways just because I've reached a certain number. Wear mini skirts and shorts (with tights), disco pants, leather leggings, and generally whatever I like.

So there.

[marleebrodie]

And there are so many stylish under 45s out there.......NOT!

[RockMummy]

51 this year and believe you should wear what you feel good in. I don't believe that anything should be restricted to age. I've dumped black in the last year as I feel that it ages me.This has made my life-long rock chick a bit difficult but I'm up for a challenge!

[Bonsoir]

I agree, black is very draining when you get older and your natural skin and hair colours tend to lessen. Navy is a better dark basic.

[Deathwatchbeetle]

True - women over 45 do not all look the same - imagine Goldie hawn and Mother Teresa - hardly lookalikes! Jo Wood (Ronnie's ex) also looks good - her and Goldie could and probably do wear mini skirts. I never could being overweight and at 53 not about to start. However I also will never wear 'a twinset and pearls'. There is a teenager inside me trying to get out!!!!

[lurkingaround]

I wear short skirts and bikinis.
What would I not wear. Cropped tops def, but I think they are awful on everyone. Those cocoon coats, cos I look like a sack of spuds in them. Anything oversized, again, sack of spuds. Leopard print (except if it's grey) cos I look like Bet Lynch in it. Shorts, (except in far-flung destinations where the chances of knowing anyone or ever meeting them again are minuscule, perish the thought), awful on me fat ass.

So it seems my rules aren't age related.

But then, hey, what do I know, I might look like a heap.

[MorrisZapp]

I agree that basically, yiu should wear what you want regardless of age. It's a bit crap to have to adhere to rules.

That said, there is no doubt for me that as I get older I do have to take more care if I want to look good. I feel that I can't get away with rough hair, third day jeans, bargain rail tshirt etc like I could in the past.

My style hasn't really changed, but I have better versions of the same stuff. I will wear hoodies until I die, literally. I can't wait to rock my branded sports gear in the old folks home :)

But the branding has to be very subtle these days, and the quality as high as I can afford.

My mum still tries to do the rock chick thing and it doesn't always work. Sorry mum, but scruffy just doesn't look cute or cool at your age. It looks seedy. Oh god, I hate being judgemental about this. But I want my mum to look her best.

[lurkingaround]

And yes black is getting harder and harder to wear.

[MorrisZapp]

I think also less make up rather than more. I only wear moisturiser and blusher. I feel like foundation etc will sink into any lines and make them look worse.

[Bonsoir]

I stopped wearing foundation years ago but I like BB cream for times I need a more made-up look, and Benefit Porfection plus Guerlain Terracotta for every day.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I don't wear a great deal of black unless its fur or has a nice texture which somehow makes it less draining. Navy better on me but that's down to colouring I think more than age.

[purplegadget]

Thanks for all the great replies.

1944girl - I hope to still be wearing my mini skirts at 70.

I do agree though that sometimes the contrast between the great legs (or hair) and the face makes the face look worse! And the effect is greater the more fab the legs unfortunately. Not sure it's enough to make me to give them up though.

And, re. the friend's comment - yes, I think the judgemental and envious tag is correct :-)

I ditched black near my face a while ago and my preferred alternative is charcoal grey. Not always possible to find the shape of top I want in that colour though so I did buy two black jersey tops in the autumn to go with a particular skirt. Not sure that I feel I look my best in them though.

We've covered mini skirts, but what about shorts and opaque tights?

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

I'm 50 and still wear minis, although no longer the short short ones. Not looking forward to the summer this year as I've realised my upper arms, although reasonably muscular, have acquired that fleshy look and wobble when they move.

I have pretty young-looking skin, but I've also become aware that my cleavage is starting to crepe up, as well as no longer being where I'd expect it to be - a pain as I have big-ish boobs so can't exactly wear polo necks. Damn.

But anyone without those ishoos (or even with, if they're comfortable) - go ahead!

I think stiff-looking, 'helmet' hair ages anyone.

[GrumpyOldHorsewoman]

We will always be judged for something - we need to get over that because you can't control other people's thoughts.

Rules for over 45s:

Wear what you like
Wear what suits you
Wear whatever makes you feel good
Don't just wear something because you feel it's what other people expect

I am 43 and have no 'rules', My Mum is 66, less than 2 years younger than MIL - may as well be 15 years. My mum is young, stylish and vibrant, lives life well. MIL has always 'conformed' and nothing is more sure you hold you down. Life does not end with middle age.

[PiratePanda]

I've got a friend who is 50, has fabulous legs and still wears minis with opaque stockings. She looks amazing. I would look terrible.

[GeorginaWorsley]

Am 47 soon and have started to look more groomed,ie no third day hair,always wear make up but discreetly applied and 'better' brands,usually more expensive or at least give impression of being more expensive,clothes,manicure and pedicure,eyebrows waxed ,etc.

don't do minis but more because if footballer legs than age!
I wear dresses just above or on knee,anything lower ages me.
I can't do high necks as have
DD chest,but don't expose loads of crepey cleavage!
I have skinnies and coated leather look jeans though!

Disclaimer
Am typing this in bed with no make up and scruffy hair ,am epitome of laziness!

[50ShadesOfMaybe]

purplegadget - didn't we do the shorts and tights thing to death a while back? Here

I prefer this in many ways to mini-skirts - shorts look as funky as mini-skirts but won't ride up and flash your gusset!