In my 50s and wanting ideas about 'distractions'

[ChristmasTimeName]

I'm in my 50s and want some ideas for distractions. By this I mean things that distract the eye away from the wrinkles etc like scarves, big earrings etc. Ideas please, wise ones.

I find bracelets a big distraction form ageing hands - much more so than rings which draw attention to the hands. Saw a picture of Judy Dench the other day (in her 80s) She had a lovely mix of bracelets in all colours & materials. They weren't big and clunky or halfway to her elbow like bloggers but there were enough on each wrist to draw your eye to the detail over and over. It certainly distracted from her hands.

I also think a sharp modern haircut spells 'Youthfull' and distracts from other areas. It's extremely easy to get stuck in a hairstyle timewarp, especially if you've been going to the same hairdresser for a while as they 'know how you like it'. Book a few consultations in differant places and ask what they would do if they had free reign, you aren't obliged to go ahead, it's great for revamping your look.

Glasses are great for this - they disguise and distract. Make sure frames are modern.
Good haircut - much more important than covering grey in my opinion.
I avoid scarves, earrings, polo or turtle necks and earrings cos they draw the eye to the jawline and make my jowls look worse.
I'm trying to get the hang of lipstick.
Keep reviewing what suits you especially after menopause. Work out your best bits and draw attention to them.

Don't do it!

You'll end up looking like a Christmas tree.

Choose the simplest, most well cut clothes you can stretch to. (Plain as - unless you know you have an excellent eye for colour and pattern.)

Think of the clothes as a background for staggeringly simple unfussy jewellery. Maybe a belt. Fabulous footwear.

Do nothing to "apologise" for your maturity. Celebrate it.

Clean, crisp and modern is the way to go in everything. Avoid the per una effect like the plague. A single gorgeous decorated or patterned piece is enough, whether a jacket or scarf or bracelet(s).
Spend on the basics, well fitting, good quality dark jeans, merino jumpers, decent boots, fab hair cut and on trend specs as a foil for your statement piece.

Hear, hear to what Zero and Joseph said.

Should add re Judy Dench and her bracelets. She had nothing else on except a black chunky polo neck jumper and looked incredibly stylish. No earrings, no scarf no necklace etc.

Not even a whiff of Pat Butcher and the Christmas tree look.

Watching and learning...!

Book a make-up consultation at a Bobbi Brown counter that you have never been to before. Ditto book a hair consultation at a very good hairdresser that you have never used before. And then, with your new hair and make-up, go for a styling consultation with a personal shopper.

You don't have to do everything they suggest but people who don't know you will see you in a new light and help you to see yourself in a new light.

Also, black is aging. If you can't bear the thought of pastelification, try very dary navy. It's my most recent revelation.

dark, obvs

WildBill "Should add re Judy Dench and her bracelets. She had nothing else on except a black chunky polo neck jumper and looked incredibly stylish."

OP sounds like a plan, maybe add some trousers or a skirt though

Sorry nothing to add to the actual topic but is all very interesting.

A good haircut is an absolute must. Having said that I would say wear more or less what you want, but wear it with confidence. If you don't feel confident in yourself, you'll look terrible whatever you wear.

Have you ever read a blog called Advanced Style? Not that you're by any means as old as most of the people in that, but they are truly amazing and look fantastic. Worth a look.

I think to say avoid patterns is nonsense. It depends upon what you are like stature wise!!! People can look very classy with patterns and can look tasteful and elegant. I agree that its easier to play it safe with just plain colours but feel you could be in danger of playing it safe and looking boring and old fashioned. I think you need to dress for your shape. If you are above 5.5 then dressing is slightly easier. You can choose from a variety of trousers...wide legs in black being a classic to style with a variety of silky plain tops or cowl neck jumpers or a chunky knit then you could combine that with a lovely patterened scarf. Do not steer clear from earrings!!! A small ethnic drop would look very stylish in my opinion. Finish of with some chunky flat shoes or classic brogues to give it an edgy up to date look.

Oh missmartha I'm sure you mean well - and Advanced Style is very entertaining (if you like that sort of thing ...) but I for one have no intention of spending the second half of my life emulating a circus clown.

Oh Zero, go on, at least those women are having a bit of fun

cowl neck ... patterned scarf ... ethnic drop ...

Kill me now.

ha ha ha...after reading your post....zero, i checked it out!!! OMG!!!! between 50 and death?????? er.....imo those golden oldies look already dead!!

I have an excellent eye for colour and pattern...what can i say?

Confidence, hair, make-up.

How d'you mean?

I think people can look amazing at any age. But I do not agree with the "wacky" approach to dressing in old age (Let alone middle age.)

cowl neck ... patterned scarf ... ethnic drop ...

You mean PER UNA then? the horror the horror........

Oh god no!!!! Not per una!!! I cant stand their stuff. All those long patterend skirts and asymmetric cardigans with embelishments. Not me at all!!! You can have a bit of ethnicity without looking per una you know!!!! Today i am not wearing any patterns but mix and match what i wear. I had skinny legging jeans on and a sparkly tunic on and ankle boots. I also wear patterend tunics over skinny jeans etc....[ mind you i am not 50 yet!!] Today i am wearing boden washed velvet widelegs, a long sleeved tee, and a sparkly jumper. If i put a patterened scarf on and ethnic earrings [ i love ethnic things] i dont look 'per una!!!'

dress for your figure and what you feel comfortable in -as at any age.

it is beauty-babble to think that a violently coloured scarf EVER made anyone look thinner or younger!

I know a very very stylish lady in her late 70s, she easily looks early 60s. Sharp smart haircut. Very plain but well cut and modern clothes, I am rubbish with labels and names of styles but I suppose you would maybe say Breton? Well cut casual trousers, elegant sporty type trews. Plain, chunky silver jewelry. She is just fabulous. I suppose it is a very casual look which might not be your cup of tea?
In terms of distractions, she wears very smart dark rimmed glasses and little neck scarves.

I'm 55 and just wear what everyone else wears. Skinnies, boots, parkas, whatever. It's quite a dull look, so I try and glam myself up with slap, lots of chunky jewellery, and scarves.. There's a typical "middle-aged" look I try to avoid, though, and that's fleece, elasticated jeans and polo shirt. That's definitely ageing, and to me smacks of couldn't-care-less.