What qualifies as 'mutton dressed as lamb'?

[SinclairSpectrum]

Just wondering in a light hearted way what everyone thinks?

poison i have jean shorts that are just above knee and I'm 41 come summer I shall have my lily white legs in them

Do what you want.

My mum (in her 70s) says: "even if I live to 100, I will never be old enough to buy my clothes in Marks & Spencer!"

I'm the same age as RingtheBells, and I like to see older women wearing fashionable/edgy/stylish clothes.

My personal nonos are nothing too self-consciously girlish eg frilly, nothing too sexy in an obvious way, and nothing exposing too much wrinkly skin, unless on the beach.

Girlish doesn't work on mature women, but the idea that they can't get their legs out or flaunt what they've still got bugs the shit out of me.

I am 49 and wear what I like I think most people have a built in idea of what does and doesn't still suit them Mine isn't based on age more shape and weight if I'm honest. The slimmer I am the more choice I have. Mutton is such an awful way to describe anyone and completely negative about getting older.I mostly wear skinnies heeled boots and t shirts and big cashmere jumpers day to day. For evening I wear what takes my fancy short long tight loose s=depends on my mood not others judgements.

I'm 50 and my definition of mutton is trying too hard which is just as vague!
I shop anywhere from New Look to M & S plus vintage and charity shops
My work wear is sort of Mary Portas at HOF style
Casual jeans, leggings with shirts or jumpers
I draw the line at per Una, EWM etc
If I'm ever unsure if I'm verging into mutton territory I ask my 23 yr old fashion guru (DD)

Don't think its about making women feel invisible.
I am anything but, however I don't wear crop tops or rara skirts because I am not 14 years old.
For those standing on the moral high ground I would bet everything I own that you'd raise an eyebrow or pass comment to a friend if you walked past a lady in her 60s wearing a spray on leather mini skirt and fishnets.
You may think "good for her" but you'd still pass comment.

Women trying to look younger than they are to compete with a generation younger is what it makes me think of. There is no escaping from the fact that they are a generation older, and they will never compare to someone a generation younger. So why try? Make the most of your assets, embrace your maturity, go for class rather than crass :)

I see more lambs dressed as mutton these days...

It's a shame some girls don't realise the beauty in a fresh face.

I would say it is when what you are wearing makes you look older and you were trying to look younger.

I think it means someone dressing as they would have a decade or two earlier.
As you get older, it's about dressing for your shape and highlighting your strengths. I do think it's harder to buy fashionable clothes as you age - hem lengths are often too short and cheap materials look 'cheap'. I think you just have to think more carefully about how you show off your assets - and go for the (slightly) less (on show) is more (attractive) attitude ie knee length pencil skirt rather than a mini, opaque tights and above knee dress rather than bare legs in winter etc
I tend to wait for sales and buy more expensive key pieces which are better tailored ie in LK Bennett, Reiss etc. i think being a slave to immediate fashion trends makes you look a bit mutton too - by all means include on trend touches eg skinny belt, fashionable bag etc but head to toe is a no no.

SinclairSpectrum I would pass comment if I saw anyone male or female, young or old I saw dressed like that. Mainly because I have never seen it in real life. Only actors portraying prostitutes in 1970s cop dramas set in New York.

I think what people usually mean is someone looks 'cheap'. It's not so much to do with age or ageism, but more to do with not knowing what suits you and what should not be on display.

So for me that would mean a far too short skirt or dress with poor legs ( wrinkly knees, or legs past their best), a aged-spotted crepey cleavage on show, spaghetti strap tops with bingo wing arms and loads of back fat hanging out, lots of wrinkly or over overly tanned and wrinkly flesh on show, or really high fashion that just doesn't suit your figure .

I know all of this is subjective and the same fashion-faults can apply to women in their 20s. But generally I'd say it's when older people whose figures and flesh have seen better days put too much on display.

I agree with dafty. I never wore those! I certainly don't think me or any of my friends who all seem to love clothes even think about 'competing' with younger women but then they are all 45 plus with their own money and good taste and not many bingo wings or wrinkly knees! As i said its a natural progression and tbh seeing someone older dressed like that is very rare I never see it Most women look great!

I think it's a great time to be an older woman! So many fantastic glamorous role models and it's easier to keep looking younger too. I think of my mum at my age (50) and she wore pretty frumpy clothes. I wear long skirts but that's cos they suit me. Also feel much more confident than I did in my twenties, am dating and having a great time!

I think it's also a good idea to wear flattering colours as you get older. I never wear black any more as autumn colours are much softer on me. Ditch the black ladies!

FFS - have you people not seen Pam in the Guardian's fashion for all ages? Anyone can wear anything at any age - it's to do with spirit and self-expression.

Do you really think women reach an age where they have to cover themselves up for the sake of others? Pack up any claim to dressing like sensual beings? Defer to other peoples's stereotypes and prejudices? Really? .

Courgette - but they look like bloody hookers half the time... Ew!

Nothing 'lighthearted' about such a horribly ageist expression. And as a PP pointed out, no such phrase that's used for men, is there?

There's a gran who picks her grandchildren up at my daughter's school. I would guess at 70 or early 70's in age. My mum and I call her Cool Gran. She wears lovely clothes. Fashionable stuff mixed with classics such as a smart blazer. I aspire to grow old like that. I'm not giving it to a shampoo & set, 3/4 length trews and a pair of hotter shoes

Of course I wouldn't pass comment on someone wearing a leather mini and fishnets. That would be weird and rude.

Also i work in Soho - a 60 year old man or woman in fishnets and leather would come under the heading of "meh"

Actually I don't think it's about a particular age, style or size. I think it's about confidently dressing to suit yourself.

You can look 'classy' in any style. It's general about making sure your clothes fit well, suit your figure and making sure your clothes are in good repair IMO.

My inspiration for dressing when I'm older, I'm 30 now, is from when I visited Paris last year. Obviously a very stylish city anyway but one woman in particular caught my eye. She honestly must have been between 60-70, slim as most parisians are, long pale silver hair pulled into a loose low bun, a white floaty loose shirt/blouse, baggy khaki trousers tucked into black biker style boots. She oozed style and effortless grace, but most people would say thats totally inappropriate wear for a pensioner. She will remain in my mind as something to aspire to, even now.

Dressing like he is having a mid life crisis??