If you are over 45, how do you stay fashionable?

[Destinysdaughter]

Or do you? I love fashion but tend to just wear clothes that suit my shape/colouring these days. I feel quite confident in my look and as I've always been quite busty, I've had to accept that a lot of fashionable clothes are cut for a completely different body shape and would look ridiculous on me.

So I try and stay current with accessories, shoes, jewellery etc. Wondered how other pp deal with this...?

I agree that a pixie crop is tricky to carry off, after a certain age, unless you have amazing bone structure (a la Sharon Stone). It's too severe a look for me, which is why I have a softer, slightly longer version. My stylist cuts it just right, although it does mean I have to have it cut every month, to keep it at the perfect length.

I'm 45 and just dress in what I like. I shop mostly in H&M, vero moda for casual. Work - Next stuff mostly. I'm fairly tall and thinnish so I suppose that helps. I wear band t-shirts with skinnies and boots and a bomber jacket mostly.

I hate, hate, hate the term 'pixie crop'. It's so bloody twee and infantilising. No wonder people think they can't have one as they get older.

I love my cropped hair, it's the only style that really suits me. Every ten years or so I grow it out and try something else, but my hairdressers always end up cutting it back to a crop.

To me being interested in clothes and experimenting with new things is an expression of my continued interest in being alive. If age has made any difference (I'm now 55) I spend much less, actually zero, time worrying whether it's ok for me to wear something at my age. And when I grow fearful I look at the wonderful advanced style which is an absolutely lovely tribute to the life-affirmingness of dressing up.

I get very cranky over the short hair / long hair debate. And with all the other edicts. We don't all start looking the same just because we've hit middle age.

30 years ago, when my own mother was hitting middle-aged, it was the 'done' thing for women to cut their hair short. Together with the double-whammy of bad 80s fashion, it left an indelible impression.

I have an almost irrational aversion to short hair, possibly as a result. I think it is incredibly hard to pull off.

45 here. Will be 46 in September.

I try to ensure that I wear clothes that fit well and also that are vaguely on trend.

I do try and wear shorter skirts sometimes or dresses but anything not me like scarves, Breton tops etc I steer clear of.

I don't suit Boden/Joules so don't wear it.

I always ensure my hair is well cut and coloured and also take time to follow a skincare routine and wear makeup. A brighter lipstick can be the key for me for appearing younger.

Gladiator cream leather flat sandals (Zara) were a fashionable but comfy buy for me last year and I wore them with a lot.

I also like certain prints - h&m did a great alligator/crocodile print top/dress last year (saw it on a few people) but it looked to me, fresh and a bit different.

I've had short hair pretty much since I was 19. Every so often I get bored and try and grow it but it never ends well. For a while it was chin length but it was dragging my face down so I've now had it cut a bit shorter and it's given me back my cheekbones.

None of that is any kind of rule. It's just what works for me.

80s fashion was marvellous by the way, but only early 80s, before we all started trying to look like Pamela Ewing.

I struggle, I'm a couple of stone overweight and that tends to dictate what I wear.

The other issue is giving a shiny shite which I tend not to!
As I've Aged, I go for comfort, extreme cheapness, charity shops are where I shop for me.
Thus more tat, less quality.

I wear a uniform for work, thankgod!

i'm doing pretty much what I've always done but with some adaptations.

I don't wear anything with writing/logos on, stay away from 'young' trends like cold shoulder tops etc.

I am very short and busty so I keep clothes simple - skinny jeans, trainers (nothing with any bling on or bows though), white shirts, plain jumpers (love French connections ones with a high neck).

Bags, boots and glasses as good quality as I can afford.

Make-up not shimmery but not heavy or cakey and no nude lipsticks which wash me out now. I don't dye my hair because I have a very sensitive scalp. I'm getting some threads of grey through but not that many so am just ignoring them. I have my hair in a pixie because it's thinned and has always been very fine so just can't hold a style anymore. Not even a bob.

No statement necklaces or scarves (even though my neck is starting to age).

I'm 57 btw. Forgot to put that.

Nothing wrong with a pixie cut on an older woman. Think Judi Dench.

I think the way to stay fashionable over 45 is to wear a style that suits your shape and colours that suit your skin.

Nothing wrong with Fat face, white stuff etc. As long the cut of the top suits your figure, you'll be fine.

I went to a Boden party once and tried on a soft grey top. It made me look frumpy but looked great on a friend, and she ended up,buying it.

228 I agree that so much depends on your shape and height as to what looks ok. And the same thing that looks grim on one woman can look stunning on someone else with a different shape. Now I've given up trying to breathe life into thinning, crap hair it definitely looks the best it's ever looked with a pixie.

Today i'm wearing this jumper with skinny jeans and boots. I really feel comfy and not frumpy in it.

50 in July.
I don't think I am fashionable as such but people often compliment me on my style. Maybe a bit worryingly they often add 'I wish I was that brave'

I wear what I like and what makes me feel comfortable. I do not feel comfortable in fleeces, formal trousers or tailoring.

I don't stick to a uniform the way some very stylish women do because I love clothes. That probably means I will never be truly chic and stylish.

I have A LOT of clothes. I only recently discovered Pintrest for helping me wear everything.
I will dig out a denim shirt and do a search on Pintrest and it comes up with loads of 'looks'. Its amazing for reminding me how to put things together. It also helps me break out of always wearing the same things the same way.

MrsDV I have only just discovered Pinterest today, and have wasted a whole afternoon scrolling through some fab ideas on how to wear skinnies, how to wear a white shirt, how to...etc. Bliss

I am over 50 and have always loved fashion and clothes so have to rein myself in a bit now I'm older.

My look varies according to what I'm doing and where I'm going but I think I look best in fitted well-cut fashionable clothes. About ten years ago I went a bit kirstie Allsop which I liked but as my shape changed (did someone earlier mention the menopause?) it aged me and I looked a bit frumpy. I have to be careful with skirt lengths for the same reason.

I mostly wear skinny or straight jeans in various colours but wouldn't wear ripped jeans for example. I am also big chested so look better in fitted tops but have to be careful they are not too revealing. I wore high heels for years and years but can't any more except on a rare night out and then I would be stumbling and moaning about the pain so it's not worth it.

Know what suits you then look in the fashion pages and see what elements will work for you. I definitely have a much better idea of what suits me (colour and style-wise) the older I get. Remember too that just because it fits you doesn't mean it suits you (note to anyone trying to keep up with their teenage daughter and thinking just because they wear the same size they can necessarily wear the same thing). Hair very much depends on the individual, bone structure, hair texture etc, but almost certainly more groomed than in your youth. I think getting it right can knock years off while getting wrong can add years.

Heinousfauxpas - the pic of your outfit - its fab! I'd wear that and I am older (probs bigger!) than you - I think some shops think over 55, wear bluddie crimplene and be done with fashion. Sooooo wrong - I just wish I was better at dieting and could have a better choice of togs from more shops - I don't mean expensive shops, just ordinary high st ones!

0dfod and Maybe, I used to wear lots of colourful things when I was younger - it was much easier to find clothes I liked back then. I struggle with clothes as I am short and a bit 'plump' and I like wearing colour.

I was talking to someone recently about wearing velvet/cord jackets as a student - if I could find a fitted version I'd wear one now.

cuzzcoo isnt it great?

six I love a bit of retro style but have to be careful that my quirky cute vintage look doesn't make me look more like Miss Marple

I dress the same at 46 as i did at 36-or 26,come to think of it!
Can't stand frumpiness. Would rather be mutton
I shop at h&m zara,new look, asos. Anywhere really. Buy what I like. Tend to wear jeans on daily basis. Skinny. With boots,trainers.like gazelle type, depending on weather. Tops vary, but usually bought from above shops. Going out I'd either wear a dress on maybe pvc type trousers(skinny),heels etc.
I do think i could do with a few decent quality bits,not due to age, but to last. Like nice v neck cashmere jumper for example.
Hair is long-middle of back and i have some hi lights at present. Always get hair coloured. Wear make up every day.
I dont look young for my age,but I think i may be look pretty good for my age.

I'm 57. I have the dreaded short pixie hair. It's the only thing my hair will do. I have a tiny head and face, though, so I reckon it looks ok. I'm dreading jowls, though.

I wear skinnies, boots (short), brogues, t shirts and cropped jackets. Sometimes an oversized coat.

I like bright colours, blacks and greys. I have statement tat jewellery and a massive watch. I always wear slap, no matter what.

I'm finding bustiness difficult; I've gone from a 34b to a 32E. I hate that. I've lost my waist too. .

I developed a legging/oversized jumper habit which led me to putting on weight. I ditched the weight and the elasticated waists and feel much better.

I'm plucking up courage for a nose piercing now..

heinous I love French Connection knitwear too. I have just picked up two of their high necked, buttoned back, sloppy Joe jumpers in TK Maxx for £14.99 each, RRP £70

My mum is 61, and a lady I work with is 62 - they both wear a lot of stuff from Cos, And Other Stories and Zara and they look a shit-ton better than I do at 31

But everything on the Cos website looks really odd, or ugly. Or is that just me?

Cos stuff looks rubbish on me, MaQueen, they're both slim and petite and it suits them.