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 am 46 and think I'm less frumpy than I was 10-15 yrs ago. I've had short hair most of my life, it suits me far better. I find some Cos stuff ok, have always liked Jigsaw, Whistles etc, I love Me & Em (but not their prices, sales are great) and jaeger outlet is well worth checking on a fairly regular basis. I'm not a scarves fan though, too faffy. Love loafers, trainers, converse, ankle boots. Ankle length trousers/jeans are quite chic, with well fitting tops, whether H&M or Me & Em.

I shop at H&M, All Saints, and Baukjen mainly. I also like Jack Wills (for things such as coats etc), ME & EM, Oasis (mainly for their amazing Jade skinnies), Massimo Dutti and Zara.

Kristina I had my colours done by HofC (which I really recommend) and deduced from subsequent research and ponderings that I too am a Classic Dramatic. More Classic by day but dramatic by night.

For evening I favour waxed black or leather jeans with soft knitwear, or skinny dark denim with silk or viscose shirts or quite structured tops.

A collection of low, mud and high heeled boots in black and navy. Flats in black and navy (although I'm going to get some leopard prints too now ).

Big chunky silver bangles, or lots of thin silver bangles, silver rings, pearl studs...

Having HoC tell me what colours worked best was a real eye-opener and has made my wardrobe evolve over the years into quite a nifty collection of clothes that go together! Also as you age, you really need the most flattering colours to be worn against your skin!

I tend to go for very classic styles now that suit my shape and look fashionable. I also find classic styles tend to remain looking trendy. That's not to say I don't wear leggings or the skinnier jeans, but stick to unfussy tops to wear with them. I love black, greys, roll necks, and plain cotton tops. Also love simple shapes but in fabrics with interesting and sometimes colourful designs. I'm over 60.

Oliviaoatcake and everyone else - what is 'old fashioned jewellery'?

Do baukjen have actual shops or are they only online? Or are their clothes stocked anywhere in the way hush are in JL?

TeenyfTroon I was advised by my consultant that it was things like:

• big chunky necklaces/statement necklaces
• anything that's 'traditional' such as belcher chains
• classic jewellery if you're not a 'classic' type (makes you frumpy apparently as its too plain)
• chunky jewellery generally

BabbleLands No, they only sell online.

So any sort of jewellery is old fashioned according to the consultant's list

Thanks olivia. Obvious next question - what's fashionable jewellery?
Fine? Quirky? Any suggestions?

BIG watches are very fashionable aren't they? Stud earrings and pendants on a long chain. Pandora or links bracelets......

Re comments on scarves, yes, they look fantastic on some and I love a good chunky knitted scarf - I was talking about those thin brightly coloured/patterned scarves worn indoors. I think they've had their day.

As for Clarks and Hotter, yes, you may find one or two styles that look good but generally it's a no for me personally although I still have a lovely pair of Clarkes knee boots in a conker colour

I just bought a dress from H&M after reading this thread - I still think H&M stands for 'hit and miss' but I'm very pleased with my purchase!

Next seem to be on a different planet this season, so it's been interesting to read lots of different suggestions.

I used to wear scarves all the time but either they've gone out of fashion or I've just started to look old but I stopped wearing them a year or so ago as every time I put one on I thought granny 'mummy'.

Or 'mumsy' even.

Neanz I think the jewellery you describe sounds fine. I just think you have to be careful what kind you wear. Especially necklaces 😐

Went around Next the other day looking for a birthday present for my niece. Couldn't find anything. The larger out-of-town Next store is better. Dare I say it, M and S has a much better range of clothes (goes and hides).

ALERT!! Breaking news: I am 48 and I just bought a scarf. It is this one www.hush-uk.com/accessories_2/accessories/scarves/check_scarf_columbia_french_blue.htm - and I totally love it! Much nicer in real life. I have also purchased a khaki Shacket type thing from H&M (similar to the Hush version but cheaper! Hope I have not committed any major fashion crimes here - no idea what sort of shoes to go for ...

To be fair to M and S, most stuff in the shops is pretty crap imho.

I've bought a couple of things in charity shops lately and even the "cheaper" stuff like F and F is better quality than most of the stuff in the shops now. And that includes the more expensive shops like Phase 8 etc.

What's a Shacket.?

Just found out what a shacket is!

I like that scarf, particularly worn kinda casual like in the pic.

Question: how do you wear harem/tapered/ jogger trousers when you're older?

And do you "oldies" show your upper arms and shoulders ever?

I'm 55 and I absolutely love fashion.
Personally I think it's a mistake to decide on a look because we are getting older.
I wear jeans,/trousers with trainers/boots and t-shirts/jumpers for work. When I'm not at work I enjoy getting up and putting on whatever the mood takes me.
Getting older for me just means being honest about what efffect your clothes create and avoiding the stuff that you just can't wear anymore.
I can't wear stuff that's twee. When I was younger I loved very soft feminine stuff but it all looks a bit 'whatever happened to baby Jane ' so I have to be really careful.
I buy from all over the place. I prefer TopShop and Zara to H&M and new look because they just seem to fit me better and look better on me but I still look sometimes because you can often find something you love.

I just went through a period of buying black, blue, cream, grey etc. Fucking dull as fuck.
I like brands like Erdem and Etro so ignoring that for a palette and 'pulled together' look felt like hell. I don't know how anyone can get up every morning when not wearing uniform and get excited about stuff that boring. I'm not dead yet.

Pagwatch! Haven't seen your name for yonks!

(Serial NCer here. Been here since the Gina Ford debacle)

Anyhow...I wear harems. I wear them casually, with trainers, a tshirt and a denim jacket.

Just...put on stuff you like. You'll know if it feels wrong.

I find it fascinating, tbh. Stuff that would have been absolutely fine even three years ago can suddenly look somehow wrong, and I couldn't even say why.

But that's ok, because other stuff that would have looked wrong three years ago suddenly looks fab.

Keep experimenting, keep trying stuff on. They're just clothes - have fun with them.

Pagwatch you are so right. This is me in frills and anything 'feminine'.

But for some people it is absolutely their look and is fabulous. It isn't a rule.

MaQueen

Thanks for this!

I don't wear scarves unless it's very cold and then I have a big cashmere one.

I wore loads of scarves a couple of years ago (beck sondergaard type ones).

I made the mistake of getting my hair cut into a bob in my 30s, but that was really ageing (on me). I now have long hair which is much nicer (on me).

I'm far more fashionable now than when I was in my 30s - I lost my way a bit in the young children years and wore White Stuff alot!

As for staying current - blogs, instagram, pinterest and just watching what other people wear. I agree with PPs though - you need to know what suits you. I look dreadful in e.g. 3/4 length flared trousers which seem to be quite fashionable these days.

I tend to wear plain rather than pattern now in in my 50's and buy less items, but of higher quality, than I did ten years ago. So my wardrobe is all basically black grey and tan for winter autumn then I add in brighter colours as the weather warms, by summer I'm in white as a base rather than my winter black. Seems to work for me.

Loving reading this thread!