Effortlessly eccentric dressing at 50 plus. How to look quirky not completely daft?

[SureIusedtobetaller]

I saw a woman when I was on hols, harem pants, flowy fabrics, grey hair, clearly didn’t give a damn. Looked gorgeous. Must’ve been at least 60 or over. I often see older women looking fabulous but not classic. But sometimes I see older women just look like they got dressed blindfold in the dark and didn’t brush their hair.
How can I achieve this? I like hippy stuff, Dr martens, pretty colours. But I just feel stupid when I try and end up in jeans and a t shirt.
Help me. Where to shop? What to get? What’s the key? I suspect good skin and hair helps? I don’t want to look classy I want to look odd but lovely!!

I can't find an Fb page for used Gudrun clothes. What's the exact name, please?

Ha! Elf I was going to show something similar. I know a lot of women in the ‘pimp my stick/ walker’ league
I’m just another short dumpy bag lady pushing 50. I absolutely rely on tunics and scarves but anything more floaty I do feel a bit rumpled in the bedsheets. I’ve worn docs forever and have never managed to pull off ‘groomed’ in living history.
Great thread for ideas!

Thanks v much showmetheelf! But she (sadly) needs hardcore, super thick sticks! Crutches type thickness, with extra handles and stuff. Bah.

That’s why I was suggesting pimp your own. I have a friend whose walker (at one point) was pink and silver. There may even have been glitter... dd2’s used to be yellow.

Hi Footle, not sure if any of these suggestions are any good, but here goes!

www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/uo-cosy-funnel-neck-top?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=005&quantity=1&type=REGULAR

www.cottontraders.com/wrinkle-free-turtle-neck-top/invt/aa14059

www.cottontraders.com/wrinkle-free-cowl-neck-top/invt/aa14010

www.cottontraders.com/wrinkle-free-shawl-neck-top/invt/aa14012

www.cottontraders.com/cowl-neck-interlock-top/invt/aa13755

www.cottontraders.com/wrinkle-free-turtle-neck-top/invt/aa13947

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Scrunch_Neck_Tunic/pp/P_38545.html?cgid=11301

I'll keep looking! :-)

As an aside, I use my beautiful rabbit stick, just looked on the website and they have a selection of orthopaedic sticks, and crutch handles etc.

My rabbit sticks really cheers me up, it says ‘for decorative use’ but I’ve had it for years and lean my whole weight on it and the rabbits doing juuust fiiiine :)

www.walkingsticksonline.co.uk/new/new-walking-sticks.php

Ilovecardigans, good work! I've tried to order some from Cotton Traders to try, but their site won't let me. I'll ring them. Thanks again for doing this - you're finding things I've failed to find on the same sites.

I've been following this thread with interest because I'm trying to come to terms with my own middle age style crisis, swerving the M&S look while trying not to look like a bag lady. I've made the following discoveries.

1. I look odd in heels. Aren't they meant to make you look nicer? I feel like they exacerbate parsnip-leg (where anything narrow on the bottom of your body makes your bum look big). They also seem to take any edge or grit from an outfit and make it look sort of ordinary and conservative, like I'm going to the office.
   Because I'm nothing if not persistent, I bought a pair of heeled boots and they make me look like a massive arse on toothpicks. I'm a 14-16 and 5'8" and I have good proportions, I can't figure it out.
   To add insult to injury the new boots are the ones Sharon Horgan is wearing in the photo and I thought they were going to transform my life. I've never in my life used the phrase 'fashion crush' but she is mine.

2. I just don't get the athleisure thing, it looks like I got half dressed, lost interest and left my pajama bottoms on. I can't make it work for me. I love how it looks on other women, maybe it's good for willowy/athletic builds?

3. In a similar vein, I love clogs but can't work out how to wear them without looking like a pottery teacher. I have a pair of open-toed tan nubuck heels that I thought would go with absolutely everything and they go with nothing. Yet I am obsessed with them and always fancy buying more.

@diodati where do you stand on graphic/logo/concert tees? That's my current obsession.They add a bit of colour which I like to match with something (maybe shoes) and clash with something else.

@Gruach I'd be interested in hearing more about your alternatives to floppy hippy clothes. Although they suit some women they aren't for me. I won't judge any labels talk.

So, today I'm wearing this dress in the cat print with a thin red hooded long sleeved T shirt underneath. I got the t shirt fron an outdoor clothing company a few years ago. I'm wearing it with leggings, docs and a thin floor length cardigan from Osca.

I get a lot of my clothes from Osca, eBay, Uniqulo and I buy a lot from posh market stalls like Spitafields etc. My current coat was bought off a market stall in Poland from the woman who made it.

Start with something interesting but make sure you know before you buy it want it will go with in your existing wardrobe.

Pinterest is my go to site when I'm stuck for ideas. Best thing is you can start your own board and pin images for future reference.

I have so much stuff on my ebay watch list now!

I don't suit floppy clothes either (although I don't think lagenlook has to be floppy - you can add your own structure). My own - very meek and mild - eccentricity is more of the English gentleman variety. My favourite outfit at the moment is mannish trousers with a shirt, brogues and, depending on the weather, either a harris tweed jacket or drop shoulder overcoat or a men's raincoat (which I've had altered). If I'm in the mood, I ramp it up a bit with a buttonhole or one of those vintage cravats (but worn loose - I'm too jowly to tie it). I'd wear a trilby too except one of my friends already wears one and I don't want to steal her thunder.

It all goes beautifully with my whiskery chin.

I love a country clothing store. Beautiful fabrics.

Floisme that sounds fab, I always love a masculine look - my favourite era for dressing was the late 80’s when I had a blokes waistcoat which I wore with a Grandad shirt and jeans, I loved it! I try and wear mannish clothes with a few Lagenlook pieces and the occasional eccentric item.

You might be sorry mrsdewinter ...

Here are some places I like. As in “shops whose websites devour time I ought to be spending elsewhere”. I’m definitely not claiming to actually clothe myself from all of these. And I am, frankly, a canny shopper - now I no longer have a City income or overdraft.

Acne Studios,
Celine (as was ...)
Margaret Howell (Nothing fits me and the colours are too sludgy for me but I love the fabrics and the subversive plainness.)
Marques’Almeida
Margiela
Rick Owens - but not the drape-y end.
WalesBonner

But - have you all seen Richard Quinn’s collection? No other designer should even have bothered turning up ...

I like that store phannique is it called? Linked to before, but really..... It is not flattering on some people:

shop.phannatiq.com/collections/dresses/products/zoe-dress

I don't know all the names on Gruach's list but I've bought a few Margaret Howell things second hand and they're fab, especially if you like an androgynous look. They hang beautifully, great fabrics and they keep their shape all day which is important at my time of life.

The Richard Quinn stuff is amazing. Most of what I've seen would totally overwhelm me, but I assume you don't have to wear it all at once! I love the helmets and I'm very tempted to try a knotted-under-the-chin headscarf in memory of my mum (never mind the queen).

I have had a pixie cut for about 10 years. Mostly very blonde but sometimes dyed.
I recently had an undercut so I could have a quiff. It gives my face a bit of a lift and means I can wear scarves and hats.

I can still wear it down if I need to. Bit short back and sides like.

I was thinking it about it for ages. I am so glad I did it.

I get a lot of my clothes from Sainsburys. They have quite a bit of horrible stuff but lots of great things too. Their dresses and denim skirts can be lovely.

Today I am wearing a gingham smock dress with embroidery, jeans and red converse.
My favourite winter coat is a leopard faux fur one. That with a pair of big sunglasses always makes me feel a bit glam.
I am 50 btw.

Re Sainsbury’s - on the rare occasions that I find myself in one (because Ocado, and having to avoid the crisps aisle.) I’ve always been impressed by the look of the clothes. But they seem to be cut to fit everybody (?) so nothing fitted me. I know people who swear by their organic cotton t shirts.

I didn’t mention Rochas or Top Shop or Antonio Berardi or MiuMiu or ... Oh yes - the wonderful styling on the Zara website. (Sadly rarely matched by the quality of the fabrics or stitching in the flesh.)

@TheFirstMrsDV ooh, any chance of a photo (or lookey likey will do)? I had my long hair bobbed and the thing I miss is the height I got when I put it in a high messy bun or put it in a ponytail and made a little quiff on top. To make things worse there is no layering or undercut so lots of bulk at jowl level. I'm plotting to have it remedied but I need to know what to ask for first.

@Gruach off to have a look at your sources.

I'm glad someone mentioned Sainsburys. I've been wanting to praise them! They're getting better and better, and often I look at their clothes and go "Wow!". Sometimes their clothes miss the mark because they've got unnecessary extra details. These days their turnover is very fast, so you can buy without worrying too much about running into someone wearing the same thing. The prices seem to be creeping up, in line with the quality, but prices can also get reduced very fast, so there are lots of bargains. They're quite good for trying out a style on the cheap, or just adding some diversity to your wardrobe. I've also noticed they've started working in some more natural fabrics, which we all like!

I also really like Sainsbury's Tu - lots of the stuff is vile, but I've got several bits that I love and always get compliments on.

I used to be a Sainsbury's fan but I gave up on them cos I got sick of stuff looking like crap after just a couple of hours wear. I don't expect cheap clothes to last for years but I do expect them to survive at least one wash. Have they improved? My husband - who's even fussier than I am - rates their T shirts and jeans and often buys 2 or 3 at a time.

I have stopped bothering to look at Tu online because they don't present the clothes very well. Much better to look in store.

Their 25% off tends to be around bank and school holidays so you can predict when they are coming up. They seem to have a half price rail all the time too.

They have such a variety. Sometimes I visibly shirk from their stuff. I have been laughed at by other shoppers for going 'ewww'

Thefirst I will find the picture I used for the hairdresser.
Do you realise that my mn name was supposed to be TheFirstMrsDeWinter but I had a 'moment' and wrote 'MrsDevere' instead. It stuck

This was the one I used.
Mine is a 'faux' mohawk because its short round the back as well as the sides.
Its not for everyone but its surprisingly versatile.

I'm afraid I probably am more completely daft than 'quirky'

I love the cat stripe dress (not sure I would buy it as it's £££'s) but love how it's styled on different sizes etc..

I tried on a Cath Kidston (never been into the designs in the past) cat shirt style button through dress and it did suit me. But I'm put of by the price, that it's CK and that I may be going into madcat woman territory. OH held up a tunic in Joe Browns and the staff laughed when I said "no I can't but another cat tunic"