How do I know if I should dial things back a bit.

[sizzledrizz]

I love fashion, like clothes shopping. I don't agree that age should define or limit my choices, and that I should wear what I want according to my body, weather, and my plans.
But I'm becoming a bit concerned that at 51, I should perhaps try to look a bit more classically smart. I wonder if I give the wrong impression, that I need to sharpen up my image.
So how do I know if no-one actually tells me "Oy Sizzle, that looks a bit scruffy on you now" They probably quietly think it...

I know what you mean but I think just wear what makes you feel good. I'm 46 and thought by now I'd be wearing cashmere and tailored trousers but I'm still buying from Boohoo and wearing skinny pleather leggings. an
Wha kind of things do you wear?

Ask a teenager. They will be brutally honest with you if it looks a bit scruffy :-)

Sorry - no help here. I'm almost 51 and have no idea what I 'should' be wearing. I just wear what is comfortable and what (I think) flatters me?

Most days it is gym kit until I have been and done my work out, then it might be skinnies and a tshirt - or more leggings and a jumper.

I would love to be more classy but I don't think it's my style.

Honestly OP, please wear what you like. No reason at all to adopt some kind of clone look once you hit 50, or any age for that matter. Carry on wearing what you love and what makes you feel good

No wear what you want, what you like and feel comfortable in.

Someone somewhere will always dislike how you dress. Someone will think you look scruffy, someone will love how you dress! Personally I hate the classic boring look, it's just very mum. But some people love it, each to their own.

The only person who it matters likes how you dress is you. So wear what makes you feel good! Because at the end of the day you've got to make yourself happy, others will do the same.

Also the more people who stop 'dressing for their age', the more variety of clothes will be worn and the less people will worry about what they wear. There's no reason you have to change how you dress as you get older.

I am younger than you op but still have the same concerns, however I do believe you should wear what you like. In my 20s I was quite glam and dressed up a lot but now at 37 I blend into the background, I think in the new year I shall wear what I like rather than playing safe, life is too short!

I'm 53 and wear what I like! Luckily for everyone I know that isn't anything really skimpy!

I’ve changed what I wear as I’ve grown older that’s because my looks and my body have changed and frankly because I get bored. So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with reviewing your style - in fact I’m all for it. What does make me cross is the idea that there’s some kind of identikit over-50 look. As I’m always saying on here, we don’t all look the same, we don’t all suit the same things, we don’t all like the same things.

I look like a fatter, less expensive and less well maintained Chrissie hind or jo wood. I look at other women my age and think how good they look - great makeup and hair, very flattering outfits. But when I try on those kind of clothes, i feel like a little girl playing dress up.

No keep wearing what you like.
I admire the style of a lady who is in her 60’s and wears coloured DM’s, lots of jangly jewellery, and dyes big chunks of hair in a bright stripe every so often. It would look silly on me but she pulls her own style off perfectly, it would be boring if we all look the same!

Dial it up and wear what makes you happy.

Someone somewhere will always dislike how you dress. Someone will think you look scruffy, someone will love how you dress!

This. I am approaching the big 5-Oh and have the occasional wobble: should I cut my hair? Should I go for a classic look? Then I see something I like (DMs, shorts, biker jacket, etc) and carry on.

The most beautiful older women are the ones who don’t follow the rules. You should wear whatever you want.

If you’re on Instagram follow Advanced Style. They all look wonderful!

Meh. You only live once. Do you want to have fun with your clothes and try new things, or look "classic"?

With a lot of things style wise I think of you feel you have to ask the question, the answer is yes.

If, not of

I think age is just a number!

I am late 30's and definitely more classic with statement pieces. I am slowly learning what suits me and shop everywhere. Following a week of festivities I felt great in every outfit because I have learnt to make time for myself... hair, nails, skin, hydrated, good diet etc help too... not many fifty year olds look like they did in the 70's etc anymore.
On Wednesday night I wore a navy velvet LK Bennet jumpsuit (luckily half price) and DH said it was 'nice'. Last night I wore a sparkly faux wrap dress from new look that cost £25 and he complimented it all night... it's all about feeling confident!

Be yourself & carry it off with confidence. If you like it & it makes you feel good then wear it. That's my mantra as a mid 50s former rock chick who wears what she likes & rocks it I've tried doing classic & failed miserably so I've reverted to being me & I'm much happier about it.

Don’t need to ask my teenager, they volunteer the information.
I regularly get asked, why don’t you dress like a normal mum?

Why should we take style advice from teenagers?
Would you take financial advice from them? Or driving tips?