What clothing, make up, or hair style makes you look older?

[Mackerz]

I’m 40 and my mum has just told me that I’m at the age where I should have a cropped hair cut. I personally think this will add about 20 years on to me. I have dark brown hair, wavy, below shoulders and I have some lighter highlights around my face and parting. I wear it down and wavy, straightened with a bit of a kick at the ends or tied back in a loose bun at the nape of my neck with some of the front falling out. I’m lucky that it’s still thick and I keep it well conditioned.

I like to follow trends but adapt them to my age, so for example I will wear mini skirts but I’ll wear them with tights and boots.

Are there any things that people think are a dead giveaway for age - clothes, makeup or hair?

Very straightened hair...so early 2000!

Tbh being too try hard on any sense is aging. Too much make up, too styled etc.

The thing to remember is that different areas have a different style. If I wore half of the stuff described as nice on here in my area (high end casual/yachtie) I'd look ridiculous and try hard. Here is far more stealth wealth/country/boating. So good quality flat boots are perfectly A-OK and not at all aging, but heels may well be. If that makes any sense.

Tbh with age comes a certain lack of fucks. I don't really mind if an old acquaintance thinks I've let myself go.

I'm over 60 and was recently at a conference of an organisation I belong to which has lots of older lady members.

I was feeling slightly amused by all the comfy shoes, the 'jaunty' tops with slightly quirky prints from places like White Stuff, big jewellery like Pru Leith on Bake Off, or drape-y scarves.

I was in skinny jeans and Converse because they're comfy.

My daughter has forbidden my to buy anything from Per Una but apart from that warning I don't think older ladies can win: either old and frumpy, or too try-hard.....

I’m 40 and my mum has just told me that I’m at the age where I should have a cropped hair cut hahah oh dear OP... reminded me of this sketch:

That is really bad advice re cropped hair. It suits a select few. Judi Dench yes but it is not age-determined.

Imagine if everyone age 40 did that, the horreur and 40
Is a mere spring pup when you’re 45.

@Mackerz it's instead of foundation. It's a serum-like light face cream with colour added do it gives you coverage but it lighter and more plumping / illuminating than thick old foundation which can sit in wrinkles. It just feels less ageing than foundation and looks so much fresher and like you've slept well.

The best ones imo are either Clarins detox fluid bb cream (although they have limited colour options) or Your Skin But Better CC cream which is SPF 50 and comes in loads of colours.

Matchy matchy is a dead giveaway as it was almost an obsession in the 90s/early 2000s. E.g. wearing a patterned skirt and then pulling out the colours to wear in the rest of the outfit/shoes/bag. Or wearing everything in the same shade of pink and black. Matching leathers is also really outdated.

Ps I have a round face and would look HIDEOUS and jowly with very short hair.

I think growing older has possibly made me look older.

However, I am frequently told I look about 10, so IM BETTER THAN YOU ALL FUCKAS!

@Alicia9999

By matching leathers, do you mean shoes and bags?

Boxy clothes a size too big. I have a female relative who is in her 60s and a 14. She buys everything from M&S, which is already cutting for a less defined waist, in a 16 or 18.

@LHReturns

I’m in love with those golden goose cowboy boots. Any recommendations for similar but cheaper?

@WarwickLife

Thank you, will have a look into it! Along with the generous (mono) eyebrows I was also blessed with oily skin so I’ve always worn a light foundation with powder over my t zone. My skin is starting to dry out a bit now, so I was thinking i should look at my make up.

Does anyone have any suggestions for covering under eye bags? I drink a ton of water and usually sleep well but I’m getting quite distinct under eye bags now.

@Mackerz matching leathers shoes and bags, or jackets and shoes or jackets and bags... I don't think you should ever wear the same leather twice in an outfit. I tend to mix it up with suede (in a similar colour/tone) or other textures.

Nars creamy concealer is brilliant for under eyes, although I often use it dabbed in areas where I need it instead of an all-over foundation.

I am 44 and a goth. I am lucky and don't have actual wrinkles, I have a couple of very fine lines around my eyes but that's it and I'm thankful. I love different kinds of glitter makeup, eyeshadow etc. I think if you want to wear bright colours, glitter eyeshadow, eyeliner, whatever style of clothing you wish etc then you should. Why not do what makes you happy. Unless someone is coming to harm through it then why not!

I think that avoiding looking older is a complete red herring. It's about working out your own style and simply going with it. Of all the people I know, yes some might be more stylish than others or have better skin etc..., but I can honestly say that every one of them looks more or less their actual age.

Surely at any age you should have the hairstyle, make up, clothing etc that suits your body/face shape and colouring?

I am 57 and recently tried to grow my hair longer but it was horribly ageing on me. I went back to the hairdresser today and had it cut back into my favourite sharp, inverted bob as this is what suits my hair and my face shape. It is often said on MN to be a mumsy haircut but on me long hair was mumsy and the bob looks more modern.

Short layered, spikey hair
White Stuff tunics worn with leggings
Big fabric scarves
Slouch boots
Comfort shoes by Ecco etc
Young clothing styles - mutton for sure

Lagenlook

Agree with waterfall cardies
Court shoes with very chunky heels
Wide legged trousers with flat shoes
Tops that are too wide

Well bobby that shows juts out of touch with the fashion forward you are! Wide legs, culottes and barrel leg trousers are all the thing.

op you’re “friends” who have “given up” may well give zero fucks about what you think. And GOD FORBID THEY ARE OVERWEIGHT!

There you go some female to female judgement and bashing as well as some fat shaming all in one!

Lovely.

The wrong glasses can have a very ageing effect. The cat's eye style with thick, patterned plastic frames raised above the brow line looks really funky on a young person. I tried some on and looked like Ronnie Barker's grandmother .

BarrenField yes, I agree with your comment. Where I live a lot of the things mentioned on this thread would look very dodgy indeed. But in cities they'll look perfect.

Mackerz re under eye bags. Google tear trough fillers. I can't recommend them enough. No amount of make-up, hydration, early nights or diet adjustments will give such good results.

This has been a really useful thread for me, thanks Mackerz for starting it.