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Original poster

I’m 50 so would this look suit me?

35 replies

Crazy8 · 13/02/2020 08:19

I saw a beautiful younger mum wearing a pair of cropped straight leg jeans the other day together with flat lace up black boots, a white t-shirt and a jacket. She was tall and slim and looked effortlessly casual and amazing.

I’m 50 years old, 5’3” and a size 12. Would I be able to get away with this look or is it just wishful thinking?

OP posts:
BedSprings · 13/02/2020 08:27

I'm from the school of, if you like it wear it, thought op.

Pipandmum · 13/02/2020 08:31

I don't like cropped trousers on anyone any age. Really shortens the leg and in my mind makes the outfit out of proportion. Just about works on tall model types only.
However, they seem to be fairly ubiquitous now so I'm obviously in the minority, so agree with @bedsprings if you like it wear it!

Mixingitall · 13/02/2020 08:33

Do you mean cropped as in ankle grazers? If so, go forth. They look good on everyone. I recommend Topshop black coated Jamie jeans, go for a 30 inch leg for that look, and go up a size as they come up small, so try 32, 30.

MikeUniformMike · 13/02/2020 08:42

What's age got to do with it?
You can get away with it if you are confident, but being tall, slim and beautiful probably helps.

thebabessavedme · 13/02/2020 08:43

nothing to do with age, I'm in my 50s and 5'2 and they just make me feel frumpy, (I too saw a woman looking great in them, tried them and realised she must have been at least 5'8) I think you need endless legs to get away with them.

Original poster
Crazy8 · 13/02/2020 08:47

I suppose it’s not so much my age but more my height and size. I don’t want to look more dumpy and short than I already feel/look.

The woman was wearing straight leg cropped ankle grazers with flat lace up boots and not skinny jeans and heeled boots which I know changes the proportion on someone my height and size.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crazy8 · 13/02/2020 08:51

Of her whole look it was the flat lace up boots that I absolutely loved. Can anyone advise me of what else I could wear the boots with if not jeans please.

Would a dress and flat lace up boots be better?

Does anyone have any Pinterest photos I could look at or point me in the right direction?

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 13/02/2020 08:56

You could wear flat lace up boots with thick tights and a mini, midi, jeans, anything really.

If your legs are not proportionally long, the cropped trousers won't do much for you.

I am short in the leg, and I find dresses or jumpsuits make me look taller, and are fairly effortless.

IrmaFayLear · 13/02/2020 08:58

I am similar age and height to you and I bought some flat black ankle boots from Zara which I have worn with a just-above-the-knee A-line skirt and thick black tights and received many compliments (but that may have been because I normally look so dowdy...).

Floisme · 13/02/2020 08:58

No I think you need to wait till you're 63 op.

zafferana · 13/02/2020 09:00

I think I can picture the look you're describing and tbh you don't sound like you will look like this young, tall woman looks. Now that's fine, as long as you accept that, but don't buy all the stuff and then stand in front of the mirror and be disappointed. You're not going to get younger or taller or slimmer just because you buy this outfit. As long as you don't give a shit, that's okay!

zafferana · 13/02/2020 09:02

As for ankle grazers on shorties (like you and me - I'm 5'4") tbh I don't love them as I think they make short legs look even shorter. But go and try and some on. Buy the shoes, if you love them, and then go and try on ankle grazers and see what you think.

Floisme · 13/02/2020 09:03

I'm a similar height to you by the way and I think with cropped trousers/jeans you have to fiddle around to find the best spot for them to end. I like the very top of my ankle. You often see them mid calf length which I don't think works so well.

I'm very fond of my flat, lace up boots.

grannycake · 13/02/2020 09:03

I wear similar and I'm 63 and short. However, my legs are long proportionately to my height. My daughter is the same height but has short legs and a long body and can't wear cropped trousers

Nearlyalmost50 · 13/02/2020 09:03

The outfit itself sounds great, stylish, not too try hard, lovely.

But- it is what it is, OP. If you are short, then ankle grazers and flat shoes will not enhance your height. That's ok though- that look is stylish and if you don't care about looking taller, wear it.

It isn't relevant to age, plain jackets, trousers, surely these are age-less products really.

As someone else said, though, know yourself. If you want to look taller this isn't the look for you. If you want to look stylish and put together, give it a go.

AudacityOfHope · 13/02/2020 09:06

I would wear that outfit but with skinnies. I don't think many people suit cropped jeans tbh. They ruin an otherwise good outfit for me.

Original poster
Crazy8 · 13/02/2020 09:07

*IrmaFayLear” Thank you. That’s the sort of look I’d love so will give it a try.

Floisme Is sarcasm really necessary? Hope your day improves.

Everyone else, thank you for your help. It’s given me food for thought.

OP posts:
NarniaBanarnia · 13/02/2020 09:10

I say try it OP and see how you feel. Agree it’s not age that’s a barrier; annoyingly tall and slim and beautiful people often look fabulous in simple outfits that the rest of us mortals just don’t suit.

I’m a bit prone to looking at people a totally different shape from me and coveting outfits/looks that would make me look ridiculous. For example I just love floaty curve-hugging boho dresses in the summer of the kind that look incredible on women with, well, curves. Mostly with waists. I don’t have curves or a waist; I am tall with athletic build, no boobs, massive shoulders. Floaty boho makes me honestly look (and therefore feel) absurd.

Doesn’t stop me wanting to look like the women I see who look fab in that style!

I’ve learned by now though (mostly...) Wink

IrmaFayLear · 13/02/2020 09:22

I agree it's not so much age as figure. How I envy women with thin arms and legs - I am quite thin (scraggy thin, not nice and slim!) but with a good sturdy pair of legs. Bah!

SurpriseSparDay · 13/02/2020 09:23

cropped straight leg jeans ... together with flat lace up black boots, a white t-shirt and a jacket.

This is my absolute default leaving the house outfit. Had no idea it was in any way remarkable.

I’m rather older than you, OP, similar height, hover around a size ten. I just wear clothes I like ...

Floisme · 13/02/2020 09:26

Floisme Is sarcasm really necessary?
Apologies - it just makes me laugh to see women over a decade younger than me worry about this nonsense. But I did post in haste and I have added a more thoughtful post further down thread.

I

SurpriseSparDay · 13/02/2020 09:51

I wish I could be in your head, OP, because I clearly start from an entirely different position when it come to getting dressed!

Neither age nor ‘getting away with it’ are on my radar as deciding factors. I aim to look vaguely appropriate for the environment, or occasion, and invariably want the best I can afford - but that’s it. Everything else is about structure and fabric, how it fits, how it feels - even, grandiosely, the story the various things tell about me. I never, ever think ‘how can I look more like those other women?’. So, in truth I don’t really understand your question.

The clothes you mention - jeans and boots, dress and boots, etc, are really, really unexceptional. Anyone can wear them.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 13/02/2020 14:52

OP you describe the jeans as 'cropped ankle grazers' to me that's two different styles - cropped which I believe to be sort of lower-calf length and then ankle grazer which is just slightly above the ankle bone. I'm 5'2" (age 45) and I wouldn't wear cropped anything as I feel they make me look dumpy. I do however love ankle grazer length. It can be hard to get this length right at our height though, so you will need to try on. I'd recommend M&S Sienna straight leg, Ivy skinny or Mom High Waist jeans - they all come in a short length.

Also if you search for 'ankle grazer' on their site they have some nice trousers too if you wanted a change from denim. I know M&S gets some bad press but I think they do some things well, and I do like their jeans!

If you get the fit of the jeans/trousers right then there's absolutely no reason you can't recreate that look for yourself - regardless of age!

Sooverthemill · 13/02/2020 15:12

@lifeinahamsterwheel I'm 5'1 and I wear cropped or ankle length just as often as longer jeans/trousers. I'm age 61 and I wear what makes me feel happy and although I do ask for opinions ( on here, text DD1 or occasionally even DH) I dont let 'fashion' drive me obviously am influenced by trends

OP have a go, see what you think and wear it if it makes you happy

MikeUniformMike · 13/02/2020 15:25

I went to M&S the other day, and I don't know why they get bad press. Lots of nice things. Tried on some nice shoes that looked uncomfortable and they were like slippers.

I went into a top end of high street shop and was pounced on by two assistants. The clothes were absolutely beautiful, but I won't be going back there in a hurry. I am perfectly capable of deciding if I want to try something on., your cajoling only put me off.

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