How to not look middle aged

[Justtakeatowel]

I've seen a few pictures of my recently and I look frumpy. I don't mind looking my age (mid 40s) but I just look uurgh.

I've started curly girl and I think curly hair ages me loads! Where do I need to buy from to make myself a bit more with it? I've a tendency to buy cheap supermarket stuff which I think isn't always cut the best and I'm willing to spend a bit more.

I'm 5 ft 7 and 9 stone 9 if that makes a difference but a definite apple and have a bit of a belly which I think adds to the frumpiness

Thanks!

Naice, tasteful, rather well-bred!.

Perfect look.

Those scarves look very early 2000's.

Bluntness, I’m sure you are a chic individual... Do tell what your taste amounts to

Not neck scarves...🤣

Grattan was the forerunner of Next, in the 1960s and 1970s.

They are still going. I just Googled.

www.grattan.co.uk/

For me it is all about the hardware, not clothes.

Invest as much as you can in your hair. Decent cut, colour, treatments, a decent hairdryer.
Eyebrows - these can massively improve your look. If they are sparse, get them filled in. Pay someone to do your brows.
Exercise and weight management
Skin care - religiously look after your skin. Your older self will thank you.
Hair removal - remove any unwanted hair from everywhere.
Nails - keep nails nice whether they are natural or painted.
Timeless, classy jewellery diamonds

Personally I think if you get the above right then you don't have to spend loads of money on clothes. I don't like scarves and accessories, I think they are naff, but that's just me. As I got older I got rid off all my crappy accessories and got classic earrings and a necklace that I love wearing and were presents from my DH for big birthdays.

The most beautiful women I know in their 40's and 50's look classic, but not overly done and quite natural. I'm sure they put a lot of effort into it though. Most of them are just wearing jeans and T shirt but they are luminous.

@Candilemon, as you like the BCBG look, take a glance at Moloh which is a subversive, immensely chic riff on posh dressing up, that is a world apart from the classic French notion of what good taste looks like. I love one, but not the other. Sadly I can't afford it, and I would have to choose very very carefully because of my age.

Not neck scarves...🤣

What sort of answer is that? I don’t wear scarves either except in winter when I like a tartan or cashmere one - in the conventional style. (Not one of those shawl efforts.)

However, I think all French women wear them well. Must be the French thing.

This sort of thing:

I don't think they work in the UK as well as France. Silk scarves aren't warm enough to be useful in winter here.

XingMing

Thank you!

I am in stitches at that second picture, if the trousers were cropped she could be handing out cheese and tulips at my local tourist market. An actual middle aged woman wearing that could take frumpy to world class levels. Just goes to show tastes vary.

Haha, love how one person’s idea of choc is another person’s frumpy

I never get why Brits rate French style so highly

A mere glimpse at an airport queue of British holidaymakers says it all.

In different times I would also recommend a personal stylist session. Nothing beats going on ad trying loads of things and colours on to see the effect it has in the mirror. But it may be a while before that's possible unless you don't mind ordering a load of Asos and seeing what happens.

If I'm honest I think it's those scarf pics I'm trying to avoid. That looks a bit dull to me

Wearing a scarf does not make you chic. That first photo with the stripy t-shirt is one step away from the British airmen in Allo Allo disguised as Frenchmen.

I've always thought BCBG was like the American preppy look and not that far away from the Sloane Rangers of the 80s.

Anyway....

I'm sorry, I think all those scarf pics are terrible and the definition of frumpsville. The 3rd one in the scarf, striped top and blazer looks like a frazzled mum on the school run who's desperately trying to look "cool". Style is subjective. In your opinion it is chic, in mine it is naff.

Neck scarves (are neck scarves referred to as indoor scarves on mumsnet btw?) and big statement jewellery remind me of Mary Berry. Mary Berry is a good looking 85 year old, she could pass for 65. Neck scarves and big statement jewellery will make you look older than you are, if you are in your 40s or 50s - you would be a 40/50 year old dressing like a 65 year old. Go for it, if that’s the look you want.

Even worse, a waterfall cardigan to go with the statement jewellery or neck scarf.

if you are in your 40s or 50s - you would be a 40/50 year old dressing like a 65 year old. Go for it, if that’s the look you want

See, this is what gets my goat. How does a 65 year old dress? We’re not issued with a uniform at any age. Take a cross section of women born in 1955 and you’d have a huge range of different looks.

@MrsVeryTired

Where would you recommend for well cut T-shirt’s?

@Alsohuman

Go for the big statement jewellery and neck scarves, if you like them, no one is stopping you.

[quote TazSyd]@Alsohuman

Go for the big statement jewellery and neck scarves, if you like them, no one is stopping you.[/quote]
What exactly has that to do with pointing out that there isn’t a mould that every woman of a particular age is turned out of? Do you honestly believe that you can tell someone’s age by what they’re wearing? Did I say I liked those things?