What instantly ages?

[MadameNaice]

Whether that be clothing or cosmetics, I'm interested to hear your opinions. I have a few of my own thoughts on this, though I could be way off the mark.

Am in need of a boost and think I might be unwittingly ageing myself before my time.

Thanks.

I just looked at the supposed Mum boots on page 4! They’re just boots! Might I say the bites thing is a tad ridiculous!

*boots (Although perhaps bites are what really age!)

It's like some sort of secret gang - if you don't know what a mum boot is, you're probably wearing them. Or are a mum. Definitely one or the other. And both are ageing. Along with everything else. It's the human condition.

Where are Doc Martens on the mum boot spectrum? Not that I’d cease wearing them .

Patterned tops...particularly twee floral ones

Are there any boots we can wear past 40? I wear chelsea boots, are they allowed?

There should be a mum boot committee that tells us what boots are allowed

Let someone be brave and post acceptable boots for mums (that are NOT “mum boots”) on here please

Those very short, 'boy' cuts. Unless you have a very chiselled face, it's always quite age-ing. On women obvs.

Wine face and neck - that puffy
, sallow look people get when they're heavy drinkers.

Loose skin around the neck.

Any shoes with thick, comfort soles - not trainers. But pumps, sandals, boots etc.

Cardigans that's cover your bottom.

That style of sole on anything (and the shoe too)

This is definitely NOT a mum boot.

I've always thought boots were the most impractical choice for mums yet they all seem to wear them at our school...I never wear them because I think they take ages to put on and are a faff when you're standing by your front door with fractious, energetic children trying to get out the door. I favour any shoes I can slip on with no fastenings.

Happen to think Judi Dench totally rocks her pixie cut, ditto Caroline Lucas (and there are not many occasions when they appear in the same sentence). It depends on the person’s face shape more than anything.

I favour any shoes I can slip on with no fastenings

But your feet will not and as a person wot knows about feet (in a Professional Capacity not a weirdy foot fetish way ) can I just say :

Few things will age you more than painful feet When pain shows in your face .
Maybe not now ...but in years to come .

Seriously the few extra seconds to tie some laces ...your feet will sigh in relief !

Some people are saying any boot is a mum boot!!

Surely the archetypal mum boot is black, with a small heel, worn under slightly-too-short bootcut jeans. This was the style staple for many a mum at the dcs' school.

I agree that some people get stuck in an era, or with a style that they like. Eg three-quarter-length trousers, or cold-shoulder tops. Any ubiquitous item that is widely available but that the wearer does not spurn for several years.

I live in an outpost where the 80s has never gone awayl. Possibly a bit of 90s for those who are very daring. I swear my next-door-neighbour has had his teal jumper since 1987. Many 50+ women still sport hairdos they must have had in their teens, with a few Rachel cuts here and there.

@Doodallysally they are lovely boots. This thread is fun and I think some posters are taking it too seriously.Of course we can all wear what we want and who cares what others think. But on the Style & Beauty section we discuss clothes and what makes you look good.

@IrmaFayLear - sounds familiar! In fact we once visited a very trendy vintage shop in a city where our 20 yr old niece was working and I swear that my DH's wardrobe was exactly the same as most of the stock We were just amazed at the prices on things (and I returned home planning to secretly sell the majority of his clothes to these youngsters for silly money). Unfortunately I bottled it and he is still proudly wearing shirts and fleece from the early 90s. His response is "I'm saving the planet " . Men can get away with it more though can't they?

@70isalimitnotatarget

You sound like my sister! She's always telling me to stop wearing ballet flats

@giantangryrooster

Toddlers

Quoted for truth!

You sound like my sister! She's always telling me to stop wearing ballet flats

Listen to your sister

(Not a phrase that I utter very often, I never listen to mine )

@Doodallysally

This is definitely NOT a mum boot.

I don’t like these either. I imagine the rest of the person / model is wearing a piece which is tapered in such a flattering cut at the ankles and a silky blouse which is artfully tucked in at front left, précisément. She will be sporting a red lip and curly, wet-look hair.

@NiceGerbil

I'm sure, if she were still alive, she would have given zero fucks about your opinion

Who cares?

Someone who dictated her pink “novels” would most certainly be in no position to judge.

@Doodallysally

That style of sole on anything (and the shoe too)

Ecco territory.

It’s not ageing that’s the problem.

It’s diminishing.

A few tweaks here and there and you could look so much better than you do, but you don’t. So you never discover how very much easier life can be if you look attractive and well-dressed.

So I am ok to wear laced up trainers? Please say yes as that is all I wear these days :)

Obviously branded, on message trainers - not the ones you can get in M& S or the supermarket.

Off the top of my head gaining weight & cutting your hair short.

I’ve started using aveda shampoo again after a 5 year hiatus and my hair looks so much better already. I don’t mind it going grey but I don’t want straggly hair.

Bright make-up, just because you have the confidence to wear colourful eye make with a bright lip too doesn’t mean you should. Choose lips or eyes. The contrast of vivid colours on older skin that’s lost its luminosity isn’t a good look. Look up the hashtags makeupover40 & over 40 for numerous examples on Instagram.