Help me with my casual wardrobe

[RaraRachael]

I'm 60 and a size 12. Since I retired last year I have had no need to dress well. However I'm getting fed up slopping about in jeans, a t-shirt and sweatshirt. Any suggestions for a casual look that doesn't take much effort but is an improvement on the boring old stuff I wear every day.

I've got zero advice for clothes but wanted to say maybe you should add your height and your body shape to your OP so people in the know can't help!

I'm 5 foot 5 slim legs and small bum but with big boobs,

Difficult for me to comment as, at a similar age, I’m at the beginning of a new career and, although I WFH, pretty often have reason to present myself in front of peers and patrons. (I’ll be working forever …)

Would really need to know a bit more about your (potential) lifestyle. Entertaining at home? Dog walking? Theatre? Sport? Travel? And also how much you want to spend and whether you care about looking fashionable, or not.

No need to go too far from your current style, so you're still in your comfort zone but everything is elevated a notch ie keep the jeans and always make sure they're a really nice fit and good quality fabric. Jeans in colours other than standard blue denim, or with a deep turn-up rather than normal length.
Instead of t-shirts an interesting top, or shirt layered over a vest. Decent accessories too, not necessarily expensive but a finishing touch.

I've been out this morning in a busy place, dozens of women in shapeless t's. The person who stood out was a woman in her 60s wearing white jeans with a turn-up, nice tan leather belt, t-shirt was tan and white stripes and quite fitted, gold jewellery, excellent posture.

Bumping your thread!

Jumpsuit
Jersey dress with tights

I'd agree about the quality of jeans, I'd go for dark denim with little or no elastane.

I prefer jumpers or cardigans (Uniqlo/Sézane/M&S/Massimo Dutti) as they make me feel more put together.

Love COS for dresses and they generally work with any shoe.

I find autumn and winter dressing much easier and have a ridiculous amount of coats and boots.

I think updating shoes/bags/glasses/jewellery is important at our age to avoid slipping into Jaegar mode!

I think people with slim legs should show them off. I like 7/8 fit jeans that show off a bit of the ankle (I'm thinking French fashionable ladies here).
Cashmere sweaters/cardigans are great but given they're such an investment and I find the quality has gone down a bit, I'd ask for advice on brands here. I would just say to avoid the ones from Uniqlo, they really don't make them like they used to anymore.

I find wrap dresses very flattering try one when you see it in a shop.

@MetaDaughter I'm retired, don't do anything, seldom go anywhere apart from meeting up with friends.

Way to kill your own thread, @RaraRachael!

Many apologies for assuming you wanted clothes for life outside the house.

Even if you stay in a lot, it’s nice to have a break from jeans and a t-shirt. I agree with others: if you’re comfortable in jeans then wear dark denim, white jeans, black jeans. But also casual tailored trousers. Shirts or blouses instead of t-shirts. Earrings and/or a necklace. The right shoes can really make an outfit.

There’s an old ‘rule’ that you should never wear more than three colours in one outfit. I’m sure lots of people would disagree, but it works quite well as a starting point when you’re experimenting with a style change.

I'm 59 & a size 14, but my style is probably very specific to me. I can post some of the outfits i wear from the Whering App, but I don't know how useful it would be for you.
Do you know what sort of clothes you like & feel comfortable in?
Materials & textures?
Style?
Colours?
Amount you're prepared to spend?

I'm similar shape and also 5'5" retired earlier this year mid 50's. I feel really boring in t-shirts and jeans now so I mostly only wear t-shirts with skirts and if I wear jeans I wear a top instead.
I find I want to dress a little bit more feminine but definitely not girly and it goes really well with a slightly edgy/classic style which most of my clothes are. Dresses are brilliant wrap and shirt dresses with a tie waist are good for big boobs and slim hips. I have some lovely jewelry and accessories like bags and belts and put on a bit of makeup, do my nails etc. It only takes a few minutes but worth it because you just feel better. I do have a very full life but even if I'm only walking the dogs I have a beautiful dog walking coat for example.
I basically shop everywhere - all saints, M&S, Zara, boutiques, ebay, Mango etc.
Ged rid of anything that you don't look or feel good in. Find your style - loads of ideas on Pinterest, YouTube etc. Gradually build up your perfect basic wardrobe and add to it even if you shop three times and only buy one thing.

Wide legged pull up trousers, linen trousers, chinos, leggings and longline top?

Some wide leg trousers with a tight fitting white t shirt under a looser v neck top for now and switch to a v neck jumper as it gets colder. RIngs the changes from jeans and you could go for a cropped length to show off your legs. Oysho have some nice linen wide and barrel leg trousers.

Have you got any plans to take up eg hiking/walking? Clothes for that are good.

What did you suit in the past? White shirts?

Do you plan on meeting friends for cinema/lunch/brunch/drinks?

I know someone who retired a year ago and she’s going to be 61 soon. She looks great for an evening out in eg a navy long line sleeveless top (man made or silk) with skinny jeans and a blazer.

My DM wears striped long sleeved tops/T-shirts from Jigsaw, floral long sleeved or 3/4 length sleeved tops from White Stuff and Seasalt. Plus dungarees from Lucy and Yak. She also wears old H&M tweed blazer, checked shirts and jackets (one from Zara, red, white and black), and a lovely old green Oasis suede blazer/jacket. Jigsaw tweed blue smart coat.

My DB’s MIL who’s early 70s and not retired yet wears a lot of Whistles, The white company, M&S and Seasalt.

You do have to look for the odd gem at M&S.

You do have to look for the odd gem at M&S.

In the 90s I used to mix M&S with Jil Sander. Those days are gone! Absolutely no reason to go back to M&S now - so perhaps it’s a good thing I’m not retiring.

90s and some of 00s they were good.

If you’re not fussy there are odd gems there but I don’t shop there! Was for gift.

Zara's infamous for stealing designs off the runaway and then mass producing them. So, it's a good shop to get trendy and classy stuff (just don't except them to last for the next 20 years).

*expect not except obviously