Style for the older lady

[Keynote1]

I think I am probably older than most on here, 58, retired with grandchildren but lots of interests.

I am in a total fix with clothes, buy too much because I end up thinking it is too young for me and I should be dressing like a 60 year old granny (not saying all 60 year old grannies even dress like grannies or even how grannies look)

My style has pretty much been the same for 35 years, frilly collar blouses, jumpers, jeans, ankle grazer trousers and pumps. I do wear dresses occasionally. I have never been one for tight clothes or short dresses as they never looked right .
Now I am the age I am and bigger than I was I am worried that what I thought was a classic style in my younger years is too young for me.

Any older ladies out there who could let me know what they feel comfortable in, indeed any advice welcome.

I am pretty unadventurous and prefer not to stand out though I do like (and have) some colourful necklaces and scarves.
I love Alexandra Tolstoy's style, classic but with a quirky touch. I like Sophie Wessex's style (bit dressy as I don't have the life where I have to dress up much)
There are a lot of peoples styles I really admire who are the total opposite of me- I love Phillipa Perry's hair for example but it really wouldn't suit me (I had that length hair once and it looked awful)

I'd say forget about what might / might not suit at this stage, otherwise you can talk yourself out if things before you've even started. You mean Phillipa Perry's grey / black stripe effect? Great! Any more?

Excuse bad photo, I am pretty awful with my phone
I really like this as well.

That photo is a pretty classic look, so would suit a lot of people.

Unfortunately, I’m pear shaped so not the vest shirt for me, but the look is good.

I think that's a great look. In fact yesterday when you were talking about your 'Lady Di' style I was thinking how one of my favourite looks of hers (as Princess of Wales) was the jeans and shirt she'd wear for some of her humanitarian tours. Which also goes to shows what a shallow person I am for even noticing her outfit while she was working on an anti land mines campaign, so um moving quickly on .... I also think it's a very accessible look.

By 'accessible' I mean it's in reach at a range of budget points and can also be tweaked to suit body shape if you so wish, e.g. you could lose the pleats on the trousers if you wanted or make the trousers either looser or more fitted, and so forth.

Ok I like the photo OP, how about these for style- M&S I know not always popular on here but they do classic well, and it is affordable. They also have some classic brands there like Jaegar if that floats your boat.

shirt https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-popover-blouse/p/clp60608354?color=BLACKMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r11c4

Love these trousers - love the cream but also in green are lovely
https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-tab-detail-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60579903?color=ECRU#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c1|prodflag_As%20Seen%20On%20TV

How are those as starter for 10

I am afraid I am with you on that, I loved that look as well.

I think I am also feeling that the look isn't as good on a rather short dumpy me . I tend to love it on willowy women as it looks very classy.
I used to be a very petite size 10 but now a 14/16 and big in all the wrong places. Very slim shoulders, not very busty but out of proportion on bottom half.

@Crochetablanket , I like both of those !

MayIDestroyYou I want your wardrobe! What an inspiring post. I still find clothes, shoes, jewellery etc. incredibly exciting and look at what's new in at Matches etc. most days (even if I can't afford it!).

I am not much younger than you OP and have never though of myself as an 'older lady'. I find that quite shocking (and depressing). You really need to work out what style you like before anyone can really offer any advice.

@MayIDestroyYou you have definitely inspired !
OP as @MayIDestroyYou says - once you have a look you like it’s good to try to look around and mix and match things from different places to find the look for you.

just seen my post …. actually the link above was for the black and white version of the shirt the pink is probably too much!

Now you have told us about your shape , I can identify a bit, I am bigger on the bottom and have narrow shoulders and small cup size. I go for round neck or shirt type necklines or v neck which don’t show cleavage, I find that balances out my bottom half a bit better.

I tend to do wide leg trousers or jeans with chunky brogues or trainers. Or in summer chunky sole sandals.

You might find wide leg easier to ‘adjust to’ rather than skinnies?

On top try slimmer cut shirt or long sleeved jersey top with jacket or chunky tank or denim jacket.

A good denim or leather jacket can be worn a lot with either casual jeans type outfits or even dresses.