Let me tell you about the older couple I met today

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... having coffee in town.

They looked absolutely fantastic.

Both probably in their 80s. The wife was wearing a navy blue suit with cropped trousers, a full sort of frilly white blouse and a bolero hat with a large brooch on it Her makeup was perfect. She wore navy suede gloves and had a fake fur stole also in navy blue.

Her husband was wearing a grey tweed three piece suit with a rose button hole, a black beret, a dark grey silk scarf and had on very large black rimmed glasses.

They looked absolutely wonderful and I was completely inspired. They were dressing for themselves, with clearly pleasure in what they wore and I felt that I could take some pointers in dressing not according to fashion but according to what you loved and suited you.

Me- in contrast- I was wearing boyfriend jeans, converse and a blue shirt. (I'm 50).

I think this marks a new phase in my life- not just wearing something that fits and is vaguely inoffensive- but wearing clothes that I love for the sheer happiness of it.

They sound marvellous

I can picture them. They look amazing. I don't have that sort of style now and I'm 40 years younger.

I don't have that sort of style either. (Yet...... )

I am not sure i have the confidence to carry it off either. (Yet..... )

I am spending a happy time googling various style pics and will start to re-build my wardrobe. Also re-fashion some of what i have. I have a summer cotton dress I love but which is voluminous on me. I think with a belt at the waist, a shirt underneath and suede boots I can refashion it into a nicer winter look than it is currently.

I clicked half expecting to read about a fabulously glamorous lady my DD and I met in a vintage shop a few months back.

She was in her (early) 80's and stunning in appearance and dress. We chatted for a few minutes, she was just lovely. (note to self - try harder when selecting clothes from the wardrobe and more effort with hair and make up).

This is quite patronising.

I felt that I could take some pointers in dressing not according to fashion but according to what you loved and suited you.

But the couple you describe sound perfectly fashionable. (In fact, more fashionable than you, OP!)

Patronising how? i was admiring them- quite blatantly for their style. Glamour rather than fashion if that is not the correct word.

They may have just come from an event rather than just dressing for themselves. I think it is quick patronising to assume they have nothing in their lives other than dressing up to go to the coffee shop.

I know. I saw a wonderful woman yesterday , in her 80’s. Bright green dress. A navy coat. Hair immaculate bob. Perfect makeup. It is so inspiring.

I wasn't assuming they had nothing else on at all. I was merely describing the environment in which I saw them.

And describing how inspired I was to simply do better myself.

Is it surprising that old people enjoy clothes and make an effort?

My Auntie is nearly 80 and I went clothes shopping with her for her big birthday party. She spent just over £800 on a stunning, black puffed taffeta skirt, a charcoal grey cashmere top, fitted black leather jacket and a pair of very pointed, black suede boots.

She looked amazing. Granted, she used to be a model, is still tall and slender and knows how to carry herself. But the owner of the boutique we were in is well over 60 and spent most of her career working as a fashion stylist in London and Milan. She also always looks amazing and just knows how to put an outfit together.

Surely it’s obvious that the OP is contrasting their gloriously joyful efforts against her own lack of effort, despite being 30 years younger (when in theory this should make it easier for her to make that effort).

Agree.

Yeah but why wouldn’t they make an effort because they are older? They aren’t aliens.

I know an insanely glamours, stylish couple who are almost 80. They are also insanely rich!

Good for them. Thanks op for noting so many details so you could report back.
And thank you Cornflowers, Luna and Bookist for chipping in with your own stories.
I always enjoy hearing about people having fun getting dressed and it's good see a bit of positivity on here.

Well that was my aim. Just a happy chat about something I was inspired by. I am saddened that other interpretations have been placed on something posted in innocence.

You're welcome. I certainly always up my game whenever out with my Auntie. If you check out the Dark Academic threads there's a group of us enjoying, what basically constitutes, dressing up! We're partial to brooches, proper lingerie, berets and brogues. It's a lot of fun and we really appreciate a more considered approach to getting dressed in the morning. It's the wearing of outfits rather than just clothes, if you will.

For me it's a tiny, private rebellion against the rise and rise of godawful Lounge Wear and the Athleisure looks.

My mother is 87 and very chic. She harks back to a time when people used to dress up for things like: Wimbledon, the theatre, far more for the opera than now. They were more formal generally.

They sound amazing, I always appreciate seeing stylish people out and about. The posters on here being negative about the OP are weird, nothing in her comments sounded patronising.

There's an older lady up the road here who is a joy to observe. She is stylish, coiffeured and immaculate every time she leaves the house. Yes it is inspiring and no it isn't blimmin patronising. Seeing her makes my morning.

My DM is in her 80s and always looks impeccable… wherever she’s off to. I always look like a real scruff next to her.

Oh don't be silly. OP is complimenting an older couple taking a pride in their appearance. Compliments are not patronising.