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 amazing OP.

To the others, those on mumsnet who are never done bringing posters down, it’s clear what the OP meant. Just scroll past and ignore.

I decided a few months ago that I wanted to look more out together and stylish when I leave the house. Covid made me lazy and I started to go out for walks wearing mismatched “leisure wear” and horrible trainers. I need to be more like that couple. Thanks for sharing. It’s inspired me to make more effort! I just wish I knew how to 😁

I saw an older lady who was obviously waiting to be picked up for some social event. She was wearing a bright red suit with a modern cut with black accessories including a small black hat and I thought she was inspiring. I hope I am her in 30 years (but hopefully with my husband).

Crikey - some folk are totally determined to be miserable and negative!!

The OP wasn't fawning over them like toddlers. - nor was she being patronising.

This inspired me to get out the gorgeous winter coats I have, including a fake fur one in a light blue. Like a PP, I just tend to wear a raincoat, its black colour faded now, I don’t know how as it never sees the sun? It’s that extra bit of thinking in the morning about taking an umbrella and the umbrella not completely clashing colours with the coats.

I hate it when style and beauty gets infiltrated by pricks. It's normally the most lovely board.
OP you were not being patronising AT ALL
some people on here look for posters to bully.
They enjoy shutting down threads imagine if they did it in their workplace staff room. They wouldn't, so they do it on here for a little bit of nasty power.
I knew exactly what you meant. It's nice to see people enjoying fashion as so many of us just use it functionally .

I love them!

I wish someone would patronise me in this way.

Ignore the twats. They don’t get out much.

OP your post isn't patronising at all. They sound like a very stylish couple and you've described them as such. I love seeing interesting clothes, I have got out of the habit of dressing up, and spend a lot of my time now in jeans, leggings and a puffy coat.

Who cares if they dress like this daily or if it was for an occasion, they caught your attention and inspired you to think about your wardrobe.

Much like many of the S&B threads

Blimey, there are some really miserable, bitter gits on here 🤬
OP I can well imagine how you felt inspired by seeing this couple. There’s a marvellous older woman in Bath who dresses in a similar eye-catching style, she makes me feel dowdy every time I see her! I don’t know who she is but she brightens up my day 😊

Nought wrong with your post OP, some people on here just enjoy being nasty

God there are some mood hoovers on here! Ignore, op. I think they sound amazing, I love to see great style (what I consider great style anyway) at any age.

If you haven’t time to spend choosing outfits, putting on some make up in your healthy 80s-when have you?

OMG, some people just like to make it all about themselves don't they? This is a lovely and inspiring thread yet - as someone upthread said - the mood hoovers have landed.
Be off with you mood hoovers! Let us enjoy and be thankful there's still people out there who can inspire us. Thanks for this thread OP it's given me an urge to make more of an effort and made me smile 🌸

I hate it when style and beauty gets infiltrated by pricks
Ignore the twats

Tbf the PP just said OP sounds patronising. There's no need to unleash such venom - it's the comments attacking PP that have brought the mood down. Calm down.

Thank you for the posters who have understood how I meant.

FWIW if people see I was posting overnight and in the early hours. Because I am in the middle of some very great personal stresses right now and I was posting about something that both distracted me and gave me pleasure. In a time of great personal stress many of the responses have hurt me a very great deal. And many others have encouraged me to think that I am not a complete twat.

I enjoyed your description and pleasure in seeing these two, OP.
Please don't be put off expressing yourself by those who can't refrain from being wet blankets.

Have you ever seen Ari Seth Cohen's blog, Advanced Style?
There are some oldies who really dress in individual and striking ways!
Perhaps he would have snapped these two, had he been in the UK. 🙂

PS. As an oldie myself, btw, not being patronising or anything.

If you were in Leigh-on-Sea, I would immediately say Sheila Appleton and Ian Smith, who are local artists, and they would definitely fit your description! But, as many have said, that generation very much dressed up to go somewhere. Some of my friends are still shocked when I have matching gloves and more so when we talked about underwear and I said I always wear matching sets... it's because I like it and it makes me fell happy.

I wish I had my sister's style, she had a great eye, as to me, I will continue to wear bright jewel colours as I try not to fade into the background.

And finally, saying a couple looked stylish is not patronising... but maybe some readers will learn that as they get older!

I love seeing anyone dressed well/interestingly/fabulously. Anyone who's put thought and effort in (even if it looks effortless). Young hipsters wearing odd things in cool ways are great, but older folk with more practice (and probably money) are a real treat.

I was in a cafe & there was a couple with their son. The child was obviously disabled, the wife was doing all the work, the husband was on his phone, not paying any attention to either her nor the son.

She was wearing a lovely dress, she nipped up to get something from the condiments stand & the dress fitted her perfectly.
When I passed the table I asked where she got it from & told her it looked great.
Am I patronising as f**k?

Being a right scruff bag who can't be arsed any more, I'm always seeing anyone of any age looking smart or cool. Sometimes I might even ask where they got the clothes from. Heavens above, I might even compliment them!

Well I enjoyed the picture of this fabulous couple that came into my mind, I definitely need to try harder. Ignore the ridiculous posters, I can imagine how their comments played on your mind in the middle of the night. Take care OP.

Patronising? Nonsense.

Appreciative, inspiring, respectful, admiring, enjoyable.

I know an elderly woman who is always immaculately turned out, and always unconventionally dressed. She has certainly inspired me to try clothes that I had been drawn to but never dared to wear. I have so much more pleasure and so much more confidence in my dressing because of her.

I don't do immaculate, though! 😂

I went to the theatre in London a couple of weeks ago and I was only wearing a silk shirt and trousers but I felt overdressed. I mean if you can’t even dress up for the theatre where can you? I take the stance that everyone else is under dressed and will continue. I have all these nice clothes that need to be seen

As an aside I was sorting out my underwear drawer this week and I have a lot of pretty sets that I never wear…( I’m always in nude or black ) but I’d already decided I was going to start wearing them. There’s something about it that gives you a boost even if no one else sees it.

My parents met in the 50s and looking at photos from back then everyone made an effort to look smart even though money was tight. Men wearing suits and trilbys, the womens clothes were fabulous and so feminine, swirly skirts, shirt cardigans with pearl buttons.
I would love to have been around back then. Post WW2, so much hope for the future x