Dressing to cover rather than style

[letsgoooo]

I see a lot of older women (I am nearly 60) who dress with the main intention being to cover up bits they don't like rather than to dress in a certain style that they do like.

Sleeves that reach the elbow to cover upper arm flab or loose capri pants that hide legs but are cooler than full length in summer. Waterfall cardigans to cover the bottom. Strange cut outs at the shoulder to show a little skin where they feel their skin isn't looking so aged.

I think this all results in frumpy looking old lady dressing style.

I don't think anyone else is really noticing a bit of a bingo wing or a wrinkly knee and dressing to cover bits of you just results in an overall unstylish look which everyone notices. I feel the discomfort at our aging bodies is leading women feel they need to cover things up even if it leaves them looking like stereotypical old ladies

Photo examples might help.
Here are examples of older women choosing style over hiding

They all manage to look comfortable, stylish and fit want of a better word, normal.

Not necessarily my style but none the less they look nice

They are all in their 50s to late 60s

Conversely this is what I see people choosing when they focus on covering bits up hiding themselves. It just radiates 'I've picked clothes that cover my arms, legs, tummy' and ends up highlighting that they are doing so. They have fallen into the old person uniform rather than wearing clothes with any individual style.

It's the whole 'cover up the bits and stick a jaunty scarf on to try to make it look stylish'

I have never been one baring lots of flesh but I do think the guiding principle should be to focus on showing off your best bits rather than always trying to hide your bad bits. By this I don’t mean getting your boobs out but highlighting the parts of your figure that you like.

I don’t like any of the clothes posted so far, including the hideous three quarter sleeve green dress and OP’s supposedly stylish looking women.

I think the biggest problem today is most clothes are horrible.

(I’m 57).

I think your first set of photo examples look dreadful - all baggy waisted, boring colours and styles, the black trousers might just pass but aren’t they the dreaded baggy capris? Last photo looks like a couple of builders coming round to quote.

Second set very obviously dressed for comfort and walking, good for them.

In real life I don’t judge people’s clothes, but you started it. Mine cover a wide range of styles from bodycon to boho, but often include “I’m not in this pub to talk to you, would like to remain invisible” for which the jeans-and-shirt combo works well.

I'm 61 and think I get what you're saying. Like many pp I do cover my arms but it's because I burn easily and have very sensitive skin. Today I am wearing this with a longish cargo skirt
https://www.johnlewis.com/sisley-boat-neck-t-shirt/p111873828
when for similar money I could have chosen this
https://www.bonmarche.co.uk/t-shirts/mudflower---floral-stripe-burnout-tee-435.html?cgid=womens-t-shirts&dwvar_435_color=09

Just a drive by comment to say your categories of types made me smile :) Hope you find the look that works for you (maybe it will change with weather and context).

Well would you please enlighted us as to just how you know that people are dressing to hide their flaws, as opposed to dressing in what they find comfortable, and what they actually think looks good on them. If someone is wearing something with sleeves how exactly do you know which are wearing them to "hide" their arms, which don't want to get sunburnt, and which simply like having sleeves on a garment?

And if some women dress to "hide" bits they don't like - what has it got to do with you?

I must be blind, but I can't see the difference between this and the previous post of stylish women. If anything, the ones in the previous post have their arms covered. And the ones in this post appear to be going on a walk in hot weather, so obviously they are dressing for comfort rather than style.

Ha ha OP, I thought you had a point but seeing your examples? That floaty top with the cream trousers ensemble is hideous! Old Lady style-but the photo of people sightseeing just looks like practical clothing-I wore hiking leggings on my trip to Rome. The examples don’t look much different tbh.

The women in the second photo look completely shapeless whereas the ones in the first have highlighted the parts of their figure they like. The outfits in the first lot are not remotely to my taste but that’s not the point of this thread.

No doubt the women in the second photo couldn’t care a less but this is a style and beauty board!

That cream blouse in the first pic is equally hideous. Looks like one of those old fashioned tablecloths.

So according to the OP the woman with the scarf here is dressing to cover up bits she doesn't like, but the woman with the bag is stylish and dressing with confidence in her body. Despite the latter being the top that is floaty and less fitted so objectively covers up more.

Makes no sense.

Yes I thought the same! The Rome group look great to me - not old fogeyish at all…whereas the ‘stylish’ pics all look a bit try hard.

I do agree with your point to an extent op but I think it’s inevitable - in my middle years now I have huge matronly tits, a space hopper belly and saggy bingo wings. With the best will in the world I’m not going to be rocking slinky Victoria Beckham looks while shopping at Tesco. There is an issue of dignity. Especially if you’re not a confident dresser.

That said, I still try and avoid the stereotypical old lady look if I can, but the high street is limited. They think we all want huge flower patterns in lurid colours. I am grateful for high waists and midi lengths though. I guess it’s just about having to go a little bit further to dress ‘around’ the problem areas rather than hiding behind a very obvious billboard.

I agree the floaty top and cream trousers were a mistake. She looks to me like a pear shape who is trying to cover up that fact and failing. Much better to emphasis her waist and skim over the rest.

I can't see much difference between the photos.

I would be ridiculed if I tried to dress for style so it is to cover myself and keep warm only. And comfortable shoes with socks.

Precisely.
You OP are yet another example of the judgey, opinionated females who think it’s their job to unfavourably criticise older women.
You rarely, if ever, hear a man doing this.
Just what pleasure do you gain from slagging off what others wear?
I am 70, I will wear whatever I want. I don’t need someone like you making disparaging remarks about my choices.
The important thing is that I look fine in my eyes.

I dress for style sometimes. But other times I am on the Tube or walking in a park, and then I dress solely for comfort. I often think people on here who are constantly going on about style being paramount aren't taking the Tube in rush hour to Paddington. With WFh, I am often doing six different things in a day, so my clothes have to be practical. I am not hiding anything, but wearing stuff designed to show off my waist or legs is often not practical.

I'm not sure what the sightseeing group should be wearing? I'm just back from holiday so have been observing sightseeing outfits and have concluded that some people just must not sweat. Suncreams make sweating worse so it's easier to cover up and care less.

I’m curious as to why people who object to people discussing other people’s outfits come on to a Style and Beauty thread.

I don't mind the shirt and high waisted jeans/chinos combos but I'd wear that for work. Too hot for sightseeing if that's meant to be a stylish alternative.

I get the OP's point in that most people don't notice or care about your body hang ups so feel free to wear something you really like. But sometimes covering up with looser clothes is the more practical alternative. Really well cut looser clothes are not cheap though and are harder to find and lots of people simply don't have the time and money to do that.

OP, your examples are insane. The people you claim are 'dressing to hide' are exposing more skin. They've got shorts and short sleeved tops! Bog-standard warmer weather wear. Not dressing to cover 'bad bits' at all. The ones you prefer all have long sleeves and their trousers all look too short.

I'm confused by the pictures. The 'stylish' ones are not showing knees or arms but the 'unstylish' ones are 🤔

The major flaw in your argument is that you and others other clearly do notice and judge what people are wearing and make assumptions that someone is trying to cover certain body parts. So it's no good saying to someone who feels a bit insecure about themselves don't worry about your flat arse/saggy knees/wobbly arms nobody cares or notices.

People do settle into uniforms. It's probably not a conscious decision but it happens. DH and all his mates wear polo shirts or adidas tracksuit tops and jeans,
DC2 and his mates wear vintage knitted jumpers and shirts or 90's sportswear,
my goddaughter and friends wear tiny Nike shorts and hoodies.
The how to look expensive threads on here all recommend white shirts, understated gold jewellery, a classic handbag and well cut jeans.

The point is that in the first group they have given their silhouette some shape and definition. It’s not about baring skin.

I like the sound of your style; do you have any photos? (of yourself or pulled from the internet, whatever is comfortable)