This older lady on the train..

[KibbeMe]

I loved what she wore, and she looked so comfortable!
I wouldn't call it a style, or remotely fashion conscious, but she was obviously interested in clothes, if that makes sense?

She was 65+ or thereabouts, medium height, slim, with bushy hair in a lovely twist. She was wearing a long tweed, flecked coat, with a sort of jersey tunic under it with a modest pattern. She wore dark wool tights with socks and clumpy brown boots, with a cotton tote and gorgeous mustard coloured wool scarf.

I remember thinking that I rarely saw older women in shorter skirts/tunics, and she looked fantastic. What struck me most was how at ease this all looked, so kind of interesting but comfy. It did not scream money, but wasn't cheap at all, it is hard to describe it, as it wasn't on trend for any age group, but reminded me a little of a dance tutor I had in my 20's who was vaguely bohemian in a neater, relaxed sort of way (not trendy or frilly).

If any of this makes sense, I would love some recommendations. It all looked great quality but not in popular styles. The tunic looked like basic jersey with a scoop neck, wasn't baggy or tight. Colours were mixed but not obvious.
This was in March this year and I still haven't forgotten her!

Quite.

There seems to be an epidemic of self-flagellation on the Style and Beauty board. Countless people seem to come here specifically to recount why they cannot under any circumstances wear lovely clothes. And why anything costing over £35 is the Devil’s work.

I do think if you are on a very limited budget, are of short stature, overweight and a bit fed up its not easy.
Its hard getting your head around things will not "go back" to how they once were.
Perhaps a few welll chosen basics are a good route?

It's a mindset. My clothing budget is miniscule, I'm also not tall (but yes, okay, I'm slim). It is possible to do style on a shoestring, believe me.

Yes, Well chosen basics is the way to go.

If you find, for example, a nice sleeveless dress, you can wear it on its own, put a cardi over it unbuttoned, or a sweater over so it looks like a skirt, or a t-shirt underneath it to wear it as a pinafore. If you opt for a neutral colour like navy or black it won't look like the same dress worn repeatedly because you give it a different look. If you get a couple of long sleeved t-shirts, one plain, one striped, some plain black trousers or dark indigo jeans (even if they have waist elastication) and a well-fitting skirt of your preferred length you can do a lot.

Accessories can also have a big impact; a stylish pair of boots, a nice oversized bag or satchel and a few different scarves or shawls can all add a lot of flair to a plain basic wardrobe.

Try making yourself a mood board, search online for styles you like and save them on your phone or computer then try to source similar looking items that fall within your budget. It's what I've done for years and it works. The supermarkets have basic tops and jumpers that are affordable. Ebay is brilliant for finding brands like Seasalt, White Stuff and Fat face at low prices and if you cherry pick you can make a gorgeous outfit. Try a checked dress with a long cord shirt over and a pair of flat leather boots or just cord trousers, a sweater and a big scarf with chunky lace-up boots. Doesn't matter if it's big budget Toast, mid-range Seasalt/Fat Face or cheap and cheerful Sainsbury's Tu, it'll still give you a stylish arty/bohemian look if you fancy going for that aesthetic as per the Lady on the Train...

It can be done, no matter how rubbish you feel about yourself or your body, you can still dress with a lot of style if you change your mindset.

I hope this helps.

Brava, @AubrieDog!

It most certainly does! You talk sense! Thanks

I'd also say if you want to go for an Arty look or what people might think is stylish, colour plays a massive part! Everything needs to be muted, earth toned or dark-ish aside from a few well chosen accessories. The one thing you need to do is avoid pastels, primaries or anything sharp toned like emerald or turquoise etc. You almost need to think drab, e.g. brown boots, dark olive or khaki cords and a neutral oatmeal sweater but then add a scarf of a moss green or burnt orange... Charcoal can be good with dark purple... chocolate goes with rust... just keep it all all nicely muted not bright or light.
Try Sainsburys or Matalan for cords and jumpers on a budget (my cords are all Tu, not posh ones). Have fun! 🙂

Have a look at joe browns clothing in real life, the website isn’t great.
lots of tweeds and autumnal colours with structured jackets usually.
www.joebrowns.co.uk/autumn-vibes-jersey-tunic-wg069

Try looking at Seasalt or Lily and Me. They do lovely tunics and coloured tights

I don't get the comment about endless money. You don't have to spend a fortune to look good. My 100% linen trousers came from Tesco, you wouldn't know. My t-shirts either Primark or M&S, my jeans are Tesco or superdry. My skirts are a mix of places but nothing over 50 quid and I'm picky about what I buy. Even better if they're in the sale. But they're not faded, don't have holes and fit me.

I spend money on good quality jackets/coats and shoes/boots that I can wear year after year. And a classic black wool coat won't date. I also ask for things for Birthdays and Christmas. A black tshirt is a black tshirt whether from Primark or somewhere expensive.

So I may wear what looks like an expensive wool coat but I've probably had it at least 9 years. I may have multiple leather biker jackets but again I've had them for years. My winter boots may be Timberland and Clarks but I bought both at a massive reduction (student discount and Black Friday). That nice quality jacket was a Christmas present from my parents.

If you buy classic styles they don't date. I think the only things I've paid full price on are my socks/tights, bras and thermal leggings.

I don't think Joe Browns has the right look for this sort of style and quality aesthetic... can't really explain why but every time I look at their stuff my brain thinks "cheap!" It probably makes no sense considering that I wear Tu cords and Matalan t-shirts so I clearly have a mental block against the JB look...

@AubrieDog That is because Joe Browns is the clothing version of the self professed quirky person. Like those who say "I'm totally crazy me" whilst appearing absolutely ordinary.

Interesting observation... and yes, I'd say you're spot on. I do know someone like this and she does wear Joe Browns...🤔

Wearing wool/silk tunic and wool/silk leggings today. I'm 54.

What a lovely post! As a woman of 67 I was really touched when a young lady came up to me in the cherry Blossom gardens at Alnwick saying I was very ' on brand' wearing my red tunic dress with a cherry Blossom design and leggings - she made my day! I really like Diva in Petergate York, he stocks some great tunics/ dresses etc at reasonable prices.😊

TOAST have some lovely tunics which are all sort of beyond knee length (perfect for me, just a bit on the expensive side!). So nice to see older women expressing themselves through style!

I had my eye on this cashmere tunic-dress from there...payday just came too...https://www.toa.st/products/wool-cashmere-jumper-dress-charcoal-melange

A lot of older people may regard the price of that dress as sufficient to live off for 2 or 3 weeks. So they look for other ways to express themselves.

And, conversely, I imagine a fair few women over 60 are put off ‘expressing themselves’ on S&B because of the guaranteed demented outrage if you say you enjoy spending money on clothes, have a comprehensive knowledge of designers and are completely uninterested in limiting yourself to Emm and Ess and job lots of tat from EBay.

Toast clothing is beautiful quality so some of us low income older people make other sacrifices.

I don't drink, smoke, go on holiday, go out for meals, buy expensive coffees or have my hair and nails done. I don't have a mobile phone or my own car. That is how I justify buying an occasional item from Toast.

Oh God - we have to ‘justify’ being decently dressed?

Clearly we do 🙄

But, you know, with style you either have it or you don't...

No demented outrage? Just a passing thought. Never mind.

Its a lovely dress.

Buy cheap buy twice . I am of a certain age and I have some very expensive clothes. But basics can come from anywhere decent such as M&S . I paired a rather gorgeous silk shirt with basic black trousers and fancy shoes. Threw over a suede long jacket. Nice jewellery. Three people commented on the jacket. It was from Primark .

I know they do and there are other outlets and other boards where they can express themselves - and rightly so. But this board is for those of us who, regardless of income, like to express ourselves through our clothes. But thank you for your interest.

And a lot of older people aren't poor.

People always talk about older people being poor, this generation of older people are the baby boomers, they live in houses (mortgage cleared), worth 5 maybe 6 times what they paid for it. They also know how to save.

Why do you think the Labour government decided to change the winter fuel allowance to means tested? Because there are an awful lot of well off pensioners out there.