My clothes are aging me - please help?

[Nifty50something]

The other day someone mistook me for being over 60 when I'm actually in my early 50s. I asked a good friend about it and she said it's because my clothes are aging me. I've never followed fashion and tend to just wear what's comfortable, shop second hand or from m&s, etc. But I'd like to try to update my look.

I've been wearing:

1. Cropped jeans with zips to make them tapered
2. Black cigarette trousers tapered at the ankle
3. Midi dresses with nice patterns (not flower patterns but more aztec or palm print).

Are any of the above items still ok or are they all frumpy? Any links to things you've bought and love? What are the trends now (I think barrel leg trousers, denim jackets or cropped trench jackets, pink...also waistcoats without a top underneath which I wouldnt wear but could wear one over a top if that would work)?

Nothing wrong with looking 60 but I'm just not there yet and would prefer to look my age!

I’m only a few years younger than you @Nifty50something and tend to look at the shapes of the clothes I wear

Most of my stuff is charity shop and supermarket bought. Highly recommend a pair of wide legged trousers that are the right length for you that you can dress up or down.

As other posters have said, tucked in/shorter length tops help too so don’t be afraid of doing that.

I wore a pair of cheapo green trainers from Peacocks with this outfit yesterday. The jacket’s from Sainsbos and they have similar tailored style trousers in Asda that I had on.

I’m taller than you (5’9) and a 14-16 and I’ve just realised that there’s unfortunate back lighting in this photo that hopefully didn’t reveal my chest height knickers 😂

I'm 59 and don't care what other people think about what I'm wearing, as long as I feel comfortable. However I would never dress in anything that would make me look like mutton dressed as lamb. I've just been shopping in a long floaty skirt, tshirt and a pair of velcrose sandals... and no-one gave me any strange looks.

Peacock £18 trainers that look a lot more expensive than they are

I’d google cigarette pants, have you never heard of Audrey Hepburn?

I always think black cigarette trousers belong to the blue rinse brigade i.e. a bit ageing (not being ageist, truly, OP asked). The dresses sound fine - swirly things are not ageing. Not sure about the cropped jeans, though - depends what you team them with.

OP I think you would look great with higher waisted trousers. The lower waist of your trousers and jeans that you posted just hangs around on you doing nothing. Perhaps your black cigarette trousers have a higher waist?
I like the denim dress outfit best. Try a plain small neck scarf, in one of the same colours as your trainers, to go with it. I’ve seen a lot of these little neck scarves being worn by the models in the links other posters have supplied.

They are fine on Hepburn - others not so much.

Someone will call you out on mutton dressed as lamb. But I agree with you. I do the same and have never followed fashion, only what has suited me (lucky I had good legs in the late 60s).

you look great!

I was answering the poster who thought that cigarette pants was a made up phrase.

Do not wear Toast clothes. I think they're so frumpy and very aging.

I like the pic you've posted.
.I'm similar age and I've started to weat flared and wide leg trousers. Fancy trainers and fitted jackets. Looks much better.

Doesn't work OP. Also the trainers are unattractive. Try for some more flattering flootwear. Light sandals, or slip ons with inner socks.

The young stylish creatives at my work seem to like them (albeit very cropped versions), alongside very wide trousers and jeans. But they're young and whippet thin. So get away with it.

You have a really good figure and could wear anything you like but that dress is something I would associate with a much older person, to be honest. I am a few years older than you and buy most of my clothes from Vinted but I am careful to choose styles and colours that suit me. Colours are very important. Do you know which colours truly suit you? For me, Autumnal colours work best - most greens, red, gold, brown, mustard, camel, burnt orange etc.I also love strong pink, especially apricot and peach shades. I look very washed out in pastel shades and black. I think that particular shade of green you are wearing is one that suits very few people. How about your hair? Do you still have the same style you had ten years ago? Is your hair grey? Nothing wrong with grey hair but iron grey or salt and pepper can also be very ageing.

Sorry. I thought it was a style thing.

I follow a few age appropriate people on Instagram which helps me keep an eye on current trends.

abi.loves.style is a good one and from there you will get suggestions for similar.

Debatable – I don’t think PLUMO has that wealthy, corporate kind of feel. It really comes down to personal taste and how you style things. You can make an outfit feel more youthful with the right accessories and shoes.

I’m in my mid-40s and often get compliments on what I wear—often from younger people. I don’t spend a lot of money, but I mix and match pricier items with more affordable. I often buy from Whistles, Massimo Dutti, Arket, TK Maxx, M&S, Muji, Uniqlo, Zara.

I use just a few accessories, but they’re youthful and stylish—like a bold silver ring with a unique shape or a cool designer brooch. If I wear a plain dress, I’ll often pair it with chunky boots to give it more edge.

Recently, I bought a dark navy linen dress—long and straight, a bit boring or maybe just classic—and paired it with a same colour denim waistcoat from Whistles (with a back buckle) and slightly chunky sandals in rough leather. It created quite a youthful and stylish look.

Anyway, I think browsing different websites for inspiration is always helpful.

I didn’t know that denim jackets were a no-no!

Having seen your other posts, the one outfit that really suits you and is timeless is the royal blue dress with the cream denim jacket. I'm afraid the others do you no favours.

Also, hairstyle and lipstick make difference. I'm blond with very fine hair. With longer hair, I look older. When I cut like short bob style with a bit of shaved neck, look more youthful. :)))

The black trousers aren’t as wide but I tried to balance the shape with a charity shop men’s bomber jacket and the length of my jumper.

The beige wide legged trousers are, I think, Sainsbury’s from last year and they do a few colours. Men’s shirt and jacket from a local charity shop

It’s called the fashion lift. Not remotely what I posted, sorry.

I don't think there is anything much wrong with your wardrobe TBH, just maybe that the bits don't go together all that well. Alot of the proportions are quite 'samey' as well whereas the rule of keeping one half of an outfit baggy and the other fitted really does seem to help the look.

I know it's all personal but take the first outfit for example. I'm over 50 and I would happily wear all those pieces....just not together!
The waistcoat I'd wear done up with chunky heeled boots, wide legged jeans and a fitted tee/long sleeved top (who am I kidding, I'd probably keep the waistcoat very fitted and wear a pussybow blouse underneath!).
The dress (love the pattern but it does look a little bit tight) id wear in winter with a black top underneath, big belt, chunky boots and lots of silver jewellery.
As for the shoes I'd wear them with black opaque tights and a mini skirt/dress where their clumpiness could be probably appreciated!

I Def don't think I'm current or trendy but I also don't think my style would be dated.

I like the dress. Would top it with a white cotton shirt instead. When I was younger I always associated polyester with an older uniform. Fell into the trap a bit myself and getting back to simpler natural styles.

Not read whole thread.
You do have a very good figure and are not making the most of it.
Palm print dress : def not with waistcoat
Try getting it shortened to around knee length, tie to side rather than front
and wear with black plimsolls ( e.g superga's but not laced all the way up, or tied to side/middle )
Get much slimmer fitting longer trousers or slimmer straight ankle grazers ( think Audrey Hepburn look ) , e.g shoes you wore with palm dress will look better with slim trousers and a plain t-shirt
Slim trouser with an a line shirt/ covered upper arms or fitted linen shirt always looks smart
stick to simple colours e.g if you like mustard pair with white in summer
or brown with white looks chic e.g chocolate jeans ( longer = makes legs look longer, your trousers are all too
short ) plus white blouse, tucked in looks smarter
get plain cardigans - m and s have nice ones
or uniqlo do light weight shortish puffa jackets in various colours
easy to wear with dresses or trousers
get swing dresses ( viscose /linen ) that are knee length or knee length linen shifts , wear with plimsolls
e.g plain linen shift with denim jacket but jacket no longer than waist if petite
dresses buttoned top to bottom look unflattering imo as well as the current craze for mid/midi unless 6ft tall
a lot of your clothes swamp you and are the wrong fit which is probably more ageing than anything.
You have an enviable figure, I'd def show it off