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!

Agree, I don’t think the jeans are quite right, although they’re a huge improvement - not high waisted enough, and a tad too short - better to get a longer length and get them shortened.

I'm long body and shorter legs and find Gap jeans work for me. They're really comfortably high waisted on me.

https://www.gap.co.uk/shop/womens/clothing/jeans/f/fit-wide?p=1#305.2054748535156

You mentioned Liking Uniqlo earlier. Could you try one of these boxy shirts with the M&S jeans?

It's not just clothes, it's hair, make-up and mental attitude, too. Maybe a new hairstyle will be a good start.

What a fabulous thread! Jumping on to ask where I can buy a soft leather jacket around £200? Possibly brown, navy, plum or dark pink. Maybe with a round neck? M&S Autograph had one with a round neck at £200 but only in black I really don't want a black biker jacket though. I have a lovely faux leather biker jacket from Wallis in a peachy beige. I am short and petite so needing a nice fit that doesn't drown me.

Midi length dresses immediately make me look short and fat and as if I'm about to force you to run the bottle stall at the village fête I'm chairman of. Same with cropped trousers. Horrid things. Everyone looks frumpy in them . I'm slim and 5'4" and 60 in a few weeks. I wear maxi dresses, wrap dresses to the knee, wide leg/ straight leg trousers. I avoid anything that's too short, too tight, worn out ( unless I'm gardening). I absolutely avoid the tunic and leggings look and short sleeved tee shirts/ dresses. My arms are a nice shape but I don't like the dimples on them so I wear long or elbow length sleeves.

Good underwear is crucial. When did you last have a bra fitting and buy new bras. The blue dress ( minus jacket) looks good on you but you need shapeware underneath to gather and smooth. If you're a 10 buy shape wear in a 10. It makes a massive difference to how things fit and drape.

I’m just catching up with the thread - first and last outfit yes!!

I’d bin the jeans as they don’t fit your shape at all, they look baggy but in an unfit way.

I agree that the blue dress looks good on you @Nifty50something . I like the daps with socks too.

The t-bars need socks.

Agree with the bra problem and avoiding high round necks.

@Nifty50something go get measured for new bras boobs change in size and shape mid life.

I'd like to see you in a boyfriend shirt, with a proper collar and buttons. Find dupes of the Ralph Lauren ones, roll up the sleeves, undo the buttons to create a V.

"Women's Designer Shirts & Blouses | Ralph Lauren® UK" https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/women/clothing/shirts-blouses/20204

This striped shirt from M&S is lovely, really nice quality.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-striped-collared-shirt/p/clp60640793#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r2c1

(Is it just me that can’t do decent links to words any more?)

OH I want that shirt. I've already bought a pale blue and a pink and white stripe though 😁

Sometimes I look in M and S and wonder who the fuck they are aiming to sell clothes to. The clothes can look youngish (30s) and you look round at the women in the shop - 70s plus or been out in the sun a lot. You've got to pick through to get something for your age.
Just don't buy cotton traders unless you want to look older.

I've got that shirt on now! When I bend down in the garden it rises up and nearly comes over my head 😄 I have to keep adjusting it. But it's ok nice feel material. As with most things these days soon stops looking new. But I got it for £20 with a sparks offer so not a bad price.

I'm one of those women who only looks 16, so I order all my clothes from companies recommended as frumpy, mumsy or grannyish on here.

I'm very fussy about shirts. It needs to have a boob tuck stitch on the front for me. Or it's just massive.

Alternatively it needs to have two front pockets.

Or both.

Not that I have massive norks but it's too much fabric otherwise.

I have a couple of the Boden Sienna Shirts . Actually three now. A white one. A wide blue stripe one. And a thin blue stripe one. I'll literally own them until I die or they fall apart as they are so classic. Slightly boxy, not super long. Can do them up and the collar sits flat under a smart coat or blazer.

Mango are also quite good for white shirts. Mango in general - I always forget to look there but they have some great classic pieces that may be a little more trend led but not super pricey. So the white shirt will have a more pointed collar and longer cuffs for example.

I tend to trawl the shops and buy about 8 of the same thing from different places to compare then keep the one I want. So then I have what is the perfect white v neck tshirt (for me) or whatever the item is.

Its a very slow way of shopping but more intentional and cost effective in the long run. Much easier to repurpose items - the white v neck tshirt could go with some ripped denim shorts. Or it could be worn under a blazer to work. Because the fit, thickness, are right.

I totally understand where you're coming from I was in a similar situation not too long ago. I never really followed fashion trends either and mostly went for comfort, shopping from second-hand stores or reliable places like M&S. But when someone assumed I was older than I am, it pushed me to rethink my wardrobe a bit. I realized that some of my clothes, while still comfortable, weren't doing me any favors style-wise. I started experimenting with more updated silhouettes for instance, I swapped out my old tapered jeans with modern barrel-leg jeans and added a cropped trench jacket that instantly lifted my whole look. I also refreshed my basics, mixing in pieces that felt more current without being flashy. A site that really helped was Bulk Wear USA. They have a great selection of modern everyday staples that still feel easy to wear. I’m still all about comfort, but now I get more compliments and, more importantly, I feel more confident when I step out.

I love Vinted and I’m 61. i look for independent labels which are often in very good condition and timeless classics.I have always gone for independent clothes shops and have recently bought probably the most expensive dress I’ve ever had. It is for a wedding and it is silk but it is one that I’ll get a lot of wear out of. Silk is great for the slightly mature figure as it hangs so well and is likely to be well cut.

I’ve also resurrected my 20 yr old wide leg trousers. I’m an hour glass/athletic shape so thin thighs and hips. Wide leg are defo my style but I tend to get drapey fabric rather than thick fabric. Also i love linen, it’s meant to be creased!

One thing i will never wear is any form of cropped trousers. They scream over 60s. I prefer proper shorts of full length trousers. I love midi length dresses but I’m 5’7” so they look ok. Anything formal I still wear tights ( maximum 10denier in summer, because they add a bit of class and my mum would turn in her grave at bare legs.

The palm dress is a bit bright, pastels or dusky colours are much kinder over 60. Bright colours are great but not in huge pattern. You have a good figure, find a style that shows it off. John Lewis do a good shopping service and can give you unbiased advice on cut and style along with colour. There’s no obligation to buy but it’s great if you want an overhaul.

Also try lower cut neck or v neck. They are more flattering. Plain t shirts with a scarf to accent and maybe look for some less clunky sandals. Fit flop do some really nice sliders for summer.

Or maybe go for some lighter colours in the styles you prefer. I have just bought some sketchers arch support in white sneakers style. Good when you are on your feet all day and a bit more summery. Although I do spend most of the summer in flip flops having discovered brands that are kind to feet.

Accessories make an outfit. A big string of colourful beads would really lift your beautiful blue dress.

OP you’re going to have to commit to some shoes with your new outfits and run it by the hive mind here!

I also like the blue dress, for some reason I want to see a chunky orange necklace over it - is that allowed?!

but mostly I want to see what shoes you’re going to put with it

agree with boat neck and v neck cuts, high neck draws attention to the throat and unfortunately that works best for the youngsters

I love dresses. Especially midi length l, so pretty and feminine. I don't follow "trends" . Where what you love.

*wear... lol.typos

I wear only bootcut and am 65 and don't feel that I look "dated" in them. I've tried several wide leg trousers and they don't suit me, in fact they make me look short - and I'm not. I suit jeans which fit tighter above the knee. If that makes me look "dated" so be it, but I would rather wear something which lengthens my legs than something which makes me look short! Cringe away. Being current is all well and good, but tbh some clothes just don't look good on some people, while others (me included) would simply feel they were in fancy dress.

I agree about the jeans being cropped however, mine are long.

Lovely!

Ditch the white jumper but the rest of those clothes are lovely. The dress in particular shows off a super figure. The skirt, denim jacket, and shoes are great.

I actually think that top is very flattering and the pants fit well. OP could keep the cropped pants and wear them with booties. The thing with baggier pants these days is they can elongate the torso and shorten legs with the lower crotch. Sometimes classic is ok over trends.

I love the blue dress too.