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 didn't say no-show socks were better. I said I preferred them for me.
I'm not slavishly following fashion @ThroughTheMirrorEmpire

Ankle socks IMO are for children at primary school.

I wear ankle socks under boots where they aren't visible.

I feel like cowboy boots are one of things that when they go out of style it will be in a big way so either they have a short wardrobe life or you look very dated in a year or two.
Pearls on the other hand are pretty classic IMO.

I tend to stay away from big trends and very fashionable things as I like my clothes to last and dont want to worry about wether a top I bought 5 years ago makes me look old because it was of the times.
I prefer things that are abit different or quirky and more or less ageless.

TBF though I dont think anything is going to make you look young! Im 52 and I think I look it, the only question is wether I look like a well preserved, stylish and healthy 52!
(lets face it.....for every Vera Wang there are 500 other deluded women claiming to look 20 yrs younger and not fooling anybody!).

Bet you looked ace and not all like an extra from a Love Boat prequel.

I thought I looked rather nice in a khaki boiler suit I was wearing until my kid said, albeit in a polite manner, that I looked a bit like a 'shit Ghostbuster'

Shall we start a club?

Fair enough. I wouldn't wear any of it though :shrug:

ETA I'm 54 for the avoidance of doubt.

I am 57 and I buy most of my clothes from White Stuff. Good quality well made clothes that are unique. Have a loom on line

We just need a name….

@Spooky2000 , neither would I.
I'd much rather be a shit Ghostbuster.

Shit Ghostbuster:

Ghostboaters? 🤪

There's a couple of dresses on Fifty and Fab I might wear but not with the trainers, boots, jackets and bags she's wearing them with. Most of it, definitely not. It's very boring.

I don't follow Silver Cat but she is fabulous. ( and not just because I have this skirt in red)
Silver cat

Silver cat

You are so right. It's novelty. And I get it. Something different to your norm can refresh you somehow. I can still feel the excitement of clothes shopping when we were younger because it was all new and exciting and barely anything DIDN'T look great on you!

Then it starts to be 'what can I wear to hide this/minimise that/ draw attention away from the other and it becomes less of a joy. Then shopping for clothes feels like a chore, or a challenge. And that can be how we end up with our safe, go-to 'uniforms'.

If you still find pleasure in shopping and fashion in your older years, and still enjoy experimenting, I think that's fantastic.

I think it's also about being very fussy that clothes fit well and not settling for something OK, rather than lovely. This applies to secondhand as much as new. You can tweak old clothes or style differently to create new looks too. Alyssa Beltempo on YouTube is great for "shop your closet" and she recreates looks with her own clothes, in the spirit of, rather than buying copies of.

I remember in the sixties my mother wearing stretch trousers with a loop you put under your foot. I remember a friend having Loon pants, one pair red, one pair green. I wasn't allowed them. I remember as a newly wed 1980 a friend wearing Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, I couldn't afford them . I remember the run on velvet knickerbockers because Diana wore them.

I can't recall trousers after that all the money went on the house and two children. I didn't get my mojo back for a good decade after that.

My DIL very petite buys pre loved sometimes. She takes it to a local seamstress to alter. Looks fabulous then.

Princess of Wales clothing is tweaked, altered. Even if she's wearing Boden, it's altered.

I almost solely wear Popsy midi dresses with leggings/footless tights and have no care in the world if they are fashionable to anyone else. There is a fairly large Facebook group for the brand that has literally every age wearing them from 2years old to 90+. I find them comfortable and suitable for the range of different activities I do from toddler group, school museum visits, school Governor and WI President!

"Lunar Shoes: Supplier of a wide range of men’s and women’s branded shoes and accessories." https://www.lunarshoesonline.co.uk/new-products

I have three pairs of st Ives plimsolls from Lunar. The leather is so soft.

I'm wearing gold and silver shoes with my dresses this year just for a change.

@justasking111 , those look a lot nicer on the feet than not.
You used that word and got away with it!

Well whatever your style is you have a great figure so be proud to show it off.just don’t try and hide your figure with those clothes out there that says one size fits all 😱As they bloody don’t .You can’t go wrong with a nice classy classic look which doesn’t have to be the latest look. Those baggy trousers are just not flattering on myself I like straight legged ones .Im 78 but in my mind I’m only 50 and it’s
difficult to find clothes where I don’t look like an old git🤣but not like mutton dressed as lamb. I’m often told that I don’t look my age and that’s good enough for me. So wear what you feel comfortable in .

I like the dress and fabric, but I think the waistcoat is the wrong shape and very heavy looking block of colour.. it looks too big over the dress and I think it could look much better over a white linen shirt with jeans.

What about a white or off white denim jacket instead - the shorter kind.. Ive seen a lot of those about and it would go with lots of other things. or a little thin short cardian top with 3/4 lenght arms if you are worried about arms.

The black shoes are very busy/ heavy on the front for a dress (and would be better with trousers) and I think that has the effect of shortening the leg. What about getting some double buckle sandals, they are really comfortable and you can get them in all kinds of colours.

I struggle with clothes due to tummy, but you've got a good figure. I think you could easily go for a more strappy top on a summer dress. Or a V neck wrap around . The length is right.. and maybe a less black pattern for summer if you were buying a new one.. I could see that dress with a very fine small waistlenght cardi and maybe suede boots in the autumn. TU by sainsburies have tonnes of well priced dresses at the moment if you wanted to experiment with different styles without forking out too much.

JL.. have clothes advisors in some stores.. I had this done at Monsoon ( by accident) although that shop has now closed but it was really amazing how she was able to pick out things I wouldn't have and make them work. I was struggling for a wedding guest outfit. I would trust someone like that rather than a friend,

Can't advise on jeans at all I'm afraid as whats in and out keeps changing the moment... The big baggies would look horrible on me, so I'd go for classic shapes. I think bootcut is coming back with another name and that will suit me the most.. but again.. I think a trip to M &S and just try the various shapes until you find something that suits you.

At the end of the day, a haircut, some makeup and a new outfit you feel good in always works wonders if you are feeling a bit down.. I think that often we don't get the time to look at all the fashions or wander around the shops as much as we probably did when we were younger and more carefree... so maybe the answer is devoting a bit more me care time.. to yourself. Also don't get too bogged down by a throw aaway comment on your age. Its only someone's opinion and who are they to judge .

@Nifty50something What about your hairstyle/colour and make up? That can be ageing too without one being aware?

I'm 60 next year so empathise with the age thing..

If you close your eyes, what are you wearing?
Head to toe( including handbag if you use one?
I find it helpful At the moment looking for a inspiration as at 60, I would like a softer look
Jeans, cords, white/ cream tops( beige and soft grey shirts.
i have become bored with my floral top and jeans look.
Perhaps create a board of Pinterest of things you like and you will see your style develop.
You can then make a list to look on Vinted( BNWT) saves wandering around shops
From your photos, I think you need more fitted tops and perhaps tuck in T shirts to define your waist
i admire you posting photos and accepting the posts with good grace!

I've just bought some replacement make up online tonight. Doubled up on the foundation because it's on offer woohoo. I buy single eye shadows because I end up not using much from the palettes.

What word?

If you have Instagram there's a lady who lives in Palm Beach USA. She's in her 70s, good figure. Now she knows how to wear trousers and tops. Ignore the hair it's a bit exaggerated for the UK. She's really lovely too. Her name is Sue Belle.

llosmilp the other way round.