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!

😁😁😁

Another piece of advice I was given is when eyelashes become sparser don't be afraid of eyeliner. Not the exaggerated wings but along the lash line

Silver Kat is indeed fabulous. If ever I lose 5 stone I'll dress like that.

Hello again. I've just caught up with the thread as I've been at work all day. And then I stopped by Uniqlo and tried on a few things. I don't think the barrel leg trousers suit me at all! The jeans are great, though, and I could get them shortened. And I do like all three tops. I didn't buy anything though - I wanted to check in here, first if anyone is still around and would be kind enough to comment please (although I do note the thread has moved on).

I did head back to M&S and pick up another pair of the wide jeans, this time in black. I've realised I feel I can wear black jeans to work (but not blue) so they'll be very versatile. And I figured out a trick! The way high street clothes are cut in bulk means that not all size 10 short lengths for example are exactly the same size. So I went through all the pairs they had and found one that was about an inch longer than the others. It fits me perfectly! I may go back and try the same thing with the blue jeans, exchanging the pair I have if I find one that fits better.

I feel like I'm turning a corner. I have a linen button down shirt in light blue and also a silk button down from brora in a light teal that I think will look nice with my new jeans, plus my broderie anglaise blouse. Amd I may go back for some Uniqlo tops. For anything fancier, my Ukranian friend has invited me out shopping with her and her fashionista daughter which will be very fun and helpful so I'm looking forward to that.

Thank you again, everyone. So much great advice and discussion on this thread.

You look great in all those outfits, @Nifty50something .

Like the first outfit ( striped top and white trousers), it’s very fresh and summery looking, it really flatters your figure, did you get a new uplifting bra?….shoes are too clumpy and dark though, a neat tan slider would look good with this outfit

Also think the striped shirt in the last photo is ok but there are nicer striped shirts around so I would keep looking, a striped shirt is a good basic

To add, love seeing the progress you are making, keep it up …..it’s like a flower blossoming😁

I like the white trousers too, they really suit you. You also have pretty feet,which not many people have.

I love the khaki barrel trousers, they look the best by miles. Your waist looks tiny, and that's where I'm focused. The striped shirt looks exactly right the way it is tucked in with those - slightly puffed out and is also how I would tuck a t - shirt in too.
If I'm being brutal, I don't like anything else here esp the cream (pale yellow?) trousers. Striped t shirts are great but that one is too tight and the sleeves are wrong.
However it's hard to know what sort of style you aspire to, is there anyone who's style you particularly like?

I like all of these but particularly the khaki trousers.

I love all three of the last outfits you posted @Nifty50something. You look amazing now, I would have cried at all the criticism so good for you! 😍

I really like the stripe shirt and green trouser combo. Would look great with heels.

Wow OP, you look great in all of those outfits. Such an improvement on the first photos. The striped top is really flattering

Where do you find lower cut t shirts???! All I see are ones that seem to sit high at the keck line and I have a large bust that doesn't need acres of material floating above it before chopping me off at the neck!

OP, you're still experimenting to find your style but really your latest photos look like a different person from the first ones. We can't see your face but you do look younger.

Your thread inspired me to go into M&S today and try some jeans and trousers on. I picked up a pair of combats, as style that I haven't worn for years and found they really suited me. I felt like they were definitely my vibe in the casual category. I haven't bought them yet as not quite decided on the colour.

If this thread proves anything, it's that opinions on what is stylish and suitable vary tremendously. On the one hand, that's quite positive, as it means that a wide variety of styles are fine. OTOH it does make dressing well a bit of a minefield, as one woman's "yes, beautiful" is another's "hell no."

I wouldn't ever wear some of the clothing recommended on MN (e.g., voluminous dresses) because they don't seem flattering on anyone IMO. But I thought the same about skinny jeans and that trend lasted for ages. I must say I'm delighted that they are no longer fashionable.

My opinion about your latest post FWIW: those jeans look good. I also like the light coloured trousers. The olive ones aren't very flattering IMO.

WOW OP, what a transformation!
Love the new outfits, you've got it now.

It's all about experimenting as not everything will be 100% all the time and not everyone on here will agree on the same outfis, but what a quick turnaround.

Looks fresher and more thought out.

True of the sizing, especially M&S, even the same lengths are different and it's painstaking having to go through each one.

Think you could have gotten away with a smaller size of the blue jeans.

Bloody hell, OP, you’ve knocked 15 years off in two days!

You look fantastic!

Absolutely love two of those outfits, but the length of the sleeves in the short sleeve shirt isn’t doing it!

it is amazing though - the first outfit makes such a difference to how your proportions look (it’s like magic)

I bloody love those olive trousers with that shirt! Your waist looks teeny.

Thank you for starting a really interesting thread @Nifty50something. FWIW, my opinion is the striped top and pale trousers look really good-show off your figure and look really fresh. Definitely not old lady clothes. I also really like the third picture-the barrel legs one and think you look great. But I hate that striped shirt-the washed out colour and those elbow length sleeves don’t do you any favours-it looks like something my husband would pull out when he wants to do some decorating!

The shoes spoil it OP, something lighter would suit better.

www.hobbs.com/product/vera-leather-sandals/0125-LR71-001H020-TAN.html#cgid=shoes

Christ no, I think this looks bloody awful! (Sorry OP!) The green trousers are drowning her and the top is meh.

I hate the jeans outfit too. Those jeans don’t fit at all and are very unflattering.

I do, however, fairly like the cream trousers (although I still think you can do better) and the striped T-shirt fits well and is nicely classic. I wouldn’t wear these two together though as the cream of the trousers doesn’t work well with the white of the striped T-shirt.

TLDR buy the striped T shirt and maybe the cream trousers. Burn the rest.

M&S clothes aren’t usually cut particularly well these days. The Autograph range is usually cut better and with better quality fabrics (although not always!) which is why it costs a bit more. Worth the upgrade if you can afford it and find things you like.

Sorry I meant the striped shirt on the second pic with the jeans that I dislike, the blue one with the barrel legs is a much better choice.

I'm 34h so have the same problem with necklines making me have a matronly bosom if too high.
That top I'm wearing is a charity shop black vest with a lacy racer back but a decent low cut t-shirt is tricky to find. Either the V is too high or if I size up then it has no shape?