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!

Of your latest photos, I don't like the shirt on the first one but it might look better with trousers. It seems to drown you though. The stripe dress looks good, can you post a pic without a shirt over it? Don't like the gold shoes, I think trainers would look better, or flatter, more casual sandals. The green dress is ok but you'd need to be careful with footwear.
I don't like the blue dress because I don't like the colour, but your figure looks good in it. I'd probably like it in black or dark brown.

your evolving style is happening fast!
The only thing I don’t like is the green checked dress on you.
i think the colour washes you out a little
Do you wear make up at all?
A red lipstick would look great with black
There are so many different shades, so it doesn’t have to be Pillarbox red!

You should wear what you like and what makes you feel good.

The blue dress looks a great colour but is a little high necked. A necklace would elongate you & draw the eye down a bit. It looks to me like you have strong shoulders & slimmer hips? If that's the case wearing a scoop neck or neck would help balance you out.
The green dress does nothing for you - sorry!
The proportions in the stripy top outfit aren't quite right.
Im a soft autumn & can wear black as long as I show a bit of skin. So a scoop neck, v or open button down is fine. You can warm it up with some fine gold necklaces & a soft lipstick. Black especially looks good with a tan, some bronzer & a warm peach or coral sheer lip tint.

Wow, OP you're an inspiration. I can see the changes massively already! Well done.

Re shoes, I know nothing about your foot condition but I struggle with shoes because I have what seems to be a bit of early arthritis and/or bunions and/or gout as well as the lingering remnants of some ridiculous injury that I didn't notice because I'd broken my toe.....

.... Sainsburys is my surprise winner. I buy quite a few sandals and boots there, often that are flat without being completely flat (I also find completely flat can be tricky and cause difficulties, but I don't want heels either). Sizing is a smidge weird but usually with a bit of trial and error, I can find something. If you want to give it a bash.

Not keen on the latest outfits OP, none of them do anything for your figure.
The green check is swampy.
The first shirt might look good with trousers, but don't sabotage yourself when you're on a roll.

The charity shop was temptation to make you revert to your old ways, the shirt enticed you with the brand, but it's not great

Get the capsule wardrobe then fill in with other finds later on.

Fitflop do lovely colours, so maybe similar style but in lighter shades.

I don’t like saying this, but I think those latest outfits are more ‘old you’ than ‘new you’.

Hi OP… I’m not sure if you bought all those things in the new photo or you were just trying on? So here’s my opinion for what’s its worth. I don’t like the new shirt over that dress but it might work the green Uniqlo trousers ( tucked or half tucked) or over those dark trousers with the stripey top. I don’t like the stripey top with those dark bottoms because they’re both too “mid” in proportions. So the stripey top with the green looser trousers or the cream ones you posted earlier and those dark trousers with a bigger top maybe. You need to play with the proportions (. I am also a sucker for a charity shop purchase )

You can mitigate black a little bit with graphic silver / metallic earrings or a necklace that sits between the neckline and your face. You could also layer a white tee shirt or collared shirt underneath the black item if the neckline lends itself to that look. Something like a black dress you could layer a polo neck in a chocolate brown / dark green / other colour for the cooler months. I have a black silk dress and that’s a softer black to wear rather than other starker fabrics if that makes sense. A good lipstick can also boost the face.

Second lot of pictures you're still hiding your body. Open the shirt, roll up the sleeves. Bin the Amish dress. Blue dress too blue in the wrong shade. Last picture, the trousers look like first day of term when mummy knows you'll grow into those trousers that are bunched up, they need shortening .

I'm not sure how to say this kindly OP- maybe there is no way.

But your style of dressing (bar the first blue dress) is quite masculine and verging on 'butch'. The stripy shirt with a collar and tucked in, for example.

I wonder if you are open to more feminine styles or fabrics?

eg broderie anglaise is all the rage at the moment for blouses and sleeves.
Puff sleeves are 'in'.
Softer colours like pale blue, lilac, pink, or a mix of all of these.
A bit of a frill, some lace, some edging to tops and Tshirts?

Take a look at sites like Me&Em, Other Stories, Nobody's Child, Massimo Dutti, Zara, etc.

I'm guessing if you are in Uniqlo you're in London or close enough?
You've access to lots of shops.

No, just no.

The shirt over a dress - why???
It looks as if you're about to start decorating and are covering up.

The green dress - no. Too baggy and does you no favours.

The trousers- nope.
Not flattering.

The Yacco Maricard shirt is designed to be fully buttoned up (unlike how @Nifty50something is wearing it) and oversized. It’s meant to be a statement piece rather than worn as a shacket. So worn like this photo:

I’m not entirely convinced it works for the OP’s colouring but hard to tell without seeing her face and hair.

I agree about the Amish dress and the last photo’s trousers.

Look at BODEN. I know it gets some stick here but it will open your eyes to 'pretty floral dresses' and if that's OTT (it is for me!) at least it will give you an idea of the chasm between the dresses you've shown here and what's out there.
Elouise Tiered Dress (comes in plain colours too.)

Likewise their linen tops. Look at the Brooke Linen Top in Ivory, Garden. Look at the colours and how it's being worn with wider jeans.

Jesus no!!! Both of these will make the OP look age 90. She’s trying to look her age/younger, not planning a move to a retirement village.

That's definitely food for thought, @BringontheSunAgain . A friend of mine who's a lesbian told me once that if I were a lesbian I'd be a baby butch! So I know there's truth in what you say.

Honestly, don't worry about how I'll feel and thank you for telling it like it is. The only thing that has upset me about all this is the money I've wasted on the wrong clothes. Apart from that I'm excited to change for the better. I guess I don't take the honest truth personally because I don't feel like my identity is wrapped up in the way I dress if that makes sense? There are other things I'm good at but styling myself hasn't been one of them and I'm not a natural at it and that's ok! That's why I appreciate the help so much. I really couldn't be doing this on my own. You're an amazing bunch for sharing your knowledge and talent. Thank you so much.

Just 90?

Horses for courses. I wanted to show her the linen top as it looks more flowery than what she's tried. I like it.

The dresses? Nothing wrong with the plain navy one IMO as it shows a decent length.

FWIW I hate that blue blouse shown above.

The collar etc reminds me of what trendy art teachers wore in the early 1970s.

It now resembles a badly fitting pyjama top.

Of course you hate the blouse. You LIKE Boden. 😂

I would avoid most prints if I were you @Nifty50something with the exception of a few subtle prints that can almost read as neutrals, e.g. the striped shirt you wore with the green trousers. Solid colours give a more modern look and are more versatile as well.

I would definitely give the green check dress a swerve. The shape is unflattering IMO. Not just for you but for anyone!

I like your black sandals, @Nifty50something! I have big toe arthritis and it;s very hard for me to wear anything other than FitFlops.

Now I've seen the pic of the actual blue designer shirt upthread, I'd suggest wearing it over trousers. Wearing it over the dress hides your lovely figure.

It looks great there. It looks terrible how the OP is wearing it over the stripey dress.

Nothing wrong with Boden for some basics if you shop carefully.
My DD, early 30s, buys some things from them so it's not 'retirement village' as you call it.

I'm not high fashion and never have been. My only 'lesson' as I've got older is to wear colours that suit me and clothes that fit rather than swamping me as I'm short and small.

I'd not wear a single thing from that designer as they are all big, ill fitting and have zero shape. I feel the same about Toast and Cos that are often applauded on MN.

Is this thread giving anyone else anxiety? I feel I need to throw out my entire wardrobe and start again, because I'm breaking all these rules that I never really knew existed!

@Nifty50something If you're in London and went to Uniqlo Oxford St, you've got Massimo Dutti next door, Zara down the road, and J Lewis over the road- get a personal stylist to help?

@HamFrancisco , stick some gel in your pixie cut, pull on your dungas and crack on with life.

I like a pattern on the odd dress but it has to be subtle and small. I've a couple with long sleeves I wear in the winter. I go for light colours in the summer and strong colours in the winter.

A bit of a tan helps me no end in the summer especially wearing light clothing, so I'll sit outside with a book for an hour or so. I wear a big sun hat so I can read easily..