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!

Khaki dress is epic. But with each photo dump you look more and more on point. You’ve got an epic figure there and weren’t drawing attention to the good bits!

@SirStanley I love G-Star Kate too, and you can often find them on Amazon much cheaper than through their own site. Great range of waist sizes/lengths/washes.

Oh no! I've bought the orange linen shirt and left the green dress. But after lunch I can go back and exchange the one for the other. I left the green dress because it's midi and I was told no midis! I'm also not used to showing my upper arms but I've been swimming a lot and realised actually they're not too bad now!

Now off to M&S to look for that striped button down and then shoe shopping.

Khaki dress is lovely, as are those delicate sandel suggested below.
Something with a wedge, less clunky would elevate all your outfits.

I rarely do heels now as wedges give me height and are more comfortable.

The orange shirt with the khakis looks a bit masculine.
But the khaki trousers are great.
Something a little softer on top would be better.
I like the green dress as well but lose the beads.
Also, you're still drawn towards high necked items.

I think midi generally is fine but this one might be too long on you if your footwear is flat. Maybe take it up a couple of inches if you otherwise like it?

Your arms look great in the photo but only you know if you feel comfortable having them out in real life!

Get the dress. Wear the t shirt tucked in.

Ive always liked those green trousers but I think they are a touch long. They shouldn't wrinkle at the bottom in that style in my opinion. Also think the orange shirt doesn't work and I think you should tuck the t shirt in as those trousers really accentuate your small waist and you're hiding that having t shirt out.
I like the tiger stripe dress with those shoes too. Khaki dress fits really well but the colour is so drab. Is it available in any other colour.... Red, black, white, ?

Agree that the orange shirt is masculine looking. You could look like a scout leader if wear it with the green pants.

Was too busy posting get the dress before had a chance to read other comments.

Agree that the orange shirt/khaki trousers combo looks very blokey somehow and you said OP you were aiming for a more feminine look. If you like the colour of the orange shirt, when you go back try it over a white t-shirt tucked into the khaki trousers and tie it at the waist.

OK, orange shirt exchanged for green dress! Thank you!
I'm on the lookout for sandals but in the meantime any thoughts on any of these please?
I figured I'd shop now while I have everyone's attention @HundredMilesAnHour 🤗

To torture you further OP (and you may lose HOURS of your life on this), you could look at the Kibbe body types. That may help with the blokey v not blokey situation.

It was quite enlightening for me, as an overweight person I’ve always been focussed on choosing flattering-to-the-shape things but Kibbe has helped me work out why they are flattering IYSWIM, and that then helps me avoid wasting money.

Can I also suggest that you look somewhere else, not just Uniqlo. Tbf you've tried on quite a lot in there and only a couple of things have hit the spot. I presume you must live in a fairly large city with a variety of shops. Try somewhere that you've always wanted to try but perhaps weren't brave enough to. Try on something fabulous that you might of thought you couldn't possibly wear and see what happens, you might be pleasantly surprised!

I'm impressed with your energy though. I bloody hate shopping in actual Uniqlo shops because they're always so busy. So trying stuff on, buying and exchanging on the same trip - hats off to you. And still indefatigable in the pursuit of footwear.

No to Birkenstocks @Nifty50something Stop buying chunky sandals, you have more than enough of those! Look for something a little more feminine to bring some balance.

I like the brown double buckle Birkies. Will showcase your lovely feet!

White trainers with black stripes are safe but very dull. White with brown detail would be better given your preferred colour palette. Or metallic?

Alternatively go or a pair of really bright colourful trainers which will instantly uplift and modernise any outfit. Orange and green? You don't have to spend a fortune.

No to all of those shoes. Is there a Jones nearby perchance? They usually stock comfy versions of what's on trend.

Since you’re going to M&S anyway, why don’t you try on lots of different styles of shoes there and take photos of them all? I’m not suggesting you buy any of them (unless you love them) but it’s a quick and easy way of trying lots of different styles without having to find a sales assistant and repeatedly say “have you got these in a size 5 please?”

I think it's all a matter of what you put your footwear with.

I think chunky sandals can give some heft to a flowy outfit if the wearer feels otherwise too 'girly' in it.

But they will make an outfit like the orange shirt and khaki trousers look even more blokey scout leader on the annual camp.

Brilliant idea.

I'm a woman on a mission! Can't find the M&S blouse that was posted previously and this one is nice but maybe a little boring? And masculine! I think it's my wide shoulders causong the masculine look plus I work in a very male dominated industry and am possibly subconsciously copying them! Ok I'll stop now as I need to meet my friend and wait until my John Lewis appointment to do more.

Love the trousers in your last post, and I think the sandals work with them too. Don't like the shirt.
Also, that's a nice bag just in shot there!

The colour of the shirt is great. I don't think it's boring at all. I do think it's too small and is straining over your bust. A size up? It doesn't go with the khaki trousers - wrong colour, too formal. Better with tailored trousers or skirt if you are thinking work outfit.

Nothing wrong with a masculine look. I also used to work in a very male dominated profession and gravitated towards stripy shirts. Still do although I am long out of it! I also have wide shoulders and a long body.

Do a side by side of this and your first photo. What a transformation!

I think if you unbuttoned the shirt a bit & rolled up the sleeves it would look a little less stuffy.You're wearing it like a man . But I agree it doesn't stand out at all.
I quite liked the shoes, though coloured trainers are in more than white at the moment. The tan buckle sandals look good