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 really like that shirt-maybe a size bigger but that one shows off your embonpoint. Just roll up the sleeves to just above wrist length and wear a nice bracelet. The barrel legs are great but need shortening. A tailor will do it for around a tenner. And a nice belt-not too thick. Shoes I haven’t a clue as I live in Birkenstocks brown Arizona all summer. You look so much better though! And I know I sound like a broken record but elbow sleeves don’t look good on you. Thank you again for this thread❤️

I don't think the blue shirt (very manly) goes with the khaki trousers at all.

This is where I come back to my seasonal dressing. I can wear that colour shirt but not the khaki so there would be no possibility of trying to put the 2 together. For those of us who struggle to see these things, knowing your colours and sticking to them makes shopping so much easier.

Glad the orange blouse went back too. I like your dress / denim jacket combi, you look lovely in that, and definitely not 60+ which is where this whole journey started!

I have posted previously about those green trousers which I love ( mine arrive today ). I think you need to hold off buying future items off the back of comments here ( or not buying items that you love). I really liked the green dress and there’s nothing wrong with middi dresses. I love a long skirt or dress and I’m in no way frumpy / mummsy or whatever the implication is. Also ignore comments about masculine / feminine. Take some time to think about the elements of these looks that you’re really liking so when you have your appointment at JL you can show them the direction you’re going in. I love androgyny and it suits me… you might like the same or you might want a different direction but it should be about you finding your style not complying with the wishes of a bunch of randoms on here.

The point is @Divebar2021the op has asked for help.
I'm amazed at how quickly @Nifty50something style has changed. And how willing she is to listen to lots of different opinions.
And how few of the normal style arbiters ( self professed) have actually taken up this thread.
This is actually a really lovely discussion with refreshingly little posturing & generally posters are being extremely positive & helpful.

I adore linen in the summer but can’t iron to save my life
i bought a handheld steamer for around £20 which works brilliantly

I often wear a checked shirt unbuttoned with a fitted vest or T shirt underneath
I think it looks more relaxed
I’m loving this thread

Looking again at the blue M&S shirt, if you like it but want avoid feeling like you're dressing like the guys in the office OP, you could team it with a full skirt that shows off your tiny waist. It would look fab!

Then the silhouette is 'feminine' ie waisted (men don't have waists like women do) and not straight up and down. If you still feel most comfortable with a 'masculine' look (and that does seem to be your natural vibe) then the fabric of the skirt should heavy, the colour dark or muted and the cut simple (strong shape, no frills or flouncery).

Even if you don't want to go down the whole getting your colours done thing, I do agree with the poster above about at least deciding whether you suit warm or cool colours.

Pick a palette and stick to it. It saves a huge amount of time and expense and stuff is so much easier to coordinate. You can get so much more wear out of a single top or bottoms when it goes with the colours of all your other tops or bottoms.

I quite like the orange shirt, though I see that you have returned it. But it would make a nice pop of colour for various outfits (though not with the particular trousers you paired them with in the photo). I also think there’s nothing wrong with menswear-inspired clothes. That can be a lovely look, very classic but also modern.

If you want to venture out of neutrals into colour OP I read somewhere that your feet are a good place to try it! Being a small area and a long way from your face it doesn't feel too stressful!

Alternatively a colourful bag. It's not something you are wearing all the time, it's not a big block of colour you have to wear all day and you can easily change it when the mood or season takes you.

You’re doing really well, OP. The stripy shirt seems to be pulling across your bust, though. Perhaps try a size up, then you can always bag it out over the waistband of the trousers. It could be that the fabric is too stiff, and a stripy shirt with a little more drape and flow might hang better on you instead. Clothes shopping is so often trial and error, sorry!

I’ve just flipped through your posts since the start. To be brutally honest I hated the first outfit, but as soon as as you switched it up with the looser jeans and trousers with interesting tops you looked amazing!
They are outfits that I would have been looking at wondering where they were from… I’m definitely a barrel jeans or trousers person… sometimes with a neat fitting top, but often at the moment with something more voluminous on top.
In the course of a week it looks like you’ve really found your style and I love it!

My cropped olive trousers have just arrived from Uniqlo!

The striped shirt looks masculine and the proportions of the outfit are wrong. If I had your figure I’d wear those trousers with a white vest and a belt to show your waist off, then a loose unbuttoned shirt over the top.

See, we don’t need personal stylist. Just mumsnet. Definitely an improvement OP.

I think like everything you need to spend time looking at fashion, trying different things and also money

Funny enough I saw someone with your same palm green dress yesterday. She looked fine, no waist coat and different shoes.

I’d get the black Birkenstocks. I’m not a fan of Adidas because they are everywhere, but they look like a nice shape and will give you a bit of height. I’d also have kept the orange shirt (it just didn’t go with those trousers). I love those shirts. I’ve got 3 of them over the last few years in different colours. Think the orange would be quite perky for summer. Ideal with jeans. You could try turning the sleeves up a bit so they don’t hang so low on your arms.

some good insta accounts: clubforty claire - she’s now 50! And Shelly loves.

https://www.onitsukatiger.com/gb/en-gb/mexico-66/p/1183c102-751.html

An alternative to adidas

If you are looking at Birkenstocks have a look at the Madrid one strap style in rose gold / gold , these are sturdy and feminine

Looking forward to hearing about your John Lewis visit !

@Divebar2021 ... not complying with the wishes of a bunch of randoms on here.

Wow, how rude! So OP should ignore everyone else but you?

OP asked for help, and people are taking their time to assist. Obviously it's up to OP to pick & choose what advice to take, but so far it's working and she's happy with the feedback.

Agree with others on the khaki dress OP and glad you sapped it for the orange top.

The black sandals actually work with your last outfit as they're not dominant.

Can't wait to see what the J.L stylist pulls out.

I actually think you suit skirts and dresses more than trousers. They show off your waist far more and lengthen you. I really like the last ones you tried on (midi does suit you as long as it’s quite narrow), plus the dark orange skirt in the first pics.

I think Kirstie Allsopp only ever wears dresses and doesn’t own a pair of jeans!

Also @Nifty50something look up French tuck for shirts/tops. I learned that on insta and it’s a game changer. Your tucking is too formal.

It is, the necklace works really well with it too. Tan sandals would look great with it, ideally not Teva, there are lots of more stylish options.

Ah, I see you found some tan big buckle Birkies, they’ll go with everything.

On the strength of this thread, I have bought myself a pair of butter soft pale denim wide leg trousers with a high, button of waist. I popped into Oliver Bonas. And then a crocheted boxy top and pale blue vest to go under it.

My purchases feel very updated so thank you @Nifty50something.

Missed the shopping trip. Dress is stunning, like the chunky necklace. NO!! to the Birkenstock shoes, less leather you're not a shire horse.

I'm glad you're having fun @Nifty50something