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!

Vogue disagrees with you!

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/birkenstock-and-jeans-outfits

@blossomtoes Birkies are fine if they work for you. The shape is all wrong for me and the straps are too hard for my feet. The Jones knock-offs are fine. I'm rather bored with them after about 12 years but fancy something properly cloggy.

The reason I told the OP to step away from the Birkenstocks was because she already has 2 pairs of chunky soled sandals. She needs to buy another style of shoe (preferably not also in black!) to widen her options.

The trainers are horrible. Not keen on the sandals either. Have you considered fisherman's sandals?

Point taken. They work so well for me that I have five pairs of Arizonas in different colours (the buggers won’t wear out!) and I wear nothing else from May to September. You could say I’m a little biased!

I agree. The later pictures of skirts and dresses look much better than the ones with trousers and jeans.

Do you want jeans OP? Or are you working on the basis they're an essential that everybody must have?

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle she’s got fisherman’s sandals! We’re trying to surgically remove them from her feet and get her to try something else. 😂🙄

The awful black sandals she started with aren't fisherman's sandals. I wouldn't call any of the later variations that either.

Paraboot Fisherman's sandals

Oh sorry, you’re right. I just went back and looked at the goddawful sandals in her photos and they’re a variation of other ugly sandals. For some reason I had stuck in my head that they were DM fisherman’s sandals (also bloody ugly!). I must be suffering post-traumatic stress after seeing them and it’s causing memory loss.

Thanks !

@HundredMilesAnHour and @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle you do both realise that the op has feelings and is the principal subject of this thread?

They're just jealous that some of us have been, quite rightly, complimentary about OP's feet.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

For clarity in case anyone cares I have:

1. DM mary janes that I was wearing with the palm print dress

1. Fitflop fisherman's sandals purchased recently for a very painful £130 https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/gen-ff-leather-fisherman-sandals-p-IZ1#090

1. A pair of generic black sandals with one strap across them that I think were pictured once or twice.

1. Adidas SL72 in khaki and cream pictured once or twice

1. Gold strappy heel sandals that I can't wear for long as not comfortable (pictured once with striped dress)

I also have (not pictured) DM Clarissa sandals purchased last year which I love but would not be popular on here and are too heavy for me to wear you'll be glad to know 🤣 https://www.drmartens.com/uk/engb/clarissa-ii-quad-milled-nappa-leather-platform-sandals-black/p/24476001

I've also now ordered some red trainers from Asda and some tan flip flop style sandals from them also. I want to make sure I feel good in these types of styles before I invest again! And now I'm all shopped out. I may well cancel John Lewis as I'm happy with what I've got and don't want to keep spending or get my head turned by some other style. I can always go in a few months for autumn/winter when I've saved up a bit more.

Honestly I'm laughing at the comments. I know for many people they could be hurtful but for some odd reason I've found out via this thread I'm bullet proof when it comes to fashion criticism. Which is weird because on other subjects I can be a sensitive soul! I fo appreciate the concern though. I appreciate you all so, so much!

I like your fit flops!
Also agree with a pp that you wear dresses v well, must be your figure.
Possibly consider non black shoes next time you are shoe shopping.

Capri pants are great whatever age you are probably would dump the ones with zips though, crisp white or pale blue shirts, not
sleeveless T-shirts with tight short jeans not a good look at any age, personally I think print is really aging unless it’s check or stripe I would avoid florals block colour job done

@Nifty50something I'm probably nobody's role model vis a vis shoes as I'm much older than you, sometimes need an orthotic, and don't do heels! However, they are still a weakness albeit a sensible one. I tend to like quite feminine shoes.

You are an inspiration @Nifty50something. Not only for your determination and success in changing your style in a few short days but for your grace and good humour in the face of some gratuitously unpleasant comments.

Brava! It's been quite a day! Thank you for taking us with you! I hope you enjoy all your new purchases and have a super evening out tonight.

You're such a good sport @Nifty50something, hope you enjoy your new purchases and swan around proudly, knowing you've inspired several of us to look slightly more closely at our own wardrobes.

Looking forward to seeing any updates you might have

I personally would stay well away from all black heavy looking sandals, if you have to go with heavy sandals go for nude, light tan, gold , rose gold etc….I personally hate clumpy shoes though, think they are very un feminine and dowdy

Have to say you have been a great sport and taken all criticism very graciously!

@Nifty50somethingyou've been such a good sport throughout this thread. I definitely think some people have gone too far and posted ridiculously unkind comments. There's a difference between offering constructive advice and being downright insulting.

But I think a lot of people have been helpful and were really rooting for you. Enjoy your new clothes!

@Treesandsheepeverywhere

i wasn’t trying to be rude to anyone on the thread I was trying to get the OP to take a breath and take stock of everything before spending more money. I think she’s received some conflicting advice and there’s a danger of ending up with a complete mish mash If you want your own style it obviously takes a bit of thinking. Hopefully the JL session will throw up some great items and the OP feels good about her wardrobe going forward.

That green dress makes you look gorgeous!!

The Uniqlo stuff is great apart from the shirt. I loathe barrel legs normally, but they look great on you. The dress is fab.

Do NOT wear the trousers with the blue pinstripe.

I love clumpy shoes as well @Nifty50something I'm older than you and simply can't wear thin soled "feminine" sandals. Too uncomfortable. But Art shoes are a good brand - lots of colours and not cardboard soles.

https://www.the-art-company.com/uk/en/women/sandals