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!

Anyone who visits Liverpool to shop Hobbs are opening on 20 May. I've screenshot the email I received. It should appear eventually.

https://www.hobbs.com/personal-styling.html?xnpe_tifc=OFLsOFE_xF_j4fnZxDVJx9psafeWaeiWhFW7qMWLVuivbuilEkiAnkLvEkJLRfXcbdiArFVZbDQsxIbj4IPLOInjbdnT&utm_source=exponea&utm_campaign=uk_bau_2516_saturday_oneoff_storeopening_preselected&utm_medium=email

They do personal styling too.

I think the most important thing is looking at the fit.

i think layering a vest with the dress makes it heavier and the pattern is also more severe.

You are not overweight so accentuate your waist and stick to softer patterns

Avoid busy patterns except for soft simple florals like a long floral skirt would be cute

try wearing high wasted wide leg jeans. These are trendy but not too young if they fit well they are classic and comfy.

The tapered leg can look like grandma track suit or pajamas.

when I looked at a photo of my aunties the one who is the eldest by 10 years looked the youngest and so I studied this photo and it definitely boiled down to her style, the fit of her clothes, and how she did her hair.

she also wore a bit of makeup and the other 2 did not wear any. How to do mature make up is a good skill because just a little bit in natural soft colors can do wonders

she had a longer shoulder length style that she styled in a feminine way as opposed to short masculine cut that also looks elderly (she died it blonde but this suited her skin and blue eyes so not sure if blonde is right for you but generally blonde is youthful and flattering for many older women)

she wore form fitting clothes in soft pretty colors and belted jeans that accentuates her waist. ( as opposed to the boxy plain white tops that made the other younger women look fatter and older even though they were not any bigger than her it gave the impression of having a square boxy figure (as opposed to an accentuated waist that is youthful

If you like a slim or tapered leg Go for Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, high waisted with a belt

this was an auntie who was over 60 and she looked so much younger and better than the other 50 year old aunties simple because of a few style tricks and also I think her radiant smile. Having a white smile and smiling more is also youthful. So part of it is energy, so doing energy work (yoga tai chi dance etc) help move the energy upwards and give a youthful impression

Bloody hell @Isabellivi, I'm 64, nearly 65. You have just written about my age group as though we are all decrepit and totally out of touch.

You're sounding very patronising.

she died it blonde

It's dyed, not died (I hope)!

I bloody love the DM Clarissa sandals. Heavenly Feet used to do a really good copy of them in pastel colours.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a clumpy sandal tbh, especially if they’re compatible with your foot issue.

something like https://www.heavenlyfeet.co.uk/products/janice?variant=55069970792823 might bridge the gap between your go to sandals and a slightly more feminine version though?

Seriously I’m blown away by the massive style shift. Go you!

I would absolutely love to go through your wardrobe (remotely) and do an edit/suggest some new outfits based on what you already have and suggest a couple of additions that you make sustainably!

Well when this weather breaks and the rain reappears, I'm going to carry on culling. I did make a start a couple of months ago filled half a bin bag and lost the impetus. This thread has been a good kick up the pants for me.

I think you need to think in terms of clothes closely following the line of your body - not tight, obviously. Clothes too loose or voluminous are hiding your shape and making you look bigger than you are. Blouses that just fall over and conceal your waist are robbing you of your shape. I would also avoid gathers.

Late to the party but looove your new choices OP!

I have never seen such an instant transformation! Well done OP!

To echo others, you've been a great sport and so receptive to changed. Go you!!!!

Sorry, my bad.
You're right about a lot of conflicting advice, would have my head in a spin.

I think you are reading too much into it. It is advice young women could use as well, since masculine is always going to look older, and a lot of styles today are masculine.

Feminine energy is always going to be seen as younger, more playful, and fun.

Her dress is attractive - very professional and smart. But very dark colors and severe pattern which, especially when paired with a black vest, comes across masculine.

The cut of the dress is accentuating her feminine curves nicely so I would focus on the colors, pattern and material.

Menopausal women tend to style their hair and clothes more masculine but ANY woman can instantly look younger by playing up her femininity - soft fabric, flowing material (feminine energy is flowing, not rigid) softer or brighter colors, delicate patterns.

I don’t know if pastels are good on her but as an example, this orange is the color of feminine vitality and the flowers are delicate. Simple and comfortable and radiates positive feminine energy

There are studies that show people read text according to their own mood.

Giving someone advice on how to look younger is always going to sound patronizing. I wouldn’t give it if she wasn’t asking

Also how many languages do you speak ? Oh just English’s ok. English is not even my second language so thanks for the (purposefully patronizing) advice

Not everyone needs or wants to be ultra feminine all the time. How riduclous. Gender stereotyping is harmful. Also, "orange is the color of feminine vitality" What horseshit. Would you you like to read our palms next and explain astrology to us? Anyone can make up crap like "Blue is the color of masculine assholery." Doesn't mean there's any merit to it.

I think your post with the striped tee and cream linen trousers and the green trousers and the green dress have transformed you OP.

From what you have posted, many of the faults with your existing clothes come down to how they fit/don't fit you. Some of the clothes you have now donated were too small and didn't flatter your figure. We have to work with what we have. Just finding the best waist rise makes a difference. Wearing shoes that suit the clothes. Having some nice accessories that aren't too big/too small. Even staying away from patterns while you find your basics will help.

I'm looking forward to seeing what your stylist will choose for you.

She asked how to look younger and it boils down to that:

Masculine energy will always look older.

Feminine energy will always look younger, more carefree and more playful.

Even estrogen has this youthful effect on women’s collagen, mood, personality etc - we can see it in brain scans and skin cells! It’s our biology.

Testosterone and estrogen are not “gender stereotypes”! Sexual polarity is a part of our physical reality - like the poles of a magnet or the earth.

How silly to turn a beautiful fact of our ecology into a negative political commentary.

What nonsense.

Sorry but that plamprint dress with those shoes just aged you massively.
If you like the dress can the waistcoat not be detached.
I personally like Mary Jane shoes but the t bar I do not go for ( personally )
A pair of sandals however practical would be a lighter looking.

When a great thread takes an unexpected turn 😆

Hmmm...!😀

Frumpy shoes are very aging, although as we age we need comfortable footwear . As others have said, look at what other ppl are wearing. I'm late 70's and a few times I've been told I look lovely ( I was in mid 70's then). I have told others they look good too, it's nice to have a compliment.

@Isabellivi are you quite well dear?

That orange print would make me look dreadful. I'm a summer and it's not part of my palette.

I speak English, passable French and human BTW.