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!

@AmythestBangle hi there and congratulations on losing weight. I am 68, 5 foot and have also lost over 2 stone. I was around 9 stone/10 stone for a good while, sometimes going up to 11 stone. Now I am under 9 stone heading to 8 stone 7. Definitely harder to look stylish when short. I would love to be around 5 foot 6. Most people think I am much younger as I have always had an interest in making the most of how I look and dressing well on a budget. I agree about denim jackets..it's a kind of uniform for older women...flowery dress, denim jacket and trainers..not for me! I also avoid leggings at all costs! There's lots of choice in clothes around for all budgets. Being short I avoid wide leg trousers. I bought a great pair of M&S dark denim boot cut trousers then a lovely brown faux suede jacket from Primark and a knitted cream v neck sleeveless top to go under it. Loads of great ideas on this thread for every budget. I don't mind paying more for clothes so I mix and match. For example I bought 2 pairs of Sweaty Betty shorts that fit really well, don't crease and dry overnight. That's because I travel a lot and live in shorts in warm climates. They cost £60 a pair but I found some discount codes.
My favourite influencer is Maxine at dressedtothemax as I can relate to her, although she is 10 years younger than me at 58.
Would love to know what you end up buying for your event..good luck!

I think, first you need to get a bit acquainted with fashion, styles, colours... to see what you like, what could fit you well and then try to create at least one look, then try themmon few times with friends, and see how you feel in.
For early fifties, PLÜMO styles are beautiful I think. It's pricey brand and you don't need to buy from them, you can find elsewhere similar shapes, styles like TK Max, Massimo Duty, Arket, COS, Toast is another pricey option. PlUMO TOAST Massimo dutti Arket

Look at different styles, shapes, colours, use accessories like brosh, small neck scarf, etc. Good luck!

OP I would start with buying a pair of brown, high waisted, full length wide leg trousers, maybe in a linen mix, a pair of mid blue, high waisted, full length wide leg jeans, some brown ballet flats or Mary Jane flats in leather and a brown suede hobo bag. Then you could combine these with what you already have -

1. New Jeans / any of your tops / your cropped trench / your sandals or your trainers
2. New trousers / any of your tops / your cropped trench / your trainers or new ballet flats
3. Your dresses / new ballet flats / new hobo bag (not the cropped trench)

You could then add some more items like a more fitted cropped jacket that would go with your dresses, a pair of more delicate sandals or flip flops for example. Good luck!

I totally disagree about cropped. Cropped works much better with short boots in winter and also with sandals and Birkenstocks in summer. Also tapered should be slightly cropped.

@bigkahunaburger great advice and a very positive response! Uniqlo T shirts are great value and last a long time. Sadly I can't wear wide leg trousers as I am too short, so wearing bootcut again after wearing straight legs for a while. I am looking for an investment leather jacket at the moment..not in black or in a biker style...any ideas

I think the first 2 items you describe are OK. Number 3, the dress ,sounds awful. Having said that hideous printed dresses seem to be all over the shops. I Hope it ends soon.

Why do you care what other people think? Fuck them, if you're comfortable.

It’s so interesting looking at the photos as I could have guessed your age by the trouser length and cut and the shoe choice. Also where about the jacket falls. The bootcut is just so dated for older women. I cringe when I see it, particularly if it’s a cropped trouser. I’m sure a young person could make that style look completely retro and amazing but sadly it’s not for us. Really focus on how the influencers that you’re liking online are wearing the length of their trousers and skirts and what shoes or boots they are matching them with. I honestly think this is key.

I really think it depends on height. As I have already said I am only 5 foot so I feel that restricts me in what length and style of trousers I can wear. If I came back in another life I would love to be 5ft 5 or 5 foot 6!

I don’t find those styles youthful, I see them as part of a wealthy corporate woman tribe which tend to be older.

Yes shorties really don't look as good in cropped!

There is no doubt that an honest friend is a blessing.
20 years ago I texted an old friend and an with out preamble and asked "am I a mrs woman with the clothes and hair?".
One word answer "yes"🤣.
I had 3 under 5 and had suddenly gone very settled in a couple of years.
The simple honest answer was the waking up of me.
Honest friends are a blessing, when asked a direct question.

I think our body changes can confuse us.

One thing that definitely helped me was loose has to be combined with fitted.
Loose trousers, jeans etc, fitted top/ jacket.

Dresses to just the knee or long if 5 4' or less.
Mid length dresses are shockingly aging.

Good leather belts, shoes and bags are timeless.
Mine are all classic Italian investment pieces that still look fantastic many years on.

Coats to the knee with boots during winter months look smart.
Mid length are a no IMO.

Do your colours to see what lifts you.

Get a good haircut and colour, priceless.
Slap on plenty of aldi or lidl serum and the tretonin will help.

Mineral makeup with a brush is applied in a minute with a nice neutral eyeshadow and lipstick.
A little bit of coverage can quickly give you a polished look.

I wear a soft red lipstick at 60 that constantly gets me asked what colour it is.

I use all different ones, the trick is to apply lightly for a hint of red. It gives a lift.

I love deep nude eyes and lips too.
Age really is just a number when it comes to style.

Without exception my friends are all mega stylish and committed to looking well.

When someone tells me I look fabulous for 60, I tell them This IS 60.

It just involves making yourself one of your top priorities.

It depends on leg length OP. I'm 5' 3" but have a 31 inch inside leg ( short waist a bigger issue) so really suit cropped trousers. If you have longer legs than above waist I still think you could wear cropped if you like them.

@BernardButlersBra this is the link-I bought them because they were recommended on here and liked them so much I bought another pair-cut is fantastic and they do them in petite. This is what they look like in real life-I’m in my sixties and really enjoy wearing them.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/jeans/wide-leg-jeans/c/uk-womens-clothing-jeans-wide-leg-jeans?extcam=UK_PPC_Brand_Denims_WW0622_Google_MT_b_DV_c&_cclid=Google_CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02Nn8qYYvF4VeCIh5TAe1OcduPtVWA0PLI5pHacCDdCHNDpQCCgrm0TRoCluQQAvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10099021587&gbraid=0AAAAAD2UatMEj3MO7e51yAFi4tatvfia-&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02Nn8qYYvF4VeCIh5TAe1OcduPtVWA0PLI5pHacCDdCHNDpQCCgrm0TRoCluQQAvD_BwE

I'm 53 I live in m n s jeans and this summer I've bought a few shirts as I can't cope with round necks and clingy. I have a few linen tops which are between t-shirts and shirts just tops which I live and have in on trend colours.
I recycled all fleece jackets.
Summer I'm usually in Birkenstocks.
I don't feel I look older or younger but generally every stitch is M and S.
I recoiled in horror when I read palm prints and Aztec (late 80s settees?). Not sure whether this thread is a wind up? What even are cigarette trousers?
I had a go with jeggings about 5 years ago but don't wear them now.
I have a few long dresses for when it's really hot and I'm floating about at a National Trust or a flower show!
I wear baseball hats as the sun is too hot and I have some straw like hats for gardening and floating about.
I'm not a sun lover at all.

Another one saying it's the shape/size/length of your clothes.

Midi dresses aren't flattering for a lot of people, they cut people off at a wide part of their calves. Go maxi or short with your figure.

Nothing looks like it fits well - too baggy, and also too short trousers, a funny length that's neither cropped nor full length.

I know you like those prints, but my mum who is 83 would wear those, they're really aging.

Those shoes are hideous IMO, sorry! They just add more clump to already quite clumpy clothes.

Sleeve lengths of your short sleeved tops again cut your arms off in the wrong place.

You've got the right idea going on Insta for inspo - would your friend go shopping with you so you get some honest feedback on anything new you're buying?

I'm only 4' 9 and I wear wide-legged or flared trousers now. It all depends on what you wear on the top. For example, with wide-legged trousers you need to wear a short and / or fitted top to balance it out, in the same way you would wear a longer baggier top with skinny jeans or leggings.

Obviously, being small I usually have to take trousers up unless I find cropped ones which are full length on me, eg Calzedonia's mini flare, leggings or jeans. I also buy Zara's children's trousers but they don't fit if you are carrying any excess weight.

You see I’m no fashionista OP and I’m 63 but I do think that look looks a wee bit aging. I’m quite sure my look is dated for all the fashionistas out there but I find a denim jacket blue or black or nice soft leather over stuff looks quite youthful and I like above the knee length dresses/tops and leggings and boots and in summer I like longer but usually plain dresses with trainers or I like them just on or above the knee with sandals - calf length stuff and certain patterns I think do make me look frumpy-especially as I’m a few stone overweight.

I haven’t read every comment but

patterns, I think you need a really good eye to get these right, especially if you’re not good on colour

jeans, more than other fabrics, denim jeans tend to be very trend based, so it’s really clear when you would have bought them. You do need to update these or…

fabrics, some fabrics are more timeless than others, linen trousers don’t go out of style as quickly

denim jackets, honest to god I can’t believe some are suggesting these, they are unbelievably dating unless you are a full on alternative, couldn’t care less radical style fashionista, or someone going for a super retro 50s look, as in, there are some outlier people who could potentially pull off a denim jacket but for everyone else, put them in the attic with your other b*witched paraphernalia

if black doesn’t suit you, try navy

Is the OP wanting to look youthful?
The Plumo outfits look great- the OP's outfits don't.

Take a look at the colours that you wear as well. Some colours can drain you and make you look older. I love very pale baby pink. However if I wear it near my face it literally adds years onto me.

People 'chase you down the street'?! 🤔

@CapaciousHag

i really doubt people chase you down the street

Last 2 outfits are ‘ok’ others are pretty bad but the clumpy shoes are the worst offenders, big shoe make you look very frumpy and only look trendy on younger slim people, try some colourful ballet flats, they would massively improve the looks

Do you have short or long hair?

Those are lovely, as is the cardigan. You look as though you have a very neat figure though.