Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Over 50s style

32 replies

mrstrickland · 05/08/2025 14:37

Hi all, I am just about to hit 50, which feels totally fine, I have no issues with ageing (whats the alternative!) but I do feel like I need a fashion overhaul. I tend to wear barrel jeans/trousers with a Uniqlo t-shirt as a kind of summery uniform, plain, kind of boring but easy to wear. I am most at home in the winter in big woolly jumpers, cords etc. I buy expensive jumpers and wear them every year (I defo don't need any more)

I am a fully tattooed person, with 2 sleeves and don't feel my current style reflects me. I grew up on grunge (think Kurt Cobain) and don't really feel that I evolved from this.

I buy all my clothes on vinted and don't like fast fashion. If it helps I am tall and around a size 14 thanks to perimenopause. I work out a lot so have quite big shoulders.

I just feel I look frumpy so keen to make some changes to feel better about how I look. I particularly find it hard going out these days, and usually opt for my 'uniform' but add jewellery 😂

Appreciate some thoughts/ideas. I do like All Saints t-shirts, skulls etc. No florals (i.e. Joules/Boden are not my vibe)

thanks !

OP posts:
17CherryTreeLane · 06/08/2025 08:10

I follow Astridiwantyouinmylife on Instagram. She has lots of tattoos and a very cool style. Worth a look.

Original poster
mrstrickland · 06/08/2025 09:28

Thanks everyone! I am off this week so I have time to sit and go through your suggestions ❤

OP posts:
Original poster
mrstrickland · 06/08/2025 09:30

potplantsinparadise · 06/08/2025 07:49

I think your style (and music taste!) is very similar to mine, though I'm more on the short and curvy side. Grown up grunge queen is a definite life stage!

The short answer is: invest in some really good pieces from good brands, and be intentional around how you put a look together. I think All Saints is actually a great place to start - not the shredded-hemline / drowned mediaeval princess looks, but the block colours tending dark, clean lines, good fabrics (denim / cotton / leather), gothic-y images, some spikes & skulls :)

Something like this gives you the bones of what might work for you - interestingly-cut barrel jeans, snug fitting wool(?) jumper, smart/trendy studded shoes. Or this - clean lines, sharp shoes, would look great with an interesting leather jacket over it. Or this - the asymmetry of the skirt makes it interesting, plus the slightly boxy top, and I reckon you could easily do flat/biker/lace-up boots instead of kitten heels.

If you're tall and muscly, I think clothes that are fitted around your frame, and especially your upper half, would work best, rather than loose / very thick wool (sorry jumpers!) / floaty. So: well-cut wide-leg / barrel jeans, fitted tops, maybe below-the-knee pencil skirts, interesting boots or DM brogues?

Maybe build a moodboard from All Saints, COS, Arket, Alexander McQueen, Muji, and some of the brands on the not on the high st thread linked above, to see what looks you like?

Thanks so much of this! Am excited to look at your links.
(why does the 90's feel like a decade ago? 😢)

OP posts:
Original poster
mrstrickland · 06/08/2025 09:34

MsAlignment · 05/08/2025 23:51

Are you never in Edinburgh? I always find it a tremendously satisfying place to get dressed in / for. And with some excellent shopping opportunities.

By the way, where do you get your jumpers from? I’m a bit of a knitwear obsessive, and am gradually transplanting the entire stock of

La Fetiche

into my own wardrobe. (Paris/Glasgow provenance.)

Yeah am in Edinburgh a fair amount. Would love suggestions of where to shop. Way off budget are Toast and Dicks in Stockbridge, but love a wander around Stockbridge charity shops so no great hardship walking down there!

Knitwear is definitely my achilles and I have a shameful amount of jumpers, but they do get brought out every winter (and added to...). From Vinted I look for &daughter, Navy Grey, Slow Love, Arran jumpers (no brand), Amano, Jaggery, Howlin', Jumper1234, Toast, and more. Oh and any cashmere. If you are willing/able to mend holes then you can really get a bargain

OP posts:
Original poster
mrstrickland · 06/08/2025 09:41

MsAlignment · 05/08/2025 23:51

Are you never in Edinburgh? I always find it a tremendously satisfying place to get dressed in / for. And with some excellent shopping opportunities.

By the way, where do you get your jumpers from? I’m a bit of a knitwear obsessive, and am gradually transplanting the entire stock of

La Fetiche

into my own wardrobe. (Paris/Glasgow provenance.)

Oh, I LOVE the clothes at La Fetiche. Thanks for sharing, never seen this brand before.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 06/08/2025 09:54

@mrstrickland I love &Daughter jumpers. 😍Good taste!

I’m desperate for winter as I adore knitwear. And coats and jackets. (Okay, I adore clothes full stop but especially those).

Keep an eye out for Margaret Howell knitwear on Vinted. I picked up a lovely chunky fitted zip-up cardigan for pennies because it had 2 holes that needed darning (good old Grandma taught me to darn when I was a little girl and I never knew it would become so valuable!). Joseph also does good quality knitwear so keep an eye out on Vinted. I’ve had some quite interesting edgy/slightly punky knitwear from The Kooples in the past. Although as I’m typing this I realise that you don’t need any encouragement to buy more knitwear, sorry!!😋

I couldn’t sleep last night so was watching YouTube at 3am and thought of you and this thread when I watched this:

Not sure if it will interest you or just give you some food for thought? I quite like her although her taste is a bit more French/conventional than mine but she gives solid advice.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/OACDtZNX5bQ?si=X0qidMSCvrz7nwPJ

Original poster
mrstrickland · 06/08/2025 10:01

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/08/2025 09:54

@mrstrickland I love &Daughter jumpers. 😍Good taste!

I’m desperate for winter as I adore knitwear. And coats and jackets. (Okay, I adore clothes full stop but especially those).

Keep an eye out for Margaret Howell knitwear on Vinted. I picked up a lovely chunky fitted zip-up cardigan for pennies because it had 2 holes that needed darning (good old Grandma taught me to darn when I was a little girl and I never knew it would become so valuable!). Joseph also does good quality knitwear so keep an eye out on Vinted. I’ve had some quite interesting edgy/slightly punky knitwear from The Kooples in the past. Although as I’m typing this I realise that you don’t need any encouragement to buy more knitwear, sorry!!😋

I couldn’t sleep last night so was watching YouTube at 3am and thought of you and this thread when I watched this:

Not sure if it will interest you or just give you some food for thought? I quite like her although her taste is a bit more French/conventional than mine but she gives solid advice.

OOH thanks will away and watch.
Yes to The Kooples! I bought a Margaret Howell 100% cashmere long length cardigan years ago for less than £20 that was advertised as having one hole, but ended up having at least 20 🙄 Its the best quality cashmere but so badly damaged I can't wear it out, but in the winter it is so cosy around the house.

I also have a bit of a thing for coats 😂

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page