Old lady clothes

[Lifelover16]

I am an old lady, mid 60s and I’m lucky to still be here.
I still try to take an interest in my appearance but have lost my way. I don’t have a massive budget. Please could someone help with which styles will emphasise my old lady looks so I can avoid them?
Thank you

Agree with instagram. Stylebyclairelopez is good and she uses high street brands so reasonably priced.
Don’t just stick with older women either - I can think of a couple who look dreadful in everything they wear! There are some good younger influencers whose look will suit you, especially if they’re using high street brands which. Are designed to have wide appeal

It depends on your budget and what you’re comfy in!

Personally, the women I know of your age who look super stylish and not at all stereotypically “60 something” are wearing structured basics, layers of clothing (but not lagenlook style- that feels a bit aging now) mix of colour palettes - but interestingly rarely patterns- , and depending on their style and budget, either subtle but interesting and expensive looking jewelery, or carefully chosen “fun” accessories (like an interesting scarf, or glasses frames, or shoes- never more than one or two together tho!)

Maybe look on vinted for brands like Cos, Uniqlo, Arket… M&S now has some good stuff if chosen carefully. I’d research scandi brands and see what appeals.

She can style out the wolf fleece, with youth on her side!

I'm sorry to hear that you've been ill and lost confidence. As you mention budget I had wondered if it might be worth nipping to Sainsbury's and trying the TU range of clothes. I've picked up some nice tops there recently and the range is quite wide, for all styles I would say.I reckon you could get some nice jeans, mix and match tops and a dress to start with.There are nice coats too.Hopefully it would give you a lift and you could turn build on this over the next year.

Well I’m 63 and definitely not an old lady. Sometimes I wear floral dresses, sometimes I wear dungarees or 501s. Experiment.

I’m in my 60s and still dress the same as I always have, jeans and jumper in the winter and shorts and a short sleeve top in the summer.
I wear a work uniform all week so like nothing more than to wear casual clothes at the weekend.
I am only 5’2 so dresses and skirts drown me so I wear what I’m comfortable in.
Next is good for all ages. My mum is well into her 80s and still wears jeans and nice tops so just wear what you always do.

I would advise avoiding places like sea salt, white stuff and fat face as even their casual sleeveless tops look like smocks which is aging and all very shapeless.

You don't have to dress old.

I saw the "old lady" I want to be about 15 years ago. She was well into her 80s. She wore wide leg denim jeans, trainers, a bright blue sweatshirt with a palm tree design on the front, a massive 'I ❤️ NY' oversize tote bag, a red sweatband around her short grey/white old lady curls and big purple framed glasses. She totally rocked it! I've only got another 25 odd years to go 🥰

Wear what pleases you, both from a colour perspective and from a material and cut perspective. Forget trends, fashion and what is for old /young people, think just about you.

comfortable trousers and a coloured top might be a good place to start so you are comfortable, that’s so important but put some personality into the top - and it doesn’t matter if they are from Zara, seasalt, M&S, H&M or whatever, if it suits you go for it. Much of my wardrobe is second hand from charity shops, it’s great because you aren’t restricted to certain brands. Don’t forget supermarkets too, Sainsburys is probably the best of that bunch, my favourite jeans are Sainsburys.

I'm 78 and don't feel old. As previous posters have said shop young. Keep using make-up, just not very much and up to date ideas of how to use it. Change your hairstyle completely at the least every 18 months. If your stylist is older change to one who has just finished training, maybe at a different salon. Try to have a good laugh daily.

This!

I wear what l want. Yuk to classics and tailored styles. Even expensive stuff. I’ve got stuff from Zara. I’ve got baggy stuff and fitted.

The only places l won’t go are Fatface, and White stuff. Like some of Seasalt but not prints. I’ll go to Primark and Jigsaw and everything in between. Just been looking at Top Shop.

I look shit in linen and am allergic to wool. Mostly l wear jeans. Just of to dig out a frilly floral top to wear because they aren’t recommended on this thread!

@tiamariatime fat face, sea salt etc have many ranges, my dd is a big fan (20’s) they are definitely not aging. Most shops carry a range of styles, the trick is working out your own and mix and matching - I’m wearing a seasalt top currently and it’s certainly not tunic or smock like (fitted pure cotton sleeveless)

Well she's a bit older than most people who usually post on S&B so by MN rules she's fair game to any of the charmers who dive right in with their snark before reading the OP fully.

"I'm lucky to still be here" didn't even give them a hint.

It's not about age, it's about your style that suits you. You can wear that at any age. I'm probably going to be wearing jeans, chunky boots, interesting jumpers and silver jewellery the rest of my life. As I have been since my teens. It's just my thing. The style will change a bit in line with what's in the shops and I might end up with a more comfortable version of the same thing but it's not my age.

You can try "elevating" your style a bit by changing the silhouette/cut a bit or say going for a wool coat instead of a puffa jacket or a bright/light colour.

You could try "mylifeafter_50" on Instagram for inspiration.

You have had some good advice already.

I just popped on to say that I find navy blue kinder to my face than black since hitting my sixties.

I think sometimes a more modern coat and footwear can update your look.

Cruise wear !

One thing I learned on cruises ( very mixed demographic ) was the older , wealthy (usually American ) women wore a pattern skirt or blouse and picked up one of the colours for a plain item . Pattern top/plain bottom or reverser )
It looked nice , thought out but not try hard
And yes, I'm nearly 60 and go on cruises !

I'm in my 70's and would never describe myself as an old lady. I dress in what suits me and my clothes are not dissimilar to what I'd choose when far younger - my personality hasn't changed nor has my size - I'm just older.

If I were you OP I'd avoid anything which has floral patterns, ruching, boxy and/or shapeless, frilled and anything which is obviously aimed at much younger people - eg carrot legged jeans, jumpers with slogans, etc.

Go for stylish.

Good luck!

I get you op. Im similar age. I've lost my way too. I have the ubiquitous blonde bob-the curly perm of our generation. Live in comfy trousers jumpers t shirts boots and trainers. I would love to be one of those effortlessly cool older women, who rock a quirk. But i seem to have the anti quirk gene, cool is negated as soon as i wear it. Sigh.

Cruise wear is linen trousers, navy, metallic shoes or handbags, linen blouses, too much white, especially white trousers, stripey tops and smart jeans or shorts. Especially if worn with a metallic belt.

l used to teach fashion A level. There was a section on subgroups. I taught them some, and then they had to give a presentation. Cruisewear popped up a few times.

Its basically what everyone suggests older people should wear on here. I avoided everything since then!

Thanks everyone for some really helpful replies. It has given me such a lift to read most of them.
After Christmas I am going to plan a “treat afternoon” and book a stylist in John Lewis, a makeover at Charlotte Tiilbury , and there is a Uniqlo next door which I’d never considered.

I should have made it clear in my first post I’d been ill. I’m on lots of horrible medication including steroids which have made me puffy and fat as well as the hair and skin issues. I get quite breathless which means I can’t rush around trying on like I used to. I didn’t really want to bore everyone with details.

i know now the looks and styles to avoid (the Patra catalogue description made me laugh. I’ve actually considered clothes from there!!! Not any more!)

So I now have some plans - do some internet research on a tired day, then going for it! Thank you to everybody who helped, I now have something to look forward to.

If you don't know your colours, which ones look best with your skin tone, try to find out; maybe try on some scarves to get an idea?
Generally brighter colours ( tops, scarves) look better as we age.
Avoid beige, black and greys, greige, and pastels next to the face.
These 'neutrals' generally do older skin tones no favour, and make one look older and somewhat 'invisible', and who needs that?
Nice coloured scarves can be useful for a pop of colour, next to the face, as well as being warm.

Stick to classic style in trousers and jeans, or really, whatever style feels most comfortable and 'goes with' the style of tops/jumpers, and especially foot wear you feel best in.

Find a good fitting and comfortable jacket or coat, one that makes you feel good going out in it, as mostly that's what people see ( and you see) when you go out.

The right colours can do a lot to make a change, and you can source out trousers, jeans, jumpers and tops, footwear and outerwear in thrift shops ( which is actually fun to do if you've not tried it) it allows you to try all kinds of different styles, without committing to a steep layout of cash, and of course, clothing is easily tried on and obtained in the many shops.

Find a good haircut that goes with the tiime/energy you have to devote to it, and keep up with trims. I'm sure with a few simple changes, you'll feel better about your appearance @Lifelover16 and Good luck!

https://www.instagram.com/vivthecarer?igsh=dXJuYTc4MnJwenI1

Viv on Instagram is very inspiring too, lots of ideas for cheering up your look with accessories

Depends what you want. If you want colourful, cheerful clothes, I'm a big fan of Joe Browns - it's sort of a bit bohemian and hippyish, it's not even trying to be 'chic' or in fashion and generally it's not trying to be 'young'. I'd say it's market is middle aged and older women who still want to wear interesting clothes, without looking like their trying to be in their 20s again and don't want to go in the 'classic and polished' direction - that's definitely me(I'm 48)!

It's not expensive and pretty cheap in the sales

There’s a lady at work whose style I really admire. She’s in her 60s. It’s slightly androgynous with feminine touches if that makes sense. Slight touches of quirk (like those round framed glasses) but not enough to look naff or kitsch. I’m in my 40s and I’d wear everything she wears if I’d the height to pull it off. I think once you get past the really youthful brands (like I don’t know, top shop or the likes) nothing is off limits. Quality pieces look best on everyone past 30.