50yo - how to NOT look (too) young

[Placestogo]

Ive recently lost quite a bit of weight and i am rediscovering the joy of fashion… except i feel i am dressing too young for my face!

For ex instead of skinny jeans i thought i’ll buy some balloon trousers from mint velvet - beautiful, super comfy and more on trend. Then ive paired this with some trainers and a top and in my mind it’s all on trend and ok but in the mirror i look like a mutton dressed as a lamb!
How do i uodate my wardrobe but still look my age (or 45-50 but not 30yo)?
thanks

I think that sounds absolutely fine to me! I am 42 fwiw.

Maybe swap the trainers for boots or shoes and the tshirt for a shirt if you're feeling self conscious.

A lot of very young 'uns where I live seem to wear puddle jeans rather than balloon shaped or black leggings with white socks over the top.

I'm pretty sure you don't look the dreaded M word, it sounds like pretty standard 40s/50s wear. It's probably just not what you're used to seeing yourself in. The question is do you like it and feel comfortable?

There's going to be a lot of crossover in fashion amongst adults. You won't look like you're trying too hard to be something you're not. What you've decried is just clothes available currently, not clothes for youths!

I’m 53 and I am wearing barrel jeans and adidas. It’s not occurred to me to stop following fashion because I’m older. But I definitely do not look like I’m trying to be young. I won’t be heading for the likes of White Stuff, Roman or Skechers any time soon.

You could start by adjusting your mindset that "mutton dressed as a lamb" is ever an appropriate description for any woman.

Your outfit sounds entirety suitable for any women between the age of say 20 (I'm guessing teenagers wouldn't set foot in Mint Velvet) to 110 (or older)

Wear what YOU like, doesn't matter what others think. If your clothles make you feel good that is all that matters.
Some things on S&B are truly awful but are fawned over as being fashionable, when it appears the wearer / model got dressed in the dark.
Do your own thing OP, feel good, look good and most of all be happy with your look no matter what your age or size.

Mint Velvet isn’t a young woman’s shop (and I say that sitting here in my MV frock at the age of 54).

You’ll be fine in that outfit.

You’d be fine in it if it came from New Look or PLT, it sounds trendy but not drastically out there.

I'm not familiar with Mint Velvet and just had a look. I'm 66. I wouldn't shop there and that's not because I think I'm too old for it. It's safe high street.

I didn't see anything which couldn't be worn by any age although I agree it doesn't look like clothes an under 30 would go for.

I've worn trainers consistently from being an illicitly raving 90s teen til the present day. I'll be buried in them. And like a PP says, your trousers are trousers currently in the shops. Which you're allowed to shop in! No need to reach for the Damart catalogue - ever! (Although my granny looked weirdly cool in her Damart "slacks")

I don't like the mutton phrase anyway but isn't it only relevant if you want to, for example, show some under boob or bum cheek? Or really really low rise jeans with a crop top? Although even then I wouldn't personally care.

Hmm, I don’t see how that’s dressing too young, I’m mid fifties and wear wide leg jeans, low profile dressy leather trainers, fitted leather jackets etc, I look my age. Sure it’s a fresher, current look but I don’t look like mutton dressed as lamb lol.

however my clothes are good quality. And that’s less youthful. Today I went out for lunch, I wore a pair of me and em wide leg dark indigo jeans, a tan cashmere me and em sleeveless top. A pair of backless tan suede flat mules from hush and a black leather fitted jacket from Reiss. Very few young people are wearing that.

Young people seem mainly to be wearing athleisure at the moment, I think the outfit you describe sounds fine.

That said, I really don't think anyone should worry about dressing too young for their age - you should wear whatever suits you, makes you feel confident and is comfortable.

Thank you - it makes me feel much better! I might start to wrar more shirts though as they look more grown up than tshirts…

Sounds fab to me, to be honest - maybe add a few more classy accessories or handbags? Obviously younger people tend to go for funky, cheaper accessories.

There’s nothing wrong with dressing trendy and having fun with fashion!

I wonder what you were wearing before you lost weight. You say you’re re-discovering fashion - so perhaps you’re just not used to being able to wear whatever you like from mainstream fashionable shops and haven’t seen yourself looking this way for a while?

If you take the time to look around you in any venue where people dress reasonably stylishly, you’ll see women 10/20/30 years older than you dressed in current runway styles. There isn’t an age-bar. People are allowed to use their own taste and judgement to choose clothes that appeal to them and that look good in their mirror.

I’m also wondering if you feel your weight loss has aged your face? If so, that can probably be sorted out over time with consciously good nutrition and some salon treatments.

t shirts are fine, but depends on what for ie run to the supermarket or out to dinner.

I think it depends on how you feel best. For me, I’m older, as said, mid fifties. I tend to go for elegant, with quality pieces that fit well. And well laundered and in good condition.

my daughter is in her twenties, I can wear effectively the same style as her, but we look totally different. I look my age, she looks hers. But I’m not trying to look like I’m in my 20s.

I’m in my 60s and wear suede Adidas trainers with wide leg jeans and either a shirt half tucked in or a short sleeved button up cardigan.
I certainly don’t feel like mutton dressed as lamb and several of my friends in the same age group dress similarly .
Wear what you like and feel comfortable in.
I get a lot of inspiration from The Silver Kat on Instagram.I just wish I had her budget lol.

I think your outfit sounds great and agree with pp's that your maybe just not used to seeing yourself in these type of clothes. Although i dont really think anything has an age limit!

@EscapadeVelocity i think you are right - i used ro wear whatever would fit me, now im a size 12 and it is a lot more fun to think about dressing up!
i do feel like i am dressing like i was 20 years ago before weight gain/kids and perhaps i “should” stop wearing converse and start looking more pit together/professional/50… maybe it is a journey as well… i will allow myself to wear whatever i want over the summer
i dont think my face has aged as such but yes it is less “round” and maybe looks less cuddly/mumsy

I very rarely buy myself clothes, but DD18 buys me bits for birthday/xmas/ Mother’s Day, as do DS20 and his GF. Generally these aren’t dissimilar to what DD and DS’s GF wear, but I get loads of compliments, including from women in their 50s/60s (and teens/20s!), and often get asked where things are from so I think you can carry clothes off at any age as long as they suit you!

I’m 59 and still wear fashionable clothes but with a more classy edge than my 20yo DS would. I often nip into her room or send her a pic when she’s at uni to ask if my outfit is ok, she mostly says I’m ok or she may suggest a different top or shoes which she knows I have. Lol

TBH skinny jeans are terribly aging now they’re out of fashion and make you look much more like you’re trying too hard but getting it wrong. Which is how I think that horrid term MDAL is meant.

I’m in my mid-sixties, @Placestogo and allow myself to wear whatever I want seven days a week, fifty two weeks in the year. It’s never occurred to me that I should do otherwise!

If you wear make-up, you may find that choosing some new items in current tones, finishes, textures and colours helps to tie your new look together. I’ve been re-stocking beauty and cosmetics lately, and falling in love with new products is somehow re-making how I see my face.

Also - experiment with a new haircut or colour. And footwear and jewellery. Maybe your thinner face would suit different sunglasses? Really lean into what makes you feel comfortable and happy (which is essentially what ‘finding your own style’) means. Then it will all start to make sense!

It's maybe that scenario where the clothes match looks fine etc but they don't suit you. Sometimes it's a hair and makeup thing, if there's a mismatch in trendiness you can end up looking like you're wearing someone else's clothes. Someone much younger. I'm not 100% sure but I think that might be what causes the mutton-dressed-as-lamb look. I've seen it with men too. Contrary to what people say, I believe it is a thing.

Even if you look fine, I think also you can feel this way or just feel off "for no reason" when you're wearing something that doesn't match your personality. Maybe you're dressing for the you that you were 20 years ago but you've changed now and need to move on to something style-wise that reflects that. Maybe you objectively like the style you've picked out but you're totally over it for yourself and it belongs to 30yr old you.

Same. IDC.
Trainers are comfy and I wear the ones I like (Nw Look or Nike) wide legged trousers as they fit well. Not botox, I look my age in my face.

Would love to lose some weight but I will always wear what I feel good in.

I am 55 and would wear what you describe.

The only thing I would no longer wear is a tiny mini skirt with no tights, as unfortunately I have too much cellulite on my thighs now, despite being slim and exercising. Otherwise I wear what I want, but better quality than when I was 25! Enjoy the new you!