Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

So where do over 50's (early) shop

81 replies

knowallnora · 28/02/2010 20:34

It seems to be becoming more and more difficult to find appropriate clothes, you know - dont want to look 30 but not 70 either. Used to use Principle (has it closed down?), river island (too young) becoming really hard. Any ideas?

OP posts:
glinda · 28/02/2010 20:42

Huge sympathy. The East thread really upset me with harsh comments about "horrible" clothes for old people and long sleeves to cover bingo wings. I am 45 but struggling to find clothes which the self appointed style gurus will not feel the need to sneer at

janeite · 28/02/2010 20:44

Erm...I tried to help you, I think.

glinda · 28/02/2010 20:50

Sorry janeite, yes you did but the comments earlier on the thread really touched a nerve.
The difference between 40 and 45 has come as a shock for me. Perhaps it has to do with having a 15 yr old dd - v different to a 10 yr old.

janeite · 28/02/2010 20:54

I have a 15 year old too. She is v useful now, to tell me if I'm straying into 'old lady' areas!

glinda · 28/02/2010 20:59

Mine thinks I look ok in East clothes but maybe she is just being kind - or perhaps it is because I am tall (almost 5,10) and I like to waft!!!!

janeite · 28/02/2010 21:02

Well, there you go...those few inches make such a difference to one's wafting potential!

Do have a look at Autograph though. It has some nice things, provided you don't wear it head to toe.

purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:04

I tend to shop at the usual places, and have clothes from:

Boden ( sorry- not A line skirts- mainly smart (work) trousers, couple of smart ( plain) dresses, jeans and summer crops and a few plain cardis etc.
White Stuff- no A line skirts but a couple of tops.
White Company- couple of casual jumpers/ tank tops
Kew- but much less over past 2 years.
Jigsaw- favourite but £££s.

Like the look of some Ted Baker things but you need to be fussy as they can look young.

LK Bennett is possibility of you want super-smart/function/wedding type stuff.

Don't go near CC or things amimed at oldies- eg 60s 70s.

I am a size 10 and am told look a lot younger than I am.

My day to day wear tends to be jeans/casual /smart trousers depending n what I am doing, or just above the knee straight skirts - have a denim one- and cardis, layered with camis or T shirts, riding boots, or chunky boots with jeans.

TheFirstLady · 28/02/2010 21:05

I am 46 (today!!) and buy a lot of stuff in Fatface (which has also been slagged off as frumpy on here lately), a bit of M&S, a bit of Wallis, but I agree it is really hard to find stuff that is really flattering without being too staid or straying into the applique hell that is Per Una.

TheFirstLady · 28/02/2010 21:06

Purplepeony - I used to buy Kew too, but it is unbelievably DULL lately, isn't it.
And I got a Wrap catalogue last week and it was so soporific I was thinking of keeping it beside my bed for insomniac moments.

purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:11

TFL- I used to love Kew- I am a "teal and blues" person- and have a few lovely cardis etc and a skirt from years back. but it is now drab beyond belief- I do wonder if they will survive.

Have another look at Jigsaw- they have improved this year though prices are beyonf me unless I sees omething that I will wear and wear.

I detest Wrap- it is boring, middle of the road , middle aged emulating Boden/white company at times, but with a higher price tag.

senua · 28/02/2010 21:12

I miss Principles, too. I was in Debenhams the other day and saw that they have reinvented it as 'Principles by Ben de Lisi'. Didn't have time to check it out properly so cannot report on the range.

janeite · 28/02/2010 21:15

Senua - it is Not Good.

Original poster
knowallnora · 28/02/2010 21:21

Agree - didn't like it at all. Wallis is ok, but really difficult to keep adjusting to the idea that shops I used to use are no longer appropriate.

OP posts:
janeite · 28/02/2010 21:24

I don't like Wallis. I wouldn't like to go in with a lighted match, anyway.

purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:24

I think Wallis is too synthetic- very few natural fabrics and just very very ordinar- used to love them 35 years back- but they are no longer quality/original enough.

galletti · 28/02/2010 21:24

Erm, I think we need Gok here to direct us, and to remind the 'great and good' of the fashion retailing indusrty that 50 is the new 30! Justine etc, any chance?

fortyplus · 28/02/2010 21:25

This is a great thread. I've recently lost weight and would like some new clothes - I'm 48 but am told I look younger - I've very active outdoors type.

Had to lol at 'the applique hell that is Per Una'

purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:31

I think one trick it to keep trim-and then you do have more choice.

Being over weight and over 45-50 is a very ageing combination.

IMHO I'd say avoid calf length skirts like the plague- knee length or just below if your legs aren't great.

Agree there is a gap in the market, but there are so many clothes around now that you can mix M&S jeans with Top Shop cardis/tops etc and still look acceptable!

I think that to look too co-ordinated and neat is ageing- quirky and casual in some way looks younger.

Original poster
knowallnora · 28/02/2010 21:33

For me it feels like a case of losing direction- suddenly not sure if its ok or not iykwim

OP posts:
Original poster
knowallnora · 28/02/2010 21:36

Purplepeony I agree - definately not calf length skirts. When do even slightly above the knee become 'wrong'

OP posts:
purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:39

Knowall- be confident!
Just try to adpat what younger people wear but not so young!

I think that it's dangerous to think of yourself as not being able to wear certain things and to dress for your age, as long as youuse your common sense. eg I am careful not to wear sleeveless dresses unless on holiday as my upper arms are not great. I have a 21 yr old DD so I look at what she wears and then tone it down a lot but keep the basic idea, IYSWIM.

purplepeony · 28/02/2010 21:41

skirts- they don't if you have nice legs! I currently have 2 Boden "mini" skirts which are longer length and are 21 inches- they come just above my knee and I wear with lacy or opaque tights and flat boots.

You might find it helpful to buy either Woman and Home ( it's got a bit younger lately- or maybe I have just got a bit older, lol) and Good Housekeeping, as both have some good fashion ideas for women our age.

dwardle · 28/02/2010 21:46

This is a great thread - I too lol at the Per Una comment. Agree about Autograph, Boden and jigsaw but very £££££. Also had 1 or 2 things from Hobbs. However, I have really gone off shopping despite losing weight because I find so little that I like - so my existing clothes are likely to become more & more worn out. I don't think I've lost my sense of direction - I think retailers are missing a huge trick. After all, my dcs are teenagers now and my disposable income is much higher! Does anyone have any other ideas as this has really touched a nerve.
Also, will no longer consider wearing things from the places dd (16) shops so that rules out Top Shop
Think we should start a campaign - agree with galleti!

Original poster
knowallnora · 28/02/2010 21:46

Purplepeony you're right, although I do dress on the younger rather that older side, but constantly wondering when style should change and if its still ok

OP posts:
GeorginaWorsley · 28/02/2010 21:54

Hey,never mind a 15 yr old I have a 20 yr old fashion student daughter!
I am 43 and I feel your pain!

Swipe left for the next trending thread