'Fabulous Fashionistas'

But why are they wearing such horrible clothes and hideous make-up?

Mmm. Yes. Whatever happened to understated elegance?

I quite like the profile pic of Daphne, but the others have been made to look hideous. But I suppose if that's what they like....

Either they are very well off or colour blind or have been paid a lot of money.

I wondered about the remuneration too. I'd look hideous for a photo shoot if I was paid well

Me too!

Well, the programme is on Channel 4 tonight at 10pm, so I'll reserve judgement till then!
Though I think they're kidding themselves if they think you can reverse or halt the ageing process. It's all very well being stylish but you still have the wrinkles!

I think you can judge those photographs now, jane, as well as reserving judgement about the programme until you've watched it.

I saw the photos in the paper over the weekend and they frightened the life out of me! . Sometimes people try too hard?

I would quite like to dress like Lady Trumpington there. But the shoes would hurt my feet, and I don't suit hats.

... but I guess it is better than being invisible!

Nah. I'd rather be invisible than look like that (except for lots of money).

I'm not invisible but I can disappear

To be honest whilst I admire older folks who still love to follow fashion I am getting more and more happy to let lifestyle and convenience be my guide.
I used to find some fashion dictates unfortunate (mini skirts were out with my chunky legs - whilst I adored the whole Maxi thing) so now, as I get older and wiser I really am happy to please myself rather than feel the need to keep up to date.
I suppose Its because I have eventually decided to just be me....less peer pressure etc. That being said I love unusual jewellery especially if hand made. I'll wear a really bright colour some days and live in 'boyfriend' jeans and if I can find quirky AND comfy shoes I'll have them. But as to beige....have never understood that choice...it suits no flesh tone I know of.

Saw them and loved them! Why should older women be forced to be discretely elegant and wear age appropriate clothing. If young women can throw caution to the winds and wear what ever outrageous clothes they like, why shouldn't older women.

I never expected to read so many ageist comments on Gransnet.

I've always favoured understated elegance, flick. It has nothing to do with age. I think most young models look hideous as well. Why do you assume ageism? I like elegant and I don't like what I perceive as inelegant. It's as simple as that.

I don't think those women look elegant because of what they're wearing, not because of their age.

You can still be colourful and elegant. You can still where interesting jewellery and look elegant. Etc, etc, etc.

But why should they be elegant? I just think they looked fun they seemed to have all the life and chutzpah so missing from most photographs of older people in adverts or anywhere else.

The one problem with now being a country dweller is the loss of urban dressing, which is just not practical.

I thought it all good fun. The lady in 2 & 3 could do with growing her fringe a bit longer!

And ballerina Gillian Lynne looked lovely, especially her hair - she's obviously still very fit and supple even at 87.

I imagine j08 to be like Baroness Trumpington - a much younger version of course

I didn't say they should be elegant. I said I prefer elegant so I don't like those photographs because those women in those outfits do not look elegant. If they want to look inelegant, that's fine. And it's also fine for me to say so and not to like the look.

There is also the practicality issue for me too. I like practical as well because I'm a practical person and do practical things. Always has been and always have done, even when I worked in a city, but I still manage to look decorative and have fun when I want to. Fun, practicality and elegance are not mutually exclusive.

My MIL is an almost-70 yr-old artist with a split personality where clothes are concerned. One day she will be wearing clothes very much like the lady with the large red glasses is wearing in the main photo, another day she will be in clothes from what I think of as an Old Lady shop in her local small town. I think it depends on mood and where you live. I dress like the dancer quite often but am twice her width.

Not sure I'd have the confidence to be so 'different' but to be honest I think they look great. Far better than the permed hair, pleated skirt and beige raincoat brigade.

They certainly look more interesting than what my MiL used to call "the blue rinse brigade". Better interesting, if a bit inelegant, then labelled blue rinse .

Bags you don't think you were a teensy bit ageist in your initial response (subconsciously)?

It they were teens or 20-30 somethings you wouldn't have been thinking about 'understated elegance' I'll bet