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Fellow Fashionista Grans: do you wear what you like or what you “should?”

(90 Posts)
Nanamar Sun 29-May-22 19:34:02

I’m 72 and very short, aka, petite - love clothes and shoes, always have. There are tons of hints out there for petite women - avoid capris, ankle straps on shoes, chunky heels and lug soles - instead wear full length trousers or shorts, high heels, etc. Problem is trousers are too warm at times and my legs aren’t great for shorts, ankle straps help keep my shoes stable, and I can no longer comfortably walk in high heels. Do you follow “rules” for dressing your body shape or just wear what you love?

Jaxjacky Tue 31-May-22 19:44:06

I wear jeans, T-shirt, trainers or boots with a jumper in the winter. Swop for shorts with flip flops in summer, if really hot I have a few long cotton/linen dresses. I’m 5’11, size 14/16. All about comfort, particularly to stay warm/cool, rarely buy clothing, only if it’s worn out. A couple of dresses were bought in French markets, not expensive I like cotton and a bit of bright colour.

Callistemon21 Tue 31-May-22 19:40:22

I'll try them on again although tripping might be a consideration as I can trip over my own feet!

I never embraced the leggings/tight jeans fashion, just straight-legged trousers.

M0nica Tue 31-May-22 19:25:51

I will not wear wide leg trousers because, for me, they are a constant trip hazard.

No, Callistemon, you can do it no matter your shape and size. I soent last weekend at a Open University graduation ceremony. The proportion of overweight women present was quite remarkable. many were wearing those long flowing flowered dresses that are so fashionable this year and looking FABULOUS in them. Ditto those who had short skirts.

Nothing makes someone's size more obvious than draping it in widow's weeds, all black and droopy.

Callistemon21 Tue 31-May-22 16:32:05

I think you can break all the rules if you want to when you are older

If you're tall and slim!! ?

lovebeigecardigans1955 Tue 31-May-22 16:23:40

To a certain extent, in that I don't wear anything which I know will not suit my short stature or looks 'boxy' and make me look shorter and fatter, etc. So, yes I follow rules.

After all, we don't just wear clothes to cover our nakedness or to be warm, but also to create an 'image' of ourselves and to boost our self-esteem. That's my excuse, anyway.

Farzanah Tue 31-May-22 16:21:49

I think you can break all the rules if you want to when you are older. Fashion is just an encouragement to buy new style clothing each year.
Above all I value comfort.

Callistemon21 Tue 31-May-22 16:13:08

M0nica

I wear what I like.

That's the problem!
I do usually but I can't make up my mind if I like the wide legged trousers or not.

AGAA4 Tue 31-May-22 16:05:34

I wear ankle grazers mostly if I am going out but love my jeggings for just round the house. So comfortable and that's my priority now.

M0nica Tue 31-May-22 14:22:43

I wear what I like.

timetogo2016 Tue 31-May-22 12:16:50

Wear what i like and feel comfortable in,much to the amusement of the men in my life,as in sons and g/sons.

Callistemon21 Mon 30-May-22 22:05:11

I just ordered a pair but hadn't seen anyone else in wide-legged trousers so was going to send them back.

What would you wear with them?

The trick is to get the right length
I've no clue what that might be ?
They're quite long

BlueSky Mon 30-May-22 11:19:28

MawtheMerrier

^At 5'2" wide legged trousers look silly^

So be it, I look silly.

Same here Maw! wink

Millie22 Mon 30-May-22 10:56:24

I'm 5ft 3in and love my wide leg trousers. They are cool in summer and light. The trick is to get the right length and they certainly don't look silly. I'm currently altering a jumpsuit as I like the trouser part but not the top as I can't do it up and then can't get out of it!

luluaugust Mon 30-May-22 09:24:32

I think I have got where I want to be. Always fond of bright colours, no beige for me but I find I wear a lot of navy for everyday with a touch of colour.

Kim19 Mon 30-May-22 09:13:33

If the mirror image pleases me, I'm sorted. The aim is colourfully co-ordinated in the direction of smartly stylish. Think I achieve that regularly. Certainly receive compliments from the younger family members which is nice.

travelsafar Mon 30-May-22 09:10:11

I'm a natural born scruff with no sense of style unfortunately. I wear joggers with t-shirt or jumpers at home. I have more decent joggers for going shopping etc and a good pair of black trousers for 'best'. Linen trousers for warmer weather. I mostly live in trainers. I hate feeling all ' dressed' up.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 30-May-22 08:50:03

I agree Kandinsky. What I wear now in my sleepy little village in Norfolk bears no resemblance to what I wore when working in the City.

Charleygirl5 Mon 30-May-22 08:17:51

I am no longer at work so do not need to be smartly dressed. I wear precisely what I want- I have to wear tousers all of the time because I have lymphodema in both lower legs caused by surgery.

I am 5 foot 5" so that does help. I have not worn heels for 20 years +.

Kandinsky Mon 30-May-22 08:17:12

I think how you dress depends on where you live.
A women living in a sleepy little fishing village in Cornwall, is not going to dress how a woman living in Camden ( London ) dresses. You’re affected by your surroundings whether you realize it or not.

Serendipity22 Mon 30-May-22 08:08:59

I wear precisely what I want to wear which to be fair isn't inappropriate for my age. At 1 time I was never out of heels, the reason being, I'm 5ft 2, but now its a case of I whoosh past the heels on the shelf and make my way to the flats. Its a case of it is what it is so I either wholeheartedly welcome the flats and feel sassy in them smile orrrrr I teeter, totter and stagger 3 steps in heels before feeling anything but sassy !!! Hahahaha. hmm

Sara1954 Mon 30-May-22 08:07:27

I haven’t changed my style drastically over the decades.
I tend to favour bohemian style clothes, long skirts, and pretty tops, or floaty dresses, probably am getting too old for it now, but I’m not bothered, it makes me feel good.

Riverwalk Mon 30-May-22 07:43:40

At 5.2 I wish I could find ankle-grazers that graze my ankle!

MrsKen33 Mon 30-May-22 07:06:41

I wear, what I like and the colours I like. I am quite tall, so at the moment ankle grazer trousers, t shirts, mostly white and Birkenstocks. Just been to a ‘do’, so it was a maxi dress and very slightly elevated sandals. I don’t like bright anything , so muted colours.

MawtheMerrier Mon 30-May-22 07:00:46

At 5'2" wide legged trousers look silly

So be it, I look silly.

Ailidh Mon 30-May-22 06:59:13

A combination of what I like + what suits me.

At 5'2" wide legged trousers look silly.

With a couple of stone to lose anything waisted is wasted - I don't have one.

I have my own rules about disliking the sight of acres of cleavage and lengths of leg, on any age and size.

Beyond that, I enjoy bright and beautiful. Mostly trousers and tops for comfort, I have a growing reputation for loud trousers, but I love the swish of an occasional frock.