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What is your style over 65?

(123 Posts)
gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 18:17:52

Having just looked at the photos from our recent Paris trip, I've decided that the natural, casual look I've always had in my forties and fifties, just makes me look scruffy in my late sixties ha ha.!

So I think I need to change my style a bit. What is your style over 65? I do still like casual comfortable clothes and don't have a lifestyle that involves dressing up very often, but I'm begin to think my casual look is a bag lady look now!

I do have some new wide leg trousers I bought recently - they're back in fashion again, which I thought was great as they're comfortable when wearing my knee brace - tighter trousers don't work with that. But my hair and upper half - urgh!

gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 18:21:30

I still have long hair by the way, which I tie up in a bun or plait, because it's easier and saves too many visits to the hairdressers. I hate going to the hairdressers - but I don't think it looks good any more.

Lathyrus3 Tue 14-Jan-25 18:29:19

I think long hair can look very stylish on older people, when it’s put up. I’m not so sure about the plait.

My best tip ever was that if you wear loose clothes on the bottom half - flowing skirt or trousers, you should always wear fitted tops. Two loose things together make a bundle😬

gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 18:38:25

Thank you. I was wearing a fitted top but it was cold so I had a few other layers over it :-) Layers do make a bundle! Even my smart-ish mac didn't quite stop me looking scruffy!

Curlywhirly Tue 14-Jan-25 18:45:12

I have never really done very casual. I have always liked fitted tailored clothes (I'm only 5' and baggy, flowing clothes don't suit me). Casual for me: when it's warm - dark navy jeans, breton striped top and a navy blazer. When it's cold: black straight leg jeans, wool jumper and padded black coat with a colourful scarf. I do have leggings, but only wear them with knee high boots or in the house. I'm also glad that straight leg/wider leg jeans are back in fashion, skinny jeans/leggings never really suited me 🥲

J52 Tue 14-Jan-25 19:00:15

I go for natural fabrics, they might take more care but are worth it. Man made fabrics tend to cling, often in the wrong places!
I avoid patterns if they are in more than two colours. Good hair cut, trimmed if long and good quality shoes and accessories.

Aveline Tue 14-Jan-25 19:14:25

I'm a bag lady. No need for me to dress up these days. Jogging pants and fleece for me.
I do have some nicer clothes for special occasions (like being seen in public) but I feel like I'm in fancy dress when wearing them. I know. I'll have to grow up. Och.

Sara1954 Tue 14-Jan-25 19:28:51

It’s tricky, I think I went through my, no idea what to wear now, or where to buy it phase about ten years ago when I was sixty ish,
I’ve settled into clothes I’m quite comfortable with, black tube skirts, boots, and big jumpers for work, and mostly dresses for other times, I have a nice selection of Sahara dresses, most of which can be worn with a loose jumper
I’ve got a big selection of scarves and boots, and a few nice coats, and I actually feel good about my wardrobe.
Summer brings out the hippie in me again, lots of flowing outfits.

M0nica Tue 14-Jan-25 19:30:50

I dress in the style I have always dressed in, which is, according to family and friends verging on the BoHo. DGD and I can often be seen in similar outfits, leggings, clumpy shoes - DMs for her, something slightly slicker but clunky for me, with with big sweaters or t shirts over.

She got a broderie anglaise shirt for Christmas, similar to one I bought last spring. She was wearing it with loose blue denim coloured trousers. I was wearing mine with jeans.

Franski Tue 14-Jan-25 19:44:48

I think it's posture that makes a difference too. Obvs everyone should feel totally free to wear what they like and look how they like! But seeing as you're asking gentleshores. IMO these things definitely make women look frumpy- saggy/bad bras, popsocks that are visible, fleece jackets, visible elasticated waists, anything that clings around the midriff. My post 50s style is a limited colour pallate so that everything more or less can be mixed and matched. Personally love monochrome with dash of colour, good shoes or boots (Rieker) and as mentioned already, tailored trousers and loose top. Chunky knitted jacket. Tinted moisturiser, big smile, good haircut. I often look at other women my age and pick up ideas xx

Elowen33 Tue 14-Jan-25 20:06:32

It can be helpful to look at other people, sit somewhere and and people watch, you will see others that are your size and shape. That way you will see how different styles work on others in an everyday setting, not the same as looking at clothes on a model or on the hanger.

When you see a style you like try similar items on even if they are not styles you have worn before. Asking on here is fine but without seeing size, shape and style it may not be helpful.

Deedaa Tue 14-Jan-25 20:10:09

At the moment I am wearing jeans or not too baggy black trousers. In summer it would be linen trousers. I'm wearing tunic style tops, or a thick jumper if it's really cold. Mainly colourful tops from Joe Browns, because if I can't wear them now when am I going to? I either wear trainers or Hotter flats because I can't do heels anymore, and my hair is very short because it's easy

Visgir1 Tue 14-Jan-25 20:18:09

It's can be hard if you haven't had a change for a while. Check out some magazines somethings like "Woman and Home" aimed at slightly older women.
I also follow Erica Davies on Instagram. She just seems to get it right, great with colours but majority of the clothes are from High Street shops.
Several times I have seen her in, something that I would love, I have bought a few of her suggestons, or sometimes not exact copies but the idea of how to mix and match.
I do like the retro 70's look at the moment. Flared jeans /cords with linen /Silk shirts with a waistcoat / tank top.
Causal boots, coloured tights, over the knee dresses made out of something like Sweatshirt fabric or knitted, the designs look a bit shapeless but bought in my size, with chunky Jewellery.
Don't forget the Jewellery.

Your hair, can age you. Hair up is nice, but Plait not really sure about that? would you suit a Bob and brave the Hairdressers?
I'm sure you will get it right, enjoy exploring.

Claremont Tue 14-Jan-25 20:29:14

Style? lol

madeleine45 Tue 14-Jan-25 20:32:08

I have always been a woman of champagne taste and beer money! So I wait for sales, look at charity shops, check out special offers . Over the years I have accumulated I think it is 8 cashmere jumpers. They are varied in style and colour, my oldest is quite tatty now but put in a bag and into a rucksac it is very light and warm and the quickest and best thing to warm up in. Then I love the feel of silk and clear colours. Bought a lovely sky blue shirtwaister silk shirt from Ann Harvey when they were moving. I paid £12 for it, love it and wash it by hand and it looks great to sing in with black velvet trousers, but equally good with linen trousers or cotton trousers in the summer. The feel and the comfort of clothes is vitally important first. I dont want to look good if it is uncomfortable. I ignore any fashion waffle apart from noting that I remember it from last time . Then sometimes I pull out a garment from the depth and hurray I am quite fashionable again! My main things are be comfortable, be clean and things mended such as hems sewn up etc. I rarely bother much but do occasionally go through and look at clothes and might try a different mix. After that I choose what I wear for weather and comfort. Then ignore it. Much more important things to think about. Be yourself and suit yourself.

Norah Tue 14-Jan-25 20:44:52

I don't change off navy jeans (skinny and wide leg), black trousers (if I must wear trousers), classic jackets, shirts, jumpers.

Norah Tue 14-Jan-25 20:45:40

Claremont

Style? lol

Me as well smile

Truffle43 Tue 14-Jan-25 20:58:08

Gentleshores I have been feeling a bit like you and am always wearing dog walking clothes. I have started replacing some of my clothes with pretty dresses trousers skirts and tops which make me feel good. I have several lovely outfits now and fully intend on wearing them. I was always smart at work and feel like I want to be smart again. Not office clothes but gorgeous colours and fabrics all easy to wear items. I hope you find the style you’re looking for.

Claremont Tue 14-Jan-25 21:27:27

Norah

Claremont

Style? lol

Me as well smile

ah smile

Sara1954 Tue 14-Jan-25 21:40:14

I think it’s important that you feel good, no point going to a stylist and them telling you what to wear and how to wear it if it’s just not you.
I don’t actually want to look ridiculous, but I want to wear the things that make me feel good, and if that doesn’t follow fashion rules, I don’t really care
Another thing I love are Snags wonderfully comfy, colourful tights.

Tenko Tue 14-Jan-25 21:57:04

Gentleshores , have a look on instagram , there are lots of 60+ ladies on there .
I’m sorry to say it but I think long hair is ageing and if it’s up all the time , what’s the point ?
I used to have long hair for decades but have had a bob for about 10 years . I also have ashy blonde highlights . I’m naturally light brown. I’m lucky that I have a great hairdresser and my hair looks very natural and is in good condition . Yes it’s an expense having a cut every 7 weeks and colour every 3 months. But I don’t spend money on nails or lashes and I’m frequently told I don’t look 66 .
As for clothes , wear colour on your top half , get a well fitted bra , and dress for your shape .
I recently came across a YouTube video of Trinny Woodall going through her own wardrobe , she was explaining how her clothes would work for other shapes and sizes . It was very interesting.

Harris27 Tue 14-Jan-25 22:00:28

Linen trousers tunic tops summer accessories a must. Winter black suede type straight leg jeggings also smart black trousers and team up with nice tunic shirts and stylish knitwear. Again team up with ankle boots small heel. Nice handbags a must.

gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 22:39:06

Thank you all - I had to smile at the "no style" comments as well smile. Especially the "I'm a bag lady". I probably am too a bit! It was just seeing the photos made me think - hmm something needs to be improved a bit.

I suppose really I also have no style and adopted a very young casual look in my 40s of smart jeans and tops. In my 50s I decided to wear skirts and boots more.

However I've lost the plot a bit as I literally had no money to spend on clothes for many years due to bringing up grandson.. So I just kept wearing the same things. I'm quite slim so they still fit but most have started falling apart. Hence I did buy the new wide leg trousers recently - which I like a lot but do look very casual.

Forget all the talk about boots and shoes - I can't wear them - I have a clunky support boot on one foot and a non matching shoe on the other! I've got used to that - medical conditions and disability change some things. I would love to wear some nice boots! But that isn't an option. At least it saves me money on shoes.

Yes I probably do need a hair cut. Some years I get it all chopped to shoulder length but it grows again very quickly. A short style would cost me a fortune in keeping it in trim. But I might go for a bob. Trouble is a fringe doesn't suit me at all and with it shorter, it just falls across my face and I'm a bit old for nice hair slides. I have very straight thick hair. When it's long, the weight keeps it off my face - or I tie it up.

But yes it is looking ageing. I haven't gone grey but do have quite a bit of salt and pepper at the front now and that seems most prominent when it's tied up. I am definitely too old for the long plait - even though I like it and it keeps the hair tidy! A bun just keeps falling down.

So I guess a trip to the hairdressers would help. I just can't imagine any other style! Even when younger nothing seemed to work. Short cut - it would stick up on end and I'd look like Joe Brown. Perm - that wrecked my hair but it did help having some waves to control it and a bob worked well then. Don't think I could face having a perm again though - the chemicals brought me out in a rash. I'll have a think about it.

We do have a bit of a rural lifestyle but I'm not so active so I think I've lost a sense of what to wear now I don't wear jeans any more. Summer is easier - I have some nice summer clothes. Winter? Bleugh.

gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 22:44:36

I think basically I don't feel old but am too old to wear what I wore when younger - except in summer somehow.

gentleshores Tue 14-Jan-25 22:46:34

Someone mentioned hippies. I think at heart I'm a hippie style - it was the generation before me and I always liked it but it had gone by the time I was an adult. Still like the longer skirts though so I'm glad maxi skirts came back.