Anyone else 'let themselves go'?

I have three settings: smart casual, casual and so far beyond casual it would frighten the horses! I don’t have a lot of call for smart casual and have never been comfortable with the word “smart” (not since I left the Army anyway!). Casual is for socialising with likeminded others and beyond is for around the home and putting the bins out! I’ve never worn much in the way of make up, and wear none at all now. Does it bother me? Not at all. I throw myself at the feet of a very good hairdresser every six weeks!

ViceVersa

eddiecat78

I hate that expression, especially as it is usually used to insult someone ("did you see Mary, she's really let herself go").
If someone has reached the point where they have the confidence to look how they choose and not care what anyone else thinks they should be admired not criticised

With me it's the exact opposite. After a lifetime of being criticised for my looks, you eventually get to the stage where you're past caring. What's the point?

Isn’t it about your self esteem, rather than what other people think though? I just feel better in myself if I make an effort. I’d see making no effort as sign of diminishing confidence in myself rather than increasing.

Another slob here, I live in tatty jeans and comfy tops. However I am very particular what my 3 adult children wear, colour co-ordinated and looking good, I hope!
Mind you I do like clean clothes.
Perhaps we could a Grans Slob Club!

Kate1949

I do try but when you've lost all your teeth (aged 11) and now all your hair through alopecia, like me, what's the point?

I too want to hug you and tell you it’s what’s inside that matters, it’s a cliche but it’s true 🩷🩷

Rarely wear make up, or “posh” dressy clothes, but do have nails (feet and hands) and hair done regularly.

I’m def a slob at heart, comfy sloppy clothes and Skechers all the way for me!

Comfort so much better than style, I’m a secret hippy at heart and just don’t care what anyone thinks.

Live & let live

You read my mind, Marmight.

I let go years ago. Make up makes me feel claustrophobic. I hate wearing tights so go bare legged on the few occasions I wear dresses. I topple over in high heels, so flip flops & Birkenstocks in summer, boots or trainers in winter. I hate waistbands which dig in or restrict breathing so no skirts but sloppy trousers or ‘rugby ‘ pants, T shirts and big jumpers. I sound a right frump but why be uncomfortable? On the rare occasion I make an effort someone inevitably comments that I brush up well or words to that effect 😂. As soon as I’m home, off with the clothes & make up and on with the casual wear. Phew

I admire anyone that is comfortable in their own skin. I am finding now I am turning off dramas & films where the actress is so full of Botox & fillers, that you can’t tell what mood they are expressing. Give me the actress Frances McDormand any day.

eddiecat78

I hate that expression, especially as it is usually used to insult someone ("did you see Mary, she's really let herself go").
If someone has reached the point where they have the confidence to look how they choose and not care what anyone else thinks they should be admired not criticised

With me it's the exact opposite. After a lifetime of being criticised for my looks, you eventually get to the stage where you're past caring. What's the point?

I hate that expression, especially as it is usually used to insult someone ("did you see Mary, she's really let herself go").
If someone has reached the point where they have the confidence to look how they choose and not care what anyone else thinks they should be admired not criticised

I wonder if all these younger women who are botoxed, filled to high heaven, will ever be completely comfortable in their own skin when they get to our age.

Only wear a little makeup if I am going to my appointments.
I do care what I look like, but when you are in so much pain, it’s really hard to get motivated.

Still sat with my in my pjs, had a lie in due to my pain meds last night. After late breakfast, will put my lounge pants on ( crinkly light weight trousers & T-shirt & clogs. I’ll only

Unpleasant body odour, lank greasy hair and last nights dinner between the teeth. Clothes worn repeatedly over and containing said odour and stained with said accumulated dinners. That’s letting yourself go.
Being clean and deodorised, hair combed and grease free with freshly brushed teeth and clean clothes, ironed or not, is all we need.
Best thing about retirement is that we can just be comfortable, happy in our own skin and wearing a smile of contentment.
Let it all hang out…
No don’t go that far!

No.
But I feel myself increasingly being drawn that way.

At present, and likely to be in the future, still sociable. Which makes me sort myself out.

I keep getting compliments on my appearance and it astonishes me…, most of the time I am wearing charity shop purchases!! And it does give me a boost - also I take care to tell other oldies how nice they look….

crazyH

Whenever I see you Kate1949, I want to give you a 🤗

If you haven't had nurturing, it's worth trying to do it to yourself and for yourself.

Tough though.

To answer the question, when I am plagued by that bastard depression I have gone. There was a time I didn't even clean my teeth.

Other times, I'm afraid the weight has settled itself. I do have a good hair cut and a spritz of perfume.

kittylester

I love the fashion for trainers so I can wear comfy footwear without appearing to have let myself go - at least footwear wise.

Me too!!

Casdon

Must admit I’m an ironer, I’d love not to be as I hate ironing, but I can’t start the day crumpled even if I’m wearing jeans and a T-shirt, which is my standard at home outfit. I put tinted moisturiser on, perfume, and mascara after my shower, and that’s it. Actually, there is one other thing when I think about it - I have to wear nail varnish on my toes in the summer, I hate the sight of them in sandals otherwise.

I have nail varnish on my fingers and toes all year round.

I iron everything apart from underwear and tea towels.

Always wear moisturiser (tinted in the winter) perfume, earrings and a watch.

Today as it’s warm, I have a bikini on under a long linen dress, ready for some relaxing outside when the GS goes home at lunchtime.

I’m at home by myself most of the time, so I’m not very bothered about looking smart. I make some effort when I have visitors or go out - lipstick, nice clothes and so on.

I’ll consider I’ve let myself go if I stop washing my hair regularly every couple of days. I do this whether I’m going to be seen or not.

Thanks for the hugs. Miss Redd. Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that.

Must admit I’m an ironer, I’d love not to be as I hate ironing, but I can’t start the day crumpled even if I’m wearing jeans and a T-shirt, which is my standard at home outfit. I put tinted moisturiser on, perfume, and mascara after my shower, and that’s it. Actually, there is one other thing when I think about it - I have to wear nail varnish on my toes in the summer, I hate the sight of them in sandals otherwise.

Kate1949

I do try but when you've lost all your teeth (aged 11) and now all your hair through alopecia, like me, what's the point?

Hi Kate,

I hope you don't mind me sending this little note. I noticed you said this in a thread I had put up earlier.

It sounds like this must be very difficult for you and I would very much struggle with this myself. Is it any wonder?

It is very traumatic to lose your hair and your teeth. It seems so unfair and must have been difficult in your younger years regarding your teeth, as children can be so cruel.

May I ask if you have Alopecia Areata or Totalis?

I follow quite a few people on YouTube, where I have learnt some very interesting things and ways they deal with this.

When I was just starting out as a young mum, I was a hairdresser. Even when I changed my career, I kept my license.

What I really want to say is that there is a point, Kate. You are worthy of feeling lovely and good about yourself.

I can understand you may have not gotten much support, as I feel it can be lacking in these areas. It's as if the experts don't even realise how very damaging to someone's sense of self this can be.

Anyway, you certainly don't need to answer unless you feel you'd like to. Or you could send me an inbox, if you'd like.

I just wanted to send a hug and a word to say that I have seen you around and have thought of you and how difficult your situation must be.

Miss Redd

I always wear tinted makeup every day because it protects from the sun here but also because I am quite pale naturally and scare myself if I look in the mirror with no makeup on. Looks like a ghost 👻

I don’t think ‘let myself go’ rather just relaxed with age,
Full make up every day - takes 5 minutes. The rest is clean and presentable, but I’m no longer concerned about what I wear or others opinion of it!