How to dress well at 60?

I have been spending the day in a Joe Brown's tunic which I normally wear over jeans. Because it was the weekend and no one would see me I wore tights instead of the jeans. I thought it looked pretty good, but possibly not quite right now I'm almost 70 It is great not having to worry too much about other people though. I can dye my hair and wear purple nail varnish and no one can stop me

I agree that hair should come first, top down, literally. My new hairstyle was given a kick-start because I lost my hair to chemo. It grew back white and curly and I loved it, but the curl soon went away. I was left with stick-straight white hair which demands a frequent, good cut, so that's what I do. I stopped buying clothes at all for a while because I felt I already had too many (2 triple wardrobes full...) but after having lost weight (that too was partly the fault of chemo) I am enjoying some new ones. The thing I really need to do is put on makeup every day, and I just can't be bothered. I suppose the subconscious attitude is: "it's enough to be alive, why bother trying to be pretty!" And quite often I'm just too tired to do more than basic hygiene. Anyone else like that after a major illness?

reading this post I have seen lots of good ideas but is anyone like me just too lacking in confidence to dress smartly. I would rather look undressed than overdressed say at a wedding. Ive got to the point now that I will not go out . full stop. anyone like me. Sorry if Im detracting from the OP but this ahs been good therapy for me to talk a bout.

Hi, I'm a new year on here.
I seem to be losing my eyebrows! At least they are thinning. What would be best for me to do?

Ethelbags I hope you meant underdressed

Ethelbags1. Are you saying that you want to go out but don't know what to wear?

the lady who threads my eyebrows recommends a generous amount of vaseline plastered on every night, it works, and not too much of a problem to detach said eyebrows from pillowcase in morning! hope this helps Cybernan12 however still cannot understand how i can grow moustache and beard without any problems at all

Im just saying I don't know how to wear clothes. Example, I can wear leggings and loose top and flat shoes/trainers but I cant wear posh things to go out with, I feel such a fool with a scarf or heels and I know I will fall over or tangle the scarf up. etc, yes I meant underdressed.

leurMamie - - no I have not had a major illness but just wanted to say well done you! - - you have had a tough time of it and you now want to feel your best without too much effort. Have you tried BB cream? - - I use Garnier BB cream ( Waitrose sell it - about £9.00) and if nothing else each morning I put that on as it evens out the red bits, the brown blotchy bits and all the other horrid things in the mirror in the morning ! - and just makes you look better. I always use a mascara even to open the door to the Postman and a quick flick with a brow pencil - - it is amazing what just a small amount of make-up does. I always feel ok when I have done that. When I go out properly I always put on the full works - I have always worn make-up and always cleansed toned and nourished every night too - - even after a few glasses of wine - - automatic now.

ethelbags1 I think you just need to wear what you usually do but dress it up a bit, maybe with a nice pair of boots or by colour matching top, scarf, loose jacket or cardy. I think someone wearing clothes they are comfortable in looks much better than the woman who turns up in a very smart outfit but looks really uncomfortable.

leurMamie - sorry to hear you have been ill but good news that you are now on the road to recovery. I really wouldn't worry about feeling too tired to put on makeup. Just enjoy your new clothes and concentrate on getting better! Forget the makeup until you have the energy to do it.

ethelbags you need confidence - that's all - - try wearing heels, scarf etc round the house so you get used to the feel of them -- instead of your leggings and trainers - - see if that helps maybe?

Ethel. When you say ' going out' what type of place are you talking about?
Is it a nice resturant, a bar, or the cinema with a friend.
Without knowing where you might go it's hard to tell.

This thread is just in time for me - I was ready to lock the doors and go to bed forever after an unfortunate incident in a lift on Friday when I realised the short fat old lady in the mirror was me, 3 stone heavier and 3 inches shorter than I used to be.

My brain thought I was still a slender 60s rock chick but no, I'm not, and haven't been for a long time.

I am studying all the posts with intent to do something about it. Thanks.

Ethel do you have a good friend or relative you could go shopping with who would give you an honest opinion of what suits you? Perhaps if you took the plunge and bought a few co-ordinating pieces you'd feel much better about yourself. It's a vicious circle that you don't feel confident enough to wear something different or smarter so consequently then feel you're underdressed and can't go out. It doesn't have to cost the earth either - one of the best dressed ladies I ever knew was my aunt. She was small and rather overweight but always looked amazing even in her 80's and all her clothes came from the local market.

AnnieGran! We were at a dinner a few weeks ago and saw several people we hadn't met for a long time - my husband remarked about all the elder statesmen there and then suddenly realised he was one of them! I get a shock every time I look in the mirror and see my mother looking back at me - it's no fun getting old as she would have said

Willow, that was funny - thanks for making me laugh, as did Theresa May, aged 60, sitting on the front bench at the budget with a lot of her bosom showing. I thought she had a little animal down there until I realised it was the top of her bra. I don't think I'll copy that style.

Ha Ha! AnnieGran I thought that too!! - - good for her though - she's got it so she shows it - - maybe just a tad too much on budget day

Agree about not wearing bright lipstick, soft pastels look better.Also no powder or very little. look healthy, it's a younger look.
Wear what suits you, but you may need to experiment a bit first.In the store, take a garment to a mirror and hold it in front of you and near your face, that will help get the colour right.?

giddyaunt - you could have a lot of fun with this.

When I was 60 I realised I was looking washed out and tired. I worked out what suited me and this was difficult because I have ecema and can only wear cotton clothes or cotton/polyester.

Over the last years I have worked out what colours I look OK in what beauty products don't cause an allergic reaction and what style of shoes were comfy but not old ladyish.

Also I have a new hairstyle which stays in place and hides my thinning hair. I also have a range of necklaces which have no metal in them because of the damn ecema.

Enjoy the new you

I need advice. My son is getting married I a few weeks to a lovely lady, who I adore. However, I am feeling very inadequate. Their family are huge, and high fliers in all walks of life, including a Bishop, MP's, to name just two, and high maintenance!. I am afraid that I and my small family, max 12 persons will feel uncomfortable in this upmarket setting. Needless to say my son is totally loved and accepted by his new family, and I am thankful for that. And, we haven't had occasion to meet any of the family in advance as they all live too spread out.....
Sorry for this ramble....but now to the nitty gritty. I don't know what to wear. I am 68, a simple style of person who likes and needs to be accepted for who I am. I cannot pretend to be someone I'm not. I am a little overweight, size 20. I have joint problems which means I cannot wear stylish shoes. PLEASE SOMEONE COME TO MY AID

This is where t'Internet is so useful!! Look at Hampstead Bazaar if you like the Judi Dench look (individual and classy)! May I also recommend Wall, Box2 and Sahara, depending on your tastes? A gorgeous jacket will take the eye away from your feet. I wore trousers to all 3 DDs' weddings (Wall, Hampstead Bazaar and EAST) as I hate my ankles and got compliments on my outfits! They also mean you don't have to wear silly heels.
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Cybernan weddings are such great fun and it sounds like your son's will be a wonderful affair - I'm sure his new in-laws will just be pleased to have everyone from his family there to celebrate the big day no matter what walk of life they're from . I agree with Alea that trousers sound the best option as you would be able to wear flatter shoes for comfort - nothing worse than spending the day unable to move because your shoes don't fit. Stylish doesn't have to be high heels - there are some lovely ballerina types out there or even pretty sandals. Wide leg trousers are very fashionable at the moment so something like that with a nice top and longer length jacket which matches might work - far from making you look bigger they're actually quite slimming if they're well cut. I've found the best way to shop for outfits like this is to get some idea of what you'd like via the net and then go out for the day and visit several department stores trying different combinations on. Depending on where you are Binns or House of Fraser often have several different labels in store and usually very helpful assistants who can offer advice. Do you know what colour the brides mother is wearing? It's often useful to find out to make sure you don't clash or worse wear the same! I'm sure whatever you wear you'll look lovely and have a fabulous day.

Cybernan, as said above, get some help to find an outfit you feel comfortable in, stand tall, chin up, big smile, and you'll look and feel great.
Don't worry about how " high" they fly, or whether or not they'll like you. A smile and a word for people works wonders!

You'll be grand, I'm sure.

I'm not yet 60 but can't imagine myself dressing any differently from now. I think it gets harder to accommodate droopiness and that kind of all-over sag as one gets older, but if you stick to good-quality flattering basics in nice colours you can't go wrong, imho.

I went through a period of not going into places like Topshop and River Island but I'm over that now. I think cheap knitwear looks it, but otherwise anything in any store is worth consideration.

Pinterest is a good source for ideas and inspiration.