what to wear at 60 plus?

Wear what you like. I am well over 60 and live in skinny jeans most of the time, though in summer I usually swap them for looser, cotton/linen trousers. For tops and jumpers I like casual but stylish and pref. a little bit different. Not always easy if you don't want to spend a lot.

Even in her early 80s my mother would not wear what she considered 'frumpy old lady' clothes, and when she developed dementia and couldn't care less I still would not buy them for her. Each to their own, of course, but certain colours and styles just scream frumpy old lady to me. And it wasn't easy finding non FOL things that could be tumble dried after she finally had to go into a care home.

Well I'm 65 this year, 5' 3" size 16 and a scruff who rarely wants to dress up. I work from home so wear jeans & long sleeve tops in the winter and cut offs and short sleeve tops in summer. Mainly flat shoes or flip flops/sandals but I did buy a pair of spotty heels from M&S recently, love them but can't wear them for more that 2 hours.
Having read on here that jeggings were fine for us older ladies as long as we wear longish tops over them I invested in a few of both and must say I have had lots of compliments and questions about if I've lost weight - which I haven't but the fit & flare shape of the tops is very flattering.
One thing I'd advise anyone who carries too much weight like me, DO NOT wear clothes that are even a tiny bit tight, you just show off the bulges, even consider buying a size bigger as you look as if your clothes are a bit loose which makes you seem slimmer. Smoke and mirrors!
My one vanity is having my hair cut and hi lighted regularly, I don't do make up but I like my hair to look OK.
Welcome to your 60s pennyb, when we're lucky life is what we make it, so hope you're lucky and you can make it great

I think BHS went under because it was catering for a demographic which doesn't exist any more. People do not morph into a sartorial middle age any more. No more, on the chime of the clock at age forty, do we have to abandon our jeans for the twinset and beige cardigan.

It is perhaps a good idea when older to choose clothes which are cut well, are lined and are made of decent quality fabric as we cannot distract attention from a charming dishabille by the glow of our skin and the swing of our hair. A more groomed look is, possibly, the way to go.

I concentrate on a facial regime of fancy creams (which don't work, obviously), and exercise and diet to keep trim. At seven stone I can still wear skinny jeans but twin them with 'posh' tops from Phase Eight, Hobbs or like high street top end shop sales. I can't afford to pay for the quality I aspire to so I never buy at the given price but always wait for a knock-down or two (or three).

I find that a very good coat will give a satisfactory 'outline' and, again, I buy bargains. Buying a coat in summer is a good wheeze if you can locate one.

Black lycra tights are the older woman's friend. In fact, they are every woman's friend.

The last piece of advice I would offer is not to give in to old lady shoes. You don't need to wear stilettos but proper, leather shoes are essential for not 'go[ing] gentle into that good night'.

I suddenly realised the other day that I was wearing almost the same things as I wore when I was in my early 20s- black polo neck, thick black tights and a pinafore dress- slightly longer than I wore then. I like loose tops and straight leg jeans as well-with boots. Passing a shop the other day I found myself wondering if I could still wear Doc Martens. I know I'm going to buy some, the only question is what colour?

Hide the things you don't like about your body and show off your good points, I'm 83 and like 3/4 sleeves to hide my upper arms but it's difficult to find them, although it is summer I'm sure manufacturere could make sleeves in georgette or something similar they are missing out by not doing so as I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

An example of a look NOT to be aimed for is Fern Britten on the cover of this
month's Good Housekeeping.

Yes to all of the above!

However the one thing I think you shouldn't compromise on is knitwear. In my experience, if it is cheap, it's going to look cheap.

I agree about Marksies' being overdesigned. I don't bother to go in there any more. Their jeggings are good, but the rest of their clothes? Noooo.

I've bought some lovely things from Phase 8, of all places. Really good quality knitwear.

I think it's quite difficult to find pieces that are just a little bit different, so I generally peruse ebay at length for stuff by Sandwich, Cos and Crea Concept.

I've just bought a pair of pink brogues for a fiver.

My wardrobe is gradually being taken over by the stuff my DD2 puts in her charity bag, and which I always rummage through before it goes. She's very stylish and knows how to throw an outfit together, so all the work's being done for me

If you stil need inspiration after all the very good advice so far, look at women whose style you admire (and, dare I say it, those you don't) you will quickly establish a benchmark which will help you to be more adventurous if need be.

At 60- wear what you want, what you feel good in, what suits your colouring and body shape- and throw the schackles of fashion away at last (I'd say do that at any age..) - one of the joys.

I love clothes and shopping so managing my wardrobe is a bit of a challenge. I love Cos dresses which are usually in strong colours with oversized geometric shapes. Uniqglo for casual wear t shirts, jeans in lots of different styles, big pleated culottes. I also love a comfortable jumpsuit, I've made 3 in various fabrics. Being over 60 is no barrier to being stylish.

I swore that I wouldn't become a 'beige' lady when I retired. I also rarely wear pastel colours, and primary colours seldom. I like slightly 'off' shades like plum, rust, teal, khaki etc. Gave my longer flared skirts to the Charity shop. My friend still wears them, though. M & S classic section still do the above mentioned skirts. Wear what's comfortable, and not tight! A good bra helps too.

pennyb et al - there's no need to think "I'm 60 now so I can't wear the things I used to".
I wear (and buy new) whatever I think is flattering and not old-fashioned. Examples of "old-fashioned" include the Classic range at M&S - to be avoided!
Having said that, a lot of my things are timeless styles (mustn't say "classic"!) and I have had them for ages as they are good quality and never date.
If anyone can recommend where to find stylish clothes that don't cost the earth please tell me as globalisation has led to the same shops with the same styles in every high street.
Where on where can I find something different that would suit an older (but not old) person and not cost the earth becasue they are designer labels?

I tend to live in jeans and can't see me stopping - they are comfortable. The only thing that I have changed is shoes, I refuse to wear anything uncomfortable.

What I wore today is typical of my style. Straight leg, black with white spot cotton trousers, white oxford shirt, red patent leather loafers.

Hattiehelga, there's usually an option in your spam file to mark an e-mail 'not spam' and future mail from that address will be delivered as usual. Just a blip!

I stopped to speak to an elderly lady today (well she was more wrinkled than me) she was wearing a wonderful black and yellow floaty kaftan over black leggings and looked marvellous.

I avoid most floral stuff as I don't want to look like a pair of curtains. Trendy culottes and Ines de la Fressange designed stuff from Uniqlo; trouser suit from MeandEm, oversized white shirt from Mango worn over navy M&S Twiggy jeggings or treggings, tops from Seasalt or Masai, plain items from Cos. Nothing animal print or frilly. I buy expensive scarves from Anthopologie or J Crew to add interest to stuff from Jigsaw or Warehouse. I can rarely wear cheap clothes which make me look coarse. I sound snobby, but have found items from H&M for example which look good. I spend a lot on clothes because It was years before I could afford to buy what I wanted, had to make my own until I went out to work to earn enough to buy my own( married to Scrooge). I am so fed up with M&S clothing which is overdesigned and overembellished. Most women of a certain age want to cover their knees and upper arms, not try to look 18 again.

Today I went out for lunch with a colleague from 20 years ago. I am wearing and Orvis colour block jacket with an Orvis denim skirt. The Tee shirt is Ofelia and the scarf Miss Shorthair, the sandals sandpiper and the tights Tesco. A neighbour who called round for a cup of tea complemented me on my outfit!!! I'm 75 do not wear makeup except for evening do's at Christmas.

I think the old saying mutton dressed as lamb doesn't really count now.we 60s& 70s are not going to dress like we did in the 60s. If you like something buy it and wear it I say.

I don't believe that age should dictate our choice of clothing. Choosing what suits our build, shape and colouring is what works (and people of all ages can get that right or wrong!). Saying that though, I'd say wear what the heck you like...if it makes you feel good, then do it!

I completely agree with M0nica. Those 1980s floral skirts etc are so ageing. I think I dress younger now than in the 1980s - sheesh, I even had an old lady perm then!
I hit 60 last year and, apart from no longer wearing jeans which finish somewhere south of my belly button, I dress as I like and, yes, some items are the same as my daughters-in-law wear. If you feel confident and comfortable (hence the above the belly button jeans) then wear it. If you feel uncomfortable or inappropriately dressed, it'll show on your face and that's certainly ageing.
Oh the only other concession I have made is to make sure my feet are comfy - again shows on your face if you're in pain!

Other than what I've said, and which may only apply to me, there's no need to change anything just because you're about to hit 60 - at least I don't think so and no-one actually laughs at me, at least not when I can see ...

If you think you should change your appearance, why not investigate a personal dresser in somewhere like Debenhams and do it slowly, maybe buy a few staples like a 'good' dress or trousers.

PS It's ok being 60 ... not sure about 61 though, which is what I will be this time next week. Still not buying floral skirts or lavender cardies though.

Just wear at least one item tailored/classy...good haircut...and feel comfortable in you own skin. Regardless of current fashions, you know what suits you. In summer I feel comfortable in maxi dress and flat strappy sandals. Winter straight leg denim tucked into boots, a nice blouse and a selection of scarfs (to cover scraggy neck!) If you feel comfortable wearing it, you will carry it off well and look good.

To answer the question in post no 1, my advice would be not to look through catalogues and magazines for ideas but to take a critical look in the mirror and see what shape is the most flattering.

I do wear 'those skirts' - when i feel like it. My legs are not for show, not the slimmest part of me and I like skirts - so in the summer its often a maxi or almost maxi skirt, yes with flowers. Having said that I also have some narrow jeans and tops identical to those worn my my DDIL, who is 25 and as trendy as a young baby allows. These days I don't worry about it. Really liberating. I've adopted one of my Dad's phrases - if others don't like it they can look the other way - often heard when he was wearing one of his well loved gaudy sweters.