I just want to be pretty!

I feel I look lots more feminine since I retired. I still live in trousers - I do have a couple of dresses but long and only for a posh occasion. I agree about long skirts but the main thing for me is jewellery - I now always wear a necklace of some sort even if only a silver chain and a ring on my right hand, I choose my jewellery to match whatever colour I'm wearing and instantly feel more special. If you don't own much jewellery, join a local craft group and learn to make your own, it's great fun and you get the company. The other thing for me is heels. I can't wear really high ones any longer but they must make a sharp sound as I walk. None of this rubber sole creeping about stuff. I sound confident when I walk so I feel confident and that makes me feel more feminine for some reason.

I also agree about growing your hair. I always wore mine short for work, very business-like, no complicated sets and quick to do, wash and wear. My son got married shortly after I retired so I grew my hair to mid length for the wedding and had it trimmed into a softer style - not quite instant but a cheap and easy way to do it. I seldom wear make up and then it's only on my eyes. But a dab of moisturiser at night works wonders to make your skin glow. If you see an offer of a free makeover (preferably with photographs - you don't have to buy them), go for it. I won one and couldn't believe how glamourous they made me look. I can't achieve the same look but I have the memory. Otherwise go to Boots or Debenhams and have a trial makeup, most of the brands do them and it's fun to see what they do and how, again you don't need to buy much. Tell them what yoiu want to achieve and they'll show you how to do it.

The other thing you could try, maybe ask for it for Christmas, is a colour makeover. I went with Colour Me Beautiful but there are others. As your hair colour changes so does your skin and you may need to change the colours you wear to look your best. Again, tell them what you want to achieve and they'll show you how.

Whatever you decide to do, go for it, enjoy yourself and IT WILL WORK.

Nelliemoser I disagree about gardening & nails, I love gardening & always have nail polish on & fairly long nails, wearing gloves helps to protect the nails & I find nail varnish keeps my nails strong. Rarely break a nail gardening - housework on the other hand

pretty cardigans can be good ....ones with a bit of embroidery on or a pretty print like butterflies or flowers. quite a few around

Please avoid embroidered cardigans! I bought those for my mum in her 80's but never wear them myself (68) and you musn't at 53! Slippery slope to elasticated waists!!
A few years ago I got rid of my specs - made a huge difference. Would you consider contacts or even laser surgery?
My short tidy layered hair is now in a more stylish jaw-length job.
My DD's and DGD's have promised that if i tip over into mutton dressed as lamb, they'll tell me! Meantime i love wearing skinny jeans with tunics or short dresses.
Don't go out without makeup and follow up some of the advice on nails and makeup.
Have fun!!

Grow your hair , short hair is not a good look on older ladies depends on face shape etc though

I am older than the OP, have tried to grow my hair into a bob several times but I feel as if it drags me down and it is very thick and not easy to manage - when it is short people have commented that I look years younger.
It depends on the style, last year I had something similar to the one Shanma describes, but in fact I have let it grow a bit more since.

When you get older wear tinted moisturiser or very light foundation, this enhances your skin without covering it up which is ageing. A little blusher as though you have rosy cheeks works wonders, so does lipstick with not too much pigment. Short hair can look great if you wear a little make-up and stylish glasses and earrings. Clothes wise - if you like jeans wear lovely tops and sweaters with some statement jewellery and some nice ankle boots. A dress over slim trousers looks good too or a tweed (very now)skirt or kilt with opaque tights in one of the colours.
If you have grey hair have highlights put in rather than an overall colour - it lasts longer and easier to maintain. A much younger friend said to me admiringly that she thought I look much younger because I dress in a youthful way not to confuse with mutton dressed up as lamb. A smile works wonder too!

you can always wear a nice pretty sheer blouse or shirt with a vest top underneath, primark to m and s do a great range. If all else fails a nice modern light perfume

Dear Hold the tonic,

It's a brilliant question and I highly recommend going to see a colour analyst like colour me beautiful or similar where they find out all the colours of clothes which suit you perfectly and they can assess make up colours and recommend hair colours if you wish. It may be best to choose some high and low lights with a friends recommended hair dresser first,have them put in, wait a couple of weeks for new hair colours to settle and then book a colour me beautiful appointment or similar with a consultant.Hair extensions, just a few may work better for you if you wish to have instant length and body . You can get clip on ones also.

The colour analysis are great fun and I promise you that you will be amazed and by just wearing the right colours near to your face will take 10 years off and make you very attractive and pretty and fill you with confidence. Once you found your colours you can even match jewellery and scarfs to them!!

Here is a book that I bought for my mum and I have used it also. Prob you can order on line 2nite??

It cost me £14.99 its by Hamlyn and is called Colour me Beautiful, expert guide to help you feel confident and look great.ISBN 978-0-600-62080-8

This book even helps you find your style, it is simple, accurate and very enjoyable, I have used it for my small property finding company to find an appropriate style for my business self and also for dating as i feel a little unsure what to wear in that situation esp because I am over 50.

Would love to hear how you get on please.

Maybe you can post some before and after photos to inspire any others???? mich777

Go to a department store and get one of the ladies to do your makeup. Also, if you have a daughter or a younger friend take them with you and get them to choose some clothes for you to try on,you only buy them if you think they look good.that friend will take you out of you comfy comfort zone with clothes.

I've got stuff from seasalt, mostly dresses which I can dress up or down with layers either under or over,or both if it's cold.it doesn't have to match just complement it,red looks lovely with green for example. A necklace to pick up your layer colour does a good job....

Get your hair done, wear something you feel good in then go for a makeup makeover. Explain why you are doing it, say a good look for every day? Then you can add extras for "a do." I've found Clinique & Estée Lauder good. Book a free clothes stylist session in John Lewis. Take it slowly change a couple of things. Try somewhere cheap & cheerful e.g. Primark to try different looks too. But don't take too much notice of me,I'm still lounging around in my dog walking clothes!

Have a look at the website of the online makeup company Look Fabulous Forever - lookfabulousforever.com. This was set up three years ago by a woman in her late sixties who wanted to be able to buy make up suitable for older skin. The website has lots of tutorial videos showing how to apply the makeup, together with clothes style advice. The make up isn't cheap but it is good quality and there's a good returns policy if you're not happy with anything you've bought.