Feeling frumpy and old

1mm6
Small steps and you'll get there.

My Mum was gorgeous right up until she died, and, at 84, had men chatting her up at the Evergreen club! She pretended to be annoyed by it, but was secretly rather chuffed, I think. I wouldn’t dream of wearing beige! I always go for bright colours and have recently bought a lovely reversible down jacket which was reduced in Laura Ashley. It is bright mustard yellow with flowers on one side and plain navy on the other. I have had so many compliments on it from complete strangers. I see no reason to give up on yourself just because you are getting on a bit (I’m 76). I think it’s very important to have a flattering haircut and well worth spending a bit of money on going to the hairdressers. Colour your hair if you like. I have mine coloured because I haven’t got all over white and I can’t stand the salt and pepper look. Do it yourself at home if you can’t afford the hairdresser and get a friend to help. Don’t get fat -I still wear a bikini on holiday and look OK ( not a teeny weeny one though). I go to an Age Concern exercise class which only costs £2.50 a time and helps with strength and balance and tones you up. I do facial exercises and they keep the wrinkles at bay! Always moisturise and wear sun block and get plenty of sleep. Having a younger husband helps and, above all don’t give up on yourself! You don’t have to look like mutton dressed up as lamb, but you can look smart and reasonably fashionable without spending a fortune and NEVER WEAR BEIGE!!!!

Ladies
It's time to man up.
It will soon be Spring and yes, I k ow the cold weather is still with many of us.
I know, too, that some days we look in the mirror and can't be bothered to make a purposeful effort, when the idea of another coffee and one or two biscuits is so appealing.
Think of me. Dragged out of bed to go running at 7am and, having given up coffee ?? sugar and all sweet stuff, I'm living in the sad world of tap water porridge and spinach omelette with the odd portion of roasted veg and a Danone rhubarb yogurt to cheer me up.
It's sheer murder. What I wouldn't, give for a hot choc or cappuccino.
So, dear ladies, have another coffee and 3 choccy biccies on me then look in the mirror and say to yourself that at least you aren't pounding the pavements with a starving belly, like that mad woman GG54.
I you.

* k ow know

I'm a jeans & trainers "lady", I do own some flat loafers as well in varying colours. In winter if I have to dress up it's black trousers or black long skirt with boots paired with colourful tops & scarves. Love long tops with jeans.

Can't wait until next week when my DD is taking me to have my hair cut, no need for colour as when I stopped colouring my hair it's now grey/blonde, my problem is very fine hair so I like a longish bob that I can pin back when I'm gardening.

I don't wear much make up due to very sensitive skin, No7 Factor 30 to protect my skin, mascara & lipstick

Well done Gabriella, I'm sure it will pay off and you'll be slim and gorgeous when spring finally appears. Who drags you out running? Do you have a personal trainer.

That's what I need to take me in hand.

I am with grandma70, what is wrong with looking your age? Yes, I can understand women wanting to look the best they can, for their age, but I think women trying to look younger, inevitably end up looking like they are trying too hard or as the old saying goes ‘mutton dressed as lamb’. Wear your age with pride.

I have a sister who I always envied as she always looked smart but casual. Then as my two daughters entered their twenties she started buying the same clothes they were wearing in order to be seen as ‘trendy’. I went
From admiring her to almost pitying her, that she had lost her way, was almost ashamed of being herself.

I stopped dying my hair because it was getting so expensive and was a drag having to keep on top of it. I do envy all these women who end up with lovely white hair rather than the grey that I have. Another of my sisters has been blessed with white hair and was always moaning until we all told her how lucky she was.

So come on ladies, stop trying to chase eternal youth and be proud of how good you probably do look for your age.

I think we all get stale from time to time & feel frumpy as a result. My biggest problem is finding tops to wear with jeans (that I can afford) in cotton rather than in synthetic fabrics which I find very uncomfortable. I land up buying similar styles over & over again & am sick of it. And as I wear old clothes to play with the grandchildren/do housework/gardening, it would be nice to wear something to feel good in at other times. I find Pin interest depressing as the women over 70 clearly spend the earth in their outfits!

I shook my head the other day only to find my chin went the other way and then I found wrinkled skin on my thighs that wasn't there the day before, bloody hell what's changed overnight? However I love wearing skinny jeans an d little ankle boots and floaty tops that cover many things, I'll keep that look for as long as I can

seacliff
Haha...slim? Moi? Never. I'm not trying to lose weight, just get fit for the marathon I've committed to run this Autumn.
I do have a running buddy. He was my Christmas present from my ex. Every morning for 2 hours except Sundays and my 2 week summer hols...until end of August.
Probably the best Christmas present ever...eventually.

I love all your ideas and advice. It’s all positive and food for thought. Makes me determined to make more of an effort. Going out for lunch tomorrow with DD and am realising I hardly have anything to wear. So must spend some money on new clothes and maybe will start to feel better. Have got some nice jewellery though so will wear some of that.

here here! Imm6

My eyebrows are starting to overhang the tops of my glasses! Am I turning into my father? Talking about glasses - do choose the frames carefully. You might want to take a friend with you to the optician. Appropriate frames can make all the difference. I don't like heavy dark frames, but they do suit some people. If you find yourself frowning, it could be that you need your eyes tested - a frown creates wrinkles!
Uncomfortable footwear will also make you frown!

Thanks for finding that poem Urmstongran. Hope it will bring a smile or two.

annodomini I took my eyebrows to the beautician for a shape and tint. It is amazing the difference this made.

Adelejay, forget what they pay just look at their look, it can usually be recreated at a fraction of the price and much of their look is not the clothes, it is their air of assurance and that costs nothing except a bit of mind polishing and practice.

A shorter hair cut stops the face being ‘dragged down’.

I think the outside responds to the inside - never say die and keep the beauty, health and fitness regime going.

I am battling the physical and mental effects of ageing as hard as I can!

I would like to lose some weight but I don't see myself as less of a person ( pardon the pun) because I am not slim and gorgeous.

This constant obsession with weight and outward appearance does nothing for women.

I try to keep up the appearance , I have a good haircut and highlights , I invest in good makeup especially foundation in an effort to just look the best I can for my age (71) I like wearing jeans but I can't seem to find the right fit, I don't suit skinny ,but I don't like straight legs jeans from Marks, Can anyone recommend a decent pair that don't look too tight ? I tried super skinny on and my legs looked like sausages ,

I think that I look pretty good for my age in the bathroom mirror, very few wrinkles and skin still looks much as it did in my thirties.
BUT
I recently got an I pad and have face timed my two daughters.
They look gorgeous but I look unbelievably old and wrinkled and haggard.
That camera must be lying, surely?

I agree that Facetime camera is so unflattering. It really puts me off!

Last two comments so true - my daughter and granddaughter look so lovely when we FaceTime and my face looks like it needs ironing! I keep moving to hold my head at an angle to even the wrinkles out and get told to keep still and stop fidgeting!

Luckily I was reared on the ‘handsome is as handsome does and not how handsome looks’ parenting method so never felt my looks were what defined me and I care less as long as I’m clean and tidy.

hereshoping my bathroom mirror is rather flattering, so I go out with confidence until I catch sight of myself in a mirror or a shop window!

hereshoping do you wear your specs when looking in the bathroom mirror?
Agree, Facetime always makes people look awful.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.