Feeling frumpy and old

Does nobody wear skirts or dresses anymore? I adopted an arty bohemian look over the past two years. Oh and haven't worn heels in a long time. I slap the cream on twice a day. I dye my white hair metallic silver...trying to grow it so I can sweep it up at back...hahaha It is good to reinvent your style now and then.

I love looking old (clean & tidy though,) as people are away so willing to help and you can talk to anyone in queues, trains, eateries, etc. without anyone taking it amiss. Lovely company everywhere!

I feel blessed with good genes and nobody believes how old I am ?. I always think that less is more as we age, too much make up looks exactly what it is etc Buying new clothes, I always gravitate to certain styles, but I do remind myself of what I can get away with now and what I can’t. DD likes some of my experiments, but not all ! Decide what styles you like, research ideas on line, Pinterest etc. Look at role models that you admire and then change your look one step at a time. Do you have someone close to run ideas thro with ? The confidence has to come from the inside out, but go for it coz you’re worth it !!

I have tried Dove hair conditioner and shampoo to soften mine it worked because I could not get a comb through I can now. I have real thick hair.

Please whoever you are do not pull your white eyebrows out, they do not grow back again. Buy eyebrow dye, it takes two minutes to work and hey presto you have a full complement of glossy dark ones again. It Lasts for a month, I buy mine from eBay, it says it is 'Professional', am not but comes as a kit with applicator, tube of dye, cup and fixer. These will last a year, then you just top up as need. You just trim the wild long ones so they are in line and neat again. Well that is one thing easily fixed.

That should read takes away the fluff!

Hi, rub Argan oil into hair before bed, I was cynical but it really takes the fluff! I agree with people here when they say continue to make the effort to look the best you can for your age, trying to look younger doesn’t always work well. I always feel better when I make a little effort, it’s about self care and valuing yourself. Don’t get me wrong my makeup takes a few minutes but even that makes a difference.

I've started to get jowly but I don't want to go through cosmetic surgery so I'll just have to live with it. I'm not going to get any better at my age.
I think as long as you look smartly dressed with your own style what does it really matter?
Look after your health - a bit of exercise, good diet and a hobby to keep your brain cells working. A new pair of earrings or a lipstick can cheer you up and don't cost a bomb.

I'd like to go for outrageous having always been quite conservatively dressed with everything matching. I still wear beads which have to match with a blouse or jumper but that's a habit now so just a bit of styling left.
Trouble is because I feel the cold so much whatever I wear is hidden because I'm muffled up but I tend not to care as long as I'm warm.

What I will get when the weather improves are a few spray-on hair colours to give me a lift and prove I'm not in my dotage yet--------though I could be carted off !

I do still have to have good footwear though, K shoes/Clarks/VanDal, leather of course, coloured in the summer, browns/bronzes in winter.

I won't go anywhere without lipstick on but I'm rubbish with make-up in general although I give it a go at times as I'm still willing to learn being a " young at heart " person.

I look in the mirror to do my hair in the morning. I have good skin (thanks moisturiser) and thick, still dark hair (thanks mum), have to wear comfy shoes and trousers (thanks bp medicines), but in my mind for the rest of the day I am still fantastic. Since at 71 I'm basically invisible to most people on the street, I can continue to live in my fantasy world, so I'm quite happy - and comfortable.

lmm6, if you are looking for some reasonably, new and colourful shoes, keep your eye the Clarks outlet site.
I usually manage to find a 20% off voucher online, which makes them even cheaper.
I have picked up lots of fashionable and comfortable flat shoes. It just takes a bit of perseverance, so I check it most days.

I agree about the older ladies living in other countries, I visit friends abroad and they and their friends always look stylish and vibrant.
It's not a case of trying to look younger as one poster said, it's making the best of what you've got, looking good gives you a spring in your step and when you're happy, it shows on your face.

I wear Moshulu because they are comfortable but I feel like a farmer in their boots! Definitely colour helps a lot especially by the face. A lot of really old people stick to beige which is so ageing. My friend travels a lot to France and said that older ladies there wear colourful clothes and light jackets and look a lot better than we do over here. Must admit I've never thought of wearing coloured shoes (always stick to black) but that is a nice idea that I will definitely try.

Good advice Kitty I saw my Nan the other day when looking in the shop window, she has been dead 60 years ?

Just on the shoe front. Moshulu are really comfy but colourful and fairly fashionable.

And,avert the eyes when approaching shop windows.

MissA what a fabulous laugh to start off the day. ?

Argon oil after shampoo gives my hair a nice shine.
Wearing coloured scarves and costume jewellery.
Always wear make up when going out, it doesn’t look as good as it did but heyho that’s life.
Purple, green or light grey flat shoes.
Tunic dress and coloured tights.
It all comes down to camouflage.

MissA ??
I totally rock that look.

This is going to sound just daft. When I see recent photos of myself, I look wider than I ever did before! I seem to be spreading out sideways!

How I laughed at Buffybee's comment about painting the Forth Bridge! Thanks everyone. Some great advice here. I agree about the eyebrows. Since I started using an eyebrow brush I've realised the difference it makes. I hark back to the days when I didn't have to make any effort. Now it's such hard work! When I tell people my age, nobody looks surprised any more so I know something needs to be done! I think I have to spend more money on hair and clothes though I'd rather spend it on days out and grandchildren. That's definitely a sign of getting old!

MissA
I'm embracing my inner pensioner.
Its lovely.
Big knickers.
Grey hair.
Flat shoes.
Hairy legs.
Its a totally effortless look ?

Love this post! I’m thinking of adopting that look MissA I might add in a walking stick just to drive the message home.

I know what you mean but as my 90+ Mil says, the alternative to getting old is worse.
My advice: find a new hairdresser, a really good one. I think hairdressers go on automatic pilot after a while and you need a morale boost.
New shoes: flat needn't be ugly and as Hillary Clinton once said: you can change your hair and shoes - the bit between is harder.
I play badminton with younger women and yesterday they were all grumbling about their aches and pains but also their teenage DC. I was relieved to be past that stage and not yet at it withe DGC!
Count your blessings especially your health and look forward to the spring.

The best thing I ever did was stop dying my hair. I now have silver, grey and blond highlights you woul pay a fortune for. I keep it short as it is naturally wavy. I like to look good and never go out without a little makeup. The hairs in my eyebrows, however go in all directions and curl! And as for those hairs on my upper lip which grow an inch in a day....

Mawbroon
1mm6 the first things would suggest is that you go to a good hairdresser and ask their advice. A good haircut really lifts the face. Then, you could embrace the grey, using a blue shampoo once or twice a week to keep it looking silvery and shiny, or have it coloured. Flat boots are great: nothing more ageing than tottering and falling over. There are so many different designs now- look at Hotter, and Pikolinos ( the only boots I buy now- comfortable straight out of the box.) Well cut jeans in black, grey or a dark indigo wash always look good. I like Whistles and M&S. Try shops like Cos and Zara for tops. Finally, go to a department store cosmetics counter of your choice and ask them to show you some different lipsticks, based on your colouring and lip shape. And finally finally, don’t let your age define you!

I think it's worse for those women who were very pretty when young. It's difficult to see your looks disappearing, but even film stars can't escape the effects of age. All we can do is make the best of it. One thing I hate to see is older women trying to look young by wearing the latest fashions which are not always suitable for the older lady. I'm 70 now but have kept myself slim, and never smoked, so look ok at a distance! I don't bother about fashions, I wear the clothes I like and which suit my lifestyle.

This hankering after a youthful appearance seems almost like a medieval superstition to me. People used to seek the Elixir of Youth. It seems many still do. It’s some sort of fear.

There is nothing wrong with looking older. You will, however hard you try not to. Accept it, look as nice as you can for your age but don’t try too hard. I see so many women with aging faces but young hair!