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What counts as “old lady clothes” nowadays?

(279 Posts)
sarahcyn Sat 07-Sept-19 11:18:12

I need the brilliance and sharp eyes of Gransnet! As I approach Birthday No..
61 , I worry more about dressing like an ”old lady”.
I’m aware that many clothing choices that look normal to me look old fashioned to my daughters.
It was ages before I realised my jeans were the “Wrong” length for example.
Is there anyone here with a keener fashion sense than mine who has a list of no-go looks that scream “EIGHTIES”?

oldgimmer1 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:35:42

I'm pushing 60 and wear exactly the same stuff as younguns are wearing.

So that's skinnies, flats, boots, cardies, jackets and whatever else. All my friends dress the same as I do.

I don't think there's an old lady look as there used to be.

Not think I'm not keen on is those blouses That have buttons on the sleeve and a turnup. Screams 80s (the times, not the age)grin.

oldgimmer1 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:36:55

Not think - one thing.

Nanabilly Sat 07-Sept-19 11:44:05

The items I think scream "old lady " are mismatching of patterns and colours. It ages people in such a huge way.
Floral skirts with striped tops , made even worse with clunky looking trainers. Nice white pumps are better.
Even worse if polyester or crimpolene fabrics.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 11:51:20

Patterns are often old ladyish. On young women it looks retro chic, on anyone 40+ = old lady. Same with shoes.

Old lady = blouses! Knee length skirts (old country lady). Jeans with creases. Black comfy polyester/nylon trousers. Loose padded coats. Fleeces. Overly 'fancy' dresses with matching cardigans / jackets / hats (old lady event wear). Synthetic fibres. Sweat shirts with a collared shirt underneath.

I'm wondering about how I dress these days. I also wear what I've always worn. My favourite casual (as in, don't even think about what I'm wearing) go-to is biker boots, leggings, a hip length top. Hip length with leggings is a good look for me. Makes my legs look longer.

But I've been looking at women who dress in a way I like (defo NOT fashion, not me at all) and I think alternative is 'my' thing. Saw a bigger girl the other day wearing Converse with leggings and a knee length dress. I HAD Converse but my daughter nicked them.

Generally, however, I HATE clothes shopping. Just can't be bothered.

rockgran Sat 07-Sept-19 11:53:57

I think old lady clothes are probably what we would call smart!

Nandalot Sat 07-Sept-19 11:54:44

I walked in our M and S last week (country city) and thought ‘old lady clothes’.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 11:57:23

Yes, Nandalot. After being on the M&S thread on here yesterday, I went onto the M&S website to have a look. I used to love M&S, so thought it was worth being proved wrong.

Nope. Old lady clothes. Even the clothes in STYLES that weren't too bad were in old lady patterns.

EllanVannin Sat 07-Sept-19 12:01:28

For me it's the string of tiny pearls attached to my reading/comp. glasses because I was always putting them down and forgetting where I'd put them, so I now know where they are ( around my neck )
It's a bit like a toddler with a coat and attached mittens !

Sara65 Sat 07-Sept-19 12:01:33

In my fifties I started wondering if I was still dressing appropriately, always gone in for floaty skirts and dresses, think early monsoon, I don’t particularly care what people think, but I don’t want to look ridiculous !
I now in summer tend to go for linen dresses, winter, I always layer because I’m always cold, tube skirts, boots, jumpers, ponchos.

To me, old lady clothes is beige trousers, with a fleece, and anything too floral, and those Velcro shoes.

M0nica Sat 07-Sept-19 12:02:39

It is not uncommon for me (76), DDiL (50) and DGD (12) to be dressed in a very similar style, involving loose top or sweater over leggings or skinny trousers with boots or flatties.

M0nica Sat 07-Sept-19 12:05:05

The best way to decide what is OK and what is not is to keep your eyes open when shopping look what other women (11 - 100) are wearing when in the supermarket or shopping centre, you will soon get your eye in and decide what style you like and would suit you.

TerriBull Sat 07-Sept-19 12:08:25

Barbara Woodhouse, the dog trainer lady, always had a sartorial old lady style of dressing imo, one of my grannies wore the sort of clothes she wore, pleated skirts and sensible laced up shoes. Of course they didn't have the trainer then, beloved by all generations.

I do remember when my children were at junior school I would often take a child who lived round the corner from us to and from school. I remember dropping him back home when his grandmother was looking after him she came out of the house in tight leather trousers and vertiginous heels giving the word granny a whole new meaning shock

SisterAct Sat 07-Sept-19 12:09:33

All beige. Stitched seams down trousers. Patterned top and totally different pattern skirt/trousers.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 12:16:08

Hotter shoes

Grannyknot Sat 07-Sept-19 12:23:43

A pastel anorak if worn to match husband/partner (different colours but same style) and beige trousers. And often the same hairstyle! I have to do a double take to see which is which.

Sara65 Sat 07-Sept-19 12:24:45

I hate trainers, I’ve never owned a pair, I’ve never owned a pair of leggings, or a zip up fleece.
Horses for courses I suppose!

petra Sat 07-Sept-19 12:25:41

My very stylish daughter has been 'borrowing' my clothes for years: now my grandaughter has started ?
I bought a pair of Vans high top trainers last week and the grandaughter is begging me for them.

Sara65 Sat 07-Sept-19 12:26:16

Oh yes Grannyknot, never owned an anorak since I was about eight

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:30:10

the dresses here are for old ladies

And I am really tempted by that first one. I think it's very sweet.

DanniRae Sat 07-Sept-19 12:34:23

Beige anorak - pastel coloured jumper - grey permed hair - crimpolene trousers - comfy lace up shoes.
Wait a minute...... that's exactly the things I wear when I go out!! shock

(Not really!!)

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 12:39:48

Roman Originals

Talk about a misnomer. They ain't at all original

Marilla Sat 07-Sept-19 12:48:30

Oh God! I have to wear Sketchers for comfort due to hip and leg issues, I love the designs for example in White Stuff but they don’t suit me. Skinnies, leggings, tunics all the items you are all suggesting to look fashionable, look awful on my apple shaped figure. I honestly don’t know what to wear these days.
I always suited tailored clothes when I was a teacher, but as I’m now retired, I can’t afford similar.
Even plain tee shirts in summer look grim! Don’t know what has happened in these last few years!

BlueBelle Sat 07-Sept-19 12:49:48

I don’t dress in young people clothes (crop tops and torn jeans) but I do keep up with fashion so skinny jeans and funky tops I like DMs type shoes in winter and strappy sandals in summer (can’t wear heels any more but not totally flat) I work with a lady who though smart I consider old lady clothes skirt to the knees, tights and lace up shoes with a short sleeved top and classic cardigan when cold Very M and S
61 is so young to be thinking this way sarab I was in my 70 s before I considered ‘am I Up to date ’ I think hair plays a big part too I keep my hair short and a bit spiky
Permed or too long I think adds to the years
I must do ok because I m often asked where I get different clothes from( often the charity shop or US online stores they are quite funky without being too young

shysal Sat 07-Sept-19 12:50:46

I have just looked on that site, Gonegirl, hoping not to see anything that I would wear. Shock horror! There is something that I have, but it is only the diabetic socks which are very comfortable for my misshapen feet.

I would add to the no-no list:
Elastic waisted trousers,
Dirndl skirts,
Anoraks with waist gathered at the back,
Men in shirt and tie with cardigan for every day.
Zipped fleece with giant animal pictures similar to the photo.

A couple of years ago when in the queue for my flu jab I noticed that I was the only one not wearing beige!