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Style & beauty

What counts as “old lady clothes” nowadays?

(280 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”?

GeorgyGirl Sun 08-Sept-19 20:29:31

I find dresses ageing, anything beige, long sleeved cardigans, scoop necks and patterns, also certain trainers.

GracesGranMK3 Sun 08-Sept-19 20:54:51

Thank you Gonegirl. My mother will only wear plain long-sleeve blouses so that looks at great site.

Christingle Sun 08-Sept-19 20:58:37

Don’t wear any glitter, that smacks of old lady. Ditto flowery tops and elastic waist skirts or trousers. I personally think a capsule wardrobe of black, navy and cream works well. Always have a really good bag and watch what you wear on your feet. Block heels or really nice boots, ballet flats or similar. If you want a pop of colour get some gorgeous scarfs, but wear loose not tied round your neck. I’m sure you look fab anyway.

lemongrove Sun 08-Sept-19 21:41:44

There’s very little left.....now that we have been told all the things not to wear.?

Joandnell Sun 08-Sept-19 21:49:56

It’s not your clothes it’s your attitude .
The young royals are wearing old lady dresses st the moment but they wear heels and have amazing hair . Go to a charity shops and buy things fur a few pounds that you wouldn’t usually consider and experiment at home . Blouses tucked in jeans with a really lovely belt and great boots will
look good on anyone . Wear what feels comfortable but it’s ok
To make a statement with an amazing coat or scarf .

lemongrove Sun 08-Sept-19 22:05:36

Joan I don’t think that blouses tucked into jeans with a belt
do look good on anyone. Shape and size come into the equation.

lemongrove Sun 08-Sept-19 22:08:41

More old lady stuff to not wear:
Pleated skirts
Brooches
Tea cosy hats
Face powder
Surprised looking eyebrows

GagaJo Sun 08-Sept-19 22:25:58

Joandnell, the point is the young royals are YOUNG. I looked good in anything, when I was young. Now, anything hinting of old makes me look matronly.

Truddles Sun 08-Sept-19 22:26:45

Marilla, I am an apple these days (after a career as a model and beauty queen, it was a shock. I blame the menopause...). I find I get away with hip-length sweaters in loose knit cotton, with a deep v neckline. I look like an egg on legs in skinny jeans, so I wear boot cut ones. I have never given a stuff about fashion; style is much better.

MissAdventure Sun 08-Sept-19 22:27:58

Start a revolution!
Wear whatever the hell you want - slax, pack-a-macs, plastic hats that tie up under your chin(s), flat, comfortable shoes.. push a big square shopping trolley, sit on a bench and eat chips, leave your teeth out. (As long as the chips are soggy)

None of it matters, really.
That's just my opinion though. smile (which also doesn't matter)

Christingle Sun 08-Sept-19 22:29:02

I have honestly never seen worse stying than on QVC’ and really awful clothes. It is very pricey rubbish.

Shelagh6 Sun 08-Sept-19 22:31:03

I always wear trousers with elasticated waist and if shirt etc.
is longer - why not? Much more comfortable. If you are tall, worry more about trousers that are long enough. When rather older (which I am) you should no longer wear high
heels - they don’t do your feet any good. In the summer, quite bright trousers - don’t care for patterns much but you must coordinate colours well. No frills or lace either!

Truddles Sun 08-Sept-19 22:31:22

Dead right, Christingle!

lemongrove Sun 08-Sept-19 22:32:19

So that was you I saw MissA on Southend Seafront last Friday??
You threw a chip at me as I walked past.angry

MissAdventure Sun 08-Sept-19 22:33:46

grin lemongrove
Guilty as charged!

GabriellaG54 Sun 08-Sept-19 23:02:02

It would be nice to see the styles you recently bought when shopping with your daughters.
Mine too live a fair distance away and for that reason, I rarely go shopping with them.
Could you put photos or links on here as every bit of input on styles is helpful?

GabriellaG54 Sun 08-Sept-19 23:04:29

My post was to Newatthis

camsen Sun 08-Sept-19 23:31:35

All I can say is your all very lucky to have enough money to worry about fashion. Wear what you like, when you like and to heck with others, older the better, shows you don't waste valuable resources, life's too short for worrying about others.

Alexa Mon 09-Sept-19 00:30:07

Lessismore, apologies if my description misleads. BonMarche sold those as summer wear . They have elastic waistbands. I never iron them as they are so thin they soon lose any creases with body warmth.I think the weave is called chambray.

Cotton Traders sells a stiffer textile that is not as stiff as real denim. These also have elastic waist which suits me as I'm apple shaped and I wear tops that pull well down over my middle anyway.

I am afraid you might think both of those shops are very old lady shops and I suppose they are.

Sara65 Mon 09-Sept-19 06:45:03

Gagajo

If I wore some of the dresses I see Kate wearing, I’d look hideous.

I mean REALLY hideous!

Marilla Mon 09-Sept-19 06:55:16

Truddles, I appreciate your response. Any particular brand/ shop you would recommend?

Grammaretto Mon 09-Sept-19 07:04:20

It's not fashion. It's a uniform.
Here in Scotland the weather is in control of what we wear.
Except that the youth have bare legs and other body parts even on the coldest days.

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 07:10:31

GONEGIRL "Those pinnies" as you call them are the only thing I can wear all day around the house in the humid heat of the Rome climate I live in.

I get them at the local market and have several - I have to change them every day because I sweat so! When it's really hot, even with no undies! They're my salvation. I put on "real" clothes just for going out.

Hetty58 Mon 09-Sept-19 07:16:51

One of the reasons I love being old is that I really don't care what I look like. Clean and tidy is quite good enough so I wear comfy clothes, feel good and enjoy my second childhood. I stride out with confidence, stand tall and wear a smile (all very important). If anyone dislikes my appearance it's their problem, not mine!

Grandmashe43 Mon 09-Sept-19 07:48:24

Aw Miss Adventure, you are a complete Star x
Made me have a good chuckle, and wish I was as confident as you.x