Gransnet forums

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”?

DanniRae Mon 09-Sept-19 07:54:31

Hetty58 - Well said! smile

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 08:00:31

Gonegirl - "can you still buy them?"Come to any Italian Street market! Good excuse for a trip to (too) sunny Italy!

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 08:04:13

Joandnell Blouses tucked into waistbands definitely do NOT look good on anyone with very little waist.

PS: have succeeded in losing 11 kilos over the past year but my waistline has hardly reduced at all. Woe is me!

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 08:09:32

Is what some of you ladies call "apple-shaped" what I would call "cylinder-shaped": not hour-glass but bog-roll?

Sounds like me.

sodapop Mon 09-Sept-19 08:10:50

Yes I agree Hetty. I once asked my daughter what she thought of a top I was trying on, she replied " well it's alright for you mother but I wouldn't wear it !!" I did bring them up to be honest.

Nannylovesshopping Mon 09-Sept-19 08:13:10

When out shopping in clothes store, I have been known, often, blush to see someone looking fabulous, and sort of stalk them, see what they are looking at and then, pick up same item, scurry off for a try on, I have got some of my favourite stuff this way, been doing it for years?

Lessismore Mon 09-Sept-19 08:32:41

Alexa, thanks for the heads up about Bon Marche. The bigger stores seem to have some OK things in them.

Nanna58 Mon 09-Sept-19 08:41:20

My most recent outfit that I can’t wait to wear is a look that was entitled ‘country grunge ‘ in the store, burgundy ditsy flowered midi dress with frilly hem, teamed with matching plain woollen scarf and DM boots. No beige!!

Lessismore Mon 09-Sept-19 08:52:15

The word " ditsy" seems to be everywhere. Can it be applied to humans?

Fennel Mon 09-Sept-19 08:57:12

Tesco have a very nice autumn range now. At least, I like the styles. And colours.
And so cheap!

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 09:54:06

But I LOVE beige - with contrasts of deep, chocolate brown or taupe and brightened up with gold (coloured bits and pieces, it can look very well put together.

Sara65 Mon 09-Sept-19 10:20:49

Nanna

That sounds lovely, may I ask where you bought it?

merlotgran Mon 09-Sept-19 10:27:05

Me too, giulia. It's a very useful colour to have in the wardrobe but I never wear it with anything pale and rarely in summer months.

DanniRae Mon 09-Sept-19 10:50:45

Today I am wearing my black jersey pull-on trousers and black and white striped t-shirt (scoop neck) and black leather boots (flat). When I am indoors I am wearing my burgundy M&S long cardigan. When I go out I will wear my black, padded jacket (from Sainsburys).
Breaking a few no-no's here? BUT I am comfortable, clean and tidy and that's the most important thing to me. grin

Tweedle24 Mon 09-Sept-19 12:18:20

Genuine interest question - why are stripes considered ‘old lady’? I don’t have any, by the way.

GrammaH Mon 09-Sept-19 12:45:33

I want to buy new jeans this week so please do tell me what is the right length & what should I avoid?? I tend to like ankle grazers....perhaps I'm getting it really badly wrong!!

SueDonim Mon 09-Sept-19 12:59:36

Tweedle24 I met up recently with my two dds and my GD. We were all, by coincidence, wearing stripes. We range in age from mid-60's, early 30's, early 20's and 20mths old. grin

giulia Mon 09-Sept-19 13:15:07

horizontal stripes are really fattening! If they were vertical they would be slimming but they rarely are.

Sara65 Mon 09-Sept-19 13:16:42

I like stripes, just not on me

Gonegirl Mon 09-Sept-19 13:27:30

Lessismore could it be applied to humans

"Ditsy" seems to mean little flowers. I like to think that could be applied to me. On a good day. smile

wink

petra Mon 09-Sept-19 13:41:27

giulia
That's a fallacy. Look up the Helmholz Illusion. It's all explained.

rockgran Mon 09-Sept-19 13:51:09

Hettie58 - I agree! I love not having to care what's fashionable. I aim for clean and neat and I just wear what I think suits me and is comfortable. In that respect I rather like being an old lady!

Maggiemaybe Mon 09-Sept-19 14:08:47

petra’s got it right there. Horizontal stripes are much more flattering than vertical. It took me over 60 years to realise this....

123kitty Mon 09-Sept-19 14:38:41

GrammaH it depends how long you expect your jeans to last as to whether you go for ankle grazers as jeans are starting to be worn longer in the leg now. Ankle grazers could end up looking like 'old lady length trousers' next spring. Also, if anything you fancy would make a good cushion cover don't buy it as that is definitely ageing. Good luck with your shopping.

Magrithea Mon 09-Sept-19 15:04:16

have to agree about M&S Gagajo and Nandalot - I have had some reasonable linen trousers and jeans from there but so much is frumpy, poor fabrics and things I wonder who would wear and buy