Do you care? Too much ? Too little ?

I still care what I look like even at 75, for my own sense of pride. I am often surprised at how some people dress when appearing on television such as quiz shows. If it were me I would have been to the hairdressers and worried for ages about what to wear but some people just don't seem to care. We're all different I suppose.

My mum was always very vain, obsessed with her appearance. That rubbed off on me, but with the opposite effect. I found her vanity so off putting that I feel the reverse now.

The vanity wasn't good for her, in the long run. She now HATES the way she looks because she's less feminine now she's older and not attractive anymore. At least I'll be spared that. If you don't care, ageing isn't such an issue.

I do like to know what I look like. I often look at fashion for the over 60s.

Yes, I care. Since the latter part of Lockdown, I have started wearing my "good" clothes, as I have nowhere to go, and it seemed a shame not to wear them. I cover up with a chef style striped apron if I have to do anything potentially messy (e.g. frying) but otherwise do what I would normally do in my clothes, including strimming the grass! I don't wear any full length dresses for this, though (I think I own 2)!

I have never worn much make up - again, always used this only when "going out".
I get my hair cut fairly regularly. I can't grown my nails, but try to keep them tidy.

I rather hope that the other ladies who shop in Lidl think that I'm a bit "posh" (I'm really not!).

I have always cared how I look, I am 81yrs old and still have my hair cut stylish, I always wear a little make up, and choose my clothes with care to look modern, but not silly. I get compliments even when shopping in the supermarket. The nurse at my doctors surgery was amazed at my age and both nurses loved my casual summer colour co-ordination. They said how some women in there 50s come into the surgery and look 80, simply because they dont care what they look like. This is surely lack of self respect, and self loath. Keeping up your own appearance does wonders for feeling good and being happy about yourself. Which then encourages people to warm to you. Its all psychological, which is what humans are all about.

Lillian40
Well said ???

I care about what i look like when I go out.

When at home, I dress like a comfortable slob.

No one sees me, except OH and he is the same.

I'm clean, comfy and practical person.

I definitely care and although I have an outdoor life style I have my "outdoor" wardrobe that suits me. Riding breeches or slim jeans and a smart polo shirt for riding and dog walking, leggings and boots for gardening. I only wear colours that suit me, generally wear skinny or slim trousers + a pretty top for going out with decent flats or statement trainers and if I really want to dress up, I'm happy to go for it with heels and a short skirt. I always wear some make up and ear rings, for special occasions I love to do the full works and wear more make up and nice jewelry. I'm in my 70's and I'm probably more confident about my looks now than when I was in my 20's. I am blessed with pretty OK looks and for years I never realised it. Wish I had, I quite like myself now but perhaps the benefit of getting old!

Bridie22 , same for me. Practical matters most tho I do like colour either co-ordinating or a contrast. And I never wear boots or shoes that aren’t comfy no matter what they look like.

Thanks MayBee70 think mine might be computer eye too. Work has become crazy lately.

When I was teaching I made an effort with what I wore. I always thought of it as having respect for the students who had to sit and look at me for an hour or more at a time !
It has to be said that Many teachers wore desperately dull clothes ( the ubiquitous black skirt or trousers and dull shirt…. )

Lillian40 You say you have always cared about how you look and that’s been good for you. However which came first- the chicken or the egg? I mean do the 50 year old women who go to the surgery looking 80 look that way because they are actually ill/depressed/stressed to hell/poor *or are they all those things because they aren’t dressing nicely? Some may well have low self esteem and some may self loath but God forbid that they should look how they feel, in case they don’t win the approval of the health care team ?

To be brutally honest I think that not caring how you look - unless you are spending a day gardening or moving house etc is a sign of poor mental health - everyone male or female should have enough self respect to wear nice clean modern clothes, have their hair cut regularly, wash them self and their hair regularly, look after their skin, nails etc - to do otherwise is a bad sign I fear - a sign of depression, but can also lead to worse physical health

Cleanliness is quite different to worrying about appearance.

I'd say the reverse. Not having the confidence in who you are being good enough to present to the world au natural suggests poor self esteem.

Until contracting covid I cared - I had to, I was representing a company.
Being in hospital just after Christmas, and subsequently not working, has changed my outlook. My husband reckons the 'ah, f**k it' region of my brain has been activated.
And I think he's right. What difference does it make? I'm alive, I'm recovering slowly and, as long as I'm clean, I don't much care. It's liberating!

I agree KC. I was suited and booted for so long, not having to bother is great.

Jaibee007 I have encountered so many instances of people with depression feeling unable to make an effort to get up or to handle self care that you may well be right. Hair may not be cut. It can always be tied back and nails can easily be trimmed, but not caring about personal hygiene could be an indication of something more serious.
As kevincharley says about recovering from Covid ‘as long as I’m clean’. Hope you continue to improve KC.

I was very glam in my younger days. Worked as a flight attendant and have the feet to prove it!

Now it's lovely to float around in comfy stuff. And I sometimes leaves the house with no make up on! Nobody's fainted with horror after seeing me so I'm fine with being less high maintenance these days

If I think I look presentable/nice then I feel better mentally.
It’s not about what others think of me, it’s all for me…

Galaxy, I have always wanted a pair of rabbit slippers! As for caring how I look, I’m with those who strive for nothing more than neat and tidy. I would like to lose a little weight but since wishing isn’t making it happen, I’ll settle for my current weight and sensible clothing.

I could definitely do with losing a few pounds, but I try to dress appropriately, I don’t imagine for a moment that I’m looking particularly lovely, but I’m happy with the look I’ve acquired over the years, I was a bit lost in my fifties with knowing what to wear and where to buy it, but I’m back on track now.

I was taught that self-care was a form of self respect and one of the first signs of poor health (physical or mental) in someone is when they begin to neglect their personal appearance.

Frankly I do not believe anyone who says they do not care how they look. No matter how you dress, even if you choose your clothes from a sack with a paper bag over your head and face, it is a conscious choice. If you suggested to someone like that, that they wear, say, a smart dress, sheer tights and a pair of shoes with a small heel rather than trackies, T shirt, and bedroom slippers, they would immediately respond negatively, showing they do care what they wear and only wear clothes they feel happy and comfortable in.

Yes, I care. I don’t always dress up but as long as I am clean and tidy that will do for me. I know someone who shops in charity shops, nothing wrong with that, but a bargain charity shop purchase doesn’t always look good, more like Mrs Doubtfire!!

Of all the subjects on here, this one has set me pondering over the last few days.
I've found it difficult growing into my older self - being treated as older, my hair doesn't do what it used to, physically & mentally I'm different too.
I've moved out of the city & downsized so the clothes I wear are different & the people I meet.
I do care to look clean & tidy. I wear less make-up - it just slides off these days & the more I put on the worse it looks. ?