Why are all mature ladies shown on style advice sites slim and perfect?

I find it difficult to judge dress lengths when the model is 5’10 and the dress is described as knee length, it is not when you are 5’3.

Companies complain about so many returns of clothes ordered online, this would not happen if they were shown on average size women instead of models, you know you are not going to look like the model but still hard to judge how clothes look in different sizes.

Same happens with other demographics - unreasonable beauty standards

Some online clothes sites do state the height of the model and the length of the garment.

There was something in the press the other day about a (young) slim model using padding so that she could model outsized clothes. Apparently, they wanted a bigger body but with a slim face. Nobody wanted to see fat faces and double chins apparently

Because we ARE ???
(Also why we no longer have pictures or member profiles)

I'm so shocked at GNs 'Style & beauty' - having rarely ventured there. What a load of sh*te!

Looking for trendy clothes for a 50 year old woman? Then you probably don't want to end up looking like Margaret Thatcher.

Politically I couldn't stand Mrs Thatcher but what on earth her style of dress has to do with the price of fish heaven knows - the woman was a politician!

'What not to wear over 50' is a disgrace.

Gransnet

My question would be why on earth is there a section called 'How to dress over 50'. The older people get the more varied they are in shape, size and taste.

Someone over 50 could be size 25 and 6 foot tall or size 6 and 5 foot. They could have little or no grey hair and an unlined face or be white haired with a face covered with fine lines. They could be deeply conventional or dress like Zandra Rhodes. They could be 50 or 100.

The whole idea of being able to tell all women 'over 50' how to dress is ludicrous. I am nearly 80, so well over 50 and there is not a single garment on the site that I would wear, they are all so dull and safe. As for the questionnaire, I fell at the first hurdle.I looked at the 'choose a pattern' selection and disliked all of them equally.

Models show items of clothing. They are not serving suggestions. Ignore the model, look at the garment, do you like it, would it suit you, can you afford it? That is all that matters.

Models show items of clothing. They are not serving suggestions.

That made me laugh ? The description usually tells you the length of the clothes so you can work out how long it would be for your height. I find lots of clothes too short for me so I check model details and description very carefully.

Not sure this buying online clothes is all its cracked up to be. Received a pair of trousers this morning, unwrapped them and was rather disappointed they looked a bit grannyish, surely I thought they are going to be huge on me -oh dear no they fit perfectly and are sooooo comfortable, I give in. Mind you I am nowhere near 50 now.

Some online clothes sites do state the height of the model and the length of the garment.

Oh yes: Model is 5' 10" and wearing a size 8. Glossy, gorgeous and looks lovely in the apricot-coloured top I ordered (she's wearing it with black cigarette pants and high heels).
I look like a large Jaffa orange in it.

The whole idea of being able to tell all women 'over 50' how to dress is ludicrous
Yes, it is. We don't tend to suddenly change our general style as we get older; flamboyant friends still tend to dress flamboyantly, safe dressers remain in their safe style.

I find the problem is finding clothes that are good quality in a reasonable price range.
There is so much rubbish around these days masquerading as good quality, one of the perils of online shopping.

I'm with you on clothes, being under 5ft short with an 80 year old body.
Have you looked at 'Makeup Tips for older Women'?
I don't want to hijack the post - but that amount of foundation on my 80 year old face would look ridiculous.
C'mon Gransnet, revise these Style and Beauty hints and aim them at real women.

I rarely buy clothes online and when I do, it is normally vintage clothing, aka second hand. I bought a Jacques Vert coat a few years a go and a skirt made by a similar level German designer this year.

When shopping for clothes, online or off, I know my shape and I know my style and what suits me, so it doesn't really matter to me whether they photograph it on a tall slim model or a coat hanger.

I don't really think about age at all. I was looking at myself in jeans, trainers and teeshirt and trying to imagine my mother in law in the same clothes at my age! I'm just really wearing what I've always worn. My feet have changed more than anything. I have to have wide shoes and heels are a thing of the past so I now wear more colourful ones instead.

I thought the Margaret Thatcher look was hideous when she was wearing it (all those pussy cat bows!) I certainly wouldn't want to be seen in it now.