Do you dress like your mum did at your age?

Mum was a beauty. Dad said that on their first date she looked like Sophia Loren, only wearing wellies (makes perfect sense in West Coast of Scotland). I remember her wearing dog-tooth tweed skirts and twin-sets, and had a perm that she just combed through and it bounced wonderfully. I recall she'd lift me up to the mirror and sing: 'Que sera, sera' by Doris Day - and since my name is Kay, I loved it. She wore make-up every day, which I called Polyfilla, and she laughed. It was a shock to say how they dressed her in the care home - with striped terry socks and black slacks, and cut her her far too short. She never once complained, but I still feel cut up about it.

My mother, born 1922, had a nice figure when young and I remember her summer uniform was a close fitting white T shirt and full cotton skirt. Dark red lipstick and no eye make up (unlike me) She would wet the end of a used matchstick for her eyebrows. So many mentions of Ponds Cold Cream and I use it still as does my daughter, it’s fabulous.
She also had a navy blue neat costume and when older, navy and mint green were her go to colours. No trousers. A roll on which she said held her together and I use one too.
She coloured her hair to the end but couldn’t abide hairdressers, at one point snatching the comb out of the hand of the poor hairdresser to do it herself. ‘I must have height!” she’d say, having a low forehead.
“I’m not walking down the road with you in that get up” she said to me in my teens in buttoned boots from the 1920s and a massive astrakhan coat, both from a flea market.
She was a character.
God knows what my style is now, there’s too much going on, but it’s fun.

My mum died at the age of 94. I am now 98.She always wore dresses which like me she mostly made until she was until her seventies with a cardigan in cold weather. I have never worn jeans which I think should stayed with the cowboys. Gave up wearing trousers in my eighties preferring skirts. Like her I always wear makeup and nail varnish even though I am housebound and don’t see anyone.

My Mam wasn’t fashion conscious in the slightest and didn’t possess a pair of trousers until the 70s which she bought for a trip to Jersey. She always wore a Vedonis vest, with built up shoulders, full petticoat slip, and liked French knickers with suspenders and stockings. She wore her nursing sister’s uniform for work 4 days a week and usually wore a dress and coat when we went to town each Saturday when she was off. She did like Estée Lauder makeup worn to go out in and had a wash and set every couple of weeks. As for me the power suits are gone since I retired and I tend to wear leggings, jumpers and gilets most days. However I do enjoy getting dressed to go out.

My mum was born in 1914. She sounds like so many others on here. Never owned a pair of trousers, except when she worked as an Air Raid Patrol warden during the war. Always wore a dress, sometimes a pinafore with a blouse underneath. In winter she wore a cardigan on top. Always wore a hat and coat to go out anywhere, also gloves (cotton in Summer months).

I never saw her wash her own hair, she went to the hairdressers for a shampoo and set once a week.
Skincare was Nivea, makeup was some sort of powder puff affair and a Tangee lipstick. (Nothing on the eyes.) She never wore earrings or nail varnish.

Shoes were usually court, she had funny sandals with covered toes for the summertime. No trainers, no wellies. (If it rained she stayed indoors.) She had a pair of fur-trimmed boots for very cold weather. If she went out for the evening, she would drag out this full-length fox fur coat, which always smelt of mothballs.

My Mum was incredibly attractive and stylish at my age. I can be stylish but because of my job I have to wear practical clothes. I must make more of an effort to go out more so I can be more stylish

When my mother was young, there was no such thing as jeans and trainers. So obviously she couldn’t or wouldn’t wear that type of clothing.

Different era, different clothing.

Sadly my mum died at age 57 but, looking at photos of her in her fifties, she doesn't look much younger than me now at 76, although slimmer! She did go to the hairdressers occasionally or I would do it for her, but never had it coloured - wouldn't have occurred to her - had a perm sometimes so it was a very dull salt and pepper. I don't ever remember her wearing trousers. She always wore lipstick though. I think fifty was considered quite old in those days. My first MIL
was always very smart, no trousers, with pure white hair but never coloured. My second (late) MIL was also a smart lady and she would never set foot outside the house without her mascara. As for me, I live in trousers, joggers indoors and smart when going out, only wear a skirt on really special occasions. I have my hair coloured regularly as do most of my friends.

My Mum was born in 1912, she never wore trousers, despite the fact she was a farmer's wife. She had naturally curly hair, never went to the hairdressers. She used a bit of Goya powder from a compact, which I still have, and a dab of pink lipstick, She wore Evening in Paris perfume. I miss my Mum.

Photos of my Mother in the thirties show a woman with dark brown hair beautifully cut, wearing suits and dresses that were made for her, and showed her slim figure. My Mother had a very 'bad' war - I know it wasn't exactly a picnic for anyone, but she emerged from six years of horror a changed woman, and although she was always clean and neat, and had her hair cut and set regularly, she lost all interest in herself in every way. She expressed horror at my Mary Quant mini dresses, false eyelashes and geometric haircuts, but didn't live long enough to see me as a sixty something wearing jeans and jumpers, and floaty dresses in the summer. Mother would have died rather than wear anything so 'flamboyant' - twin sets and a straight skirt were her uniform.

When I was young in the 50s I did, but along came the 60s and it all changed my clothes were very swinging sixties.
My mum did have some nice clothes though looking back at my older sisters wedding Photos in the 50s my mum
wore a lovely navy blue fitted dress and jacket, which would probably be in the fashion now, wish she had kept it.

Very similar. She lived in practical stuff that was good for walking and gardening; I do too. She was only 19 years older than me though.

My Mum lived five years longer than I am now, she was always dressed smartly, wore lipstick and Max Factor cream puff no other make up she had great taste in clothes and wore lovely hats.I wish I had inherited her taste, I live in jeans, never wear a skirt, never wear a hat, have casual smart clothes but nothing like my Mum. She was a good advisor regarding clothes,I miss her.

Jaylucy
I can top that. I helped my friend pack her mother in law’s clothes ready for a house move. She had 135 elastic waste skirts ?.

Daisend
My Mother in law had a seal skin coat ?

I remember my mum always wore a red scarf tied around her head like a turban. Not sure when she gave it up. I think it was when we moved to South Africa when I was 7.
I also remember a few years later when she bought herself the first bra she ever owned. She spotted me looking at her and she had the bra loosely around her chest. She said "they won't go in!"

My Mum taught me the invaluable skill of dressmaking. I don't make clothes now because the fabric and thread cost more than a ready made outfit, but in my teens I copied the styles of Quant and Biba for a fraction of the cost. I'd make the dress on Saturday and wear it to go out that evening.
Like many mums, she even shortened her skirt lengths to just over the knee in a nod to the mini.

Lovely reading how your Mothers/Grandmothers dressed - my own Mum died when I was young.On this subject - thinking how lucky we are to have many clothes which are both comfortable and stylish.I love jeans but they're not (always) comfortable - however I love cropped/three-quarter length leggings teamed with long-line sweatshirts.Also capri pants - look great but not as casual as joggers.To be honest - I haven't worn skirts in years - preferring the (not so) little black dress and long-line formal cardigan/jacket for special occasions.Fashion has changed considerably - enjoyed reading your memories about loved ones.

My mum died aged 94 and loved wearing cord trousers and fluffy jumpers throughout the winter.
Yes I wear the same and comfortable hotter ankle boots . Comfy style that's me !

Do I dress like my mum? My first response was no, but actually I think I do, in that I wear a limited range of colours - blue/grey or brown/cream, I like to be coordinated. Mum often wore jumpers with matching pleated skirts and floral frocks in summer. Looking back it seemed a bit dull, track suits and t-shirts weren't widely worn unless playing a sport, whereas I wear them a lot.

She started wearing trousers when she got a sewing machine - must have been in her 50s. Dad's response, "Trousers! At your age". You'd think she'd murdered a kitten, he was so horrified.

Make-up wise she just wore powder and lipstick when going out 'out', not every day. After wearing the whole caboodle on that score I realised that that's all I need.

Do I look boring? To a colourful person, maybe so but I'm of an age not to worry about others' opinions.

The only style of dress that I have in common with my Mum is trousers, she wore them a lot (for warmth) and so do I (for comfort, and I'm lazy). But she never wore jeans - hated them, said they were common.

My Mum was the original 'beige woman,' always wearing drab, boring shades of brown and small discreet patterns. She liked her clothes to be neat and fitted and she always wanted to be inconspicuous and blend into the background, so she never wore bright colours or bold patterns, she thought they were tarty.

She never wore sleeveless tops or v-necks no matter how warm it was, and was horrified when I wore halter necks, mini skirts, hot pants and kaftans!

Mum always wore stockings, never tights.
I don't wear either.

Mum always wore a tight girdle and vest.
I definitely do not.

Mum never went to the hairdressers.
I go every 6 weeks.

Mum always wore a hat to go out.
I don't wear hats.

Mum wore makeup every day, powder, blusher and lipstick, but never eye makeup.
I don't wear any makeup.

Mum always wore stiletto heels, even at 85. I've never worn them - I saw what they did to her feet! She would buy shoes a size too small, if they didn't have her size, and 'break them in'. I only buy shoes that fit me properly and are comfortable. I once took her to be measured for handmade shoes. We collected them and she said they were very comfortable. But when she discovered the price she took them off and never wore them again - she didn't want to spoil them!

She always disapproved of the way I dressed and probably still would if she were around.

Blimey, don't think my mother ever came out of the 50s, and not the glam 50s either. Even when I'm 90 I don't think I will ever dress like her. She has always been very plainly dressed, no make up, little jewellery. I think I'm almost her opposite.

My Mum born in 1929 wore elasticated waist polyester trousers from m&s ( always maroon for some reason) and thin jumpers in winter In summer she would wear shirt waisted dresses. She had loads of these dresses in delicate flowery patterns. And a corset oh dear I remember her buying me one when I was about 16 and reasonably skinny. Mine was like reinforced thick knickers. Never wore it, also never have worn a bra, another item she tried to get me into. Due to varicose veins Mum would always have her legs covered with thick crepe bandages. I haven’t inherited those thankfully. She had lots of old lady shoes, which strangely my daughter wanted when Mum died.
I wear jeans, joggers and dresses with leggings in winter with boots or trainers. In summer I live in shorts and t shirts with sandals and sometimes dresses.
Mum was always appalled by my dress sense.She wanted a very feminine girly daughter, I was definitely a tomboy.
I wear very similar clothes to my daughters and granddaughter. Although they all hate my sandals

My mum was on old lady by the time she reached my age - 63. She wore tweed or tartan skirts & wool or cashmere jumpers & pearls. If it was morning, an apron completed the outfit. She had her hair set every week and a perm every few months. She had an enviable figure and had a magnificent set of teeth which rarely had a filling. She still had all her teeth and no need for glasses when she died at 91. As I type, I'm wearing scruffy jeans & a cable knit jumper & no bra as I have costochondritis and they're a torture to wear unless I'm going somewhere special. Mum of course always wore a bra and corsets! I've got the opposite kind of hair to her - mine is thick & hers was very fine. I have mine cut every 4 weeks in a choppy cut but, like hers at my age, it is grey. I never wear skirts, preferring dresses or jeans. I love dressing up to go out which we do quite frequently. Mum and dad weren't ones for going out so it was rare to see mum dressed up unless there was a wedding .

My mother shuffled around in track pants at my age (66) and was always hacking her hair off short, she had no teeth and refused to wear a bra, so no I definitely do not dress like her, I live in bright kaftans and leggings and my hair is waist length

My Mum (born in 1911) never wore trousers. It was always skirts or frocks (she never called them dresses). In the house she usually wore a wrap-around pinafore. Money was tight for her but if she needed to look smart she had what we would call a suit (skirt and jacket). In her day it was called a "costume". Colours were drab - olive green, mustard or "ni**er" brown. I won't type the word in full but it was commonly used in Mum's day. And she would have ni**er brown shoes to match.
I've never been interested in clothes or make-up. I wear trousers most of the time and don't enjoy having to get dressed up for social occasions etc. Despite the lack of a good maternal role model my DDs enjoy clothes and shopping. They both have style whether dressed smartly or casually. They used to suggest styles to me "(that would really suit you, Mum"), but soon realised I was a lost cause. They put it down to the fact that my Mum made me wear a "liberty bodice" until I was into my teens!