Clothes for "older" people.

There is a danger - based on the fashion advice of the past , of being too “matchy matchy” We all do it, the matching shoes and bag plus hat if appropriate, the scarf picking out the colours of an outfit , all very tasteful, safe and frequently ageing.
I blame my Mum who drummed it into me along with the magazine fashion gurus and find it hard to resist the temptation to choose colours and accessories which “go together”.
My daughters are much better at effortlessly introducing a pop of (often unexpected) colour into an outfit,
Anyway, I do not feel patronised by articles about clothes for the “older woman”
As long as she is older than me, that’s OK.

I like clothes that hide my bad unshapely bits.

Following an eye appointment to SpecSavers and its bad mannered staff I now feel I ought perhaps to do some sort of power dressing so the staff might respect me more I.e. not casual but some sort of suit or even jewellery.

I love some clashing colours, such as hot pink with bright red or orange.

I don't like clashing colours, or shapes that emphasise my bad bits.

Iris Apfel hit theheadlines when a photographer called Ari Seth Cohen began photographing elderly people he met who challenged all the conventions about old women and clothes. He published a book called 'Advanced Style', in which she was the top story.

There is a web site www.advanced.style/ full of photos of older people, men and women, kicking over the traces, sartorially. and showing that if you are old, even if you are in a wheel chair, you can make sure you are not invisible. I bet no one ignores Iris Apfel, when she goes into a shop.

Before people start talking about money, he did a terrific feature at one point about really stylish women of limited means, all of whose clothes came from the US equivalent of charity shops.

I like the idea of Iris Apfel, the way she represents difference/ adventurousness. I don't think the article was saying wear her clothes, more push the (imaginary) boundaries.

I buy clothes from Two Threads and Lounge the Label in Australia.

I was delighted to buy one of Iris's necklaces from her collaboration with H&M. Nothing too outrageous just a big black necklace, but it will give a couple of my dresses an edge. I wanted one of the more outrageous ones but they sold out in minutes.
Mainly I wear what I've always worn. In my 60's I wore a lot of brown but now I'm going much more colourful. If I don't wear bright colours now when am I going to?

I’ve followed Iris for years. I love some pieces of the outfits she wears but wouldn’t wear them all together as she does.
I think she’s wonderful.
Her home is just like her outfits.

I buy from the brand's listed above but have recently also bought from Finery and Mint Velvet. Keep it classic and buy the best you can afford but only a few things every season and wear them a lot.

I think we should be confident enough, at our age, to wear whatever we truly like - and feel comfortable in. I really don't care at all what others think of my outfits (why should I, when I'm not looking for approval?)

Iris Apfel? Should I have heard of her? The blue trouser suit is ok but not the matching specs. The orange puffball thingy would look awful on an eighteen year old, never mind a one hundred year old. I'll stick to my linen trousers and cotton t-shirt, thanks.

Oh I got that wrong. Meant to agree with Maybee. Doh.

So do I !

M0nica I absolutely agree ??

Good grief. Why would I want to look like an orange shower puff?

Well, I think Iris Apfel, is terrific. I would not dress like that myself, but to see and read about a lady with such panache and joie de vivre and total disregard for what people think she should do and how they think she ought to dress, Putting a finger up to them all and dressing as she wants is a joy to see.

So much better than all those asking about age-appropriate clothes and sneering at all those who couldn't give a damn.

I love the looks created by Iris Apfel and Vivienne Westwood .
If I were thinner and richer ...

Ramblingrose22

It would be great if people could say where they get stylish clothes these days which can be worn by both young and "older" people alike.

White Company
Hush
Hobbs
Boden
Sahara
L K Bennet
Mint Velvet

It would be great if people could say where they get stylish clothes these days which can be worn by both young and "older" people alike.

What comes to mind I know a ?

To me, she looks ridiculous, but each to their own.

I do not like clothes that say ‘look at me.’ I have been pleased that with getting older you become invisible unless you want to dress a little differently and stand out.

My mother used to aspire to look like a model known as Mrs. Exeter; always immaculate,perfectly set iron grey hair, manicured nails and tailored clothes with matching accessories. I saw two women shopping together yesterday; Mrs. X was perfectly turned out in casual clothes, hair and make-up totally appropriate,pristine white trainers, just innately stylish. By comparison the friend looked like a bag lady.

I think Iris Apfel looks terrible

People like that have always been like that; commanding attention wherever they went.
Why would they fade into the woodwork if they are well and active and want to show the world they are still alive and kicking?

Was it Iris Apfel who said something along the lines of 'if you can't be beautiful, be outrageous' ? If you're a designer I guess you need to be noticed (for whatever the reason) or your business dies. As a person I think she's quite brilliant, but it's doubtful I would ever let her dress me.