Has your look/style changed in a surprising way as you’ve aged ?

Hair now a very good white with no help from me, so a plus for that.
Hands and arms OK
Shrinking a great minus - all my skirts are way too long
Shoes the other minus. I go for mary janes. OK in winter in thick tights time but look very clumpy at this time of year.

As soon as I got to 17 years old( and earned my money to do it) I couldn't wait to dye my red hair as I got called names about it for years at school. I went blond and then had trips to the hairdresser every 6 weeks to sort out my roots. In my 30s I went back to my red hair and now at 56 it's still red, it's past my shoulders and very thick. I've an odd grey hair that pops up, but it's great, the money I'm saving at the hairdresser is brilliant.
Also a lot of my clothes were black and now I won't wear black at all. I'm so pale and freckly, I just look ill.

Can't seem to wear pale colours, they make me look washed out. I still have very dark eyes and hair, which I highlight but now going to let the grey through. Wear a short bob in the summer, longer bob in the winter.

Can still wear black, but tend to wear bright colours, greens, blues, purples and pinks. Bright colours are cheerful and lift my mood!
Legs are terrible so wear longer skirts and dresses, flat shoes worn a long time ago due to bad back.

I do love my cheap' n'cheerful beads, brooches and scarves, little bits of glitz and decoration is vital for those dark winter months!

I am lucky to have very even silver hair. I keep it short and have thirty or so bandanas (one to match everything) I tie round head and knot on top. I am far more bohemian in my style than I used to be. I love my 'landgirl' style dungarees and my preloved Italian
linen dresses and Ella Mode linen jackets. I am 71 and have developed my own style.

Only real change since I retired 6 years ago is all my workwear, smart skirts/jackets/blouses/shoes went out and I reverted to type. That means jeans/shorts/flip flops/trainers or boots, I haven’t worn tights since then either. My hair is growing to my shoulders and it’s always been wash and leave, with a natural wave, home coloured it’s very easy.
I’ve a couple of smartish outfits if I need them.

Yes, crinkly skin. Shirley Ann Field (remember her?) said she noticed one day her legs needed ironing? Same for me, but in some ways I think I look better than at times in the past.
Widowed, with more time on my hands, I enjoy taking the time to dress up. Spanx pull me in, highlights and extensions (not too long) make up, manicures and something nice to wear cheer me up.
After two bouts of cancer, I’m going down fighting.

I've still got long blonde hair. I've tried different styles through the years, a perm in the 70s, a short cut after losing my hair with chemo, but my hair is fine and wavy and grows very quickly. I find it not only expensive to try to keep it in a short style but it also goes where it chooses so never actually looks styled.
When it's long I can wash it once or twice a week, let it dry naturally or use the straighteners on it and that's it done till the next wash. Plus I can can leave it loose or tie it up as I choose.

henetha

I love that, Yammy, - your bottom has migrated to the front.
Mine too! And there was me thinking I was pregnant! .
Oh, for an easy way to avoid the diabetic police!

I look pregnant from the side as well.
Imagine the Headlines "Gransnetters pregnant ".

My younger, less confident self would be amazed that I have fairly short hair (no longer hiding behind a long style) and wear hardly any make-up.

Chemo meant that when my hair eventually grew back and had gone through its extremely dry phase I never returned to my previous style.

Forget the latest fashions - I wear what I know suits me and to hell with the rest. I don't give a tinker's cuss if my hearing aids are on display and wear big earrings - if they draw attention to the afore-mentioned then so be it.

I seem to be in the minority in that I haven’t put on weight.
In fact I’ve lost it, although I’m 77 years old.
I eat healthily probably because my appetite is not huge.

I also hate my wrinkly arms. Horrible!
Another bugbear are my eyebrows. Half of them seem to be missing. Trying to pencil them in Looks artificial to me, so I tend to ignore them.

I still colour my roots and each time I think to myself when will I embrace the grey. But colouring my hair gives me a lift and I feel better about myself afterwards.

Lucca

For example I lost most of my hair through chemo and some has grown back so I have very very short close cropped hair and have discovered it actually suits me, and have pretty much abandoned wig scarf etc.

I also can’t wear black any more (my mother was the same)

When I lost my hair to chemo it grew back in a crop as yours has. I found it made getting ready of a morning very quick! No styling or blow drying! And I was told it suited me. But then I was a lot thinner back then.

I no longer possess any skirts or dresses or suits, preferring jumpsuits, jeggins, jeans (occasionally), leggings - and I’ve just discovered how comfy jogging bottoms are. I don’t have meetings to go to anymore, so don’t need to dress up in formal clothes. Gone, too, are the satiny pjs, they’ve been replaced with tent-like, ultra stretch and very comfy nighties.

Ladies, I’ve read all your contributions here. Just remember one thing… You are all beautiful!! It’s not how you look in the mirror, it’s how you FEEL and THINK. Young at heart and smart, take-charge women who are problem solvers, compassionate humans. Most of all, go easy on yourself. If you show strength, independence and empathy, your attitude will reflect that you are a beautiful person.

Never mind the hair, wardrobe, or whatever ails you, it IS a lift though if you continue to try new things, experiment with colors, make-up, new styles. (Go for it!) Think about how smart you are at this age and the wisdom you’ve acquired. You deserve whatever you want! Cheers!
USA Gundy

Yes, I care less what other people may think and I dress/ have my hair the way it suits me. Same with footwear - I will not longer teeter on high heels, I wear what I want to.

Well, all I'll say is that now I'm pretty wrinkly I'm thinking of having a spider's web tattooed on my face .

I no longer wear wired bras and buy a larger shape of knicker in one size bigger than the tape measure says. Jeez, life is a lot more comfortable!

Hi, I’ve been on HRT since I was 47, it has benefited me in so many ways, my skin and hair improved very quickly and it helps stabilise weight gain . My main reason was to protect my bones as I age having already got spinal issues from teen surgery. I wish I could wear higher shoes again but like many of you comfort wins every time . My hair is thick and below my shoulders so am v luck in that respect as I love it this length. I hope to grow old gracefully just a note to those ladies with eyebrow issues , look up micro blading , it’s absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve seen outstanding results in women of all ages . Can completely transform your face with “new brows” much love ❤️

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oh thank you everyone - I now feel perfectly fine with my post chemo hair, knobbly feet, flat bottom and post-op pouchy tummy... It's all normal!!