Mutton As Lamb

After a certain age I think you can definitely wear anything you like, but some things like shorts only if you don’t care what other people think. What your figure is like is important. I know people who are not slim but look very smart with well fitting, simple and well cut clothes. I’m mid 70s now, quite tall, and wear mainly jeans and trousers with longish tops, shirts, long cardigans and jumpers. My friends are around the same age and mostly still slim, wear make-up etc. We have none of us given up on our looks! I think they look great in slim, but not skinny, 7/8 length trousers worn with block heels or knee length tunics and opaques. Midi dresses with denim jackets in summer.

I agree debs, if things look good I will wear, don’t want to grow old disgracefully though! I’d rather just grow old.so many poor people don’t have that privilege

Digressing slightly … but this thread reminds me of a day many years ago when I was working for a big supermarket, on the ‘10 items or less’ till. Looked up to see quite a queue amongst which was a young man, probably about mid teens, who didn’t appear to have a basket…as his turn came, he shuffled around, didn’t look or speak and on the belt he put the largest pack of condoms that we sold…and a bottle of mint sauce. I rang them through, he paid and off he shuffled with looking or speaking although undoubtedly a bit red around the ears! The next customer who was a regular and much beloved of us all for her quick wit and ready smile, leant over towards me and in a stage whisper she said’ Must be mutton dressed as lamb’. The queue which had observed all this with great interest, promptly erupted into howls of mirth and we all went home smiling! Poor lad…luckily he was out of earshot!

I think there were two main styles in the sixties - mini skirts with skinny tops or ‘hippie style’ long dresses with beads and Birkenstocks or desert boots. That’s what I wore and still do. Never wore a mini skirt or high heels. Unfortunately following a minor stroke I developed severe neuropathic pain in one foot and the only shoes that don’t hurt so much are the dreaded Crocs. Having said that I have about 20 pairs in lovely colours which I dress up with jibbitz of daisies, butterflies and ladybirds.

Got told I am too old to wear jeans & tshirts at my age (77) that I should grow old gracefully by a very young, 20 something neighbour, a few months ago! Sorry its what I have always worn & hopefully always will! Grew up & now grown old in my jeans & not stopping till I drop. So nuts to my neighbour. Told her if she lives that long she will be my age one day & hope she remembers what she said to me! Love my jeans!

My son used to say 1664 (like the French beer) looks 16 from behind but 64 from the front.

I have the most awful legs, big thighs and short with it !!!
I love maxi clothes, but have a problem in finding them Could any of you kind ladies' help

Alot of lamb looks like mutton these days

Please. Let’s all wear what feels good. Really, who cares anyway.

Mid 60s only thing I wouldn’t wear is mini skirts or revealing tops. Love fashion still buy my cloths in Zara mango and other stories cos.

As others have said, it's a very individual thing. If you were someone who liked to 'strut your stuff' as a younger woman you may feel great doing that.

Personally I dress in clothes that are comfortable yet stylish. No wrinkled cleavage on show! I'm a Seasalt devotee as their things are timeless. Dresses and skirts below the knee.

Also I'm very, very careful with how much makeup I wear. It is THE most unattractive thing if not done well. A minimal amount can look good....loads, not so... and that is at any age.

Also I leave 'bling' to the younger women. When I was young I had a fabulous glittery dress that I wore to discos, parties etc. I felt fabulous in it. Wouldn't be seen dead in anything like that now. I like to think I'm maturing artfully and gracefully. I'm owning my grey hair and having a really good cut.

Internally I'm more radical that I've ever been and I have more interest in my mature inner world that how I look to the rest of the world.

Other people can look at me and judge what's appropriate or not.. I've grown beyond worrying.

I finally have the freedom to be me and like the person I meet..

Livey

I have the most awful legs, big thighs and short with it !!!
I love maxi clothes, but have a problem in finding them Could any of you kind ladies' help

Hello Livey I recommend midi dresses from SeaSalt Cornwall (absolutely loads to chose from, and they are lovely)
I’m distinctly average height (5’5’’) and they come up mid calf on me, so I expect would be maxi on you.
Some are longer than others, but you can see that on the website.
They’ve got a sale on now too.
Even though I’m not short, I know that lots of maxi dresses absolutely trail in the floor.

Mollie3

My son used to say 1664 (like the French beer) looks 16 from behind but 64 from the front.

I hope that you told him off!

I wear what's comfortable and seasonal - don't care whether or not I'm dressing 'my age' (81). I use a tinted moisturiser that tones well with my skin and just enough blusher, blended in well to alleviate my natural pallor. I feel sad at the sight of women my age with wrinkles caked in make-up. I do try to wear lipstick, but can't seem ever to make it last
FYI, today I am wearing a pair of Cotton-traders stretchy-waistband jeans and a Woolovers lavender tunic.

Age doesn’t have that much to do with it. Some young people could reflect just as much as we do, as to what looks good.

I am 71. I have always had my own style....used to make all my own clothes. Have always been a bit bohemian. I have seen older women wearing clothes they really should not be wearing. Low cut tops showing off a wrinkly decolletage is really not flattering. Is is possible to dress with a modern style without resorting to clothes that are meant for younger people.

One thing I can't stand is Mums trying to look the very same as their adult daughters. I blame the botox trend for promoting a particular look. Unhealthy in my humble opinion. But generally I would say often our clothes reflect a little of our personality be it quirky or conformist. So celebrate who you are. Personally I find a decent haircut a bit of subtle make up, a neck scalf and a decent jacket work for me. Denim jacket over my dresses and pumps or
sandles were my summer style. My pixie boots and dark tights will be worn with knee length dresses for winter or narrow fit trews and baggy tops with a scalf for good measure.

I wear what I want apart from short dresses/skirts - knee length is as far as I’ll go. I often wear very high heels although most wedges now and lots of colour. Love off the shoulder tops/dresses. I’ve said it before… the alternative is mutton dressed as mutton ?

I think my choices are determined by size and shape rather than age.

I recently bought a pair of black loafers from M&S, they had huge chunky heels and soles and I looked ridiculous in them. So they've been returned. (DH also pointed out they'd be dodgy to drive in!)

Mine too @57GrammarGrandma. There are things I might have tried some years ago but only once,
Practicality too, never been a one for low cut as an every day thing because of sun damage but OK for once in a while, and still once in a while as that area has not been aged by the sun

Mamma7

I wear what I want apart from short dresses/skirts - knee length is as far as I’ll go. I often wear very high heels although most wedges now and lots of colour. Love off the shoulder tops/dresses. I’ve said it before… the alternative is mutton dressed as mutton ?

Not at all. there are many alternatives in between, with a bit of class, taste and flair.

I dress to please me and really don't care what other people may think of me. I like to be comfortable in my clothes.

My favoured style (be it summer or winter) is jeans, trousers or long shorts, longline t-shirts, floaty tops, tunics or jumpers, flat shoes or sandals and no makeup. I have two summer skirts but rarely wear them.

I'm 72, 5'4" and definitely overweight with bulges in all the wrong places, so I never wear leggings, tights, or anything figure hugging. I do have one pair of (real) leather trousers, but they're a classic straight fit and look good even on me. I don't wear high heels (never have done), false eyelashes or artificial nails.

In my youth I wore the shortest mini skirts and hot pants imaginable, but also maxi skirts, afghan coats, thigh length boots etc. I was very slim and had great legs. Those days are gone now, just a happy memory. Our photo albums are a revelation to our AC and GC!

My grandmother often used the phrase 'Mutton dressed as lamb'. She was a very stylish dresser herself, made a lot of her own clothes, and looked much younger than her years. At 67 she applied for a job and put her age as 40! They believed her and she got the job. Eventually her deception was discovered. Her boss was amazed and paid her cash-in-hand from then on as he didn't want to lose her. She worked until her mid 70s when early dementia became apparent.

Watched an old episode of 'Waiting for God' last night and the drunken wife in it was wearing the exact same pleated skirt and top I had from Country Casuals many years ago. Still wearing similar styles but a couple of sizes bigger. No desire to show any cleavage or nobbly knees even when covered in thick tights.

I dress in what I think suits me, follow trends loosely but also buy classic things like soft black and camel roll neck jumpers and good jeans. I think I look better in more fitted clothes but also love the loose dresses that have been around the last couple of years, worn with thick tights & boots in the cooler weather. I wouldn’t wear a mini skirt, crop top or plunging neckline now but then never did really as pencil skirts were the in thing when I was young. I do like brighter colours now, particularly greens & blues and oranges & corals for autumn. Prefer a more natural makeup, no frosted eyes or lips, if makeup looks like it’s been put on with a trowel it’s very ageing! Basically go with what you like & what suits your figure, with a pinch of decorum. I wish I could wear high heels more but they cripple me now.