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Things you think can make you look older than your years!

(414 Posts)
Audi10 Mon 23-May-22 13:17:30

While having a discussion with two friends this subject came up! They were saying the way some people dress can look a bit matronly! I was saying but it’s not all about dress sense I think having a positive attitude and a smile makes you appear happier so therefore younger, it’s not always about how a person dresses! What do you gransnetters think!

Luckygirl3 Mon 23-May-22 13:19:53

Crimpelene!

Audi10 Mon 23-May-22 13:21:51

I forgot about that one lucky girl remember it well

PollyDolly Mon 23-May-22 13:23:13

Luckygirl3

Crimpelene!

Yes! And polyester jersey. Both have a 'smell' all of their own.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 23-May-22 13:25:51

I think a baggy cardigan, with a shapeless frock, a disastrous perm (which doesn't suit you) and scuffed sandals can look very unflattering.

OTOH, a good hairstyle, lipstick, trendy earrings and a style of dressing which nods to the latest fashion without being a slave to it can knock years off.

I'm not keen on plastic surgery - what's wrong with looking your age anyway? A positive, cheerful attitude and an open mind are what really matters IMHO.

MissAdventure Mon 23-May-22 13:26:52

A few things come to mind, but I don't want to offend anyone who has and enjoys them.
Sweatshirts with pictures of wolves or other wild animals on.
Specially if you have the matching throw and cushion covers.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 23-May-22 13:27:01

No makeup (unless you’re blessed with looking good without). Also too much makeup!

Kathy72 Mon 23-May-22 13:27:15

I guess in most peoples minds how you dress, to a certain extent, can indicate your personality and approach to life?

Audi10 Mon 23-May-22 13:31:36

Yes! I agree not a fan myself of plastic surgery each to their own of course but not for me! Yes what’s wrong with looking your age! But then I’m comfortable with myself and how I look! Agree good haircut flattering clothes for your shape and positive attitude works wonders lovebeigecardigans

Serendipity22 Mon 23-May-22 13:31:48

Clothes.smile

Casdon Mon 23-May-22 13:34:25

I agree with your friends. Old lady shoes, badly cut jeans, and an old fashioned hairstyle are all matronly giveaways I think. As with Miss A I don’t want to offend anybody, because they are all unimportant in the big scheme of things, but people do notice, and I don’t think a big smile and a friendly face stops them doing so.

MissAdventure Mon 23-May-22 13:38:49

I suppose the "crash helmet", heavily set hairstyle is quite ageing, but then for some people it's needed, so they can manage it themselves.

Aveline Mon 23-May-22 13:39:18

A dear (male) friend once said 'mutton dressed as lamb' is bad enough but 'carrion dressed as mutton' is worse! What a charmer he was (not).
I was looking at some 'young' clothes today. They looked very trendy and I could fit them but - I just didn't want to. Not sure why. They just weren't me somehow.

Lucca Mon 23-May-22 13:41:25

His and hers dingy purple mountain warehouse anoraks.
Dull colours generally.

rafichagran Mon 23-May-22 13:44:57

Germanshepherdsmum

No makeup (unless you’re blessed with looking good without). Also too much makeup!

I dont wear full face makeup, just lipstick. I do agree too much makeup is ageing.

MagicWand Mon 23-May-22 13:49:06

Dark matt lipstick. In fact most matt lipsticks but especially darker shades. Agree with the anti-aging smile factor though.

MissAdventure Mon 23-May-22 13:52:59

I'm not so sure about the smile.
I remember Anne Robinson saying to one contestant (the smiley sort)

"Oh, you're one of those nauseating "I'll try anything once" types, aren't you?" grin

FarNorth Mon 23-May-22 13:55:31

Germanshepherdsmum

No makeup (unless you’re blessed with looking good without). Also too much makeup!

I never wear makeup and have many friends who also don't.
I think most people look silly with makeup unless it's artistic rather than the fashionable type.

Hair that is coloured in too dark a shade is ageing.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 23-May-22 14:01:13

My makeup must be ‘artistic’ then. I don’t know what ‘fashionable’ makeup is unless you mean thick black eyeliner and false eyelashes. My eye makeup is subtle. I don’t like makeup on my face. I don’t think you would consider I looked silly if you saw me but I might think you and your friends looked your ages.

Witzend Mon 23-May-22 14:10:50

There are definitely ‘old lady’ clothes, and of course shoes, but anyone with difficult feet may have no choice with those.

Into her 80s my mother refused to wear what she considered ‘old lady’ clothes. Even after she got dementia and no longer gave a hoot, I still wouldn’t buy anything ‘old lady’ for her.

Beige anorak-type jackets are one thing that springs to mind, and the sort of beige trousers that don’t fit - are baggy round the bum and so often too short.
And those dusty-coloured pinky-lilac or similar raincoats, or any other wishy-washy colour.
I used to think a pair of these were a sure sign of Jehovah’s Witnesses about to call, but we’ve had none of that particular pest lately, thank goodness.

Another ‘old lady’ red flag, to me anyway, is cardigans with gilt buttons. Possibly unreasonable, I know.

Kim19 Mon 23-May-22 14:18:03

I know that if I feel good/happy when the full length mirror I have behind the front door (Mum's tip!) has me smiling with approval at what I see there.

Kate1949 Mon 23-May-22 14:20:41

I always loved clothes, fashion and make up but over the years I seem to have lost the plot. It just sort of happened. I used to get ready for a night out and feel great in my clothes. Now if I see a photo of myself I think 'Good Lord woman. What were you thinking?'.

FarNorth Mon 23-May-22 14:26:09

Germanshepherdsmum

My makeup must be ‘artistic’ then. I don’t know what ‘fashionable’ makeup is unless you mean thick black eyeliner and false eyelashes. My eye makeup is subtle. I don’t like makeup on my face. I don’t think you would consider I looked silly if you saw me but I might think you and your friends looked your ages.

I would no doubt think you looked your age too mum - nothing wrong with that.

I don't think any of us look older than our years, which is the topic of this thread.

Sago Mon 23-May-22 14:32:10

A tartan shopping trolley.

Riverwalk Mon 23-May-22 14:34:18

Badly-styled blunt hair-do and baggy jersey clothes - I saw a recent photo of Therese Coffey MP and couldn't believe she's only 50!