I recently came across an article from 2009. Dressing your age when you are over fifty
If I took notice of it I would have to totally overhaul the way I present myself. I would say the ideas are mostly a bit old-fashioned! I’m 60 this year and I’m not going to suddenly dress differently just because I’ve reached a certain point in my life.
From the article:
Long hair is just too much of a contrast to an older face.
I remember that being stated many moons ago, but I thought ideas had changed. I am in the process of growing my hair (almost shoulder length now), after having a short cut for a very long while. Apparently it makes me look younger, so no way am I going to stop growing it!
Steer away from tee shirts with writing on them. The cute sayings or I’m so and so’s grandma are just plain silly. Simple solid color jewel neck or V neck t-shirts or shirts are classier. White is always good as is black depending on your coloring.
What’s wrong with a bit of fun? Why does it have to be “Classy”? It’s a tee-shirt for goodness sake, not a ball gown. People wear them every day. Lighten up. If a dress code isn’t required, what’s wrong with a slogan? Mind you, I wouldn’t be going for a “cutesy” slogan. That’s nearly as bad as a Christmas jumper.
Speaking of collars and necklines at our age (I’m 65) the decollatage may sound nice in French but it’s usually wrinkled and freckled. Not attractive. If you do wear a V neck or open front shirt try putting a nice chunky beaded necklace on to fill the space and take the eye away from the wrinkled skin. Deep V necks with a lot of cleavage showing is just not appealing except perhaps to another old fogie.
Depends who you are I suppose. If you’ve spent a lot of time over the years in the sun that tends to make it worse. I didn’t, and my “decolletage” isn’t wrinkly and freckled, although I know someone 10 years younger who has that problem. So not necessarily an age thing.
Skirts: No miniskirts. I don’t care how good your legs are it’s just age inappropriate. Keep your skirts at least to the knee. Simple pencil skirts are a wardrobe must have. Depending on your body pleats are fine, Something with a little flare and A lines are all classic and look good no matter what the age
Whilst I don’t wear anything very short because I don’t have the legs for it, many women in the age group do. A “mini” skirt doesn’t have to be approaching your derriere, Too short would look tarty on any age.
Pleated skirts? Yuk. A line skirts? No thanks. Never have and never will.
Hoody sweatshirts are iffy but if you pair them with matching bottoms they give you a more together look.
I have a couple of these and wear them with jeans. Wearing matching bottoms is like the track suit look. Silly unless you are going to do something sporty or work out at the gym.
Evening wear. I think going risqué is a no-no. Wrinkles and risqué are repugnant. Nothing slit up the leg or real low at the neckline.You can have a blast with color instead of cut.
Well is anyone going to tell 52-year-old Carol Vorderman she shouldn’t go risqué? Enough said…
You can still wear boots, heels, nice flats or whatever is comfortable.
Gee that’s great. Though I suppose you would turn your nose up at my Doc Martens?
Now go through your wardrobe and ditch the childish duds. Weed out the wacky things you’ve been wearing since you were twenty and pair down to a perfect, impressive well dressed woman.
Childish duds? Wacky things? That’s all a matter of taste and opinion.
I suppose that “jeggings” could be classed as tacky to some, but I love them because they are easy to wear inside long boots, and look good with a tunic.
I also like ethnic type stuff, long skirts and the like.
The point is, what does it matter? Life’s too short to worry about whether your hemline is at a certain point, or if you should wear a plain tee-shirt. As long as you are comfortable, happy and your nearest and dearest aren’t embarrassed to be seen out with you what really is the problem?
I might get one of these…
I’ve been told I am too old to wear jeans! Comfort is the key.
You’re joking! No one’s to old to wear jeans.
Every age has its “rules”. I say life is too short. Just as long as you aren’t breaking any laws and are comfortable, then go for it.
(As I am typing this with my multi-glitter nails, I am eyeing the box of purple hair color on my table. Washable, but still
)
Brilliant! Love your nail pictures. Wish I could get mine half decent.
I love that you are not afraid to fight conformity!
Love your comments, too! I sometimes wonder what I will look like and how I will dress as I age…and I think I will most likely continue wearing what I wear now. Fun post!
Thanks K. The way you think doesn’t age with the body does it? So why should we suddenly change our ideas. I think my family would be more shocked if I started “dressing how “people” think I should”.
OK, so I like to wear surfers-style cargo shorts and hoodies, I no longer worry that at 63 I’m thought to be a bit (no, probably very) eccentric!
I think that tee-shirt picture would be even better if one of the sleeves was short and the other long.