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Classic style? Or not?

No Fear of Fashion

(website)

Veteran

I am 61 now. And I love looking put-together and elegant. Classy with an edge, not frumpy but up to date.
The first 4 photos show parts of one outfit which (to me) is perfect: classy and up to date.
The 5th photo is how I also am. I do not seem to get rid of that part of my character. At 61 I would say this is a bit too young. (I can hear most of my friends scream "NO" now. They know I am pretty daft and like it that way. The outfit of the 5th photo fits the daft part of me.)
Sometimes I feel like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide.
Am I the only one who has this internal wrestle?

Greetje

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35 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Joyce B

Veteran

I think all your outfits are fab, just do away with the internal wrestle, that generally does not help.

Helena

Veteran

I think these are all fantastic! Please keep your daft side - it's classic with a twist and never mind too young ... if you were wearing a miniskirt up to your bum I might see the need to question, but this is totally age-appropriate while also being fun and original! Looks great!

Anonymous

That thing, where people say, 'you're dressing too young for your age' --> I don't like it, and in fact, I would say that the younger you dress, the cooler and younger you will look.

So, yes, in pic #1 you are elegant, but in pic #5 you are cool and hip, and to my eye, younger.

I do have a little internal style struggle: Every now and then, my 'edgy' side comes out and I end up buying strappy leather booties and leather jackets, pants... Generally though, my style is fairly preppy. Those two styles are REALLY opposed. It's hard to marry them. Generally, I end up suppressing my inner biker chick

Nebraskim

Veteran

I' going to be 60 in three weeks. I love these looks, esp image 5, which does not read "too young" to me. Don't let your frumpy friends tell you you're daft. You're fab.

always trying

Veteran

If your friends think you are too old for the jeans and tennis they world absolutely abhor seeing me! I am older than you and wear sneakers and jeans all the time as it fits my lifestyle. Funny, I have been thinking I am too old for my olive high top sneakers, but I love them and will keep on wearing them.

You lookfab in all the photos!!!!!

Why are all the older women blogs seem to indicate we all have to look so elegant, put together, etc. Always in dressier clothes, mostly with heels or dressy flats.. Don't any of them do things like ride bikes, hike, play in the park with grandkids, etc. ?

No Dr, Jekyl Me. Hide, Just different occasions, different phases of our lives. Sometimes it is fun to get dressed up. I even enjoy the one or 2 formal events a year I go to, and the semi formal and dressier functions, but the real me is the very casual person. I attempt to do he more polished, attempt at elegant casual type dressing like for going out to dinner etc. I also think I can do a decent business casual no jeans kind of thing.

The only think that concerns me sometimes is does anything look frumpy -even if it is footwear. But I have learned on this forum that some have a very different definition of that word than I do.

i

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, I'm in my mid-sixties and don't see any inconsistencies in your style in the last picture when compared to the first set. To me, it all depends on the setting and the activity.

For whatever it's worth, I think the elegant, classic look gets defined too narrowly by many older women which leads to the a rather uniform version of that style moniker-- tailored pant, jacket, low-heeled pointy pump, nice handbag, and tasteful scarf/necklace at the neckline. It's a good look for many of us, and works for multiple occasions, but it does get to be rather uninspired when everyone is sporting it.

To my mind, the last picture is a more individualized approach to elegant classic. The cuffed jeans, sneakers, and interesting sweater and jacket individualize the look because they are say something about the woman who chose them. I see confidence and self-assurance instead of a "young" look. The last outfit might not be right for the same event and setting as your first outfit, but it would be spot on for a more casual setting or activity.

As older women, I like to think we've dressed ourselves long enough to have figured out how to pick and choose without resorting to a formula or the dictates of our friends.

Olivegreen

Pfft. At this age, we have RANGE.
Formal or classy, to : "I remember punk from the first time around".
Kind of fun, i think.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Gaylene. These two outfits don't look inconsistent to me. One is elegant and one is casual. That is all. I think you should keep wearing what you love to wear.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, you look fantastic! I wish I could find a topper like that white one. I love it! It's feminine but not overly so.

I have a somewhat Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality too. I have a very polished style persona, but I also have a boho style persona. One is very crisp, while the other is very soft. I have accepted that these are two different but authentic sides to my personality, and so it no longer bothers me that I don't have a single style. Our personalities have a lot of variety, so it makes sense to me that our clothing should reflect that.

I don't think that the last outfit looks too young. I think it is simply a different style, and I would certainly continue wearing it.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Revisiting this post and agreeing completely with Gaylene about the "uniform" that some "older" women seem to adopt. I think what I most love about image 5 is the vibrant color of the shirt. So many people seem to fall into the "neutrals-only" color way; or they adopt a pastel-based color way (that often washes them out). You look so cool in these photos: in more "ladylike" images, you exude a classic and elegant vibe and in the latter, a fun and casual look that still reads classy and put together.

UK Sue

Wow, Greetje, you look stunning! You have really nailed the 'modern classic with a twist' look in the first 4 photos. Elegant, current and timeless at any age and difficult to tell what your is! I totally agree with the other posts that at this age there is a general fashion assumption that one has either to make an effort to be classic with a twist or has given up and become frumpy and invisible. I think this is a general fashion press bias who have still to catch up with a generation of women who have different expectations for their lives as they grow older than even 15 years ago, and want a wardrobe to match. We all have multiple different roles and they all require different variations of clothing and thus styling. I think you look great in 5 - just different from the first 4 because of the different vibe of the look.
I certainly have the same wrestle as you as I am naturally drawn to tailored, fitted and 'finished' pieces and outfits, but have a mainly casual lifestyle. It's a question of finding ways to blend these different parts of our style personas and requirements together. I just feel better when I am co-ordinated, which I know is terribly old-fashioned but it meets my need to feel polished and is part of my instinct. I like the sound of daft - sounds much more fun!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Agreeing with Gaylene too. If we can't please ourselves & express all sides of ourselves when we are in our sixties then when?

I love "classic" clothes but I don't have a classic personality so if I wore your fab first outfit I would feel (& probably look) frumpy. What I'm trying to say is there is no one size fits all way of dressing.

Deborah

Veteran

I think personality plays a huge role in how we dress. I love your classic look and I love your more 'casual' look. I don't see any inconsistency here. In fact you have brought your own touch to the more casual 'street style' look and retained a classy elegant air to it.

The whole age appropriate discussion is something I find quite tedious. Wear what you like, when you like. If you feel comfortable and confident then you probably have it right (for you). One thing that I do think we carry off quite well as we 'mature' tho is a level of sophistication that comes with the confidence in our selves we often acquire with age. There is that air of sophistication with both of these outfits.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Greetje, you always look chic, fashionable, pulled together and polished. #5 is merely a MODERN way of dressing these days - and it's absolutely in keeping with the rest of your fab self.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Just chiming in to say I agree with what everyone else has said here. I don't see any inconsistency. The first outfit is more dressy and the second is more hip and fun. But they are both classy and look great on you.

donnat

Veteran

Yes, same here...both outfits are great, but they are for different occasions.
Elegant and casual.

MsMaven

Veteran

You look great in all the outfits. The last one is still classic to me--just more relaxed and casual. If you can't look casual, elegant and ageless, what are we going to do with Inez and the rest of the fabulous French women?

From all my years of following fashion, in which I haven't accumulated much wisdom, I do believe that personality and body type along with personal preference, rather than age, are the most important factors to consider in picking out clothes. And the life you really do lead!

I recently discovered http://www.seniorstylebible.com
through an interview here: http://www.fabulousafter40.com.....yle-bible/

The blogger is 80, and quite an inspiration.

Echo

Veteran

I am a little confused about what might seem "too young" about the outfit in #5. Is it the jeans? The bright colour? The sneaks? Well, I hate to break it to your friends, but ALL of those things are appropriate on a woman of any age, and the outfit looks great. Like a PP said, a micro-mini? Sky-high, platformed stilettos? Ripped, too-tight jeans? Perhaps these things might (or might not) tip it into the "too young" category, but I see none of those here. Your style in BOTH outfits looks appropriate and great.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Both outfits suit you beautifully and I do not see any contradiction. With what Gaylene said.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with Gaylene and Echo. I certainly don't intend to shift my style strictly down a classic path in 10 years when I'm approaching 60. I know a lot of 50 year olds who probably think some of my choices would be "too young" for them, but they suit me. I say wear your classics and your fab sneaker outfit as well (which I actually really love)!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

You look fantastic in both outfits, Greetje! I love the polished look of the first outfit and the still polished yet relaxed and fun look of the second.
I tend more toward your second outfit than your first, as my style is very casual most of the time. My version of your dueling styles is sophisticated versus a little more quirky. The last year or two, I had a goal of getting more sophistication into my style. This year, I think I swung back a little from that impulse, feeling a little rebellious against my own stated goal.

Anonymous

You look ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.

Summer

Veteran

I think you look wonderful in all these outfits - elegant in the first four pictures; casual, modern and chic in the fifth. That is definitely not a "too young" outfit, and certainly not daft in any way at all.

Deb

Veteran

Love the first look completely, but may be inclined to agree with your friends on the second look. The jacket, top and jeans look fine, but I think a smarter casual shoe would look so much better. There are so many beautiful options out there. That's me, and what I prefer, take it with a grain of salt though.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I have not read all the replies, though I suspect they all say the same: what? too young? NEVER!

I am 60, love my Cons, Keds, jeans, colorful pieces. If liking to be cute and quirky is too young, then we're all sunk...

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....llenge-wiw

celia

Veteran

I think both outfits are fabulous and you look like yourself in both of them, no split personalities here. I can't quite see what do you think makes outfit #2 too young or 'daft'. Is it the age old idea that older women should always be poised and measured in their behaviour and words? If it is have a feeling that I will also become one 'daft ' older woman, and very proud of it.

karymk

Veteran

I hear ya! I have this same issue. Even at 51 I realize there's always going to be the daft me, and that's authentic. Your "daft" actually is just another version of your "classy". It's the sporty version. Don't quash the younger side of you, it looks appropriate and fun. just because you are 61 doesn't mean you have to hide your "light" or any part of your special personality.

old chic

Ignore the frumps! You look fab, so of course they will be jealous.

Quietgirl

Veteran

I am loving it all, you beautiful one!

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