Suddenly in my late 50's: don't know how to dress!

I'm 5'10" and about 200 lbs. When I was a younger person, even just 15 years ago, I weighed and felt great at 170. So... now I am a 30 lbs heavier grandma. I'm active (hiking & kayaking are my favorites), and I am ok with my larger post-menopausal self, but I find myself constantly baffled about what to wear, what hemlines are ok, etc.

My legs are pretty good, but that doesn't mean that, at my age, I need to be showing them all the time. Ditto my cleavage, of which there is a lot more now than when I was young, but not in such a good way.

I also saddled by rather large bustline which, coupled with the tummy I never used to sport, it's difficult to wear some of the styles I wore when slender without looking really matronly.

Here are a couple of pictures in a dress I would never wear out without lots of additional coverup and/or leggings, but just to sort out my shape (hourglass meets apple?) and get some hints on where I might start to redefine my style.

Not sure how is best way to link to pics on flickr so may have to try more than once:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com.....51ca_m.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com.....d2c9_m.jpg

Thanks for any input!

Katie

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I don't trust myself to hazard a guess to body shape, but I am sure some ladies here will be able to help you out.

Rosie

Welcome!! Thanks for posting. I'm with Scarlet and will let the pros weigh in on body type!

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Welcome to the forum Katie! I'm not a body type expert either, but I think it will be easier to determine your shape if you could post a straight-on picture with both arms against your sides.

And: you have an absolutely lovely figure!

Accessories like handbags, fab shoes, scarves and jewellery are a fun way to easily change the look of any outfit. And I'm sure that with the help of all the YLF lasses, you'll be able to redefine your style in no time.

Here are a few threads that might come in useful along the way.

http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....bust-line/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/07/.....waistline/

http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....type-2010/

http://youlookfab.com/2010/04/.....hallenged/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/04/.....uffin-top/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/04/.....l-bellies/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/01/.....usty-gals/

(btw: Carissa is having a give-away contest at the moment:)
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....se-contest

Active Member

The first thing you need to do is have a good bra fitting. When you get the "girls" lifted your torso will look longer and leaner and you will see a difference in your shape. A private lingerie shop is best for this service and Nordstrom is famous for their fitters. Avoid VS as they try to put you into what they have - not what you need. Good luck!

Sihaya

Katie - I'm not a pro either on body type but just wanted to add my welcome to the list.

Anonymous

Hello and welcome Katie. You have several friends here who are in their late 50's. I will be 56 on July 11. I am enjoying style so much more since coming to YLF, I was totaly lost before. You will learn everything you need to know here. Asking questions and posting your outfits will get you personalized information.
You have a lovely figure and it will not take much to get you to a happier place with your style. There are rules to learn about our figures, style for our ages, style for our lifestyle, and then there is a whole lot of fun getting to know ourselves again in a new and better way. It's all fun.

shirley thurgood

Hi Katie

I'm 59 and know just how you feel, all my weight seems to be migrating from my hips and thighs to my midriff. But strangely enough this makes my trousers fit better
Go figure! ( no pun intended)!

I've only just joined this site and started by reading most of Angies blogs and reading the threads on the forum

I've had a big wardrobe purge and just kept the things that make me feel good. It also helped me to see what was lacking. I especially found the Mom on the Go blogs helpful as they can apply to everyone.

As far as your shape goes I would say you are a curvy hourglass ( just like me ) and you have great legs.

Louise

Hi katie and welcome we have many fabulous over 50's here. Flickr is fine for piccies but you may need to make them a bit larger they aren't very clear x

ktcosmos

Member

Thanks for replies, everyone.

As to Flickr, Louise, I know. I actually enjoy photography alot but NEVER of myself, and using my cell phone camera for that is, I can now see, completely inadequate.

I've been reading YLF for years, but just finally decided to jump in an get acquainted, so thanks for the welcome.

medusa

Katie, welcome! It's a bit hard to see your photos, but I'd guess that you are an hourglass or an apple.

Also I have to say that your description of your figure doesn't match the photos at all - I think that you are too hard on yourself! You have a lovely figure.

fathenry

Hi and Welcome! I think you are an hourglass. The most stylish ladies on this forum are over 50 and you are in good hands. So glad you joined!

Bumping this up for Angie.

tartangal

Hi Kaite,
I'm new here too and can relate to your concerns as I am the same age. I highly recommend two books by Charla Krupp, "How to Never look Old" and her newest best seller "How to Never Look Fat". She advocates shapewear-paritcularly Spanx for all women our age. I don't know what I'd do without my Spanx high waisted bike shorts! Charla Krupp says you must wear shapewear every day over the age of 50 to smooth the bulges and ripples. Also anything that cuts you in the middle will emphasize midriff issues. Spanx even makes high waisted pantyhose. I haven't tried her absolute favorite-the Slim Cognito Shape suiet but would love to. If you haven't tried high compression shapewear you'll be amazed at what it can do for you. (I got mine on ebay.) One note: you have to struggle a bit to get into it. But once you do it's not uncomfortable and I"ve yet to find another type that slims as much.

Christie

You have a great figure!

firefly

Hi, welcome! I'm new to posting too, and most definitely not an expert on body type. But your pictures don't match up with your description of yourself; I agree that I think you're being too hard on yourself!

crwilson

Welcome! I have to agree with Medusa - your description doesn't match your photo at ALL. You have a lovely figure, and posting specific outfit pictures will really help people give you feedback.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum! At this stage the lasses have said it all but I'd love to chat more once you've had a professional bra fitting. Looking forward to helping you find your style :0)

Debby

Katie,

This website is for us! I too have been baffled about what is fashionable for a 57 year old grandma who doesn't think you have to look dated at this point in life. I received really good--and fun--advice from this site. I sewed up this tunic that works great with cropped leggings, which are an up-to-date look that covers a multitude of sins. It's McCall's pattern 6121. And, this outfit can go so many places. http://mccallpattern.mccall.co.....ist=search

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