Question:
Does anyone else over 50 find it hard to dress age appropriatly?

I am 54 and have been, was, always so fat I was just happy to find clothes to fit me. Now after losing 142# and learning to shop in stores instead of catalogs, I am drawn to clothes for much younger girls. I have 6 grandkids but I don't want to dress like a granny. I don't want to look like a hoochie either. I like jeans and T-shirts for casual but for more dressy places its hard not to be too show my real taste in clothing. I guess missing out on all those years hiding in a fat shell has warped me.    — Tawnda C. (posted on November 14, 2003)


November 13, 2003
i am 56 and can tell you I go thru the same thing. I am not ready to be a "little ole granny" But I also know how ridiclous middle aged or older ladies look when dressed like a teenager. Like you, I missed out on so many pretty styles and etc because of obesity and having to wear much older looking clothes when I was young just to get my size. I try to look around me and notice what some of the other ladies my age are wearing. Sorry I can't be of more help but just wanted you to know you are not alone.
   — Delores S.

November 13, 2003
as long as your choices don't all come from the JR. section, you should be fine. i would stay away from belly shirts and low-rise jeans. you might be a grandma, but your still a sexy woman!!! congrats
   — franbvan

November 13, 2003
Me too me too! I am 54 and tend to dress to show off the body I have worked so hard to achieve (and paid some serious money for also!) I chose classic styles but am not afraid to show some skin. I look at older, great-looking actresses like Susan Sarandon and Sigourney Weaver and figure if it's OK for them it should be OK for me. I am with people younger than myself alot (since I have kids that are 9 and 14) and I don't think the other parents have any idea that I am a decade or more older than they are. I say go for what you like and what feels good on you; you have earned the right! hugs, Ann rny 9/10/99 260/124
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 14, 2003
I'm with Ann. I'm 54 also. I didn't get a chance to have this body when I was young. I'm enjoying it now. I'm not going to hide any more. I do have low rise jeans, but do wear shirts that cover my, um, skin. Yes. But I know I've got them! I could wear no zip up pants AT all, no matter my weight until my TT, 8 yrs ago today.
   — vitalady

November 14, 2003
Well, I'm not your age, but I can tell you that there are some older ladies that I admire how they dress. Stylish but not too young or hoochie! There are some of the stores taht i tend to bump into them at... J Crew, Banana Rebpulic, Ann Taylor and Talbots. They all have very stylish clothes that are great for younger more conservative women or older stylish women. Oh- Eddie Bauer and Lands End are great too, but more on the 'outdoorsy' side.
   — LMCLILLY

November 14, 2003
OH- one more thing! DON'T stay away from low rise jeans! Really, they are more flattering, make you appear to have a smaller 'behind' and a smaller tummy, middriff area. Now, I DON't suggest you wear super low rise or bear your middriff...but places like Gap and Old Navy have more moderate low rise or hip styles that look great. There's nothing worse than wearing those old granny, waist comes up to your bra style jeans for looking OUT OF STYLE (and thick too)!
   — LMCLILLY

November 14, 2003
My favorite is J. Jill. Although I'm (still, sigh) a pre-op I really like their catalog because they carry a broad range of sizes (regular and women's). And they show women of many different ages in the catalog (they have stores too). My husband laughs everytime we get one in the mail, because he knows I'm going to be in a trance for the next 45 minutes drooling over the clothes! BTW, I'm 42 years old. And I'm not really much of a shopper, probably because of my weight and my self-esteem.
   — Le P.

November 14, 2003
I'm not 50 (I'm 40) but boy oh boy do I understand where your coming from!! I now wear a size 4 and after a tt, I have a great looking stomach that I like to show off whenever I get the chance!! I wear shirts that just skim the top of my jeans or show about an inch of skin. I'm not fat and there's no ugly skin overhang and I like the way it looks!! However, a friend told me that I dress age inappropriate because of this and because I wear jeans that fit me nicely (I get told all the time by guys that I have a great butt - since it was the WORST area of my body before WLS, I really want to show it off too!!). I told her that she sounds jealous because she's 50 pounds overweight and can't wear them herself!! She admitted that is a little jealous. I look at it this way, if I think I look good, I wear it. I've not had anyone tell me that I look bad in my clothes and most people guess me at at least 6 year younger then my age. I've now got the body that I've always wanted so I AM making up for all those lost years!!!
   — Patty H.

November 14, 2003
I agree with the comment to look around at how others your age are dressing, those that you admire. I have a few stylish women where I work and when in meetings with them, I study how they dress. Picked up lots of ideas for work. As a general rule, even tho you may have the body for it, if its too tight, too short or shows too much skin, its age inappropriate. Also, if you haven't got the hang of it yet, bring a trusted friend to shop with you. They are great for honest opinions!
   — Cindy R.

November 14, 2003
I shop alot in the jr. dept, mainly because the fit me better now. I am only 5'3" and everything seems to be too long in the misses. I am 49 and I dont dress hoochy, but I do dress somewhat younger and it feels great and I look fine in what I choose. and yes I have 5 grandkids too , my 7 year old grandson told me I didnt look like a grandma, he said I was pretty and I looked like a regular lady, course he got a big kiss. I think I would rather look like a regular lady, instead of a grandma...be true to yourself and only you!!!!
   — terri R.

November 14, 2003
Thank you all for the great advice, but thank you most of all for letting me know that I am not alone.
   — Tawnda C.

November 14, 2003
I have to agree about the low rise jeans. I have a really hard time finding jeans that are not low rise. I personally don't find them flattering, especially for those who are a little older and have extra skin around the middle. I have had luck with the Gap classic fit and the Eddie Bauer natural fit. The legs are pretty slim, and the waist is high enough to hide the skin and imperfections.
   — Fixnmyself

November 14, 2003
Lady Don't worry about looking like a hoochie mama! Dress to please yourself not others. Whatever makes you happy! Celebrate! You have lost all that weight, have fun and experiment with new styles of clothing and colors for your new bod!
   — Kara J.

November 14, 2003
QUIT WITH THE WORRY !!! It's 2003 & there is no such animal as dressing age appropriate... Everyone today dresses in whatt is comfortable to them and as long as your not running around naked.. wear whatever you feel good in. Today 50 is not old... You are just at the age you can really live life.. You go girl...
   — Anne T.

November 14, 2003
Good Morning! I will be 47 next Sunday and I now wear a 6 or 8 I have 3 grandkids. When my oldest grndaughter spends the night she borrows my clothes! LOL Most of them she keeps until I mention I like to wear my clothes also. She loves the way I dress says I have some cool clothes, I'm so glad bell bottoms came back :) I always tell my husband that straight legged jeans choke my ankles. I had had my first consult with a plastic surgeon after a TT, then I'm sure I'll wear my shirts like some of the other's just to the top of my jeans. Who knows I may get bold and wear low rise. My motto has always been "Age isn't important unless you are a cheese!" Have a great day!
   — Brenda T.

November 15, 2003
I'm 55 and totally relate and agree with most of the posters. Since going from a 6X to a 16 top and baggy 18 bottom I'm having a ball shopping! A good cure for the fear of dressing too young is to watch the wonderful 1955 film "Marty." His mother and aunt are our age and not happy about it. Seeing how they handle it will make you rethink what it means to be "age appropriate"!!
   — Chris T.




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