Fashion for the older generation - General Discussion

Milky Joe · 13-11-2006, 10:22

Can someone shed some light on this? I'm always intrigued by the instant you hit around 65 your wardrobe magically transforms into beige trousers, soft coloured plain tops and the occasional flatcap/scarf. How does this happen? Do most of the generation do it just to fit in with the rest? Or was that always the popular style of clothing for that generation?

If so, does that mean when people around my age grow into retirement age there will be emo oaps, goth oaps, chav oaps, skater oaps etc?

summerflowers · 13-11-2006, 10:28

Well my Mum goes against the grain - shes 65 and dresses in fashionable clothes - not mini skirts and leopard print - but fashionable for her, ie tailored suits, long boots with skirts etc and she looks fab - not much beige in her wardrobe!

I suppose some people move with the times and others stick to an era they feel comfortable with.

calvin&hobbs · 13-11-2006, 10:49

its coz they all buy from the same home catalogues, clifford james etc I think

Caxton · 13-11-2006, 11:00

A 60-year-old looks a bit daft in a pair of jeans with the legs 6 inches too long frayed round the ankles, scuffy trainers that look that they have been rescued from the bin and a cropped top with their belly button showing.

♣ Moya · 13-11-2006, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caxton

A 60-year-old looks a bit daft in a pair of jeans with the legs 6 inches too long frayed round the ankles, scuffy trainers that look that they have been rescued from the bin and a cropped top with their belly button showing.

Agree, pensioners in trainers is not a good look.
The latter part of your statement does not bear thinking about

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 11:15

I know plenty of people in their 50's who dress well for their age - stylish without looking like mutton.
I have seen some complete horror bags who dress like their daughters - not a good look.

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliasjones

Agree, pensioners in trainers is not a good look.
The latter part of your statement does not bear thinking about

I have a friend who's 59 who wears trainers- he looks fine.

sleepydove · 13-11-2006, 11:19

My mum is nearing retirement age and I am very interested to see if/how her wardrobe changes over the next few years. At the moment she varies - sometimes she dresses well, usually when she has to dress formally, but other times she tries to look young and fails miserably.

Hathor · 13-11-2006, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliasjones

Agree, pensioners in trainers is not a good look.
The latter part of your statement does not bear thinking about

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caxton

A 60-year-old looks a bit daft in a pair of jeans with the legs 6 inches too long frayed round the ankles, scuffy trainers that look that they have been rescued from the bin and a cropped top with their belly button showing.

Bollox - my dad is nearly 75, and he wears jeans and trainers. He looks fine!

Then again, he is very slim and tall, so this helps

Dame Peggy · 13-11-2006, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exulus

If so, does that mean when people around my age grow into retirement age there will be emo oaps, goth oaps, chav oaps, skater oaps etc?

I think this is the case. Its a generation thing - all the oaps now were teenagers the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s when clothes were pretty drab. I think those that were in their teens from the 1960s up will come through as more stylish oaps (In general of course, not everyone)

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dame Peggy

I think this is the case. Its a generation thing - all the oaps now were teenagers the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s when clothes were pretty drab. I think those that were in their teens from the 1960s up will come through as more stylish oaps (In general of course, not everyone)

I agree. There was a big divide in attitudes of parents with teenage children at school - my friends who had parents that were teens in the 60's were a lot more laid back than those with older parents who grew up in the 50's.
Mr Rabbit jnr calls my OH by his first name a lot of the time - it's not being hippyish, it's just an indication that there is not so much of a divide between parent and (grown up)child these days and more to do with mutual respect than commanding your station as the elder. This is also reflected in modern dress.

kania · 13-11-2006, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caxton

A 60-year-old looks a bit daft in a pair of jeans with the legs 6 inches too long frayed round the ankles, scuffy trainers that look that they have been rescued from the bin and a cropped top with their belly button showing.

What about if they're into rap? They're going to have half their bums hanging out!

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 14:32

Vivienne Westwood is still designing and knows the trends. OK, she looks a little odd, but her style suits her eccentricity. I'd be freaked out if I saw her in a Country Casuals two piece.

Paul McCartney and the Stones look fine, dressing the way they do.

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kania

What about if they're into rap? They're going to have half their bums hanging out!

Who remembers "Bad dad" from "Adam and Joe"?

13-11-2006, 14:48

My mum turned mid 50's, lost loads of weight and then reformed her wardrobe. She looks great.

Phil 2804 · 13-11-2006, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exulus

Can someone shed some light on this? I'm always intrigued by the instant you hit around 65 your wardrobe magically transforms into beige trousers, soft coloured plain tops and the occasional flatcap/scarf. How does this happen? Do most of the generation do it just to fit in with the rest? Or was that always the popular style of clothing for that generation?

If so, does that mean when people around my age grow into retirement age there will be emo oaps, goth oaps, chav oaps, skater oaps etc?

I don't think it will happen for much longer. My parents are baby boomers and still follow fashion trends (especially my mother) as do my Aunts and Uncles of similar age.

My mother consider the receipt of mail from Saga etc as a personal insult and bins it immediately.

There is a culture shock waiting for us in the next few years all our perceptions of the elderly are going to be torn down as the 60s and 70s generation starts reaching retirement.

larrysrabbit · 13-11-2006, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil 2804

I don't think it will happen for much longer. My parents are baby boomers and still follow fashion trends (especially my mother) as do my Aunts and Uncles of similar age.

My mother consider the receipt of mail from Saga etc as a personal insult and bins it immediately.

There is a culture shock waiting for us in the next few years all our perceptions of the elderly are going to be torn down as the 60s and 70s generation starts reaching retirement.

Their car insurance is very cheap - your parents shouldn't knock it!

Phil 2804 · 13-11-2006, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrysrabbit

Their car insurance is very cheap - your parents shouldn't knock it!

I think its because in my Mothers mind Saga brings up images of "voyages of the damned" aka "OAP coach tours" her words not mine.

As such any mail from Saga and the likes gets binned sharpish.

She's far more interested in latest music releases and downloading music to her Ipod (yes her Ipod). the only coach tour she and my father have ever been on was to see the Rolling Stones in concert a few years back.

BlueSparkleDust · 13-11-2006, 15:19

My mum is in her mid fifties and she looks great. I'm sure she will be wearing similar stuff in ten years time. I think old people in the future will dress differently, and it does make me wonder what I'll be wearing when I'm in my sixties.

13-11-2006, 10:22	#1
Milky Joe Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: 0.3 units from doom Services: Wii - Ask for wii number! Posts: 17,448	Fashion for the older generation Can someone shed some light on this? I'm always intrigued by the instant you hit around 65 your wardrobe magically transforms into beige trousers, soft coloured plain tops and the occasional flatcap/scarf. How does this happen? Do most of the generation do it just to fit in with the rest? Or was that always the popular style of clothing for that generation? If so, does that mean when people around my age grow into retirement age there will be emo oaps, goth oaps, chav oaps, skater oaps etc?

13-11-2006, 10:28	#2
summerflowers Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,272	Well my Mum goes against the grain - shes 65 and dresses in fashionable clothes - not mini skirts and leopard print - but fashionable for her, ie tailored suits, long boots with skirts etc and she looks fab - not much beige in her wardrobe! I suppose some people move with the times and others stick to an era they feel comfortable with.

13-11-2006, 10:49	#3
calvin&hobbs Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham Services: freeview, bacon and egg sandwich,pint of cider Posts: 1,054	its coz they all buy from the same home catalogues, clifford james etc I think

13-11-2006, 11:00	#4
Caxton Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ♂ Services: Sky+ and 2mb Broadband. Digital Terrestrial Posts: 12,496	A 60-year-old looks a bit daft in a pair of jeans with the legs 6 inches too long frayed round the ankles, scuffy trainers that look that they have been rescued from the bin and a cropped top with their belly button showing.

13-11-2006, 11:15	#6
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	I know plenty of people in their 50's who dress well for their age - stylish without looking like mutton. I have seen some complete horror bags who dress like their daughters - not a good look.

13-11-2006, 11:19	#8
sleepydove Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scotland Services: Broadband Posts: 3,559	My mum is nearing retirement age and I am very interested to see if/how her wardrobe changes over the next few years. At the moment she varies - sometimes she dresses well, usually when she has to dress formally, but other times she tries to look young and fails miserably.

13-11-2006, 14:32	#13
larrysrabbit Banned User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding!!!!! Posts: 4,657	Vivienne Westwood is still designing and knows the trends. OK, she looks a little odd, but her style suits her eccentricity. I'd be freaked out if I saw her in a Country Casuals two piece. Paul McCartney and the Stones look fine, dressing the way they do.

13-11-2006, 14:48	#15
Eternal Life Posts: n/a	My mum turned mid 50's, lost loads of weight and then reformed her wardrobe. She looks great.

13-11-2006, 15:19	#19
BlueSparkleDust Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,134	My mum is in her mid fifties and she looks great. I'm sure she will be wearing similar stuff in ten years time. I think old people in the future will dress differently, and it does make me wonder what I'll be wearing when I'm in my sixties.