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Are you a beige dowdy?

(270 Posts)
Rufus2 Mon 27-Aug-18 14:07:38

During a phone talk with my nephew's wife she remarked on how most of the elderly ladies passing by her car (she was parked waiting for someone) were decked out in beige. This was in Bournemouth. Used to be retiree's heaven. She wondered why was this so? What's wrong with splashes of colour? Her (elderly) mother and my dear Vera would never wear anything beige in a fit. I put it down to the climate which can be drab. sad
Even Sir Ken Dodd picked up on this when he used to call his afternoon matinees "50 shades of beige" grin

Day6 Mon 27-Aug-18 18:44:21

I spotted many young women wearing beige jeans and trousers this year. One looked absolutely fab in skinny beige pedal pushers with white pumps and white and beige striped T shirt. She could have been a model.

It's not the colour. I think beige and white or black look good together. It's how you wear them. Obviously beige polyester/crimplene elasticated waist slacks aren't going to cut it, but there is a lot of stylish beige out there. I am looking at a beige trench coat for autumn and am tempted to buy it.

varian Mon 27-Aug-18 18:47:04

If you are young and beautiful with a perfect complexion, you will look great in your beige raincoat Day6

phoenix Mon 27-Aug-18 18:47:36

What is the difference between beige/camel/toffee/taupe?

MawBroon Mon 27-Aug-18 18:53:51

I look good in camel, you wear taupe, she is a beige dowdy!

MawBroon Mon 27-Aug-18 18:55:31

Even worse than beige though are the pastel mauve/green/peach items (often fleeces) much beloved of the elasticated waistband mail order companies ?

Treebee Mon 27-Aug-18 19:21:06

I picked up a beige cardigan in a shop once then realised just in time what I was doing and put it back sharpish!

Day6 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:24:22

"If you are young and beautiful with a perfect complexion, you will look great in your beige raincoat Day6"

Oooh. Sour, Varian

I am not young, have been told I am beautiful many times over the years, but age takes it's toll and the mirror now tells me otherwise, and as for my complexion, it's fine - I am not terribly wrinkly.

When I wear my new trench coat with my shiny patent leather, thigh-high stiletto boots I'll feel a million dollars, I am sure.

Seriously, why would a beige trench coat look bad on a 60 year old woman who wore it with great accessories and a bit of panache? Do tell?

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:27:44

Chartreuse is my favourite, never, ever beige, far too Bournemouth.
Chartreuse makes me look as if I am going to be sick at any moment.
And as for pastels - Yuk!

I'm determined to take my White Stuff taupe/camel cardigan with me tomorrow now.
I suppose it all depends on whether or not you have beige hair as well. I don't.

varian Mon 27-Aug-18 19:28:11

If you think you look good in beige, that's fine.

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:28:48

I look good in anything varian wink

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:29:20

apart from grey or chartreuse!

varian Mon 27-Aug-18 19:30:14

That's more than fine, that's fantastic

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:31:35

grin

Day6 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:32:15

I totally agree Maw I think it's the lilac/pale green pastel coloured cardigans and jumpers - and fleeces - which places like Bon Marche specialise in (often embroidered) which are ageing. Put them with polyester slacks and a perm and a woman becomes almost invisible, wearing the uniform of the old. sad

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:37:59

If my hair is left au naturel it looks like a perm.
And it ends up like that if I get hot or if it rains.

Oh dear, no hope, beige and a perm-look alike.
And wrinkles.

MissAdventure Mon 27-Aug-18 19:40:20

Have you got a shopping trolley? smile

Day6 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:42:20

Funnily enough, I do Varian.

There's chic beige (or whatever colour the garment is called) and if worn with complimentary colours and accessories looks good. My colouring means I get away with it. (I was given one of those "Colour Me Beautiful" vouchers as a present and spent a morning discovering all the colours and shades which suited me, and the ones to avoid. Peach, coral colours, brown and red do not suit me, nor does grey. Beige/sand/taupe against my skin tone looks good.

I am a fan.

Jalima1108 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:43:38

Coral suits me, and red

Especially toned with beige.

Day6 Mon 27-Aug-18 19:55:12

<thinks> Joanna Lumley wears a lot of beige, and a trench coat. She is a pensioner too. And not dowdy.

On the other hand there are pensioners like Mrs Brown (of TV fame) who do look dowdy.

There is a pensioner 'look', I agree, but as always I think if you feel comfortable and at ease in whatever you choose to wear, who cares, really? There are very few of us in the autumn or winter of our lives who'd make the front cover of Vogue. (Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren and a few other wealthy, older celebs tend to be wheeled out as examples of ageing well but they've been airbrushed too and under the surgeons knife as well, no doubt.)

travelsafar Mon 27-Aug-18 20:01:47

I always try to wear colour as beige and grey make me look washed out.

Lazigirl Mon 27-Aug-18 20:12:25

I think neutrals look classic and more expensive, and bright primary colours don't, plus you don't get tired of neutrals as quickly so they are more cost effective smile

BBbevan Mon 27-Aug-18 20:13:07

Hate beige. It is a non colour. I have never worn it and never will.

phoenix Mon 27-Aug-18 20:15:26

Currently wearing jeans and a navy and white striped top, no hope for me! blush

Cherrytree59 Mon 27-Aug-18 20:17:41

Grr lost my post

I agree italian chic
Long camel coat with fur collar for a lady.
Camel double breasted coat very classic look for a gentleman.

janeainsworth Mon 27-Aug-18 20:33:08

Day6 I agree re beige trenchcoats.
This is me a few years ago in Washington DC in my Hobbs trenchcoat.
Not quite Joanna Lumley but not too shabby as DD would say.