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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

NannyG123 Tue 28-Aug-18 12:40:29

I am 63, today I'm in black and white, black jeans and a black and white t shirt. Bit I prefer colours,

GabriellaG Tue 28-Aug-18 13:02:16

No, I don't own anything beige and only 2 black items, a riding jacket and skinny jeans.
Just been to have a manicure (clear varnish) and wore navy skinnies, ginger suede block-heeled ankle boots, cream checked blouse and orange bag. No coat, too warm. I like most colours except neon, beige, black, yellow and salmon pink.

mabon1 Tue 28-Aug-18 13:18:15

Beige doesn't do much for anyone. I have a friend who has only beige, grey and black clothes. I am very fond of her but maybe she could add a splash of colour now and again. Her reason for her choice is that she can just put any garment on and they all mix and match, now that's what I call boring. I would add that all her clothes are expensive ones.

jacq10 Tue 28-Aug-18 13:36:26

Wearing favourite beige and brown striped top as I type this. My favourite cotton summer jacket is also beige (sand). I used to have a white cotton jacket which I wore a lot but found as I aged it seemed to drain the colour from my face. Weather cooling a bit up here so will be wearing denim jacket more as it is heavier but that's another question - should I wear denim as I gallop through my 70s?

Diggingdoris Tue 28-Aug-18 13:41:14

I don't possess anything beige. My entire wardrobe is in shades of blue and red. I have navy jacket and cardigan but always wear something bright with them. Lots of colourful scarves and jewellery. Bright colours make me feel brighter. Even the house interior reflects the same palette.

Day6 Tue 28-Aug-18 13:57:38

Jane you look great in your BEIGE trench coat! It's not at all dowdy. The army of women who wear anoraks or waterproofs probably look dowdy too. (I own both!) And you look too young to be a Granny. grin

janeainsworth Tue 28-Aug-18 14:16:23

Thank you Day6blush
It was taken in 2012 so some time ago & my hair isn’t quite that colour any more, but I still like beige with white, black, navy & lots of other things smile

jenpax Tue 28-Aug-18 14:29:11

hillwalker70.
Bournemouth is a vibrant uni city these days. average age well under middle years. lots of hipster bars and cafes, and young families. so beige is definitely not the general rule round here ?

Sheilasue Tue 28-Aug-18 14:44:54

Have couple pair of beige slacks but only wear them for working indoors. I have some purple, tops and other coloured tops.
Must say though that beige slacks looks great with black t shirt or top. Wouldn’t wear all beige.
Love my jeans especially the dark ones very flattering.

JacquiG Tue 28-Aug-18 14:53:42

Black and stark white look good with taupe/beige but I've not got anything in that colour. Black, white red, jade, purple - I like lovely brights especially in winter. It's nice to see much older ladies recognise the sunshine and bring out their pastels. But not the beiges...

MawBroon Tue 28-Aug-18 15:03:55

Actually, I am not a little narked at your turn of phrase rufus as if the two words naturally go together.
?

MargaretX Tue 28-Aug-18 15:08:28

I like beige if its cashmere or Alpaca and often wear beige jeans to black tops. I don't wear tops or shirts in smeary colour mixes which I think are very ageing.

Today I'm wearing black house trousers and a red teeshirt.Whatever I wear it is never patterned perhaps a bit like the French women already mentioned.

It really is the Bon Marché beige which is ageing. In Germany most older women wear a lot of black and grey and these all coloured tops which I dislike so much.

Lazigirl Tue 28-Aug-18 15:19:57

Personally I think colour is less important than cut, style and quality of material. If a style suits you, is the right size, is well made and hangs properly it will always look good.

Day6 Tue 28-Aug-18 15:35:17

As an act of rebellion I am today wearing my 100% linen tunic in beige and white. It has a fine and subtle floral/lace pattern. I am wearing it with white straight leg jeans and a long tasseled scarf. I met a very groomed friend for coffee this morning and she asked me where I bought my top. I told her to steer clear because beige was 'dowdy' apparently! grin She too disagreed and like me says there are beige garments and there are beige garments, and knowing what suits and which pieces to pick and wear is vital.

So...beige forever! grin There are other colours and styles , as has been discussed, which are much more ageing imo.

sarahellenwhitney Tue 28-Aug-18 15:44:47

When should women sixty plus cease wearing sleeveless items. How many would not wear a certain colour, too drab,? an old persons colour ? but not give a second thought to their ' between shoulder an elbow.' parts.

M0nica Tue 28-Aug-18 16:36:45

The answer shw is never if they do not want to. Why should older women be driven to wearing age appropriate clothing (no sleeveless tops) just to satisfy the style police. If they want to expose their arms, regardless of shape or size, why shouldn't they?

anitamp1 Tue 28-Aug-18 16:36:51

No beige for me.

Jalima1108 Tue 28-Aug-18 17:42:37

That sounds very classy Day6

I wore navy today (again grin) and resisted taking my oatmeal cardigan with me.
However, it was so chilly that I wished I had.

Jalima1108 Tue 28-Aug-18 17:43:56

When should women sixty plus cease wearing sleeveless items
When the weather gets colder.

Although I must admit I never wear sleeveless myself, but it doesn't bother me if other over 60s do.

annep Tue 28-Aug-18 17:52:47

I just got my new stretchy tight beige/sand Robells with deep ankle cuff for next year..with discount ? ( summer stock). Got them in black too! Wearing navy ones at the minute. GabriellaG your bag is lovely. And boots sound great.

grannybuy Tue 28-Aug-18 17:58:12

I vowed I wouldn't be a beige lady when I retired, and I'm not. My summer trousers are navy, pink and a tomato red shade, also one pair of blue jeans. I have a variety of coloured tops. I like multi coloured ones. It is cooler today in NE Scotland, so I'm back into slightly heavier brown trousers with a patterned White Stuff top - shades of turquoise, green, wine and pink. I had a toning jade cardigan on too. ( I don't like much brown, cream or beige in the house either ).

varian Tue 28-Aug-18 18:13:25

You sound very colourful and lovely, but just don't try to go on a coach trip wearing bright colours because the uniform is beige.

ajanela Tue 28-Aug-18 18:27:22

White 3/4 trousers, multi coloured T shirt and red sandals. I have a very pale beige fine knit cardigan ideal for summer. The have dark beige trousers but always wear something colourful with them. I wear a variety of colours but usually with a blue tone.
My coats are red and green and a very light beige ski coat

Jalima1108 Tue 28-Aug-18 19:37:04

I've got tomato red ankle grazers but need to lose half a stone before I can wear them.

Chimaera Tue 28-Aug-18 19:44:05

Shades of blue striped Cotton Traders polo shirt, jogging bottoms, and multicoloured (floral) Sketchers trainers - life is too short for boring ones. I have to be 'smart' ish for work so that's my usual weekend attire. Don't think I own anything beige....and I'm 60 in a few weeks!