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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

harrigran Wed 29-Aug-18 10:01:53

I wear beige, I quite like beige, I went to my sister's golden anniversary party in beige although I did wear a coral tunic top over the trousers.
So rude to question the fashion taste of others ?

Auntieflo Wed 29-Aug-18 09:45:10

Yes, it was oldbatty, and I apologise. I was feeling ratty and when I saw her, the thread went whizzing through my head, hence my post, and will retire now.

oldbatty Wed 29-Aug-18 09:40:02

I think it's unkind to mock people who wear clothes we may regard as unfashionable or dull. The 'corker' at the bus stop possibly had other priorities.

Rufus2 Wed 29-Aug-18 09:10:12

Why does beige =dowdy in your lexicon?
Maw; Because it does I guess, thanks to my fashion advisers in Bournemouth; the "beige Capital of the South Coast", so I'm told. grin
But don't get me wrong. My family lived in and around B'mouth all their lives, but sadly they have all passed on, except for nephew and his wife. We used to go there with our 2 littlies for summer holidays; loved the sands in preference to those rotten pebbles out Brighton way. wink
Oops! Getting away from your "nark"!
In my defence I urge you to look at that YouTube clip I posted a day or 2 ago.
Btw; I don't know if this thread can continue forever, but as a courtesy I'll address my "nephew's wife" (horrible term) by her given name; "Michelle".
She's a lovely lady, intelligent, excellent colour sense and will be fascinated by your views on beige.
As you can guess she doesn't like beige!
Does that answer you question Maw? smile

Auntieflo Wed 29-Aug-18 08:21:40

"Are you a beige dowdy",
not particularly, but I did see a corker yesterday at the bus stop.
Grey, elasticated trousers, beige fleece top, and beigey/grey velcroed sandals, with liners.

MawBroon Wed 29-Aug-18 07:12:48

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

I can’t really put it more plainly.
Why does beige =dowdy in your lexicon? confused

absent Wed 29-Aug-18 06:02:12

I happen to be wearing dark blue jeans and an ultramarine jersey right now, but if I wanted to wear beige – and I have a caramel cardigan that could probably at a pinch be described as beige (quite a vague term) – I would. A walk-in wardrobe consisting entirely of beige – as in Susan Sarandon's character in The Banger Sisters – is an entirely different matter and slightly worrying.

Besides, it's nobody else's business what colours people choose to wear.

annep Wed 29-Aug-18 05:01:33

GabriellaG Good shopping indeed! Some bargains there. Incidentally our lovely Belfast Primark has just been completely destroyed by fire which is a great loss. I must try to be more adventurous. I never look in Oasis. My shopping is limited to M&S, Debenhams and about four independent local shops ( which I like to support) . Nude is another great word for beige.

annep Wed 29-Aug-18 04:49:56

Coolgran65 just saw your post. I love the Robells. I mentioned them on a previous post and most people didn't know what I was talking about. They're a great find, bit expensive for some people I think. I have the green too and some shorter ones for summer - perfect. I too have tried ebay.

annep Wed 29-Aug-18 04:42:32

* MissAdventure*?

Rufus I think Mawbroon is referring to beige and dowdy
Most folk seem to prefer navy or black. I get fed up with navy, and I don't like black in summer. Beige/sand makes a change from boring navy.. Also have nice green shade.
Winter is much easier. I still love denim and I wear thick leggings (with tunics- not short tops!) as well as slim fit casuals which come in lots of winter colours.

Rufus2 Wed 29-Aug-18 04:19:26

Actually, I am not a little narked at your turn of phrase rufus as if the two words naturally go together.
?
MawBroon; And I thought we'd made up after earlier jousting! wink But I haven't the faintest what you're on about! Please explain. confused

sluttygran Wed 29-Aug-18 04:06:49

Beige linen trousers or skirt always look smart, but on top, beige is absolutely forbidden for over-forties!
Neutrals like soft grey and black look great dressed up with fresh white and splashes of vivid colour.
Navy blue does seem to have become a ‘safe and smart’ choice for us mature souls, but I really like it.
Again, it looks wonderful when brightened up with fuschia, emerald, white - and plenty of statement jewellery.

MissAdventure Tue 28-Aug-18 23:35:36

Imagine having your colours done (whatever that means!) and being told that your colour is beige!

Allegretto Tue 28-Aug-18 23:32:42

I try to avoid beige because I think it does not work with my colouring. If I’m wearing cream, white, grey or black, I usually have a bright scarf on. When I had my colours done, many years ago, I was a “summer”, so I wore lots of pink and blue. Since my hair has gone white, I find that brighter shades are better for me.

Coolgran65 Tue 28-Aug-18 22:56:58

annep I think I've got the same Robell trousers as you with the deep cuff. Also their ankle grazers with a small seam vent. I have them in black, navy, silver grey, sage green and beige.... ooops... sand. They are quite expensive but I know which two styles I like and keep an eye out for them on eBay. They go like hot cakes.

Sand/honey/beige is one of the most flattering colours near my face. I often drape a particular 'beige' scarf around my shoulders over another colour. But as previous poster mentioned, there's beige, and then there is beige.

I really believe that for a classy look it's hard to beat 'sand' with black or grey or navy, with a touch of white.
It's all about the cut, the quality, the fabric.

Edithb Tue 28-Aug-18 22:43:22

A friend/colleague of mine confided in me when she retired that she was very unhappy about becoming a pensioner. The only advice I gave her was to never wear beige as she wasn’t a beige person, and she never has. In fact if you see someone wearing a bright pink or red coat, it could be her! And she is very happy too.

GabriellaG Tue 28-Aug-18 21:43:23

annep

Thank you Anne.
The bag was bought last week in Oasis, £25 (new stock) and the strap come off completely so can use as clutch. Comes in nude and teal patent too.
Boots were £4 from charity shop and originally from Tesco (F&F)
Top and skinnies from Primark £8 each so the bag was £5 more than all the rest...grin

GabriellaG Tue 28-Aug-18 21:36:23

The word SLACKS is very dated.

netflixfan Tue 28-Aug-18 20:21:07

I love neutrals - black beige camel grey. Classy with the right accessories and jewelry. I like animal prints too.

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!

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.

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

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.

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 ).

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.