Monday 18 November 2013

A bad look for over 60s?

I've just finished reading the latest post on one of my favourite blogs: Une Femme d'un certain âge, and the first comment on her post made me pause to think. I thought the post was excellent, as usual, and Une Femme's views on trends are very similar to mine. Don't go overboard and risk looking like a fashion victim, but by embracing the latest trend through accessories, for example, you can look modern without being over the top.

One of the trends mentioned is peplums and the person who commented was questioning why middle-aged women would want to add visual weight to that part of their body. Good point, however I am sitting here wearing a peplum top as we speak!  Obviously I immediately rushed to look in the mirror to reassure myself that I didn't look too fat and then I decided to ask for a second opinion.

When I bought this navy top (it was in the sales at Hobbs otherwise I might not have bought it!) I actually thought it gave me a waist and therefore was a flattering look. As a comparison, here is a photo of me in an ordinary top (which happens to be pink: Robin, please note!) so I would be interested in your views.  The jeans, by the way, are also pink - though when I first saw them I thought they were red - so maybe pink is becoming my signature colour.

Which of these two looks is the most flattering, in your opinion?

 

Would you wear this style? Are there any other recent trends that you have followed?


19 comments:

  1. Sue,
    I was the one who ditched the peplum first over at unefemme, but I certainly did not mean to hurt any feelings. For what it's worth, I would not wear it myself, and I think that the more streamlined outfit on the right suits you better. Please take all this with a grain of salt, as I do not wear ruffles and busy prints either. I think I must have worn a tailored baptismal gown! :)

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    1. Cornelia, this was very much written tongue in cheek as I thought it very funny to actually be wearing a peplum top while reading the comments on Une Femme! My feelings haven't been hurt at all, so please don't worry. To be honest, this top was a bit of a departure for me (I'm not usually a ruffle person either). I was just looking for a navy top and it was only when I pulled it out that I realised it was a peplum. I thought I would try it on to see what it looked like - and then succumbed to temptation. I think it's good to throw caution to the winds occasionally, even when you're ever 60!

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  2. I like both outfits! However I definately prefer the one on the left: the one with the peplum top. I think it is more flattering.

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  3. Hmmm, I prefer the outfit on the left, with the peplum -- I'd say it better defines your waist than the outfit on the right, although that one is also attractive.

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  4. I prefer the peplum, too. I think the combination of a v-neck and the peplum define your waist more. Both are nice, though, since you look pretty in that pink color as well as navy.

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  5. The pink top is beautiful and you look very nice it it, but I too prefer the outfit on the left, as the peplum adds visual interest and flair. It is a more striking look, whereas the outfit on the right is more low-key. Both are good outfits for you!

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  6. Thank you all for your comments. It goes to prove that over 60s should keep an open mind and try things on before deciding whether it's right for them or not. If this hadn't been the colour I was looking for, I probably wouldn't have tried it on.

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  7. I'm with Cornelia, I'm afraid. But I also don't do ruffles or peplums. I think peplums don't flatter even most of the models in the ads. A more flattering look in my opinion (which is worth what you're paying for it--nothing) is something that nips in at the waist and flares softly, or is shaped but drapes.

    A cross between that and a peplum might be this: http://www.ringgerclothing.com/ViewPic.php?pic=images/WB-0100PPB_00.jpg

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    1. This is definitely a departure for me, Robin, and I'm not going to rush out to buy another peplum! I think it's good though to challenge yourself sometimes and I will find another couple of outfits to include this top so it won't be a wardrobe orphan.

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  8. I'm a total fan of peplums at the age of 70. I never stop wearing them and enjoy the look very much. However, I understand that we all have our 'look' and think that's a good thing. Differences are what makes life interesting!

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  9. I think that The Style Crone deserves to have the last say. Clearly people either love or loathe peplums so we will have to agree to differ on this one, but differences are definitely what makes life interesting!

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  10. Obviously, the peplum is not suitable for all figures, but it can give waist definition in a way that is more flattering than a belt. I do like the picture on the left. If I were wearing it, I would add some very small shoulder pads to balance out the look. When I sold clothing, I found that many women were afraid of peplums, but would often like them after a try-on. As for emphasizing the wrong part of the body, I think the shirts hanging out the bottom of a jacket or sweater are FAR worse. THAT is a trend I'll be happy to see go away.

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    1. Thanks for the tip, Rita. I might try that the next time that I wear my peplum.

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  11. Definitely the peplum. I am so glad they are back in fashion. They hide a myriad of sins and provide a much needed waist for those of us of a certain age. A belt looks great with them too.

    Rosy
    http://rosythereviewer.blogspot.com

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  12. I like the outfit on the left best, too. Even though I haven't even tried on anything with the peplum for fear of emphasis on the wrong spots...lol. Now I know I at least need to try.

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  13. I think the peplum makes you look like a fun person, whereas the outfit on the right is more conservative. You can wear both depending on your mood.
    Sharon/Canada

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  14. Thank you all for your comments. Sharon, what you say about depending on your mood is so true - I think that deserves a post of its own, so watch this space!

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  15. I think you look fabulous in that peplum top!!

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    1. Thanks, Femme! I was a bit unsure about trying it on, but when I did so I really liked the look. It goes to show that older women can wear trendy clothes if they pick them carefully.

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