6 Things That Look Matronly
The words matronly and frumpy came up on the blog this week which got me thinking about wardrobe items we may be holding on to that aren’t doing us any favors. Style has no age limit but there are items a 25-year-old can make look modern, that often go awry on the older woman. Here are 6 ways to look less dowdy and frumpy over 50 you should ditch from your wardrobe this spring/summer.
Capri pants
I know this will be unpopular, but capri pants that end at the widest part of your calf, are unflattering and can look dowdy. Brands that cater to middle-aged women feature a lot of capri pants because women love them, but they’re not your most flattering option. Pants that end where your leg narrows, just above the ankle bone are more flattering and look modern.
Too Much Jewelry
I love jewelry just much as the next gal, but wearing too much at one time looks matronly. If you wear a statement necklace, dial down the earrings, or better yet, skip them altogether. A large bracelet with a statement necklace and bold earrings is too much and detracts from you. Wearing matching sets of jewelry is also dated so break them up and wear them separately.
Clothes that don’t fit well
Oversized, baggy clothes may be comfy, but an entire outfit of loose garments looks frumpy. If your top is oversized, choose a bottom that fits closer to your body. Blouses and shirts that are tight and gap between the buttons look sloppy, which translates to “don’t care” and that’s frumpy. Peasant skirts (like this) have been popular since the ’70s but they add bulk around the tummy and have a dowdy vibe. My outfit would have been saved by a slim tee and wearing the blouse unbuttoned, then removing some of the matching jewelry.
drab colors
Whether or not you’ve had a personal color analysis, or know your most flattering colors, beware of drab colors that bring your appearance down. An entire outfit in washed-out, faded colors looks dated and frumpy. That’s not to say you must wear bright, but have a balance and wear colors near your face that give it life.
Beware of florals
Florals are hugely popular this year, but they can be a fast track to frumpy in the wrong color or size. Tiny florals are the most dangerous, especially in pale colors so if you love them, be sure the shape is modern.
Shiny Nude pantyhose
There’s just no way to look modern when wearing shiny pantyhose for casual wear. Pair them with sandals and you’re on the fast track to frumpy. They can work for formal and dressy events but ensure they’re the sheerest possible and that your toes are covered.
No woman sets out to intentionally look matronly but it’s easy to go overboard and cross into dowdy territory, trust me, I’ve done it.
What do you look back on and realize that it made you look dowdy?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Jennifer,
Thank you for the frumpy post. I needed this in the worst way!!!
I immediately thought the soft linen looked great , and also looked good on you, Jennifer. There’s times for a slimmer look, but linen should be a bit generous.
Surprised that you thought it frumpy. One necklace could go, but I’m okay with what you chose to wear together. Off to the shops!
I might choose that linen in a neutral warm beige , as white wouldn’t work for me, and go with a chunky artisan necklace . Or add colour with either top or bottom in warm autumn shade ( ie see Susan Blakey’s latest post)
All are waiting in a ‘linen’ bin on my closet shelf, waiting for warmth 😎here.
( Go into steam setting on dryer and finish with no heat and right onto hanger )
Sometimes we have to ignore the ‘latest’ terms and go with what we personally know looks and feels good. Linen in the summer, wrinkles and all, is just so cool.
I agree about linen! I just love it all.
As we age it can be challenging to maintain our preferred style and still look current! Funnily enough, I JUST bought a pair of Talbots skimmers in khaki because my store didn’t have the crops I was looking for. I almost didn’t try them on, but by choosing the regular rather than petite ( I’m 5’4), they hit just above where a crop would hit, still on the slimmest part of my calf. Buttons…yes, but these buttons actually function, which could come in handy at the beach. I guess I’m still on the “ yes to capris” side, if you can find the right fit!
That’s exactly why I prefer to try on capris in the non-petite version. It gives that little bit of extra length I need to bypass the widest part of my calf.
And the regular length gives me a little more room in the rise to accommodate my middle age tummy as opposed to the shorter rise on petite.
Yes, yes, yes!!
Julie Green, excellent suggestion re taking a photo of a proposed new outfit. I ado also find something I think looks just fine most definitely doesn’t when I look at the photographic evidence. Great suggestions Jennifer as the “ dreaded dowdy” look is so easy to slip into
I too would love to see the linen look updated. You looked so breezy cool, but I agree all of the jewelry was too much. What if the linen top were a little shorter?
That might help, but it wouls still be pretty wide, so belted might be better
Great information on your Blog today
Thank you
Have to think about that “frumpy” look – and go through my closet
How about a post about makeup over 50? Eyeliner under the eye is not good for our age however so many people still line the under eye area!
I wear eyeliner under my lower lashes but I use a soft gray that’s pale. I gave up doing the waterline when I discovered I have dry eyes and it can block your lower lashline oils from moisturizing the eye.
Thanks for this great info. It is easy to slip into the over comfort outfits.
All these tips were helpful.
This was such a great post, thank you! I loved the question about the coastal grandma style. Personally, I find the term somewhat pejorative but I still like some of my basic linen and comfortable clothes, especially for the summer.
Some of us are actual coastal grandmas and can shop our closets to put this to work. Do you have some more tips on how to make it work without looking like an old frumpy coastal grandma?
Love your posts and your tip about holding the camera upside down. It works!
I would keep my accessories modern and minimal and be sure everything isn’t shapeless. Few of us can wear shapeless outfits and look as stylish as Diane Keaton. Glad you found the phone tip works! I love it
Jennifer, I’m interested in your analysis of the Eileen Fisher look — just for young, tall, model figures or the young? Lots of loose over loose.
The EF look can easily overwhelm. That said, layering a shorter vest over a long loose top ads a dimension that hints at a waist which can mitigate some of the voluminous look. It’s tough to pull off if you’re short because your body just doesn’t have that much real estate to spread things out.
I agree with the comment that it’s important to buy new versions of our classic items each year. Like jeans, the style always changes. I keep last years jeans as backup. Nothing says frumpy like a 20 year old Talbots outfit!
Thank you for your post today, you are stop on. Your comment on capris has given cause to re think my summer wardrobe. I have always loved capris, from my first pair of pedal pushers when I was 10…..that alone should have made me realize I might have outgrown the look! I always think of Bridget Bardot in her denim capris and Breton stripe T, a look I still love, but maybe it’s not doing me any favours! I find since retiring two years ago, and moving from a large city to a small town with very limited shopping it has been difficult to transition my wardrobe. When working I had a group of lovely young women who would help me keep current. Either in their choices of dress or or comments made. My daughters live on the other side of the country, so I no longer have the ‘ oh mum just no’ comments to give me nudge. I have you Jennifer, thank you. I am now finishing my coffee and doing an overhaul of my closet with a more critical eye.
I would also like to add glittery, embellished and/or holiday themed tops. In my 40’s I thought they were fun and whimsical. Now in my 70’s I feel they are definitely matronly. I do like the white outfit on you, perfect for a resort vacation.
I agree. Sequins and glitter tends to age us too.
Too much makeup makes me look old and like I’m trying too hard! Nowadays it’s just moisturizer, a dab of foundation here and there, eyebrows, lipstick , blush. Maybe mascara. When I look at makeup videos for women over 70, I laugh out loud! If I was going fancy, I would add smudged eyeliner and mascara. That’s it..
And big floral prints! Plus tiny pale prints like the one you showed us, Jennifer. Geometric prints are ok but big florals are taboo for me. And I’m tall and thin, so there ya go…
Personally I feel; choosing footwear that is ‘chunky or heavy in appearance’ , risks looking matronly if not paired properly with an outfit.
Super advice, Jennifer! -Brenda-
I too don’t like the look of capris— or whatever they are called— that end at the widest part of the calf. I prefer to wear very long Bermuda shorts—or whatever they’re called—and if they’re well fitting and skim the knee are flattering and comfortable in summer. And the old pedal pushers of our youth often ended at the narrow part of our knee, an old style that isn’t embarrassing to look back on. As a tall woman, I should be happy for the crop pant that ends somewhere above the ankle but they just remind me of a lifetime of not being able to find long enough pants. Every time I try them on I wonder if they are just pants that are too short on me or if they are meant to be that way. I remember being shocked the first time I saw a woman in heels and a a pink business suit that had cropped pants and she looked smashing. It opened my eyes to shorter pants but like I say on me it just feel awkward.
I like longer shorts. I try to adjust the length so my top and shorts don’t split me 50-50. I always liked to wear Summer skirts and long shorts have gotten substituted for skirts b/c they’re slimmer.
I so agree about the crops — pedal pushers are the worst! The juvenile-matron comment is so true as well.
Here’s another item to be careful with – socks. Look at younger women when you are out, not a sock in sight. They wear ‘invisible’ socks in their shoes, boots, and heels, but you will never see them. One other fashion-don’t that I’m guilty of is rolled trousers. Would you be able to explain how to roll or make cuffs without looking dowdy? Thanks!
Have to disagree with the socks comment…a few years ago, 100% the younger set wasn’t wearing socks, but now socks are trending with the under 30 set, and are, at least in my university city highly visible especially with sneakers
Hi Jennifer,
This post was spot on! Yesterday, I tried on a gorgeous white linen shirt dress I had recently purchased. The dress made me look like a total frump. I think taking a photo of an outfit is helpful because sometimes what we see in the mirror or in our mind’s eye is totally different from reality. As one who is nearing the ninth decade, I know it is easy to fall into the frump trap.
Thank you for the reminder, Julie
Hi Jennifer,
This post was spot on! Yesterday, I tried on a gorgeous white linen shirt dress I had recently purchased. The dress made me look like a total frump. I think taking a photo of an outfit is helpful because sometimes what we see in the mirror or in our mind’s eye is totally different from reality. As one who is nearing the ninth decade, I know it is easy to fall into the frump trap.
Thank you for the reminder, Julie
I agree as we get older frumpy can be our nemesis. Being petite I have to worry about proportions. Anything baggy on me looks frumpy. I have a hard time breaking away from capris since I don’t wear shorts. Now I just wear them around the house and try to wear long pants or jeans with lighter material.
I can’t add a thing to today’s comments… just want to agree it was an outstanding post. Super helpful, spot on tips. Loved it.
I’m so glad you liked it.
To avoid looking matronly I believe one should update their wardrobe every season with a more current piece of clothing. Even the most tailored, classic pieces change every few years with manufacturers adding tucks, length etc. and white shirts yellow; jeans are either loose or fitted; shoes become scuffed & worn. When I purchase yet another striped tee or a white top my husband will often remark that it looks like other pieces I own. While most things I own are solids, tailored without embellishments and classic I’ll go for a fun print now and then but I know it’s something that won’t have longevity. Right now I’m thinking many of the comfort sandals look matronly to my eye; it might just be me but I’m seeing mature women wearing heavy, clunky sandals. In my SoCal community I see women who try to pull off voluminous tops in wild prints & while many of them look good, I know I just can’t wear that without looking like my grandmother. Interesting topic!