colorful and even a bit revealing clothing at 50+

I have recently lost a lot of weight and gained a lot of muscle and my body shape is better than it was 10 years ago. I am by no means at my original, premorbid (before meds) weight and I am still technically obese (BMI = 36), but the body shape is fine, meaning you cannot see my tummy unless I wear body hugging dresses (I do not) and everything is proportionate. I do not mind having meaty (and strong) thighs, it is the belly that used to cause so much unhappiness to me.

With this highly welcome change, I am now enjoying choosing what clothing to wear for work, but have questions as to the limits of appropriateness. For instance, I have turquoise blue tights and I am thinking of wearing them to the office paired with a black pencil midi skirt and a black top and I think we the current "mores" (ripped jeans, tattoos, and what not) it would be OK, but what about getting a cold shoulder top or even a top with both shoulders off?

I look fine thanks to diligent application of Retin-A and mineral sunscreen and general measures to protect my skin from the sun (driving in gloves that block UV sunlight, never tanning, those things). I guess I should also give thanks to Morpheus-8 done last year. I get color touch-ups every month so no grey shows (I have some grey on the top of my head). But I do not want to delude myself: I am 52 and I look like a 52 year woman who has smooth skin, not like a 42 year old woman. There are many things besides wrinkles that give away the age (how about maturity of judgment and wisdom?).

I should add that inside I feel as if I were twenty something.

So I find myself wanting to dress festively and to make up for years spent in tent-like clothing when I could not find a solution for the meds-induced weight gain and lived in despair.

At the same time I fear becoming the laughingstock. Is it even a relevant fear or has the idea that you dress more conservatively with age become obsolete with all the modern societal changes? What are your thoughts?

When I wrote about tops with shoulders off, I did not mean for the office. Blue tights with an otherwise black outfit, that I plan to wear to the office. I work in technology, so the unwritten dress code is casual. And I often dress very conservatively, it is just that sometimes I want to spice things up and am wondering how far I can go in this direction.

Looking forward to reading your thoughts.

As a 49 year old obese women I say dress how you feel. I will be getting back on the lose weight bandwagon after I fully recover from surgery. Right now walking even small distances is taxing.

Anyway I think it sounds cute but I love color! just don't make the skirt too short. Otherwise have fun, live life!

Congratulations on your weight loss despite your meds and feeling good about yourself!

I think you should wear what you want to wear, within limits of appropriateness for work ie professional outfits etc.
But otherwise, have fun! And enjoy yourself! You’ve worked hard it sounds like, so be proud of yourself!

I like the sound of your turquoise blue tights, they sound amazing. That colour is one of my faves!

I’m currently in the phase of not liking how I look because of weight gain due to meds, but I’m starting to get back into my fitness and hopefully that will help me feel better about myself!

congratulation & way to go!!!!
im with pinny... as long as you wear appropriate clothes to where youre going by golly wear whatever you dang well wanna wear!

I wish you the best in recovering from surgery. Take it easy and slow with weight loss. You have time: e.g. I started when I was 51. I used Ozempic but now there is Mounjaro which might be even better.

The black skirt will be midi. Not too short

I hope for that for you, too! And, do consider weight loss drugs: it is difficult to do weight loss without them and fitness is super important (including for feeling good about oneself) but fitness alone often does not cause the weight loss we want. It is better to be obese and fit, to be sure, but in addition obesity medications can reduce obesity and substantially so.

I will take a picture with the black skirt and turquoise tights and upload to this thread !

I love how you put it! what I dang wanna wear

Excellent! It sounds like a lovely outfit!

And thank you! I’ll see how I get on, I’m not sure what’s available where I live, but it’s defo something to consider.

Absolutely wear whatever you want including no shoulders tops or tight clothes or whatever BUT not to work. Bright colors are great. I wear colors and patterns a lot, the only thing I’d not wear to work is anything too tight or short or revealing. But not because of age. Just not work appropriate attire even if dress code is casual.

If you feel good in it wear it. I don’t know if people still think of those old school “rules” anymore. They used to say if a woman is a certain age, she shouldn’t have long hair or short skirts.

I’m in my late 50’s, and recently moved to a better climate where my hair just got nicer, less frizzy. I let it grow and it is long now. I wonder if people think anything at all about it. I think it looks great. I never got to have nice, long hair before, so I am enjoying it now. It’s a blessing, really. The rest of me looks my age, and for some unknown reason, I suddenly have this young, attractive hair. So I went with it. It makes me feel attractive, so sure, go with it.

I dress to match the occasion. Professional clothes in that setting. Party clothes in that setting.

The other day, I went to an art show. I wore a colorful, artsy blouse and skirt. I met a few women there who were the artists. They complemented my blouse and looked me up and down. I thought to myself, “You know you look good when women look you up and down” lol.

I’m hearing confidence in your thread and that’s great - I think everyone should wear what they feel good in.

There’s a saying “Those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind don’t matter” and to me this is the truth to so many things.

So true!

And, absolute super good news about your new hair with a flair.

I’d keep it classy. Personally, I’ve always been on the conservative side and women have always commented about it. As an observation, mind you. Yeah, of course, wear what you want but people will judge you no matter what. As long as you feel comfortable and yourself, do it. No need to try to impress others or be somebody you are not. Climate is probably a factor. Try Pinterest, create a board, and save pictures of ideas you like. Then copy them! No matter what, you are worth it!!

Climate-wise, I live in Silicon Valley

Ooh!! I miss wearing dresses and sandals...

It is not all glamorous for me since I have very big feet (size 12.5, in part due to the extra weight that was being put on them for years, in part due to having large feet (size 9-10) to begin with. So it is really hard for me to find feminine summer shoes to wear. I wish I could wear sandals more, sandals of many kinds, but most are off limits for me.