‘Life’s a challenge but I still find ways to look glamorous’

The last 12 months have been great for raising the voice of the over-60s community at Starts at 60, something we feel strongly about doing. During the next few weeks we are celebrating the blogs that resonated with readers the most throughout the year. This blog is one of our Top 30 blogs for 2018.

It is really good to know that by charity shopping I am recycling, helping the needy and saving the planet. I might be a bit over-enthusiastic about things, but it is true. There is, however some truth in this list of positives.

I find some great items and occasionally glamorous labels, which are much better materials. Living on the pension often does not stretch to shiny new things at huge prices, so I have to compromise.

Life after 70 is sometimes a challenge, I have had to adjust to health problems as well as the daily fight to rise above the poverty level. I have had a knee reconstruction, suffer from an irregular heartbeat, and have rheumatoid arthritis, so nine pills a day keeps me functioning and upright. Before I was properly medicated it was seizing up, my hands and all movement in my body were becoming almost impossible. I do my best now to keep it all working and very rarely take any pain killers. Next year I will be 80, and I don’t aim to give in easily. I will still wear makeup and the sparkly things.

My love of clothes and my excuse for my obsession is a need to feel good about myself.

I have a collection of charity shop clothing. I like a bit of glamour so there are sequins and shiny satins and quite a collection of scarves and shawls. That and costume jewellery I also buy at a very good Vinnies. I have 41 garments from charity shops and 14 from chain stores that I’ve either purchased or have been given as gifts. I buy my earrings to go with the colours I wear, and I stick to mainly black or white for basics like shoes or trousers.

My figure is perhaps over-generous in the middle, so I dress to enhance my assets, which are longer legs, and play down my bad bits. I was interested in a recent fashion feature idea with Starts at 60, and the problems we face getting older. I also feel for ladies who say they are rather short and more round. I still think they will have beautiful shoulders and curvy bosoms, so can experiment with different necklines to accentuate that area. As I am of average height I can wear longer cardigans, and they cover a multitude of sins. I wear them open, not buttoned, and also use blouses in the same way, worn over camisoles in summer.

I recently attended a huge charity sale, which allowed me to plan my spring wardrobe. Denim, perhaps some slim-fit stretch jeans and a button-through dress or long shirt were on my purchase list, the latter of which I shall wear with a plain white camisole under. It’s important as we shop for clothes that we remember to dress for ourselves, after all we have earned a right to please ourselves at this age, no one else matters.

Do you like to shop for bargains? Do you struggle to find fashionable items now that you’re a bit older?

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