Don't Look Frumpy Over 40 || Beware These 5 Frump Factors!

I'm sharing the 5 things that may be making you look frumpy. No one wants to look like a frump! Let's make sure we get these five things right! LINKS BELOW! ~ xxox, Kay

Now, of course all of this is in fun. Be sure to watch the video because you'll see that I am handling this topic graciously and humbly. I've guilty of ALL of these 5 frump factors at some point or on any given day. But this definitely give us something to think about!

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***What I'm wearing: ***
earrings no longer available

Links from Video:

Shoes shown:

Shoes for Narrow Feet shown in video:

Shoes from Paul Green shown:

Brown & Red Outfit:
brown sweater not available

Black & Green outfit:
black loafers not available

Classic Outfit:
heels not available

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Thank you so much for watching today's video! ~ Kay

[cactusrose]

Darlin’ Kay, I have a tip to add to yours: many retirees can’t afford higher quality clothing, and I’m one of them. I’m in the choir at church, in front of the entire parish, & I like to look nice, so what I do is go to the Goodwill used clothing shops in the more wealthy areas in town. I find loads of excellent condition items from Chico’s, Ralph Lauren & other brands, some of which still have tags! Half my wardrobe is from Goodwill, & I call this a victory!! Thx for your hard work.

[poocheskky]

I am surprised that you didn’t mention a well fit bra. That made the biggest change for me. Thanks for reminding me about standing tall with confidence.

[janeclarkson]

The SMILE can take off 10 years and you look happy. It actually can change your own mood! Usually if you smile at someone, they do smile back. Your whole demeanour changes upward! I'm 75 from and in, the U.K. 🇬🇧🙏🏻 Kay. You're delightful. A few tips for my age group wouldn't go amiss. Have a great day xx🤗👌

[Bebe.B.]

WOW! When you show the 2 different hairstyles on yourself you can REALLY see how a hairstyle can make you look vibrant and stylish or frumpy. That was an amazing way to show your point.

[toneyrose]

Kay, I wished you would have addressed bra wearing, too. So many of my friends look frumpy, because they have given in to saggy breasts. That causes their clothing to become ill-fitting, increasing the “frump-factor!” 😊

[krisdoor]

Great video! As a 69 year old retiree who moved recently to a small town in the Mid West, my style is more casual than when I was a trial lawyer. I follow several stylists on You Tube, and all say shoes can make or break an outfit. You are the first and only to recognize that some of us simply can’t wear cute, stylish shoes anymore. Thanks for “giving permission” to wear what shoes we must, and focus on all our other style elements. 👍

[annegreen]

This is good Kay, thank you. I agree . I have number 6 for you. I agree about wearing no more than two colors but to add to that, leave the patterned and floral print material for throw pillows. Solid colors can show off a beautiful necklace and face without distraction. Spruce it up with earrings and a scarf. A colorful scarf should not be big and puffy, too much going on near the face. One more thing about shoes. If orthotics need to be worn, I find the most comfortable style of shoe are ankle boots. One size larger fits your own insoles and also gives more of a secure feel when walking than a low cut shoe. A couple pair of chelsea boots with different heels like one with a low dressy heel and one lug sole are stylish and comfortable. I hope this helps. I'm almost 66 and am just suggesting what I do to get through the with confidence. :)

[greenbrain]

The issue with older women is that along with our changing bodies, we also change our outlook on fashion. We tend to go more with comfort and relinquish our obsession with looks. We accept our thinning hair, our double chins, our larger bellies. We no longer want to “torture” ourselves with tight bras. Some of us embrace the “frump” with simpler linen clothes that flow, comfortable shoes, and happily abandon the tyrannical fashion demands of society and the marketplace.

[lindablum]

Posture is soooo important. I was sitting on the dock with my granddaughter, and my daughter asked us to turn for a picture. Before she took the photo, she said ‘posture, mom’. I straightened up before the click, and the photo turned out great. I can imagine what she saw before coaching me, as I’ve seen many pics of myself slouchy. I’m thankful she spoke up!! I try to remind myself often… posture!

[elizabethwhitehouse]

Hi Kay, thank you for your tips, but as an 80 year old, who most people think is 20 years younger, I don’t feel that my wardrobe “makes” me, I am what I am, I am happy with my life, I have reasonable health, I exercise regularly and am friendly and unbiased, never consider my, or other peoples dress sense, after all, it’s the personality, not the clothes that “maketh the man”,

[TrishBell]

Being sympathetic to women with feet issues is a HUGE missing link in the fashion industry. Thank you for researching the great brands that don't scream FRUMPY!

[Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

When I was in middle school, we had a music teacher who taught us to constantly keep a small smile on our face. Well, she tried anyway. Obviously the vast majority of the kids made fun of her, but what she said made so much sense to me that I started practicing. It has become second nature. Pre-pandemic (when I was out in public without a mask), I often had random strangers waving at me, saying hello, smiling at me, or approaching me for directions. Once, I was even enlisted at the grocery store to help pick out avocados (which I don't know much about). I think it's the small smile.

[cheriealver]

I found freedom in styling from a modern stylist who said black does not look good on every woman and finding our neutral will make us modern and more attractive. Gray, camel and navy are some good alternatives to black and are seen on styleboards everywhere. I was freed when I changed to navy! I don't look good in black but am pleased to note that navy is a much nicer choice for my skin tone. I want all women to feel pretty about themselves. I have mobility issues. I cannot not wear pricey regular brands. Prior to where I now am, I did just that. The good news is that orthopedic brand shoes are coming out with cuter booties and Mary Jane's. And tennis shoes. Some people have severe crippling extremely painful feet and are barely able to walk. They have selected the most attractive shoes they can find. It takes research. Let us remind them we are are proud of their choices and how beautiful their entire fashion looks are. To tell them to ignore their feet is to say to ignore a part of who they are. My feet are a part of me. I feel the same even though I can't wear the shoes I wish I could. Believe me I do not feel frumpy! I find the best shoes for me feet so that I can walk with my walker or canes. I want to feel pretty in my outfits. I choose the nicest shoes for my feet.
I live in California and follow fashion influencers from all over. Color is on trend. I think it's fun to see an older woman in bright color clothes because after the pandemic it's fun. We must not get too serious about it. I think if you have too many classics you can get frumpy fast. Get some fun pieces that aren't traditional to modernize your look. You will look years younger. Really. One classic piece is enough for an outfit otherwise it can be too dated sometimes. Life is short. Take a risk. There is room on our beautiful planet for more uniqueness. We are all loved and blessed most highly by being just who we are. Have the most lively day! My neutral accessory is leopard. It goes with everything I think. Used wisely. Like a headband or sunglasses. Hairdos? My hair is thinning too much on top to lift. Can't create layers on the sides. I think the straight parted hair isn't flattering on everyone and I'm happy more styles based on thickness texture wave and curl and shape of faces and preferences are coming back. Soft waves flatter around an aging face. I'd like to have them but my hair isn't growing. So the little I have is pulled back in a tiny bun. The look may be 'unflattering' but is the aging woman's face? It's time for women to appreciate the beauty of aging in a positive light. Our elder women deserve our respect about their lovely appearance. I am 71 an feel like it is a joy to be alive and part of gracing our experience is to accept that women are a positive important feature. Wear all your aspects and charms my lovelies with the knowledge that there are no rules and "If you want it, have it."
I send healing prayers to all of you in need of them and unconditional love.
May the angels shower you with light beams.

[kimberlyperrotis]

I never have “done” my hair routinely, aside from shampooing and drying. My arm gets too sore holding a curling iron or putting in hot rollers, I get burns, and it takes well over an hour. But the main reason is that I suck at doing hair! I might go to my stylist for a special-occasion do, but I long ago decided no-fuss is best for my daily toilette. Keeping my hair around shoulder length helps, too. My consolation is that most French women wear natural hairstyles, too, and they always look great.

[lisathomas]

All great tips — thanks so much! My main goals at 60 are comfort and beauty. The minute we older ladies say “modern, ” we date ourselves and automatically sound and feel older. I’ve dressed well all my life, but frankly with my frumpy body I can’t expect to look as chic as I did when I was 25. I do feel Ive learned enough over the years, however, to move with the times and be true to myself as well. If I look frumpy, so be it. Chances are I won’t feel fabulous, but sometimes I do, in spite of what fashions may dictate. What’s important is our confidence and how we feel inside. Whatever you do, own it!

[sally]

I’m blown away by the difference in hair styles!!! Thank you for demonstrating it!!! You look 10-15 years younger with your current hair style!!! ❤️

[arlenerivera]

Great advice. Thank you for not following the crowd and telling us how to look younger. I like the idea of looking confident and put-together as a "mature" woman. I survived and I'm proud of it and your hints show me more of how to show it on the outside.

[lisamurphy]

Hey, Kay! I just wanted to say that I found the format of your videos really helpful, especially the video-within-a-video approach. The examples you demonstrated, both the positive and negative together, made it so much easier to understand the points you were making, and really drove it home. Seeing is believing! Thanks so much!!😊

[MA-iuhu]

I love your polite and non judgmental approach to fashion advice

[AsclepiasCorridor]

I’m not yet 40, but have started to look closer to my age than I did a few years ago - and I’m so pleased! All of a sudden I don’t look ridiculous in those timeless clothes I’ve coveted for years. So, given a rather rapid wardrobe change is in process, it’s great to see tips I can incorporate into that, both now and in the future. Thanks!