Are We Too Old To Wear Beige At 70?
I’ve always been a fan of beige in fashion photos – it exudes calmness, natural elegance, and understated sophistication. Greyish beige is particularly my cup of tea, as I’ve painted many furniture pieces this hue over the years. However, surprisingly, I own very little beige clothing.
The reason lies in how I feel when I try on beige garments – disappointment often sets in. Has 70 become too old for beige? Let me show you my attempts to style various items in beige and see which ones work well and which don’t, depending on the overall look.
I hope these try-on sessions and flat-lay photos will be helpful if, like me, you’re wondering whether it’s time to bid farewell to beige. To begin with, I should clarify that I’m not slender, nor do I have a sun-kissed complexion or dark hair/eyes. These attributes can make beige more wearable, but as we age and our physical appearance changes, certain colors become less flattering.
If you’re slim and tanned, beige is still an excellent choice regardless of your age. Similarly, if you have naturally dark hair/skin, beige will remain a good color even as you age, and even with the added bonus of carrying some extra weight. And of course, if you’re young with a flawless complexion, beige will look stunning on you.
In a previous post on wearing beige after 50, I outlined the rules for older women who wish to incorporate beige into their wardrobe. So, let me follow these tips and demonstrate how they relate to my own style.
What tone of beige?
Understanding tone is crucial when it comes to wearing or buying an item in beige. Different tones can suit different people, and knowing the tone of your beige can help you determine what other pieces in your wardrobe work well with it. This also makes choosing accessories a breeze. Take for instance the two dresses pictured above, both in beige but distinct in their warmth and coolness. The one on the left has a cooler, greyer tone, while the one on the right is warmer and sandier. If you’re unsure about the tone of your beige, compare it to a grey scarf – as I did – or something with a slight yellow tint. You’ll see if it blends in seamlessly or stands out. Keep in mind that the paler the comparison item, the easier it is to determine whether it harmonizes or contrasts with your beige. This is because beige itself is a pale color, and anything bright or dark will tend to create contrast. The key is to understand the tone of your beige and let that guide your wardrobe choices.
Don’t wear beige next to your face unless you are very tanned or dark
Standing before the camera, I’m acutely aware that the beige dress next to my face is having an unflattering effect. As someone who rarely gets a sun-kissed glow, I’ve learned to appreciate the subtle nuances of summer fashion. My pale complexion, inherited from Scottish and Norse roots, means hours in the sun can be risky. The slightly warmer beige tone doesn’t provide enough contrast with my neck, leaving me looking washed out. However, once I add a statement necklace and wrap a sweater around my neck like a scarf, the overall look begins to take shape and become more visually appealing.
Don’t wear beige directly against bare skin unless it makes a good contrast
When it comes to trying on dresses, I like to strip down to bare skin for the most realistic experience. Unfortunately, this has led me to some disconcerting discoveries. Without a doubt, my legs appear even more substantial than they do in most photos when I’m wearing beige – and it’s not just my legs that suffer from this visual disparity. My arms also look less than flattering. As someone who is self-conscious about their weight, I’ve found that finding ways to draw attention away from heavy limbs is crucial. Sadly, beige doesn’t quite achieve this effect, leaving me feeling a bit underwhelmed with the overall aesthetic.
Grayish beige emphasises your age
When we’re feeling tired or under the weather, our complexions often take on a grayish hue. This can be exacerbated by wearing clothes that have a similar tone, resulting in a pasty appearance that’s not exactly flattering. In the photo below, I’m wearing a grayish beige dress from Marks & Spencer, which used to be a staple in my wardrobe when I was working. Back then, I relied on foundation makeup to even out my skin tone and give myself a slightly warmer glow. These days, however, I prefer to let my skin breathe by moisturizing without adding any extra coverage. This shift is part of the natural aging process, as well as a desire for a more casual and effortless look. As you can see from the photos, this dress doesn’t necessarily enhance my complexion – in fact, it’s been black-and-white’ed for my profile photo because it didn’t really do much for me even five years ago.
Your hair should contrast with the beige you wear at the top
While reflecting on my recent success, I couldn’t help but think about how close I came to missing the mark entirely. Nonetheless, I managed to scrape together a decent outcome, and that’s worth acknowledging.
Wear something between your face and your beige top
While the initial outfit may have been passable, it’s undeniable that the addition of jewelry and accessories can elevate the overall look. The beige cardigan is a neutral canvas that can be paired with various colors to create different looks. For instance, the grayish-beige dress looks stunning with either the grayish-pink, silver, and pearl necklace or the silver necklace and pale grayish-pink cardigan. The greyish pink pashmina also complements the dress nicely. Meanwhile, the warmer beige beach dress is best paired with a tan bag and saffron scarf or a gold chain for added warmth. Finally, my dark warmish beige skirt works well with a mid-brown jacket that shares a similar tone.
Beige looks best with black, white or navy
When I incorporate a navy sweater into my mid-beige ensemble, the overall effect is surprisingly cohesive. I’ve experimented with different shades of beige – a darker tone for the skirt and a mid-tone for the cardigan – but adding a bold, neutral color like navy instantly elevates the outfit’s appeal. The question is, what do you think?While I struggle to make beige work as a dominant feature in my wardrobe, I’ve come to realize that its subtlety can be both a blessing and a curse. Fifteen years ago, I had no qualms about pairing beige with cream; it was a chic combination, at least in my eyes! However, those days are behind me.The key to pulling off beige lies in its placement on the body. When worn away from my face, I feel more confident and polished. Moreover, structured outfits tend to flatter my features better than loose, flowy ones. If I were dressing for a night out with friends, I might opt for bolder eye makeup or lip color to add definition.Ultimately, I believe beige’s lack of contrast is what makes it challenging to wear. It tends to blend seamlessly into one’s complexion and skin tone, making it difficult to define where the outfit begins and the skin ends. Once that boundary is established, however, beige can be a stunning addition to any wardrobe.
My conclusions on beige at 70
As I reflect on my wardrobe choices, I’ve come to the realization that beige may not be the most flattering color for me – at least, not outside of the realm of bottoms. The natural, wholesome aesthetic of beige shirts and sweaters has lost its appeal as I’ve aged. While it’s a pity to see those pieces go, I’m willing to adapt my style to suit my changing figure.
Do you share my affinity for beige? I’d love to see how others incorporate this neutral color into their wardrobes. If you’re comfortable sharing photos of yourself in beige attire, please send them to [email protected] – and let me know if you’d like me to feature your image in a follow-up article.
After an afternoon of experimenting with beige outfits, I’m left feeling a bit disheartened. It seems lockdown has taken its toll on my physique, too. The struggles of aging can be frustrating, but there’s always solace in knowing that a well-placed black tee can still elevate even the most beige-heavy ensemble – and let’s not forget the comforting fact that chocolate is always within reach.