What on earth to wear?

Bronnie

Hi Eliza!

Absolutely agree with what jennie said about finding a shop that suits you size and shape-wise....otherwise shopping becomes disheartening. I find Wallis good for womanly curves.

Go and have a couple of non-threatening, non-purchasing open-minded try-on sessions. Long-line tunic tops over trousers are a contemporary, comfortable look and there are lots about.I also agree with belfast girl about wearing a heel.

Have a look at the Next website too for inspiration. It's one of few that actually shows clothes on real models and put together to create looks. No matter the models are young and skinny; as you browse, you can start to learn how looks, colours and accessories are put together and adapt ideas for yourself. You might just pick up an idea at a time, such as a big tote bag, long necklace, etc,...baby steps!

Also try to keep an open outlook. As we get older, it's easy to become over-critical about what we see and how we are and this in itself is very ageing! Try to be receptive to new looks and embrace the way you can adapt/tweek some of them to suit yourself.

Personally, I find the older I get the less I can get away with really cheap clothes. The cut (or lack of) and the really cheap fabrics, by and large, just don't work for me. However Primark etc can be great for cheapo accessories, basic tees for layering etc.

Good luck and have fun!

VfM4meplse

jcr16 wrote: »

ok well instead of thinking of changing your clothes what about adding assories. ie a little neck scarf, or a nice chunky necklace, bangles, bracelets.

Agree with the advice here, good accesories can lift an otherwise plain outfit...don't forget belts, handbags and of course shoes! I don't know if you are a make-up lady but this is the single most effective way of making you feel great.

Eliza_2

Goodness, there I was snoring away getting a really good night's sleep and everyone else is beavering away with all these ideas for my benefit! Thank you so much. Lots to digest here and some excellent lines for me to follow up, thank you so much.

Part of it is the mind set, I really need to put some effort in, not just get whatever is vaguely right in the first shop I go into, but actually try things on (oh no!!) and really look critically at myself and try to care a bit. I tend to have the attitude that I can't usually see myself so what does it matter - then whip into the far more interesting camping shop next door!

Off to get ready for work now, I WILL NOT WEAR JEANS AND LONG SHIRT. I WILL NOT WEAR JEANS AND LONG SHIRT, I WILL NOT.....Might just wear jacket and trousers and look vaguely smart as it's so wintry outside.

Discipline girl, discipline!! Thanks again everyone.

belfastgirl23

jenniewb wrote: »

Black feels easy and seems to be the bulk of my wearable wardrobe (I have two wardrobes, stuff I buy because at the time I think I will wear it/think it looks beautiful/etc and the rest of the wardrobe: black black and black).

Perfectly expressed, that's me too! I just bought a couple of lovely colourful cardigans in the sales but am contemplating taking them back thinking when would I ever wear them. This thread is persuading me to keep them

Aesop

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Perfectly expressed, that's me too! I just bought a couple of lovely colourful cardigans in the sales but am contemplating taking them back thinking when would I ever wear them. This thread is persuading me to keep them

Until I put on weight, am now size 16/18, I wore colourful cardigans. I was known for my love of cardigans and colours.

Unfortunately I got into the mind set of wearing black all the time as I have put on weight and it hides those bits I don't want people to see, and you don't have to put a look together.

I gave myself a shake up recently and decided to start buying colours again. Even if I wear black trousers and black top, I can still have a colourful cardigan on top, or scarf and some lovely jewellery to make the outfit.

I can't wear heels, so didn't think about suggesting that to OP, but it is true if you can afford a nice pair of shoes and boots, these can complete a look. And accessories are always the cheap way to liven up an outfit.

And I always check out my charity shops for handbags, scarves and jewellery. It doesn't have to break the budget.

Oh, and the reason I was posting... don't take back those lovely colourful cardigans! Keep them and wear them , you will look gorgeous and they will uplift your mood.

Bronnie

Eliza wrote: »

Part of it is the mind set, I really need to put some effort in, not just get whatever is vaguely right in the first shop I go into, but actually try things on (oh no!!) and really look critically at myself and try to care a bit. I tend to have the attitude that I can't usually see myself so what does it matter - then whip into the far more interesting camping shop next door!

Off to get ready for work now, I WILL NOT WEAR JEANS AND LONG SHIRT. I WILL NOT WEAR JEANS AND LONG SHIRT, I WILL NOT.....Might just wear jacket and trousers and look vaguely smart as it's so wintry outside.

Discipline girl, discipline!! Thanks again everyone.

I think it's called "uniform dressing"...picking the same style of stuff and wearing it everyday! I've been as guilty of it as anyone.

I've followed and been posting on the fashion thread since it started and it has made me realise I just don't have this intrinsic love of clothes, shoes and accessories and putting looks together that other people do. Nor do I like to have masses of stuff, I like a pared down wardrobe (and life!).

What is important to me though is to try and look my best. Realistically for me, developing my look to stay fresh and contemporary, has been a continuation of my beloved don't-have-to-think-too-much uniform dressing but with much more carefully selected pieces each season and the odd splurge on something I love for a special occasion.

This summer for example I got a really wearable stretchy jersey dress from Wallis in a bright peacock blue print, which I've worn lots. My other saviour has been a pair of denim look jeggings from Next which I've worn with a couple of different tunic tops, a loose white linen shirt/tunic or long vest top and cardigan over when it's been cooler or for travelling.

HTH!

shandyclover

Eliza, I know where you're coming from. I'm a very short, 10 kg overweight woman, with a glamorous size 8 mum, and 4 daughters who all model. I'm definitely the odd one out in our family. I get stuck in ruts and don't venture out much since I'm not very happy with my body and not keen to draw attention to it.

I've been trying to make improvements. Couple things I've done is just window shop and try things on. Study the mannequins in shop windows, 99% of the time it's been outfitted with things I think I'd never wear but then I'll go in and try it all on and have been suprised, some of it does actually suit me and look good!

I think the idea is to take elements of latest fashion and make it work for you without it looking like you've tried too hard. i.e with thighs like mine I thought I could never wear jeggings or leggings but with a loose shirt over top it actually looked good because I still have slim ankles! (yeay!)

I spent an interesting afternoon in pavement coffeeshop with hubby and his mate watching people walking by - was very interesting to hear their oppinions of a well put together woman, understated elegance seemed to be their choice.

Definitely seconding what other posters have expressed, chose your best feature and show off that! I grew up abroad so am naturally quite tanned - I like to wear white shirt, in a bohemian style and use a few bits of silver and turquoise jewelry, this tends to set off the skin. Alas, because I'm cold almost all the time I layer things alot and have about 15 different vest tops I can wear under my shirts, just about one every colour of the rainbow.

I've back issues and have broken my ankle twice and torn all the ligaments, and my job means I'm on my feet all day - so I tend to steer clear of high heels. I notice all those style shows put people in heels, they do instantly add glamour but I wonder how practical they are for day to day life? Finding fashionable shoes that are actually comfortable seems to be like hunting the holy grail. I will eitheir save up for a Hush Puppy or Ecco sale, or I sometimes find quality shoes in my size in my local charity shop almost brand new. I think they have a shoe addict supplying them regularly who also wears my size!

ailuro2

Eliza, tell your granddaughter as you get older you realise that beauty is only skin deep and it's what's on the inside that counts.

there's nothing wrong with wearings jeans, tops and cardis, maybe you WANT rather than need to add a few accessories to brighten them up a bit, but really, I think you have the same attitude as me - I don't usually think the people who have been Gok's, Trinnyd or 10 years younger always look better, some of them end up looking like mutton dressed as lamb and also 'overdone'

they do good work with shapes that suit, but then go on and plaster them in make up, give them exoensive upkeep hairstyles, and I just can't 'get' why anyone would want to waste so much time tarting themselves up, tbh.

It's nice to get dressed up for special occasions, but really, I don't see what's wrong with keeping a simple, functional capsule wardrobe for the rest of the time.:D

newleaf

I think it's a common misconception that wearing black makes us look slimmer. It doesn't at all, it just makes us look big and dismal. I'm a believer in the adage that 'if you can't lose it or hide it, you might as well decorate it'. I love bright colours and bold patterns. If I wear black it is on the bottom half only, I would never put it next to my face.

For anyone who can afford it, I would recommend having your 'colours done', ie a colour analysis - there are several companies that offer this service, I had mine done by 'Colour Me Beautiful', but there are others. (They will also do a 'style' analysis for an extra fee). Getting my colours done was an absolute revelation and has saved me from a lot of disasterous impulse buys, so was well worth the cash I spent on it. You could always ask for a gift token towards it for birthday or Christmas...

newleaf

Also meant to add that if you have time for a long read, this thread may be of interest to you.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1988865
I got lots of tips from it myself.