Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

lessonlearned

Hi Bratz - sorry to hear you are poorly - time for a Duvet day, a couple of nice DVD's perhaps and a good rest. Look after yourself and get well soon.

Anyway - another style chat for you - hope it cheers you up.

So far we've had quite a bit of background chat and I thought that we could now get down to the nitty gritty.

Today I thought we could talk about Smart/Casual It seems to be the hardest one to get our heads round, the one which gives causes the most grief.

Evening dress and business wear are so much easier to do, partly because there are rules and conventions. Often the workplace will have rules about corporate dress and some even provide uniforms so that we don't even have to make any decisions.

Before we get going I would just like to make one observation - please bear in mind it's purely personal - just my own opinion so hope I don't upset anyone.

I hate the term Age-Appropriate Dressing - why does anyone seem to think that once you hit a certain age you have to be told you can't wear this or do that.

I looked at the "Fifty plus" website the other day - you know the TV ad - the one that shows the attractive blonde lady and her daughter and friends - so patronising.

Well I thought most of the clothes were quite grim and very expensive for what they were. To me it's all just marketing and hype. Some bright spark thinks they've spotted a gap in the market "Ooh there's all those baby boomers out there with loads of cash - let's target them". Just because I'm pushing 60 doesn't mean I'm a pushover. I still have a few marbles left.:rotfl:

Now I am a great believer in Occasion Appropriate Dressing - wearing the right clothes to a wedding/funeral/business meeting or whatever but as far as age is concerned -then surely it should be about wearing what's right for the individual. Whether you're 17 or 70 is irrelevant.

I know we're all afraid of the "mutton dressed as lamb" syndrome but honestly, trust me on this, if you dress "classy" this won't happen.

Remember the section on dressing well when you're skint - the same guidelines work at any age. No bling, no excess flesh, no daft fashion statements like IT bags. Just quality and decorum. Of course, we might need to tweak a few things to take into account certain problem areas, varicose veins are my biggie - I won't show my legs so it's trousers and long skirts for me. If I want to show my legs - then that's what opaque tights were invented for.

Who says you shouldn't have bare arms at 50, why not. If you've got nice well toned arms fine, if not cover them up. There are plenty of 20 year olds out there with bingo wings, rough scaly goose-bumps and blotchy mottled skin who would look better covered up.

Don't let your age worry you, just highlight your best bits, cover up the bits you don't like, you'll be fine. Oh and you might want to tone down the leopard skin.:rotfl:

Back in a mo ...................

Dawning

I've just managed to catch up on all the thread, and am also trying to read the original thread. I'm now off to get showered/dressed for the day ahead but will be back later.

Can we add Helen Mirren to the inspirational list? I think she's fantastic. I saw her in Sainsbury's once in Manchester, when she was at Granada filming that detective thing that I can't remember the name of just now :mad: It must have been about 15 years ago so I was only young, in my mid 30's and she just knocked the socks off me. She's the same height as me, but she looked sensational. Very inspirational - like kylie - for those of us who are lacking in the height department!


I was looking at old photo's of myself last night. I realised I've never really been a stylish dresser. I looked ok for a few years when I was young and slim but once the weight started coming on I really let myself go. Therefore I've been letting myself go for 20 years :eek:.

My main problems (there are loads but these are the biggies) :

1) my weight. I'm pear shaped and all this weight just makes my backside and thighs absolutely HUGE
I have still got a waist though - of sorts!
I find that i look better in tops and jackets that are fitted, and wearing a belt. Does this sound right for my body shape or is my judgment completely off?

2)Shoes. I have a problem with my balance and am not comfortable in heels because I tend to fall over easily This is another reason that I'm going back to yoga classes, but it's a health issue that wont go away so heels are pretty much a no-no for me unless I know I only have to walk a short distance in them, and have someone/thing to hang on to as I walk.
Unless anyone has any tips for walking in heels I can practice at home?

3) Generally clueless about dressing well. I have noticed that The Good Wife is repeated on More4. It's on this afternoon, series 1, episode 3. I've never seen it so I've set the recorder and will watch it later. Still not seen last weeks Kennedys either.

lessonlearned

Just a quickie - will be back later with the Smart/Casual chat.

Hi there Dawning - yes La Mirren is on the list, together with Tina Turner and Shirly Bassey (sorry should really have given her a line to herself - she is truly sensational - didn't realise she was small though).

Re the shoes - have you tried wedge heels - might easier. You are spot on with the yoga, should help. Are you ears ok, they can affect your balance if there's a problem.

You've got it right I'd say, if you are pear shaped, then a good tailored jacket is a great idea. No need to go all "Dynasty" here and overdo it with huge shoulder pads, but a jacket with a structured shoulder helps balance out the hips.

Re the derriere and thighs - squats and lunges will help firm them up.

Anyway time for a snack and then ASDA's.

Laters..............

foreign_correspondent

Hello, can I join in?

I need help! I've recently lost 4 stone, and I'm struggling clothes wise... I'm reluctant to spend much, as I keep shrinking out of my clothes (still another stone and a half or so to go) but looking good during the journey is important too... wearing clothes 2 sizes too big does nothing for self image!

I'm currently fond of skinny jeans (Adsa, £12, so not too bad to replace in new sizes!) and structured jackets - I have 2 at the moment, a Jasper Conan blue heavy cotton jacket (not quite denim, but similar) and a burgundy velvet one from a charity shop (originally dorothy perkins)

I am an hourglass shape, (44, 34, 44) but with a bit of a belly, I'm hoping that will go in the next phase of the diet. I have large boobs, and struggle to find tops that fit round the bust without swamping me everywhere else, and looking tent like... For some reason, I find I can fit in 14 jeans, but need a 16-18 in tops generally. When I've lost all the weight I may well invest in some tops from somewhere like bravissimo, but at the moment I don't want to spend much!

Any ideas in the interim?

I currently have a couple of these...
http://www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion-to-buy-online/T-Shirts/Stretch-Notch-Neck-T-shirt-in-Black/28012&resultsPerPage=100&attrList=Dept,brand

I also have a shirt with stretch which fits ok, and a couple of stripy, t shirt type tops...

I also need a new suit, but again am torn between buying something cheap now, and waiting till I reach my target weight - my old suit is getting baggy, but cheap ones don't tend to fit me nicely...

Dawning

lessonlearned wrote: »

Just a quickie - will be back later with the Smart/Casual chat.

Hi there Dawning - yes La Mirren is on the list, together with Tina Turner and Shirly Bassey (sorry should really have given her a line to herself - she is truly sensational - didn't realise she was small though).

Re the shoes - have you tried wedge heels - might easier. You are spot on with the yoga, should help. Are you ears ok, they can affect your balance if there's a problem.

You've got it right I'd say, if you are pear shaped, then a good tailored jacket is a great idea. No need to go all "Dynasty" here and overdo it with huge shoulder pads, but a jacket with a structured shoulder helps balance out the hips.

Re the derriere and thighs - squats and lunges will help firm them up.

Anyway time for a snack and then ASDA's.

Laters..............

Thanks very much for the advice about the jacket. Haven't tried wedge heels, I'll have a look for a low-ish pair and start with those.

Helen Mirren is 5'4" (sorry I missed seeing her on your list, I dont know how I missed it!), but she looks tiny, very small frame. I was really surprised because I expected her to be tall from when I'd seen her on TV.

I'm home earlier than expected, and my Amazon order has arrived :j so this afternoon will be spent reading 'A Guide to Elegance' and 'The Art of Being A Well Dressed Wife' (I'm divorced :rotfl::rotfl:) I also ordered Orchids on Your Budget. The Art book is lovely, a dusky pink fabric book jacket with a fabric book mark sewn into the book.
Not sure which one to start first.

Dawning

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Hello, can I join in?

I need help! I've recently lost 4 stone, and I'm struggling clothes wise... I'm reluctant to spend much, as I keep shrinking out of my clothes (still another stone and a half or so to go) but looking good during the journey is important too... wearing clothes 2 sizes too big does nothing for self image!

I'm currently fond of skinny jeans (Adsa, £12, so not too bad to replace in new sizes!) and structured jackets - I have 2 at the moment, a Jasper Conan blue heavy cotton jacket (not quite denim, but similar) and a burgundy velvet one from a charity shop (originally dorothy perkins)

I am an hourglass shape, (44, 34, 44) but with a bit of a belly, I'm hoping that will go in the next phase of the diet. I have large boobs, and struggle to find tops that fit round the bust without swamping me everywhere else, and looking tent like... For some reason, I find I can fit in 14 jeans, but need a 16-18 in tops generally. When I've lost all the weight I may well invest in some tops from somewhere like bravissimo, but at the moment I don't want to spend much!

Any ideas in the interim?

I currently have a couple of these...
http://www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion-to-buy-online/T-Shirts/Stretch-Notch-Neck-T-shirt-in-Black/28012&resultsPerPage=100&attrList=Dept,brand

I also have a shirt with stretch which fits ok, and a couple of stripy, t shirt type tops...

I also need a new suit, but again am torn between buying something cheap now, and waiting till I reach my target weight - my old suit is getting baggy, but cheap ones don't tend to fit me nicely...

Congrats on the weight loss! How did you do it? I need to lose that and a bit more...
I'm not much help with clothes as your body shape is very different to mine and I'm useless anyway!

podperson

Hi FC - well done on losing 4 stone so far :T I have a slightly similar problem at the moment - half my wardrobe is too big and half too small don't want to spend too much either at the moment as I'm hoping will slim down some. If you look a few pages LL does a very good post about style on a budget - I personally love charity shops and am planning on having a good mooch this weekend - might be good for finding a suit at least as they often have more expensive brands in, especially if you try the ones in posher areas

yummymommy

elantan wrote: »

found the book yay


ok vegetable curry for the slow cooker

1tbsp oil
1 medium onion , finely chopped
1 small head of celery, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, seeds removed, roughly chopped
115g (4oz) red lentils
chick peas ( either a can or dried and soaked over night ... not sure the amount i just added in what i fancied)
1 tbsp curry paste
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried chilli
300ml (1/2 pint) vegetable stock
2tbsp mango chutney , large pieces finely chopped
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp lemin juice
2 tblsp tomato puree
salt

method
1. heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion celery and red pepper and cook, stirring occasionaly, until softened but not browned.
2, Add the remaining ingredients and stir well bring to the boil and transfer to the slow cooker.
3. put the lid on and cook on low for 7-9 hours

let me know if you like it

Thanks soooo much, I will have a go at the weekend and let you know:beer:

yummymommy

Isn't it funny how we women use make-up, clothes etc as a form of armour against our woes. It does work though. Behind the painted smile and all that ........

Never a true word said LL. I NEVER go out without my makeup on. I am not sure whether this is a good thing or not but I would feel very insecure without it.

Hugs to you at them moment, my heart really does go out to you. (insert smiley hug). xx

foreign_correspondent

Dawning wrote: »

Congrats on the weight loss! How did you do it? I need to lose that and a bit more...
I'm not much help with clothes as your body shape is very different to mine and I'm useless anyway!

Hiya, thanks - just vague notions of calorie counting really - I havent counted religiously, but I suppose I have started being mindful of what I eat in a day, only eating when hungry,n ot stuffing myself, and cutting down on the high fat and high carb stuff...

Being in the right frame of mind makes all the difference I find. I've still got a bit to go, but I am pleased with the loss so far, thought it would never be something I could do...

podperson wrote: »

Hi FC - well done on losing 4 stone so far :T I have a slightly similar problem at the moment - half my wardrobe is too big and half too small don't want to spend too much either at the moment as I'm hoping will slim down some. If you look a few pages LL does a very good post about style on a budget - I personally love charity shops and am planning on having a good mooch this weekend - might be good for finding a suit at least as they often have more expensive brands in, especially if you try the ones in posher areas

Thankyou - I will check out the post you mention... I've been scouring the charity shops for ages with no success - it's tricky as well, cos I need 14-16 trousers, and 16 or 18 top! My old suit jacket is an M&S one from about 14 years ago, and I've been looking for a replacement for a while!

However, Ive just popped into Debenhams and came out with two really nice bras for a fiver each (instead of £15!) and a half price Betty Jackson black jacket - it's not part of a suit, but is a black suit style jacket, I am going to see if it will match ok with some black trousers I have!