Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

lessonlearned

Sezzagirl wrote: »

Evening all


I keep thinking about what being chic means too. Someone mentioned jeans and t-shirts as a non-chic style but I think that a good pair of jeans with a white shirt, gorgeous shoes - high or low - and a funky jacket or little cardie with some joools that make you happy and smile can be one of the chic-est looks going!:cool:

I think that is a very chic look. It is the sort of look that Princess Diana would wear when she was "off duty". Good jeans, a simple top, a nice well tailored jacket or for a change just a sweater slung round the shoulders, nice and comfortable.

For something a bit more dressy - say for a meal in a swish restaurant just swap the jeans for a pair of a nicely cut trousers.

Like Maman said timeless and classic, - the jeans or trousers/jacket combo is a look that never dates. If you look at pictures of old movie stars such as Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, and of course our old friend Jackie Kennedy/Onassis they all wore versions of this same basic style.

Modern day - well I think our own Kate Middleton is shaping up very nicely. She obviously tends to wear dresses or suits for formal occasions when she is "on duty" but even her formal outfits are not too stuffy. She does "relaxed chic" very well and by all accounts does buy a lot of her clothes on the high street, with Zara being one of her favourites.

I think Michelle Obama usually looks pretty stylish and chic too, without being too formal or "stiff". Apparently she favours a brand called "Crewe" which I think are a bit like Gap.

I think it's not so much the type of garment as in the way it is cut and the type of fabric.

A pair of squeeze it all in too tight jeans, scruffy trainers and an ill fitting t-shirt with tastless logo is not chic. A pair of well cut jeans, leather loafers, and a good quality well fitting t-shirt would be chic. Add a nice belt, and a couple of bits of simple jewellery and you've struck "chic gold".

Ooops - look at the time, meant to be tidying up the kitchen, then watch Edwin Drood.

WelshWoofer

Evening all! I'm pooped! A full day at work followed by a 3 hour meeting at another school on the new exam curriculum (difficult to be enthusiastic about at the best of times!). I did manage a 45 min dog walk when I got home and had somethimg on toast for tea because I just didn't have the oomph to do anything else.:o

I did wear a nice top, perfume (one of the Clinique ones that my best friend bought me in a gift set of 5 perfumes for Xmas) and full make up. Have also flopped in the bath for half an hour - well deserved!

I'm also one of those that's at an in between phase clotheswise. I've just turned 40 (but apparently don't look my age - not 25 by any means either though!).
I'm worried about going down the slipppery slope to grannie-wear but am sometimes a bit bewildered by what I should be wearing - I want to look young, but not like a trollop, classy but a teeny bit sexy (not boobs and bum out but feminine IYKWIM) and groomed and finished (something I don't think I acheive often).

Thankyou to whoever it was that suggested looking at a celebrity that you like and using them as a guide style wise - I think that's a great idea. Just can't think of anyone at the moment! Will have a little ponder.
Can anyone else think of a 40 ish (or late 30s) woman that looks good in "normal" clothes (not on the red carpet!)?

Sezzagirl

WW, is that me you're talking about? We're at the same age - not sure who the best "role model" is.

Maybe that's our next challenge - to find our icon!!:cool:

LL, I love what Kate wears - especially the gorgeous smile she usually finishes her outfit with!:D

adelight

joan49 that's some serious bargain hunting!

re style, what about the Middletons? I know it's such a cliche but Kate, Pippa and their Mum all dress really elegantly in clothes that suit anyone from 20-60. Subtle make-up, glossy hair, they even wear loads of high street brands and their looks are easily replicated using high street clothes. Just don't copy the eyeliner
Or Sophie Dahl? Holly Willoughby? Kelly Brook, Kate Winsley, Katie Holmes, Carol Vorderman, Salma Hayek, Adele.
The Daily Mail online and gossip mag websites have lots of pictures of celebs looking good in casual clothes. Not that I'm advocating pap's hounding celebs...

Evening everyone. I've been completely neglecting my fabbing when it comes to nails (still not painted) and clothes (wearing a velour tracksuit right now- seriously!) but have been doing good with exercise, body brushing and food. My juicer arrived today and I've already made vegetable juice and healthy savoury muffins and pasta sauce from the pulp. My fab blog is looking more food blog right now! I've wanted a juicer for a few months and didn't buy any sale clothes so figured "why not?!" and I'm so glad I bought it, I love it alreday and have a whole new enthusiasm for getting ultra healthy

evilsquid1603

i feel fab atm, lost 4 pounds this week at weigh in!

i think Kate Middleton dresses well but i would like to jump on her with some make up remover and a make up kit. she wears far to severe eyeliner!

Rummer

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

I'll be waiting to fan you down :rotfl::rotfl:



ladies i actually have the urge to do some exercise. Zumba here I come

Oh my.............I can hardly breathe..............my OH can't stop laughing...........I don't think I can walk :rotfl:

That is hard going and it only lasts for 20mins!

Just booked myself into Slimming World . I really am changing my life around thanks to the support and enthusiasm in this thread. Today I wore a new (gorgeous) dress, blow dried my hair, added a touch of makeup and some perfume, slipped on a pair of heels and sashayed my way through the day feeling fabulous!

Bitsy_Beans

Rummer wrote: »

Oh my.............I can hardly breathe..............my OH can't stop laughing...........I don't think I can walk :rotfl:

That is hard going and it only lasts for 20mins!
!

and thats only level 1. I've never actually made it higher than that

Thooughly enjoyed my zumba, feel good to have moved my body and I rather enjoy the music

I like the idea of finding a sleb I like to follow......not Kerry Katona though :eek: Will check out the Middletons.......although I confess when I look at Kate (too skinny IMO but lovely all the same) it always seems very much work wear, I am a SAHM so would look totally out of place in very swish clothes

Callisto

Yesterday I said I had lots to say, and today I can't remember what most of it was!

LW - I can only offer ((hugs)) and echo what others have said (much better than me.) I really hope this thread will help you with liking yourself, as we like you.

Rummer - You did really well to complete the Shred and not be lying down now! Beware tomorrow, shoulders will be sore! I tried it last year, but hurt my back (couldn't keep technique correct and keep up with instructor) and had to stop exercising altogether for over six weeks. I ended up selling the DVD as I didn't want it to happen again. I now have the 'Biggest Loser New Year New You' and find that challenging as it is aerobics with weights, but nowhere near as hardcore as the Shred! Glad you had a good time at your dance class.

Sparkles - Well done on getting your assignment finished and in. I am still grappling with mine, due in on Thursday whether I am happy with it or not. Just aiming to get a pass as it is such a broad question, I feel like I've completely misinterpreted what they're asking!

Bratz - Can you tell me which beginner yoga DVD's you recommend please? I quite fancy having a go!

Podperson - I am feeling pretty unmotivated this week as well, so don't worry about not being focused. I'm putting it down to January blues (and assignment stress, perhaps soon I will learn some time management skills!)

Evilsquid - Yay for fabulous weight loss. :T

Joan - Some fab clothes bargains there. I used to run in the morning and enjoyed it, and would like to get back into the habit of morning exercise.

Regarding finding it difficult to dress your age, I completely agree. I am in my early thirties and struggle to find my own style, mostly wear trousers and t-shirts. I returned some sale items to New Look, they would only exchange them, so one of the new items I got is a lovely peach coloured flowery top that looks really nice on, but I have nothing to wear with it apart from jeans. I find it so hard to coordinate my top and bottom half, maybe I should get more dresses to solve this problem! Next thing on my list to save up for is a full length mirror, so I know I am not leaving the house looking like I got dressed in the dark.

Bought perfume, body lotion and make up yesterday. Had hair trimmed today. No exercise the past couple of days, definitely tomorrow.

Rummer

Concealer

This is a key product for any makeup bag!

As a lady with dark eye circles, regardless of how well rested I am or how much water I have drunk, I would not be without my concealer! A wee slick of Touche eclat stops me looking like the undead

Willow92

Ugh. Worn pyjamas for the past 2 days but I'm going out tomorrow and I'm going to have to wear my scruffy (and too small!!!!) trackie bums coz I've got some walking to do. I want to wear my tights but they fall down if I walk more than a few metres and I won't have time to stop and hoick them up all the time. It's either a long top with tights or scruffy tshirt with trackie bums. Even if I bought a dress I'd have to wear tights! Jeans and trousers just don't fit me right so what else? Oh and I look ridiculous in skirts.