Frugal Frump to Fab - The Journey Continues

whichwhydoIturn

Hello, got up earlier today , put clothes on I'd picked out night before for work.
Put foundation on & did my eyes , no lips , and got out there
Felt "equal" at work today , just knowing I didn't look like I'd fought with a hedge helped I think.
Yep MOB in September this year . I want to get that "look" of being comfortable when smartly dressed so its natural by e time the wedding comes along .
I've put night cream on tonight , and some nail strengthing varnish
Looking forward to reading this thread everyday xx

System

Hello folks, I've been reading for a couple of weeks now and you've inspired me to take another look at myself and try a bit of fabbing, so can I join you?
I might not post often but I'll be reading with interest.
I'm 53, live in jeans, have funny feet so limited to trainers / fairly frumpy shoes, and don't know how to do make-up :rotfl:
A lost cause really! Oh and lost weight recently doing the 5:2 so lots of clothes now too big - ironic isn't it; I lost the weight so I wouldn't have to spend out on new, bigger clothes - now I'm spending on new, smaller ones :rotfl:

So far:
I'm having my hair dyed regularly at a salon while I try to grow it as the dye seems to last so much better than the home dyes I used to use (lots of grey to cover).
I've bought serum and a BB cream for my face and neck, and manage to use them most days.
Don't think I'll manage make-up, it's not really my scene. I don't specially want to look glam, more 'well groomed' IYSWIM.
I've bought some perfume from Next and plan to wear that regularly if I remember.
I started doing my nails more regularly too, but they all started to chip and split so I've cut them really short to keep them neat, and started taking a 'skin, hair & nails' vitamin.

I've been through my wardrobe, had a big clear out, am trying for a sort of 'capsule', 333-project type thing. This is for 'nice' clothes as I work in jeans, fleeces and safety boots.
I've just bought a lovely pair of grey linen trousers in M&S, and taken them in a bit straight away so I can actually wear them (:T), they'll be the basis of my smarter look along with a nice skirt and a couple of jackets.
Also bought some gorgeous ankle boots but they've got a small heel so I might end up taking them back. It's not fair, why do shoe shops not get that people with funny feet still want pretty shoes? I'm not my mum!

Sorry this post has got rather long!

Anyway, keep up the good work everyone, lots of good tips and encouragement on here.
Rx

Rummer

Ladies, my thoughts are turning to my summer wardrobe and I could do with your wisdom Winter clothes are fine as I love tights and dresses with snuggly cardigans and boots however I struggle with what to wear in the summer. I need to look quite smart but also want to be comfortable. What items do you think would be ideal for a summer work capsule wardrobe?

sweaty_betty

Rummer wrote: »

Ladies, my thoughts are turning to my summer wardrobe and I could do with your wisdom Winter clothes are fine as I love tights and dresses with snuggly cardigans and boots however I struggle with what to wear in the summer. I need to look quite smart but also want to be comfortable. What items do you think would be ideal for a summer work capsule wardrobe?

I've been thinking about this too. I reckon I'm going to use grey and maybe beige as a staple colour and buy (probably linen) trousers. I don't tend to wear skirts/dresses, but if I did I'd buy 1-2 nice ones and perhaps also some long shorts (there's a posh name for these but I can't remember!).

I'm currently hunting out (in charity shops and on ebay) a grey handbag and a cream coloured handbag, then I reckon I can wear whatever colour on top and still look co-ordinated

Then for tops, I've bought a couple of floaty white shirts and am in search of a lightweight, smart jacket (not sure what colour yet), plus I have a few sleeveless tops that I'm going to wear with the jacket/a thin cardigan.

Have I missed anything?

sweaty_betty

rosyq wrote: »

Hello folks, I've been reading for a couple of weeks now and you've inspired me to take another look at myself and try a bit of fabbing, so can I join you?
I might not post often but I'll be reading with interest.
I'm 53, live in jeans, have funny feet so limited to trainers / fairly frumpy shoes, and don't know how to do make-up :rotfl:
A lost cause really! Oh and lost weight recently doing the 5:2 so lots of clothes now too big - ironic isn't it; I lost the weight so I wouldn't have to spend out on new, bigger clothes - now I'm spending on new, smaller ones :rotfl:

So far:
I'm having my hair dyed regularly at a salon while I try to grow it as the dye seems to last so much better than the home dyes I used to use (lots of grey to cover).
I've bought serum and a BB cream for my face and neck, and manage to use them most days.
Don't think I'll manage make-up, it's not really my scene. I don't specially want to look glam, more 'well groomed' IYSWIM.
I've bought some perfume from Next and plan to wear that regularly if I remember.
I started doing my nails more regularly too, but they all started to chip and split so I've cut them really short to keep them neat, and started taking a 'skin, hair & nails' vitamin.

I've been through my wardrobe, had a big clear out, am trying for a sort of 'capsule', 333-project type thing. This is for 'nice' clothes as I work in jeans, fleeces and safety boots.
I've just bought a lovely pair of grey linen trousers in M&S, and taken them in a bit straight away so I can actually wear them (:T), they'll be the basis of my smarter look along with a nice skirt and a couple of jackets.
Also bought some gorgeous ankle boots but they've got a small heel so I might end up taking them back. It's not fair, why do shoe shops not get that people with funny feet still want pretty shoes? I'm not my mum!

Sorry this post has got rather long!

Anyway, keep up the good work everyone, lots of good tips and encouragement on here.
Rx

I know where you're coming from on the shoes point of view. Since I became pregnant with my LO, I've not been able to wear heels. This is almost 4 years ago and I've finally bitten the bullet and sorted all my old favourites for the charity shop, the most fabulous wedge/platform shoes...
I mainly live in trainers, crocs (I know they don't look great, but they're soooo comfy) and, for work, hush puppies flats which look smart enough without crippling me.

podperson

Hi all,

Rummer - I feel your pain on the summer wardrobe! I like wearing skirts but def not keen on bare legs and sometimes feel a bit silly wearing tights if it's warm (mind you I often still do it lol). What about things like linen pants, pretty light and cool, or capri/cropped pants with small heels look quite smart. Also don't how tall you are but maxi dresses? I'm a short-!!!! so sadly can't get away with them but there's usually some lovely ones around if you can.

rosyq - welcome! Sounds like you're well on track Shoe-wise, do you wear pumps at all? I don't wear heels very much but have some pretty pumps with different patterns/colours/sparkly bits etc to break up the constant trainer wearing :rotfl:Oh, and don't feel you have to go nuts with the make-up - I never wear foundation or anything like that but less than two mins in the mirror to do a smudge of eyeliner and a slick of lipgloss always makes me feel so much more 'put together'. Though of course, it's whatever works for you

You have got me thinking though I might need to get some new heels. I don't think I even have any for going out now, and some nice wedges or something would be good. May have a charity shop mooch this week! (Am I anywhere near you betty? :rotfl:) Have been quite good so far this week - though it is only Tuesday! Managing to stick to the healthy eating and done my 30dayshred both days so far. Am doing a traffic survey tomorrow so will be working 12 hours - might let myself off the exercise as I'll prob want to collapse when I get home Anyway, am up early for it so better be getting to bed soon!

Hope everyone is having a good week x

lessonlearned

Good Evening Lovely Ladies

I too have been thinking about summer clothes. Today I bought some beige linen trousers for casual wear. I shall also look for some pale grey ones.

The problem with linen is it does crease so, ok for casual but I never felt happy in it for work, so I used to buy a linen mix.

My summer colours are beige, pale greys, "sludgy" greens, creams, white for my jackets, cardis and sweaters. I then add splashes of bright colours with tops, t-shirts, scarves etc.

Although I do have a scarlet suede jacket that I wear in spring and autumn which is years old but is one of my all time favourites.

Since I have allowed my hair to go "au naturel" - ok white :rotfl: I find that I have had to rethink my colour choices. Oddly enough I can now wear brights such as turquoise or coral.

Unfortunately my legs aren't what they once were so for me it's trousers, capri pants or long floating skirts and maxi dresses. I'm afraid that shorts are strictly for the garden or the beach these days:o. One of these days I will pluck up courage and get my varicose veins sorted out……

Summer shoes are a real problem aren't they.

When I was "Corporate Woman" I tended to wear trouser suits because floaty skirts and maxi dresses weren't really appropriate for building sites.:rotfl: I wore pastels such as cream, beige, minty or sagey green, pale or silver grey. The dry cleaning bills were horrendous, luckily my employers gave me a dry cleaning allowance.

Welcome rosy - sounds like you are off to a good start.

maman

I think the trouble with a summer wardrobe is that we're far from sure we'll get a summer!

For workwear I like sleeveless/cap/short sleeve dresses with a short cardigan or jacket and maybe a scarf.


For a casual look I'll wear jeans with a top that has whatever sort of sleeves the weather dictates and then a cardigan or denim jacket and also maybe a scarf too.


I also have a few pretty, patterned skirts which I wear with vests and I've bought (Primani) some short, coloured cardigans that pick up some of the colours to go with them.


So all my summer basics seem to involve cardigans or jackets!


I have a couple of silk summer dresses that see me OK for any posher events or some narrow, silky black trousers that look good with heels and some silky camisoles/tops that are OK for more trendy outings.


But I am lucky enough to have at least one sunshine holiday a year when most of the stuff I wear in this country is far too hot. About all I wear in this country from my holiday wardrobe is some vest tops and jeans/cardi to travel. This is the wardrobe that's much in need of refreshing. I'm looking for at least one maxi dress for evening, a short sundress for daytime and some sort of beach cover-up to put on over bikini at lunchtime.


I've been looking but most of what I'm seeing is horribly synthetic (especially all kaftans) or jersey type t-shirt fabric. Both of these would be really hot and sticky in the sun.


Plus some of my vests need replacing, especially the white ones.


For shoes, I mostly wear ballet pumps in the summer or Birkenstocks if going casual. I've got a pair of black patent wedges and some other open toed heels for dressy occasions.


Sorry for all the me, me, me but it's helped to articulate it. I do need to get to the shops but I don't think school holidays is the best time. I must buy some new jeans before Easter and then anything else's a bonus!

Teacher2b

Hi all sorry I've been so quiet recently! How are we all doing on the fabbing? Have we got any summer holiday plans on the horizon? I'm doing my usual and taking stock of life during the school holidays. This last term has been bonkers and iVe been struck down with a nasty throat as is customary for time off work! Just been for a nice lunch with the family and now lounging for the rest of the day. Might paint my nails as a little step towards today's fabbing

Floss

Just had the good news that I've been offered a PA to Director post with a local NHS trust, so I need to refresh my working wardrobe to bring it up to PA level. I also need to factor in regular grooming (roots/shellac/eybrow wax/eyelash tint/leg wax) appointments