Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

maman

Rowan_moon wrote: »

For the last couple of years I have really liked White stuff clothes and still like some on them, but others now don't do much for me. Sometimes the shape makes me look pregnant. I also used to buy lots of black and brighter colours which again I don't think suit me now. I wear trousers most of the time, though what actually looks best on me are 'fit and flair' dresses and skirts. I'm liking Phase Eight at the mo, and have bought a nice blue top from the cs, a dress from Ebay and have two tops from Ebay on the way.

Question for you all
What is your style for clothes? Is it what you have always liked or has it changed?

I've changed my style but that's purely because I've lost weight and don't feel the need to cover up any more. Plus, although I like classic timeless pieces (for expensive items) I will make a gesture to fashion if it's something that I like and it suits me.


For leisure/pottering I wear jeans and fairly tight fitting tops with a small cardi or a fine knit jumper. This is often with a scarf to put colour near my face. My jeans aren't yet skinny but I'm looking out for the straightest, straight ones I can find.


For going out smart/casual, I'm likely to wear something very similar but perhaps more expensive jeans with heels and maybe a jacket instead of the cardi or substitute the jeans with a pencil skirt. I also have a couple of smart, cuddly jumpers (angora/cashmere) which look fine for pub meals. For more dressed up then I have a few dresses, currently an all over lace one and a jersey one with a knot front although I'm bored with that.


When I'm working (which for me is largely attending meetings) I wear either a shift dress or skirt with a cardi or jacket. My current favoutite is pencil skirts but I do have some slightly flippy A line ones too.


These are all 'winter' clothes although the jeans are year round just the tops get lighter. I like White Stuff tops but the plainer ones.
http://www.whitestuff.com/womens/tops-tees/persian-purple-alice-tee-412392_persian/


and they do a vest which is very similar. And I've been fancying these
http://www.jackwills.com/en-gb/product/fullford-t-shirt-10000690716


Then for when it's really warm I have some summer skirts but they don't get an airing until my legs have some colour.


And for going out when I'm really tanned I have camisoles (mostly silk) to wear with skirt or trousers and a few 'frocks' that look smart enough for a meeting or restaurant meal.


Hope that all makes sense. Rowan, when you say 'fit and flare' do you mean sort of skater dresses? I like the shape but wonder how you manage in the summer as they're quite short. The length of my skirts varies on where I am and what my legs are looking like. I'll wear above the knee skirts with a good tan or opaques but otherwise on the knee. I have a few short dresses/skirts but they are strictly holiday wardrobe.


Doing fabb (ish) Friday. So my jeans, long sleeved top but will wear a gilet and ballet pumps today as a gesture to warm weather.

beluga

For winter, I've been wearing mainly skater type dresses with leggings, Doc Martens and a jumper. I'm not quite sure what to wear with the weather warming up! I had a wardrobe sort out yeaterday, but I'm so overweight that not much fits me and even less looks ok

I found out today that the meditation course I've been waiting for is finally starting in May, and I'm signed up for that. The creative writing course I've been doing has finished, and I'll be sorry not to have that on every week, but the same people are starting up a book club in a few weeks so I think I'll give that a try. The woman that runs the creative writing is putting on a display of work from the various groups she runs, so I need to pick a couple of pieces and submit them. They run an art workshop alongside the writing, and we've been making funky books to put our work in. It's been really fun, I haven't played with paint and things in years

I'm having another quiet day today, DH has gone out so I've got the rest of the day to myself. I bought loads of (reduced) veg this morning so I'll make myself something nice and healthy for dinner and maybe watch a movie while I do my nails.

Have a fab weekend everyone

lessonlearned

Beluga - loving the sound of your activities, especially the sloshing paint around - right up my street.

I definitely intend to do some courses next winter.

I've been thinking about holidays and although I do love going on holiday I'm not sure how to start holidaying as a singleton. I know there are specialist companies but I dont really like bring "herded" around in a group and although I fancy myself trekking in Nepal like some Victorian adventuress I don't think its really me.......:rotfl:

So......I'm thinking of doing some nice arty/crafty residential courses, maybe with some yoga or well being stuff thrown in. Anyway I going to have a couple of spa mini breaks, just one night and see how I go.

I have been thinking about taking up,italian again and was wondering if I could combine a language course with an extended stay in Italy - a sort of language and culture thing. Not sure whether it would be ruinously expensive though, but I do adore Italy and would love to spend more time there, maybe even taking out a medium term rental for say three or four months. There's really nothing to stop me now is there.

As Del Boy would say "the world is my lobster":rotfl:

lessonlearned

Re styles of clothing.

As Maman says I think that out styles do changeand evolve over time. As our body shape changes and indeed as our lives move from one stage to another then we change out personal styles to reflect our changing lifestyles.

I went from Derbys answer to Mary Quant, all mini dresses and "mod" haircuts, to hippy to disco chick, and then 80's New Romantic and I have the shaming photos to prove it....:eek::rotfl:

Then it was time for babies, all that baby sick, sticky fingers, and chocolate smeared kisses, so it all had to be quick and easy - so separates that could be flung in the washing machine And tumble dryer. It was the 80s and bright colours were all the rage so it was all dungarees, jeAns and bright coloured zingy tops, often with patterns or Disney characters. I looked like a presenter off PLayschool.....:rotfl:

Then it was back to work and my career took off and I became "Corporate Woman" all sharp suits and power dressing. I loved it, I had finally realised that the thing that suited me best was good tailoring. So even when I was "off duty" my clothes became very simple, very classic and always slim fitting and tailored.

I'm now retired and no longer wear suits but I still stick with a fairly classic paired down look - sort of Eurochic or "preppy".

Frills and flounces look ridiculous on me, same with gathers, pleats etc. I like simple knitwear, no logos, preferably with a v neck, shell tops or camisoles, cardigans or jackets, well cut trousers or jeans, and a nice wool top coat or Burberry type raincoat depending on the weather. I have a selection of scarves and leather gloves in several colours to add colour and ring the changes.

I dont even own a skirt at the moment but I have started buying a few dresses again, usually very simple Jackie O type shift dresses.

I also like the odd floaty number a la Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac
But they tend to be for holiday or evening wear.

I still like to experiment and yes I do still make the odd howler but if I have only paid a couple of £s at a charity shop then I m not too bothered.

Even though I pushing 64 I still love clothes and dressing up - I think clothes should be fun and that what you wear shoukd make you feel good about yourself. So my Advice is to experiment a little and have some fun.

We all make the odd mistake.

My first big mistake was when I was about 16. I made myself a halter necked sugar pink mini dress which I teemed with pAle pink patent shoes, pink plastic hoop earrings, and Miners peppermint pink lipstick. All topped. Off with an Oxfam fur coat. I thought I looked fab, and swanned off out leaving my parents speechless....

It didn't me long that evening to realise that I did, in fact, look like a hooker.:rotfl: luckily I'm a fast learner andI never made that mistake again.

Being quite generously endowed in the bosom dept I quickly learned that I had to,dress quite modestly and not expose too much flesh or I would receive a lot of unwanted male attention.

Old habits die hard and I still dress quite modestly and don't go in for plunging necklines or overly short skirts.

I always obey the golden rule "cleavage or legs, never both at the same time"...and I wouldn't be seen dead in plastic hoop earrings.:rotfl:

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Beluga - loving the sound of your activities, especially the sloshing paint around - right up my street.

I definitely intend to do some courses next winter.

I've been thinking about holidays and although I do love going on holiday I'm not sure how to start holidaying as a singleton. I know there are specialist companies but I dont really like bring "herded" around in a group and although I fancy myself trekking in Nepal like some Victorian adventuress I don't think its really me.......:rotfl:

So......I'm thinking of doing some nice arty/crafty residential courses, maybe with some yoga or well being stuff thrown in. Anyway I going to have a couple of spa mini breaks, just one night and see how I go.


Are you still planning to visit a few friends?

I have been thinking about taking up,italian again and was wondering if I could combine a language course with an extended stay in Italy - a sort of language and culture thing. Not sure whether it would be ruinously expensive though, but I do adore Italy and would love to spend more time there, maybe even taking out a medium term rental for say three or four months. There's really nothing to stop me now is there.

As Del Boy would say "the world is my lobster":rotfl:

Completely agree your activities sound great beluga. The paint wouldn't be my thing but I know I should be reading more and yet all I seem to manage is a magazine or lightweight novels on holiday. I do read a newspaper every day but other than that brain fabbing is definitely needed.


LL, I found a great phone app called Duolingo that's good for brushing up languages. I think you can use it on computer too.


We've been on a couple of escorted tours recently which haven't felt too much like herding. I was a bit worried to begin with but it's a good way of seeing a lot in a short time. Can thoroughly recommend:
https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/european-tours/P18


We did Classical Spain and a very similar one (but with different company) to the Istanbul, Ephesus, Troy tour. September was a good month with weather very nice but not too hot for sightseeing.

Rowan_moon

Floss I always like shift dresses on other people, but on me they make me look the shape of a telly tubby.:)

Maman I love the sound of what you wear. When I said 'fit and flair' dresses I meant more like 50's style fitted at the top then a line from the waist (I have one from Boden and another from Kew). To the knee, so not short like skater dresses.

Beluga I love the sound of your classes, you are inspiring me to see what is on where I live.

LL I am in stitches here reading about your fashion choices. I loved the new romantic look, then so remember doing clubbing in the 80's wearing a bright silky dress with splits up the side, matching stiletto shoes and BIG hair :rotfl:

lessonlearned

Don't get me started on hair styles, the big hair, the perms:eek:, the bad dye jobs, the henna that went orange - the tears ......:rotfl:

maman

lessonlearned wrote: »

Don't get me started on hair styles, the big hair, the perms:eek:, the bad dye jobs, the henna that went orange - the tears ......:rotfl:

I remember having a sort of waffle iron thing in the 80s. Made my hair look like this :eek: and DH had a Kevin Keegan perm!!:rotfl:


Before that the Dusty Springfield look with painted on lower lashes, pale pink lipstick and backcombing! Oh happy days.:)

sweetcheeks33

Beluga your classes sound great. Good for you getting out and into different things . I did an art therapy introduction class once a week for a year a couple of years ago. I'm not very artistic but it was so good getting to be messy and play for a while.

As for clothes, I am trying slowly to only keep things that look good together and more importantly make me feel good. I just turnedv38 this year and feel that I sit somewhere in the middle with some fashion- dresses I like are all too short but I don't want anything frumpy... .
I have dress jeans and trousers I have spent more money on as they are pieces that will last. I have a gorgeous cashmere jumper I love too and some nice cardigans. I could do with a couple of dresser tops but haven't seen anything I like,

I wear skinny jeans / leggings with tunic /dress or top/ cardigan combo most days as well.

My skirts at the moment seem to be in summer basket. Knee length for bare let ( unless on holidays. Shorter with opate tights. I love a pair off knee length boots in winter.

I also have slim converse or slip on black vans. Love a good pair of ballet pumps too. Good shoes are a must. I also love scarves!!

I love some nice knitwear too.
As long as you have looked after your hair & skincare. Eyebrows groomed ( makes a huge difference to your face) and nice shoes & accessories in think you can get away with cheaper items of clothing. I tend to buy cheaper tops and spend more money on trousers/ skiers or tops as you wear them more.

Maman- next do a relaxed skinny jeans.. I think it's not so tight on the leg- but I haven't tried them myself. The straight legs ones are good tho.

I remember my mums jewellery box being lots of bright plastic in the 80's.

Hope everyone is well- not long home from work so catch up over the weekend on posts.

Oh I also made it to the gym for my induction ladies- I have started the first part of my programme which is cardio & lower body- legs will hurt tomorrow I imagine lol!! I go back on Monday for upper body programme so I can alternate my days. I'm quite excited!!

Anyway night ladies

lessonlearned

Good morning lovely ladies

Well I dont know what's happened but After months of being really sluggish in the mornings and having to drag myself out of bed I am up with the larks and all bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.

I might need a nap later but that's ok, because for the last few months I have been getting up late in the mornings and have still needed To sleep or rest for an hour or so in the afternoon. So being able to wake up nice and early is a real bonus.

Not sure what today will bring, it all depends on what the weather has in store - but first things first, some serious fabbing. Today I need to defuZz, shape my eyebrows and a have nice facial.

I look around me this morning and I feel like I am seeing things afresh - everywhere seems cluttered, messy and disorganised. It's almost as if I have been on automatic pilot and just going through the motions.

I wouldn't have said I have been suffering from post bereavement brain fog but I do seem to be seeing things differently this morning.

Not exactly a burst of energy but definitely a sharper focus and a new determination TO GET THINGS DONE.

Wonder how long this new found energy and enthusiasm will actually last,:rotfl::rotfl:

Still it's good to be feeling better. I feel like a cloud has lifted.