Help me look like this woman I saw in the street!

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

Trudging along in the rain the other day in flat boots, jeans, and sensible knee length waterproof school run type coat.

Then this woman hoved into view looking fabulous with her bob in a beany hat, egg shaped woolen coat, midi length flared skirt poking out of the bottom of it, woollen tights and ankle boots. She looked like she should be in focus at the front of a slow motion shot whilst the background blurred out and a Jacques Brel soundtrack played.

She looked fab, everything was coordinated in terms of colour, she looked really cosy but actually fucking stylish, rather than me galumphing along.

So, I've decided enough with the jeans. I want to look feminine, chic, perhaps a little boho. Not like I've just raided the rails of White Stuff or Fat Face. I used to be so much braver with clothes but now I'm mid 40s, short and a bit fat, so this could be a challenge. I'm aware an egg coat would make me look like an actual egg. And I don't want to be the sort of middle aged woman who puts in pink highlights and wears zebra print DMs because they're "fun".

Any suggestions of where to get the type of clothes I'm on about? I don't mean necessarily copies of hers, it's more about being more original and somehow, oh I don't know, lovely.

[ThePrinceofParties]

don't ask me - I used to be able to carry off interesting shapes and more avant garde/bohemian looks, but since turning 35 and gaining a couple of stone that kind of style just makes me look unhinged.

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

[Pipistrella]

Actually I think I prefer the sound of your get up to hers!

I've given up on fancy clothes since I was about 40. (that's RECENT btw)

Jeans and a long coat are perfect. Don't knock it.

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

I think jeans and a long coat are OK if you have a good figure and you're tall. I just look dumpy and butch.

[maybemyrtle]

What colours was she wearing? You said it was all coordinated, was there a specific tonal palette she'd gone for?

I'm a big believer in the power of a good coat, especially at this time of year. I also believe that it's important to look "intentional", as though everything was a conscious and deliberate decision, rather than just what was clean/to hand iykwim. The hair and hat probably contributed to the overall impression. Have a look at outfit posts on pinterest or google and get an idea of what you like and is realistic with your lifestyle.

I know it gets a mixed reception on here but I do love Cos for interesting shapes/cuts in decent fabrics.

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

I love Cos too, but I'm not convinced it's for short fat birds with more than a hint of Janice Battersby.

The colour palette was browns and terracottas, which I don't wear at all, I'm much more a fan of greys, navy and black.

[RickOShay]

I think TkMaxx may be your friend here, but you need time and a strong ego to handle it. Just try loads and loads of stuff on until your wistful self looks back at you from the mirror.

[Humble314]

What's an egg shaped coat? that sounds shapeless

[GingerNutRiskIt]

Hmm.... And here I am in the car waiting for school to finish, wearing jeans, boots and a long top and coat.......

[SirChenjin]

She may have looked good - but she'll have ended up soaking in that get up in the rain, you mark my wise words.

no help

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

What's Joy like for clothes? Good quality or not?

[Awks]

I saw this woman in Venice once, she had black lace up brogues, a black swing dress, topped with a fawn lightweight parka and she looked amazing.

When I came home, I tried to recreate the outfit from River Island and it didn't quite work. Wonder why?

[Thundercrackers]

What about Zara? If you look on their website there are lots of models wearing blousy eggy things usually. I laugh because they always seem to stand in the most random and terrible poses like this:

[Thundercrackers]

I guess it's good because you see all the tailoring and detail. Anyway, I feel you op- I think she sounds v stylish and I'd love to carry it off.

[amarmai]

go for it op, It's a lot of fun putting together outfits like the egg w had on. I do it piece by interesting piece as i can't afford buying the whole outfit all at once.Sample shops, resale shops, alternative stores, etc- the hunt is fun too!

[toffeeboffin]

I know the feeling.

Saw some hipster this morning in :

Maroon brogues
Skinny grey jeans
A faded khaki jacket
A floppy black beany
Some sort of scarf, can't remember the colour
She was probably smoking and pale

I looked like Humpty Dumpty in my North Face coat and sensible winter boots.

She was probably a size six though and still not happy

[m0therofdragons]

Joe browns do some nice stuff. I have to avoid as dm keeps bloody buying everything I like

[ItchyArmpits]

Dammit. I was praying this thread was about me.

Every time I try to dress more femininely I come up against having to keep my feet/legs warm. Watching with interest.

[Catphrase]

Joy louche clothes are lovely, and good quality. But they aren't generous in size on the boob, so do size up / go to a shop and physically try them on.
Tu at sainsburys is really good as well.
Sometimes primark comes up trumps.
Debenhams is another good one
Get lots of jumpers and cardigans to go with your new dresses so you don't freeze.

You also need decent boots for the waterproof aspect

[Pupsiecola]

I had a style consultation a few years ago, for my 40th. I had it in mind that I wanted to look better put together with carefully selected accessories etc. Actually what came out of it is I'm just not like that. I'm a "casual/natural" dresser. It made perfect sense to me. It is very hard to fight your natural tendencies. I could look at the woman you describe and really admire her style for example, but I also know I could never consistently pull it off lol.

[SirChenjin]

Pup - who did your style consultation? I like that sound of that.

[HeyNonnyMaybe]

Where was your style consultation, Pupsie? I think I've got into a rut of admiring edgy dressing like Zoe Ball but because I'm short and fat I have to adapt it to my shape so I just end up looking butch and scruffy.

[Charitygirl1]

Me too - I had a colour and style consult (with House of. Colour) and it has made me so much confident about putting together outfits. I like what I wear everyday now.

[LoisWilkersonsLastNerve]

Nodding so much at this thread. My ditsy print dresses and bright cardis looked fine until I 'matured'. I now look like Norah Batty. I don't bloody know what to wear now

[SirChenjin]

I veer between smart shift dresses and White Stuff/Boden (some prints, some plain). I've also put on weight changed shape so am now rocking a (ahem) curvy size 12, and at five foot one and almost 47 have no idea what to wear