Oh. Caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror while shopping today and I have turned into a frumpy mumsy mum! Anyone want to join me?

[TimeForCake]

Now I'm a mum I seem to have lost all sense of style and fashion. Admittedly, today I am wearing the 'MN no no' of linen trousers, but I think I now see why so many of you hate them. I was never a dedicated follower of fashion, but I used to look quite nice...I think.

Action is needed!

1. Dust off my Davina work out DVD
   
2. find a local zumba class
   
3. ditch the linens...(maybe )
   
4. build up some confidence to have a personal shopper or, go shopping somewhere bigger where there is better choice at least.
   
5. time to branch out into the next age bracket of shops I think. I feel too old for top shop and similar places. Time to buy less but nicer pieces maybe.
   
   Anyone else feeling a bit frumpy, mumsy and generally lacking in style ideas?

[MirandaGoshawk]

Defo think that if you feel too old for Top Shop, and you are maybe a bit 'cuddly', then smart jeans that hold you in properly, and structured trousers/jackets from somewhere like Zara, are the way to go. Anything baggy/stretchy makes me look, er, baggy.

Actually I had a fright yesterday - got out of the shower & caught a glimpse of myself in the misted-up mirror - it was my mum! Noooooooooooooo!

[TimeForCake]

Miranda you are right about what baggy clothes do. Good idea about jacket and trousers though. In the past, I have always found Zara trousers too long, but will go and have another look and see what I can find.

[Gillybobs]

Absolutely! Im 38 and finding high street all either too young or too frumpy for me. : (

My recent discovery is blazers, either in jersey or today I found a gorgeous knitted one. I used to wear cardis all the time but feel so much more "together" in a little blazer, teamed with either nice dark wash jeans or ankle length trousers.

Going a little bit smarter (no cardis and no linen trousers) and buying my shoes/bags and accessories from the "young" shops is the formulae thats working for me at the moment

[IvyAndGold]

A few of my friends have told me that I'm 'mumsy' now, but then I'm 23 and the only one of my friends with a DC. They spend every Friday and Saturday out wearing next to nothing skimpy dresses, and all their spare cash goes on topshop etc... Let's just say I have some very well worn boring old tshirts and jeans hanging up! I wouldn't mind smartening up a bit though. I struggle to put an outfit together because I just don't know what goes with what, but I've found this site very useful for that!

[MirandaGoshawk]

I have yet to buy anything from Zara I must admit, having to get past Primark first but the superstylish knowall Mary Portas said in an article that they were a good bet - well-designed & good quality at a good price. She said that she'd always got good comments on stuff she'd bought from there.

[TimeForCake]

Which shops are you going to for blazers Gillybobs? This sounds like the way forward, I realised today that going a bit smarter is a good plan too. I was, pre-baby but it seems to have changed a little now! Have you found some nice trousers to recommend too? I want some tailored/cropped ones or ankle ones. Tried some on today but think I need to do some toning exercises first to carry them off! Never easy, is it?

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Ok how old are you and what size/shape/colouring are you? oh and budget?

[TimeForCake]

Thanks Ivy, will look at the website. Going out on a Friday and Saturday night seems an age away now doesn't it! To be fair, even pre-baby I felt too old for wasn't managing Friday AND Saturday nights out, but then i'm not in my 20s any more .
Good to know I'm not the only one feeling a bit frumpy.

[TimeForCake]

MrsCB
I am 33
Size 12 (Wobblier thighs and bottom than I'd like)
Probably pear shape
Mid blondish hair (highlighted) and fair skin
Luckily haven't got to worry about budget too much at the moment as have some savings.

Hit me with your ideas please!

[stitchthis]

I had a 'frumpy' epiphany at work today. There I was all hot and crumpled (no linen but still felt crumpled) dealing with a very groomed younger woman. Not good. I like the boho look but perhaps I've strayed to far down that path. A path strewn with chocolate and wine unfortunately. carpe diem. I will listen to ideas with great interest !

[KaySirah]

lol at linens

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

blazers??

oh god, have you all had your hair cropped and are wearing navy with silver pumps?

there has to be a middle path, surely??

(40, fat and frumpy but terrified of turning into any age-related clone)

[ZZZenAgain]

I don't look, honestly I shy away from mirrors like they have the evil eye these days.

[InspectorPinot]

Gillybobs please come back and tell us about your blazers. I've been on a fruitless search for something knitted or in jersey so I don't feel like I'm wearing a suit jacket. I need to ditch the cardigans - I've caught sight of some frumpy bird who looks a bit like me once too often!

[MerylStrop]

I too would like to find some good blazers and jackets

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Ok - you are still young and you have a budget and you are slim.

Now a good shop for pears is Whistles in my opinion. Reiss also good and zara.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Oh and Comptoir des Cotonniers has some lovely stuff coming in for AW. Also take a look on Netaporter and My-Wardrobe for styling ideas.

[AandK]

I felt this thread.

My mirrors at home lie to me because when I go past a shop window in town I look much wider/fatter/frumpier than I (thought) I did at home!!

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I tend to steer clear of blazers as don't work and if I wear them with jeans just look too newsreaderish but thats possibly just me.

I am liking wearing pretty blouses with jeans at the moment.

[TimeForCake]

Thanks MrsCB. I have never considered Whistles so that is now top of my list. DH loves Reiss and has bought me the odd thing from there too. Sounds like I need a trip to Bluewater to explore both!

Funnily enough stitchthis seeing a couple of younger, well groomed women today, also hit home. Admittedly they were very slim but everything seemed to look well put together iyswim.

Still calling Gillybobs for more ideas to add to the pot please!

[FourThousandHoles]

you lot could all be talking about me

i have been wearing linens but I do like 'em, so ner

I think it's my shape that makes me look frumpy rather than my dress sense

I do have a pair of "those" mM&S £12 dark jeans and I do rather luff them

[noddyholder]

Ah I have been through this and happily out the other side now at 45! It is a shocker though but I got my act together just in time before I started with elasticated waists!

[TimeForCake]

Exactly A&K. My mirrors are related to yours too. NEVER go in a changing room with mirrors that give you an all around view. That really does hurt!

You are definitely educating me MrsCB. Never heard of C des C and quite excited about looking at the other sites too.

There is hope post dc!

[Gillybobs]

Lovely ladies, the knitted blazer is from Phase Eight and is down to £22 Ready Steady Go!!!here

This is like a structured cardi so not "worky" at all.

I also have a jersey one from Uniqlo (was summer stock, think they may be sold out). I wear them with jeans and stripey tops for a smart casual look

Now please dont laugh but I bought these today too from - eek- country casuals. They are a cross between a cotton trouser and a jean, fab thick fabric. Just hit me at ankle (Im 5.7). Slim leg so great with ballet flats or tucking into boots

[IvyAndGold]

but they're Batfink pyjama bottoms for vegging on the sofa in, I'd never ever go in the garden with them on!!