Tips to look modern and effortless!

[Wishihadstyle]

Following advice on chat to repost here, here goes .....


Have NC just so that my physical appearance isn't matched up with my general and working life.

I would love a style, something that is 'me' something that I don't worry about.

Where do you buy your clothes? How do you keep up to date or develop a style?
I went to a party last night. Other women looked modern and comfortable with their outfits. I wished I'd worn something else!
One group were in black leather (look?) trousers how did I not know that they are 'in'? and another very stylish woman wore jeans and a corded type jacket with a simple t -shirt underneath; very 'didn't try too hard'.... That's how I want to feel.
I've spent time today trying to find similar to buy, but if course that will be for 'next time'. Just makes me feel I am always a step behind, copy someone else, wear the outfit next time ( tho not in the same company now that would be a bit scary).

So I am just turned 50 but fairly young looking for my age - size 8 and short. Olive skinned, below shoulder length dark hair.

Given that, where would I look for clothes?

Some of the high street brands ( even Top Shop) fit well but maybe lack quality. I like quality (Hobbs) but feel frumpy especially for a night out, tho I do wear Hobbs for work. I think I am kidding myself (and maybe that is the problem) but even at 50 I feel like Hobbs, Phase Eight type styling is too old and grown up for me just who am I kidding?

Please help? Where should I look? Could the Internet help, blogs? Even if I was copying a blogger at least it would be for the party rather than for the time after!

[CountFosco]

I read blogs. Good shorty blogs are The Fashion Lift, Susie So So and Small Town Threads. More generally I like to read Bum40 and MidLifeChic although style wise they are very different.

I also spend a lot of time on here. Brands that I've started buying from because of MN are Hush, COS, and UNIQLO.

[AnaViaSalamanca]

I like this blog, it will give perhaps some nice pointers, but not any specific items to buy as she is not a professional blogger and promoter of brands.

touniversewithlove.com/

[Ponks]

I look at blogs & Pinterest, the blogs mentioned above are good, also That's Not My Age, ALife To Style, My Fashionable Forties, and (though she is a lot younger) The Anna Edit. All give good ideas and inspiration.

What I found useful was to create a Pinterest board for style inspirations, pinning photos where I see an outfit or look I like.. it is interesting to review as over time a "look" evolved which is what I am aiming for.

Hobbs/ Phase Eight are ( to me) a bit staid, maybe not the best to go for clothes for a night out. But no matter what you are wearing, if you feel good about yourself you will look good. Inner confidence is the key.

[BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo]

Are there any celebrities whose style you admire? Perhaps use that as inspiration, not to copy them but to adapt their look to suit your figure and colouring?

[blueshoes]

OP, I am your frame and colouring. A word of warning about fashion bloggers is many of them are tall and thin and all those oversized scarves, capes and long line jackets with skinny jeans would swamp our frames.

Have you tried ASOS? They have petite sizes and is very, erm, modern and reasonably priced. Ok, most of the styles won't suit bizarre but when you like something, you can be sure it is pretty up-to-date. It is a cheap and easy way to experiment. I also buy from New Look.

To look modern, you would just need a few pieces, like a leather biker jacket and an interesting scarf. I personally dislike leather trousers (remember Theresa May?) and don't see how it can flatter a short woman. A well fitting pair of jeans and nice boots.

[ButteredScone]

It is worth spending some money and getting new things to put a bit of confidence into you.

The other tip I have is choose a few brands that are quite cool and shop from there. Even if you choose a pair of plain black trousers, you are a lot less likely to look frumpy than getting something from M&S and hoping it is ‘current’.

[MrsPestilence]

petite fashion bloggers They do exist, are they any good though?

[Floisme]

My first tip is to experiment. I think that's really important as you get older because your body and your shape change.

My second tip is not to take it too seriously and not to worry about getting it wrong sometimes. We all do and it doesn't matter - it's funny.

I used to follow bloggers but got disillusioned with all the furtive PR so gave them all up. I don't use Pinterest much these days either though I'm happy to be told I wasn't using it properly. But I'd rather just get ideas just by going out and watching people. I don't live anywhere particularly fashionable or affluent but in spite of - or maybe because of that, I found that once I started looking, there was quite a lot worth watching.

I also hang out on here far more than is good for me and get ideas that way too.

I'll do another post tomorrow on where I shop as it might take a while!

[Floisme]

Ok where do I shop? For context, I'm a similar size to you - 8/10 and short, but different colouring and older (61). My shape has changed from straight up and down to verging on hourglass, albeit a saggy one. That's why I say never, ever think you have worked out your style because life keeps changing and so do you.

Because my body's starting to go fuzzy, I want clothes that are modern but also well cut and in good fabrics. That's increasingly hard to find on the high street and it's one reason why I buy as much as I can second hand. I'm lucky to have a brilliant local dress agency (if she retires, I am screwed) but I also do the rounds of charity shops, vintage shops and fairs (I like 40s-60s coats and jackets) and weigh n' pay sales. (But not Ebay - if it's second hand, I want to see before I pay.) I look for labels I could never normally afford and I've developed a dangerous taste for Margaret Howell. If I could afford it, I'd wear her and Vivienne Westwood all the time.

I buy new when I want something specific or just see something I love. At the moment my favourite stuff is the Christophe Lemaire for Uniqlo range. It's mostly basics but ever so slightly experimental, modern but nothing you couldn't wear to the in-laws. He does two collections a year so it's mostly just bits and pieces left at the moment. The rest of Uniqlo is ok too - nothing that makes me want to run and get dressed but generally good basics and reasonable quality.

I like Cos and if I had a local branch, I'd probably buy a lot more but their website is a thing of mystery.

I save up for Toast (I like their trousers) Celtic and Co (knitwear) and sometimes Me and Em.

I used to love H&M but the quality's gone to the dogs this year although I still pop in to see what's new and how they're styling it. I also used to like Whistles but think the quality for the price is shit.

Then I keep an eye on a whole raft of places: TK Maxx, M&S (especially Autograph). Boden, Baukjen, People Tree, the Kin range at John Lewis. There are probably others but this post is long enough as it is!

[FrankUnderwoodsWife]

Start by asking yourself what clothes you feel most confident and comfortable in, than develop on that.
So for me, loose trousers with a silk shirt, patterned pencil or A-line skirts and non fitted dresses are my staple.

These are the clothes I can wear to work, casually and “dressed up”.

So to a class drinks party for my dd, I wore a sequin fitted high neck top (&otherstories) with a pair of elasticated waist wool trousers (like jogging pants but smart) and v high heels. As I was comfortable in my outfit, i was able to enjoy myself without fidgeting with pulling my shirt down or adjusting my bra strap (which I’ve done too many times to mention!) I had so many compliments, probably because I was comfortable and therefore happy.

You know what your favorite outfit is, why don’t you describe it to us, and we can suggest ways you can build on it to make it “your” style.

My go to stores are:
Zara
&otherstories
Uterque
Massimo dutti
J Crew

[FrankUnderwoodsWife]

And for context I am a size 14, hourglass (but with large thighs and bottom), olive skin, dark hair.

[LunaTheCat]

I am your age and height but a size 12.😒
Fashion has changed since we here bright young things. It is less about the match matchy look which is now quite dating.
Mixing things up is something that always adds a bit style - biker jacket and floral dress, flouncy skirt with Doc Martins, a plain dress with jazzy tights.
There are loads "new" classics - converse or Stan smiths, aforementioned biker ,Birkenstocks, skinny jeans.
I always watch what younger people are wearing.
Scarves are great - they soften your features and add some interest.
As I get older I wear a lot less black - especially close to my face ( unless softening scarf or necklace or deep neckline.)
It is important to have fun, enjoy being you. It is less about age than the person you have become and the things both good and bad that have made you.
Don't be anyone else's vision of what you should be.
Maybe try something like John Lewis personal shopper - try several times for different looks.

[Mulberrysilk]

Have a look on the Mint Velvet website. The way they style the models might give you some ideas. Also, don't rule out having clothes altered for a better fit.

Looking effortless actually requires quite a bit of effort.

[Undercoverbanana]

I am almost 50 and a size 8. I cannot wear a lot of fabric - no frills or collars or floaty sleeves because I look fussy and "over-done". I go for shift dresses or tunics with leggings or tights and DMs, or heels without tights for a night out.

I once read the advice that you should identify your stand out feature. It could be your eyes, or your narrow waist, or your hair. It took a long time for me to realise but I have great legs. I am very athletic and my legs are very toned and shapely. I am quite short so this was quite a surprise! Shift dresses enable my legs to be my feature as they are usually mid-thigh length and all the shape comes from my lower body.

Most women my age hide their legs because they think they should but
I love mine!

Oh - and bold colours!!! None of this washy, washy pastel business. Reds and yellows are fabulous!!!

[ButteredScone]

Totally agree with the bold colours thing.

Chuck out any on the Mother-of-the-Bride tones. Ghastly.

[blueshoes]

Yes to colours, especially next to the face. It could be a scarf or a top. As we get older, we don't need to be more invisible by wearing black or neutrals.

Thanks to posters for mentioning Zara. I shop so much online that I forget Zara. If you can get onto the high street, they have reasonably up-to-date items. I like Zara's selection of blouses. Wear one over fitting jeans or trousers to instantly update your look: www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-shirts-l1217.html

Boden gets short shrift on here but if you avoid their more garish pieces, there are nice staple items of reasonable quality to be had.

[Loonoonow]

I would second the advice for a John Lewis personal shop. Everything you buy will of necessity be 'this season' and they are great at getting you to try on things outside your normal 'uniform' or style. They are free and no obligation to buy.

Also modernise your style beyond clothes. Even if your clothes are stylish old fashioned hair and makeup will drag your look down and it is so easy to get stuck in a rut. I recently had long layers cut into my shoulder length hair and only rough dry it now. It is much fresher looking than my previous meticulously blowdried bob. Go to a Bobbi Brown/MAC/Benefit counter and have a free makeup lesson. Pay close attention to your eyebrows, defined well shaped eyebrows will make you instantly stylish.

Finally, if your budget stretches to it try a tiny bit of Botox and dentist teeth whitening. Both painless, pretty much instant and add glamour without looking like you have made an effort.

[OCSockOrphanage]

All sound advice! Depending on where you live, keep an eye on independent shops as well as the high street. Some are brilliant and the owners have a distinct clientele in mind, and price points geared to their local markets. I think it's worth looking at a proper fashion magazine, like Vogue, a few times each year, and the newspapers too; you may be no more able to afford the flights of fancy they publish than I can but the styling ideas will train your eye to what's current.

A good hairdresser and a modern style should be a priority. If you see someone whose hair strikes you as perfect, chase after them and ask who cut it; most people will be flattered, not offended.

You are starting from a good point physically if you are a sensible size for your height. That makes it 100% easier to dress well.

And like several other posters, I waste while away a good many hours here, dipping in and out. There's lots of sound advice.

[wizzywig]

Im a tad chunkier than you. I find i get all fuddy duddy in my clothes and style. If you have a big city (or somewhere cosmopolitan) near you, start spending time there watching what the uni students and older women wear. I do that and get some cracking ideas.

[Wishihadstyle]

So many thanks to you all so much advice. I will read the links and start people watching.

I am 5ft 2" and happy in my work clothes. Nearly always dresses, ( too lazy to coordinates tops and bottoms) Hobbs, M&S and a new favourite Diva Catwalk. Find it much harder to be casual for nights out.

Think it is also a confidence thing. I was ready to go out on Saturday in a navy Diva Catwalk dress and heels, then changed at the last minute. Black trousers/ grey draped jumper and suede heeled shoe/boots. Looked OK, felt like I didn't draw attention to myself. Felt the dress may have done that, felt happier.

Going to excitedly try something new! Will let you kni

[Wishihadstyle]

know