I bought a white coat in the sales to look like Olivia Pope, but I actually resemble a middle aged taekwando instructor

I think we need a flow chart.

Addendum to the rule on 'chic' (or 'elegance')- be extra skeptical if 'effortless' is also part of your delusion thought process.

Not clothing but related..

I’m always looking for YouTube tutorials on easy and quick hairstyles. I found one by a French lady - hoping I would be able to achieve the same effortless, parisien chic.

I looked like Mrs Doubtfire 😑

I bought a beautiful white coat in the M&S sale a number of years ago. A few friends thought it was lovely but DH said I looked like a doctor. I didn't wear it much after that.

Margaret Thatchead reminded me of a friend who after having long thick hair for years decided to get a bob. Her family called her Dora the Explorer until it grew out.

For those who have suffered at the hands of an unforgiving puffa coat, may I suggest you don't engage with the PUFFA TROUSERS!!!

I'm going to have to both agree and disagree with @NovemberR and her stout toddler outfit. I'm Swedish and to me you genuinely look like ski lodge material. Whenever Swedes go skiiing they hang around in their cabins with their families basically dressed in long johns/leggings and base layer tops. I don't think you're far off there. So I get sporty mum with money vibes from that. I do also get the stout toddler dressed by father vibe though, so all in all that's quite a look!

My friend’s DH has a box at a local football club and on occasions, my friend is allowed to make up the numbers with her friends. You have to dress fairly smartly whilst dressing for the weather. It was a cold January afternoon, I’d borrowed a woolly hat from my friend (who was also wearing one) to go with my very warm padded jacket etc. Our other friend (who used to be a fashion model back in the day) turned up in a full length black coat with fur collar, Cossack hat to match and over the knee boots. As she walked in my lovely friend quipped “She looks like she’s stepped off a train in Moscow and we look like Benny from Crossroads!” 😂. TBF to us, she would make a black sack look stylish.

@Feduppluckingmychinhairs I have just ordered a lovely red and white breton stripe top from Boden. It hasn't arrived yet and I am really looking forward to wearing it. I now have a sense of foreboding . . .

@NovemberR. I am so pleased that I am not the only one surprised by my mirror

I made myself a tunic style dress with some pretty floral fabric. I ended up looking like a pediatric nurse who'd eaten all the donated cakes and chocolates.

I like dressmaking and decided the moss green fabric I'd bought would be ideal for a thigh length tunic top. I tried it on with leggings and boots, and feeling really pleased with it, went downstairs.
My DS took one look and asked "Are you planning on robbing the rich and giving to the poor?"
It's sat in the wardrobe ever since

I love the look of oversized t-shirt dresses, unfortunately when I wear them I look like I'm wearing a ten man tent

God, I just read 'duck breasts' and woke the house up wheezing

When I was 13 I had an awful hair cut, a bob that ended just below my ears on my then very thick hair.

It was perfectly triangular, so much so my brother said I looked like a thatched roof and called me Margaret Thatch-head until it grew out.

I got a lovely warm thigh length puffer coat from Athleta in pale pink. I still love it to bits but it's impossible to deny I look like a large marshmallow in it 😢

I was on holiday in Canada and we ended up at a designer outlet type place. Now my budget is much more Primark but I went along with it. I found a lovely red and white striped top which cost an awful lot more that I would normally spend. Holiday ended, went home and got dressed up in said top, with a fab new hat and my usual glasses. As soon as I walked in DB took one look and cupped his hands round his mouth and said HAS ANYONE SEEN WALLY??? It went straight to my pyjama drawer.

I feel this thread is bound for the Classics collection...

OP, I am going to sue you for the ruination of my v expensivo keyboard, as I read your title and promptly spat me tea into it's carefully crafted, blue back lit depths. It is no longer blue or back lit. Bloody worth it though!

Oh god, thought of another horror...

Was very queasy during pregnancy in 1985 and only decided to attend a posh wedding at the last minute. I wore the only smart thing that still fitted...
Pale blue (with white spots and huge white Lady Di collar) 2pce, white shoes😱and matching handbag (of course) it was a billowing top and hideous pleated skirt made of crimplene ... photos were taken...

I look like June Whitfield in an episode of ‘Terry and June’

That has really cheered me up- very funny! I am still laughing

Thought of another one

When I was 18 - it was all the rage to have a big perm. Which I had. 'Streaked' light blonde hair and a bouffant perm.

My friends would sing ' how can we be lovers if we can't be friends?' as Yep - I was a dead ringer for Michael Bolton

Above poster has just reminded me - my first proper job I needed to wear suits but I was skint. I managed to find a Jacques Vert pale green tweed suit heavily reduced in the sale. I was in my early 20’s.

DBro announced I looked liked Miss Marple.

It was known as my MissMarple suit from that day forth and I wore it til it disintegrated.

@cantgetmyheadroundit

..... Karen Matthews.....

Comment winner of the thread!!🏆