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

Thought of another one - bought a black jumpsuit - shirt with collar style on top and wider legs (as I have thunder thighs). Tried it on and couldn’t quite decide. DP (who is lovely and apart from this one time says I look great even when I definitely, definitely don’t) looked at me and said “I don’t think it’s quite the look you’re going for”. Apparently I looked like something out of N Korea.

I know exactly what you mean, because I too purchased these hideous items from Aldi (although mine where the marginally less evil black and white pair) but the knees bagged within about 30 seconds of putting them and they look AWFUL. DH did keep saying "well, what did you expect?" I think like you, I expected a certain wintery charm...

Great thread 😂 during the 90's I paired leggings with a pleated tunic in autumnal colours and suede ankle boots. Cue 'Robin of Sherwood' music from my brothers. 'Robin, Robin...the hooded maaan'.
A pint-sized Robin of Sherwood, I might add, as I'm very small.

Can't remember if it was this thread or suszi quatros fat nan one, but shout out to the poster who had a silver pixie cut. I've just done this and got some new specs too. Librarian Scandinavian chic I'm aiming for. Reality: effeminate middle-aged slight bemused man. Now gotta wear a full face of slap to look normal.

Still... it could always be worse

"fat bat"

I bought a jump suit that was dark green with floral prints on. I wore it with doctor Martens. I went to work and was asked if I was going on manoeuvres.. I thought I looked edgy and cool. I looked again in the ladies loo mirror and I did indeed look like a squaddie

Herr Flick

When my cousin was married a long time ago - I bought a high waisted long fitted black skirt and matching fitted short curvy jacket & a wide brimmed black hat and had a lovely wide lapelled white shirt . Black at a wedding aside - I thought it was chic. I showed my now DH photo and he said - you look like you should be running in tiny steps across St Mark's Square with the rest of the nuns.

This has made me laugh so much! I once had a really smart (or so I thought) white blazer. Every time I wore it my dad would ask me for an ice cream 🤬

Love this thread!
Back in the 80s I spent all my Saturday job money on a Miss Selfridge grey double breasted overcoat with epaulettes and metallic buttons. Was going for the "military chic" look, but everyone called me Herr Flick. (Yes I did wear round glasses at the time...)

I was sorely tempted by a beautiful tailored red coat with long tails I saw on Joe Brown.

Until my DSis said I would look like a ringmaster.

(It's as well I didn't say I had thought of wearing knee high black boots with it...)

I recently got some navy blue culottes (well, they would be culottes on someone 4 inches taller than me) and a chunky grey sailor jumper, aiming for a kind of Scandi, cosy, chic winter look. Instead, I look like Willem Dafoe in The Lighthouse.

Oh yes at 5ft 2 anything flowing and black instantly transforms me into a wee a girl trapped in the curtains at the theatre.

This thread has given me a lovely laugh on a miserable Monday morning!

I bought one of those swing/cape coats a couple of winters ago... this was the look I was hoping for but sadly, being 5'4" and the wrong side of a size 20 I just looked like a fat bat.

I look like I'm wearing the remnants of a jumble sale, whatever I'm wearing.

Loving all these descriptions, so funny, but I'm waiting for MLMsuperfan to come back onto the thread, they're hilarious!

This is making me so glad I listened to the nagging voice in my head that tells me something isn’t right when I try on trench coats. There is something very “just one more thing....” about them on me.

On the other hand I once bought a lovely light blue v neck belted summer dress. Not my usual thing but I thought it looked lovely with a tan. When autumn arrived there was one chilly morning I hastily chucked some black tights on under it. Black shoes. Cardi. The minute I arrived at work my colleague asked why I’d come as a nurse. She was quite right as well. I looked like Duffy from Casualty.

In a misguided decision to stop wearing so much grey and black running kit and to "brighten things up" a tad, I invested in a lightweight skintight pink hoodie and matching running tights.

Was asked by my husband if I was "going to a fancy-dress party as a penis".

My baby has a yellow sleep suit with light pink spots , I love it but after reading this I’ve looked with a more critical eye and she looks like mr blobby

Aww, that made me want a baby to squidge again just for a moment ❤️ could we have a little pic? Just for the middle aged on here 😊

I have a lovely cardigan. But it needs a belt.

So i put a belt around it,and i looked like Compo from LOTSW.[GRIN]

I had a lovely DKNY summer top, white with large fuschia/red splodges on it. ExH said I looked like Id been shot.

I tried on a pair of skinny jeans, you know those that lift and sculpt. I have now realised how they work. They seem to push everything around to the front so I looked like I had a swollen vag, never mind camel toe, could have parked a bus in there.

This is the thread that just keeps giving