to want to start and look a bit more classy

[280169]

I am hitting a mid life crisis I think.
I am 40 I live in trackies and trainers because of my job.

I am a practical kinda person.

But I feel so darn frumpy
I am 14/16 5 ft 3 and I just need to find myself again

I want a classy look, timeless kinda stuff as my budget is not huge so dont wnat to just go with fashion.

Prefer flats or low heels for shoes.

Where on earth to I start.

I have lived so long in my work wear or just jeans and a t shirt.

When I was younger I used to love clothes but now I just seem to be lost behind my uniform.

well, i am finally learning at the age of 38 how to accessorise, since as far as i can tell from my style role models that's the way to look stylish past your 20s. to that end, i have bought some scarves from new look which i wear casually slung around neck (a blue with white spots one seems to go with nearly everything), and some bracelets from sainsburys TU which has some really surprisingly nice jewellery for a couple of quid. i have a very stylish friend who, in her words, "puts a belt on even when i'm in my pyjamas"

Jeans, nice flat tan leather boots, white blouse/shirt or t-shirt and stripey sort of cardigan and a tan handbag usually looks classy, timeless, and not "trying too hard".

knee length skirts not mid calf, long ones not that great because of being short-arse

fitted t shirts, marks do some nicely shaped ones in loads of colours

decent underwear

no brown

BODEN!!!

also some kind of ballet pumps - though i had to search for ages to find any that fit my flat wide feet, but when i finally did i bought 4 pairs in different colours and always feel 'smart' in them with jeans and a blazer type jacket

Check out kew clothing.

They have some lovely pieces.

White Stuff too have some relaxed but pretty stuff that you can wear for chilling or jazz up a bit and accessorizes.

wow thanks loads of ideas and links,

accessories are the way I think,thanks

PS good to see another number poster

It's been an experience I can tell you

Be careful about your purchases: don't buy something if you have absolutely nothing to wear it with, it's too small/big or if it just plain doesn't feel comfortable. It'll end up in the closet! Try things on in changing rooms with multiple mirrors so you can check it out from different angles. If you're not sure about it don't buy it, and if you end up not liking it take it straight back.

Weird tip: having a solid bra can really help the way you feel and look. In fact, wearing anything you feel relaxed and comfortable goes a very long way to looking good- there's no need to be "classy" and incredibly uncomfortable.

Have a good coat that goes with what you wear is a massive help as well. They're a very worthwhile investment, like a classic trenchcoat or peacoat. Something in a solid colour that you can throw on top of any outfit.

You're an inch taller than me so I'm guessing you may have struggled in the past to find clothes that aren't too long? Many shops have Petite sections but they can be rubbish, but it's worth scouting them out to find any reliable stores. For jeans I've found Marks and Spencers to be great.

Like a lot of people have been saying, accessories are important. A few good pieces of jewellery, a decent handbag, a pair of decent shoes or two that go with anything. Try to balance out the more individual, unique pieces with many items that can be worn over and over again with other pieces. If you can take one good shirt or pair of trousers and put them with many other things then you're better off than buying something that only works in a certain outfit. Better investment too.

High street stores often stock a lot of similar looking clothing and trends, so if you find something you like don't be afraid to look around at other places and see if anywhere has it looking better/more cheaply.

This is getting quite long

thanks philip long and very good advice, I tihnk I may need to start with some new bras

5318008 I used numbers cos I could not think of a cool user name :)

*think sorry darn netbook

Some lovely stuff on those links, but how on earth can anyone afford £30 on a t-shirt?!

wait for the sales

It's easy to buy a few key pieces of tops and knitwear and then swap about with trousers/skirts and jeans

French Connection have some lovely drapey tops at the mo which would work well with some well cut jeans.
It is an expensive shop, but good quality and good for things that are stylish but not too "worky".

H and M is good for finding bigger sizes-but dont bother with the teen section! Their womenswear can be hit and miss, but they are doing some nice nautical and safari type stuff at the moment e.g button through fitted khaki dress or wide navy trousers with stripy top.

For flats Clarks is your best bet. Good styling, super comfy. If you want to go for a little height try a wedge as it is the comfiest. You do need a bit of a heel with a longer skirt so if wearing flats don't go for below the knee skirts.

Sports Lux is a top trend at right now too, so you can indulge the velour, trackie look but in a more elegant way.
Try M and S too, as you have to rummage through frumpery but lovely and classic things can be found.

When you accessorize, I would say spend as much as you can on quality. Dont be seduced by non leather bags and shoes as they just look awful after 3 weeks.

Agree about the decent bra thing. Also get a good haircut and slap on some Olay tinted moisturiser-it works wonders!

Good Luck!

I'd Hush Puppies for flat shoes that are really comfy and understated but nice. I wear my HP flats with jeans or with a skirt suit to work. V durable too. They also do nice low heels.

531etc why no brown?? I am fair with blue eyes and a deep chocolate can actually look really nice - I have a fitted choccy coloured blouse with white polka dots from Monsoon that is quite flattering. Actually think for blondes and redheads warm brown is much kinder than black or other dark colours.

Also if you go to H&M go to the 'miss' or girls section or whatever it's called - they do cute basic tshirts for about a fiver each, with nice details like little capped or ruched sleeves. You can dress one of those up with a chunky wooden bracelet or similar and it looks nice without trying too hard.

Would also invest in a decent pair of jeans. Jane Norman are good in the sales and quite flattering if you curvy like me . Plus their stuff also comes with chunky belts which help to dress it up.

I'd recommend, tsk.

I'm an inch shorter than you and my advice is never wear anything baggy - body skimming without being clingy is the way to go. And no fussy patterns. Totally agree with Mrs Ravelstein re accessories - I've finally cracked it with scarves, belts and necklaces. Hooray! Look at websites like net-a-porter - fearfully expensive but if you click on any item it will show the model wearing it accessorised up to the nines, which shows you how to dress up your own wardrobe.
Sign up to theoutnet.com, my-wardrobe.com, gap, jigsaw and toast for sale info online - often have bargains online that you just can't find in the shops.
Finally, a pair of fuck-off boots. Flat biker boots, whether knee length or ankle length, are stylish and make you feel you can kick ass.
Good luck, 280169. I've got a good 10 years on you and I can tell you the best is yet to come fashionwise!

I just hot Add message | Report | Message poster 5318008's name. Teehee!

Browse the Style and Beauty pages, they're really helpful.

thanks so much i cant believe how helpful you have ben, i am excited now, cinamon loads of good tips i am blonde blue eyed to, sadly ont natural these days lol.

One more shopping tip - Uniqlo. Their jeans are fantastic and they've just started a range of Perfect Fit cargos and combats, which live up to their name. They're kind of sleek yet sporty, so should work for you. The T-shirts are good quality too, in every colour, and the prices are amazingly cheap. If they don't have a branch near you, you can get everything on line but the website doesn't display the clothes very well.

Mrs Ravelstein, I'd love to know where you buy your ballet pumps. I've given up trying to squeeze into them in front of some pirouetting, dainty-toed shop assistant (hence the biker boots!).

Don'y know what happened to my post - I just got 5318008's name....

OP - i'm 34, 5'4'', size 14-16, + 2st overweight.
I recommend getting a long fringe cut into your hair if you don't have one. (takes years off!) along with styling advice. Get makeup guidance at eg clinique, and get measured for a supportive push up bra at m+s. The shops i like are: dorothy perkins, m+s, new look, next + primark. Monsoon + wallis are for treats.
When you are a larger size it's more flattering to cover up tops of arms down to knees BUT wear fitted not loose clothing for a classy look.
I like to wear: skinny jeans or cropped jeans (smart dark indigo or black), long hip-length vest tops under shorter tight tshirts or fitted blouses. (For extra warmth try smart fitted cardis or a colourful mac.)
I like leggings or thick tights with a flared mini and either a long jumper or smart top. A sleek dress or trousers and sexy top best for nights out!
Clarks + new look make lovely comfy (glam) leather flats + heels.

AVOID: fleeces, rucksacks, trainers/crocs etc. Watch your posture too + always wear nice perfume ;).

cinnamontoast - have you tried Next girls? They're cheaper and go up to size 6. They aren't as fashiony/squishy. I got some cute cherry red stitched pumps from the girls section.

cinnamon i got them from john lewis, their own brand, annoyingly they stopped doing that particular style but these are quite similar

www.johnlewis.com/215403/Product.aspx