Can you make yourself look cool - or is it something that you just are/are not?

[Birdly]

I feel the need to cool-ify myself a bit! Is it about having the right clothes etc or is it just a vibe/attitude that some people give off? Can it be learned? And, in my early (ahem) 40s, am I just too old?!

Thanks!

I never was cool.

I am resigned to never being cool.

I just pretend I don't care.

I am just not a cool sort - I blame my hair - fine and flyaway so never stays 'nice' for more than 10 mins! I like to think I am cool on the inside tho and channel my inner coolness

Ooh, thanks - will remember that about channeling my inner coolness!

I was once cool-ish. Bordering on frumpy now!

you can still be cool in your 40s and way beyond i see young girls who are not cool and 80 year old wonen who rock!I definately feel much better since i lost a load of weight.I just feel so much more confident which gives me an brilliant feeling.I dont think fashion has much to do with it TBH though i do try to look nice every day

Attitude is important
Clothes are important too but mainly how you wear them

40 is definitely not too old to look cool

Maybe ask someone you think is cool to make you over?

I think you deffo need a good hairstyle, that bit is totally essential

Yes, agree vintage - many, many uncool younger souls out there. And the more mature ladies who look good still have that elusive 'mojo'! I need to do the losing weight thing, too - so well done on that one!

Am far too self-conscious for a makeover, but it's a great idea!

A good haircut and colour is essential especially if you have difficult hair. Brazillian blowdrys are brilliant for those with fluffy , frizzy or overprocessed hair, they make your air shiny manageable and save you hours blowdrying and straightening . fine hair needs a fabulous cut and ultitones to add thickness and depth . Always update your look having the same haircut for years is always ageing.
As for clothes over 40 dont try to hard , dont over accesorize, match up your shoes bag etc and keep things simple .A boyfriend jacket, rock tshirt and skinny jeans,can be dressed up for night with a somple sequinned vest .A black dress nude courtshoes and a statement piece of jewellery at night are both easy outfits to put together. Never buy to many clothes you never wear them and waste money , just buy key items each season to update your wardrobe.
Keep your makeup light and natural over 40 too much make up will make you look like a drag queen .Statement lips are fab at night bright red lips look amazing as long as the you keep the rest of your look simple .
Hope this helps girls x

What a great question. It expresses exactly what I've often thought. Once I would have said that it's all to do with feeling comfortable in your own skin, but I am, and I look like a troll.
In my teens, I thought that buying the right colour eyeshadow would transform me (ha!).
I think now that it's about paying attention (at all times) to how you look. Some women do it automatically, some don't.

I think it's attitude really. And luck.

I was once the most horribly uncool teenager in the world, but in my late twenties I suddenly got it, I was happy, coming into my own socially and apparently looked very cool.

It didn't last though I am definitely cooler than I used to be, which is purely confidence, nothing else. If you know yourself and you feel confident inside you will always be cool. Whatever you look like. It kind of shines out.

Another vote for feeling confident on the inside & that manifesting itself on the outside. That said - I have no idea whether others think I'm cool or not - anyone got a "coolometer" I can borrow to check?

I don't feel compelled to buy the latest fashion, as I'm aware of which styles & colours suit me & which don't. Hence the above advice re: skinny jeans will not be followed by me as I'd have carrot tops (think hockey players' thighs). I think cool denotes an element of individuality anyway.

The time I felt unsure of myself, stylistically, was after 4 pregnancies in 6 years and I had a Colour Me Beautiful consultation, which really helped me get back on track. I agree about weight/size - I find it easier to do stylish in size 12 than size 14 (I'm 5'6")and also about haircut - my biggest style & beauty expense is a cut & colour every 6-8 weeks with a stylist that understands my hair.

I'm not cool.

I mean I think dress pretty well etc but I'm not cool.

Cool to me means sort of Kate Moss in her heyday.

Yes it does help if you feel OK about your weight. it can make a huge difference. I'm not quite happy with mine but when I am I wear just about anything and feel OK in it. It makes life easier.

But I miss the chocolate.

Agree that a lot of it is about individuality - personal flair rather than following fashion. Am trying to think of a 40+ role model that would be 'do-able' on a daily basis!

Don't want to blow my own trumpet and say I'm 'cool' but I'm quite individual/alternative but do pay attention to how I look every day. I do take things from what's in fashion but dress it to suit myself, I often get nice comments from friends and strangers about things I'm wearing, my hair etc. I do have quite a noticable hairstyle that wouldn't suit everyone but think it suits me lol. Now I'm 30 I have started wearing makeup most days now aswell. Think it helps that I'm not overweight, i would feel frumpy if I was.