oh God , I'm middle-aged!

[Lovecat]

Today I caught sight of myself in the work loo mirror and didn't recognise me.

I was wearing an ankle length black skirt, flat black boots, a black polo neck and a dark grey thick knit waterfall cardigan, with a devorre velvet scarf knotted loosely around my neck in fetching shades of plum and burnt orange. I looked like I was channeling Germaine Greer, sans grey hair.

[Shock]

When the Hell did I get so frumpy and mumsy looking? And what, at size 14 and 45 in 5 months time, can I do about it? Or do I resign myself to frumpishness?

This morning I was in a rush (DH away for work, ) and realised that I hadn't done any work washing.for me. I slung on the first things clean I came to, and.it then occurred to me that I looked a bit like a Greek widow, so I slung on the scarf to cheer it up a bit. The cardi went on because our office is freezing.

So what do stylish over 40's wear without looking muttony yet avoiding Germaine-ness? Advice, please, because as you can tell, I'm clueless!

Lovecat, you asked about avoiding VPL and lumps and bumps with jersey dresses. I have to admit all my jersey dresses are the thickest and sturdiest jersey I could find! I don't even bother to try on if the fabric is thiner and drapy-er. Maybe a slip might help though(?).

Not good at thinking about colours, but as for shapes, only one baggy thing at a time,e.g. loose cardi over close-fitting top if you're cold.

Having said that, waterfall cardies are the work of the devil, they always make everyone except the stick-thin look like they're hiding fat.

Scarves. Unless it's cold, avoid. They always look middle-aged, perhaps because the ones I see in RL are always the long type, flung over one shoulder.

On the other hand, make the warming scarves as attractive/statement-y as possible, not just functional.

Just to add to cointreaus excellent post -I have lots of camis and vests tops to wear under my shirts, tops and jersey dresses, as are often low necked or gaping on the norks on me. It also gives some added colour . I usually avoid white camisoles in case they look like a vest. Or even a liberty bodice

at young men asking you if you are off to the "disco". Bloody cheek

I also wear spanx slips if I have to under dresses. But prefer to buy heaveir weight ones as others have said. And as Im top heavy I have to buy a size larger for my norks so they don't cling so much to the flabby tummy

Oh I sound so gorgeous don't I