Ok, I turned 30 today and need tips

[twolittlemonkeys]

I am having a bit of a confidence crisis - people keep telling me that you start to feel more comfortable with who you are in your 30s but I feel more insecure than ever! (Especially in the style stakes) What should I be wearing or not wearing at my age? I am a SAHM who does weekend work for which I do not need to be particularly smartly dressed but my wardrobe looks like it's stuck in the 90s. I just dress in jeans and converse with a jumper most days

What fashions should I avoid like the plague and which ones can I get away with?

I'm 4'11" and size 8-10 if that makes a difference. Oh, and I am clueless about fashion. Please help me!

I bet you'd look amazing in skinny jeans, a stripy breton top and a little leather jacket for daytime. Team it with ballet pumps and a stylish leather bag. A nice floral scarf always finishes an outfit off nicely. I'd try Gap for Jeans, H&M or Topshop for stripy tops, River Island for bags, shoes and accessories.

For smarter I'd say the skinnies again with heels (kitten heels are very in and really comfy) and maybe a more floaty top, Oasis and Warehouse are great for these

You are young and slim, make the most of it, Im jealous!

i think you need a breton tee, well fitting jeans, a belted mac, good handbag....and spend time on your hair, skin and makeup, buffed shiny nails too.

I am 5ft and size 8 - 10 so similar shape to you. I am 35 this year and definitely feel more comfortable than I did in my 20s!!

As you are petite, stick to well fitting items rather than baggy / shapeless items. Things I avoid - voluminous smock style tops, 3/4 length trousers, super wide leg trousers.

These are some things I have bought recently that might give you some ideas

Trench coat
Denim Skirt
Leather bag
breton style top
skinny jeans
khaki cargo trousers
shoes

Oooh thank you so much for your ideas. Thanks Meggles for the links, those skinny jeans are a bargain at £20! I got some birthday money and vouchers so will be going shopping later in the week! I actually have a denim skirt just like that lurking at the back of my wardrobe. Only wear it with opaque tights though due to my legs constantly being covered in bruises from walking into things! I agree that 3/4 length trousers look hideous on me, make me look even more of a shortarse.

Never even tried kitten heels I must admit... I need to branch out!

Meggles - what do you wear with your denim skirt? I mean, on your legs and feet? I have one which I usually wear with opaques and boots in the winter but no idea what to team it with now: to warm for opaques but too cold for bare legs

I always wear with navy opaque tights as I am not a fan of denim and black opaque tights.
I have been wearing with the navy opaques and navy ballet pumps and a breton top - works for me as an alertnative to boots.
Also have some navy leggings that I might try it with instead of the tights
Should it ever be warm enough, and I am ever brave enough, I would wear with a vest, skinny belt and gladiator sandals

I agree with Meggles, I like to wear a denim skirt with black leggings and black gladiators

oh oh oh me too

i was 30 last month but was too busy partying sorting out everyone elses shit to come and start this thread...

i am actually v comfortable in myself but want to look a bit more grown up and less like an arty studenty type :)

am 5'4, size 8

hit me :)

Thanks Meggles and Gillybobs. I have seen other women wearing leggings with denim skirts but usually minis and mine isn't mini.......no matter what Mr Boden may say. It sits just above the knee so wasn't sure if it was a weird length to wear with leggings. Will now give it a go.

Thanks again!

I agree that denim minis look better with navy (or grey) opaques than with black. Have been wearing mine with navy opaques and a pink and navy striped top. I also like it with navy opaques and a blue and white striped top, with red ballet flats.

Tulpe my denim skirt is above the knee but certainly not mini. I still think it looks fine with the leggings :)
Agree Colonel - I am loving a good stripe top with my skirt at the moment!

Meggles - may I bring this offering to your attention? I am loving striped tops this season. H&M's £12.99 version was my favourite but it has been superceded by the Zara one now. A great length, doesn't shrink in the wash, beautifully soft organic cotton. I have it in the navy & ecru stripe. Really lovely.

Oh that Zara top looks great. Will add navy opaques to my shopping list :) I have a pair of red ballerina flats which will work well with navy I think.

Nice top but probably too high-necked for me. Also, I have been traumatised in Zara too often - am a size 12 on top but need at least a large in there. I'm still searching for a couple more perfect, striped tops - I really want a grey one with bright pink stripes!

Colonel - Zara sizing is incredibly random ime. I have items in pretty much every size from XS to XL and I am a size 8!

Red ballet flats will look gorgeous with navy twolittlemonkeys. They are on my shopping list too and I wear a lot of navy.