Some cold, hard facts of life at 38!

[Diamondsonthefloor]

Today I went to buy a replacement pair of Baxter skinny jeans as mine are quite worn out. Not only did I look utterly hideous in a duplicate size to what I have, but the sizes below and above also looked terrible. I then looked at the Leighs, which aren't really jeans at all but very thin cotton jean-style trews!

I'm in such a rut. I am usually really confident about my sense of style, what I like, what inspires me etc. Today I found the shops really depressing...I just need some new skinny jeans and I'd love them to be made of actual denim....

I then went and bought a magnifying mirror...x 12 magnification. BIG mistake. Having believed a therapist that my skin is "quite good actually", the open pores and creased up skin is truly awful, and yet i've been beauty product obsessed for years!

I suppose I'm posting because I wonder if any of you have coasted through your thirties feeling stylish and confident and then have suddenly looked in the mirror one day and thought "shit, actually.....". Other issues like newly greasy hair and teenage blemishes are also throwing me off-balance.

I'm 39 next month too and just hope I happily and gracefully 'grow into' my forties.

I've been pretty rubbish at growing older so far. Maybe one day soon I'll wake up and actually like the stuff in Hobbs and Whistles enough to buy it.

Maybe.

You will, you will.

Ditto Mrs CB and morde
I do minimal botox and only twice a year. have had it 3 times now. When it is fully there iygwim I rarely wear much make up. That and lash serum has transformed my 40s tbh. I am also steering clear of cheapy clothes now. And stiff over styled hair is ageing too plus I am fairly lazy. I really like zara and primark for skinnies

Marking my place.

TSC, "princessing" is pretty much all the grooming that you can think of plus lots of water and a good diet... There's a thread about it in S&B.

Sainsbo's have some very good bright skinny jeans atm.

It's here...

It's not for me either - the exercise puts me off! I do most of the grooming bits anyway (which won't surprise you).

Yep... Mine too!

I do think its quite tricksy to get the balance right at our age. I am so not ready for hobbs etc but whistles is fine - surprised thats seen as an older person's shop to be honest.

Most of my friends and I still wear dark wash skinny jeans and we are in our mid 50s. They are jeans not jeggings. But we also wear leggings.
we are all a size 10 and wear then with flat chunky riding boots, a nice wool coat and maybe a fitted cashmere sweater or cardi.

Oh to be 38- so young!

Seriously- what's your issue ? You are young!

Some really interesting food for thought here.

Amelia my issue has never been "hey..I'm 38..i'm OLD". It is that prior to last week (through no defining moment), I had felt confident, stylish, inspired, happy with the way I look and the self-care routine I have. Even over Christmas during the obligatory chubbing-up, I still knew I could shift it in the new year.

My issue really is that very suddenly I have realised that my skin is becoming really dull, hair lank, sneaked-in sugar snacks are sitting on the hips for ages. The skinny jeans mention was because when i went to buy a duplicate replacement pair, they simply looked awful. As did I in the changing room mirror.

I've always really enjoyed fashion, read the mags, notice the trends (tho never slavishly follow them). Now I sit somewhere between the throwaway crap on the fast-fashion rails and some much-coveted ££££ brands.

I think someone mentioned "getting away with it" (Mmecholet?) and Mrs CB talks of 'balance'. Currently, I'm not in balance! Much of the points on the princessing thread I am doing already, I just need to FEEL better .

(and get some bloody denim)

The dull skin and hair could be winter related - central heating etc. it may well be temporary.

Donna Ida website is brilliant for denim.

I'm 39 and still in my skinnies, another fan of Dorothy Perkins, got a pair a couple of years ago for under £20 and they still hold their shape and colour. they do 2 pairs for £25 and those skinnies are also really fell fitting and real demin too

Could someone please link to the Dorothy P skinny jeans?

Not sure which ones to go for!

I'll be 39 in a few days and am getting more and more of those "God who is that" moments when I happen to see myself.

That said, investing in maintenance pays off - I'm making more of an effort and am pretty happy with the results so far.

Not sure pinkflipflop my branch is teeny tiny so they only had one type and it was a couple of years ago (thanks to a mn tip off!). My latest ones are the skinny (not the super skinny) ones that are part of the 2 for £25 deal- also got the boot cut ones but they are a bit mumsy!

Also GAP good for jeans made from real demin.

I think I may be living a parrallel life to you.

I have been looking for new jeans all week and bought a magnifying mirror and some tweezermans today. I have opted for

If it's any comfort, I think that the 30 s can be difficult. A bit of a fashion wilderness if you have young children.

My 2nd DC was born when i was almost 34, and I was too busy with kids to really get my head around fashion until they were much older.

I think I started to really get sorted again in my late 40s, and now in my 50s I know what suits me and have more time- and money- to make it all work for me.

I don't do teenage fashion, but I do do fashionable with a muted edge!

it also makes a huge difference if you keep trim. When I see other women my age the most ageing thing is if they are overweight because it really limits your options over what looks good.

I'm convinced that people whose diet consists of lots of refined sugar look older than they should, it seems to have a similar effect to smoking on the skin.

diamondsothefloor* sounds like you need a rest. I've had the same wake up call this week and I honestly think I need a break from the rollercoaster my life is, plus as you get older you're body just doesn't cope with it as well.

Sounds simple but i'm determined to have a long bath once a week, go to the gym more, drink more water. Rest. Do things for me (like go to loo when I need to not when I can fit it in).

I started with a Pyjama day yesterday, bribed the DC's with a movie and smarties and then just pottered around the house. It was bliss. Not normal for me as I tend to be a whirlwind. I have to learn to be kinder to myself and it sounds like you do to.