What sorts of things do you over 35s wear?

[slapmeonthepatio]

It might sound a bit of a daft question, but I posted on here recently asking for advice on a dress and it turns out I might have frumpish tendencies.

It's got me thinking I need to revisit my wardrobe - but I have no clue where to start.

I've just turned 38 - I suppose I'm feeling a bit old and I'm fed up with the clothes I wear (generally jeans and boots with shirts or a top seems to be my staple).

I don't have much of a budget for clothes, so I suppose I need to start with a few basics and learn how to accessorise.

Any advice would be welcome.

strictlovingmum what you said about the change in focus of compliments when you're older made me laugh, and remember something I once heard: elegant is how you describe a woman who is no longer hot.

Not a comment on you, I hasten to add; I''m rather elegant myself.:o

I'm 35, 5ft nothing and a size 8. I think what I wear has changed over the last few years but, in a way, I feel more comfortable with myself these days.
I work but can wear what I like so I don't have a separate 'work wardrobe'. I tend to wear skinny jeans, neat cashmere sweaters, ankly boots or cowboy boots, patterned scarf, sunnies and a decent sized bag. I have an Orla kiely one that gets lots of use. I also wear blouses or pretty cotton tops with jeans in the summer and low wedge gladiator type sandals. I also favour loose linen trousers and a fitted T - though I remember being vilified for liking this look on here last year - lol. For nights out, I tend to go for jeans and heels with a t-shirt and blazer or opaques and a jersey dress. I have some nice v neck ones from FC that work well on my frame.

WAVES @ dingdong - how is the blog going? I keep dropping by! I have spent some time 'tweaking' my own blog after feedback from kind and diplomatic friends who say they want to read more anecdotal stuff about what I am up to too. I seem to be getting people lookig at it so will press on with it!

I find boots hard to find. Well, what I mean is, I think it's hard to find the right pair. Or maybe I should just buy more varieties .

Your comment regarding elegance is sad, but true, echt. You become elegant round about the same time people start calling you 'Madam' in shops :( Still, I'd settle for elegance at the moment.

Enjoying the blog mrsebojones . Those Monsoon shoes are high - am impressed. Looking forward to reading more. Mine's going well. Lots of good feedback and hits so the pressure's on now to keep it going! Good news is that I got asked by a local magazine to write 400 words for Thursday but this thread is giving me some inspiration so thanks girls!

Pmsl at 'elegant' as I went out for lunch yesterday and that is what two people told me I looked like. Grrrr. Then again, I have NEVER been told that my legs are a mile long and I'd be highly suspicious of anybody who did spout bollocks like that tbf. :)

Boots - I'm finding a pair of tan heeled ankle boots with a slight cowboy vibe very useful so far - they look nice with skinnies, bootcuts (so shoot me), maxi skirts and are good for funking up a more boring work skirt too. I wouldn't wear them with a mini but on knee length or just over or just under, they look good. I also have a pair of tan flattish knee high boots which are a cross between biker and cowboy which I have worn to death - again good with skinnies, boot cuts, maxis but also with pencil skirts and mini skirts.

It's the slight cowboy vibe I'm struggling with. I saw the Ash ones they're talking about on ankle boot thread in the window of a shop this morning and they just didn't do it for me. I think I would feel like I had to walk all bandy in them like I'd just come from the rodeo...and, they're £145!

Mine are v subtly cowboy - just a couple of straps around the ankle - no embroidery or anything.

Thing is, I know I'm going to end up buying a pair despite all I said (tho not a pair of £145 ones)....think I need to see more people wearing them in RL first. Where did you get yours Remus?

Loving the school gate blog

I love the school gate blog too!

Mine were in the Dune sale. I tried to find a pic online to show you but couldn't see one.

I like the ankle boots and skinnies look - I also like cowboy style boots so long as they aren't too OTT. I think this will be my staple look for spring.
Dingdong good luck with the writing - I'm determined to keep my efforts up. Have done bogs on other subjects in the past and tend to get lazy and give up!!

I am 48. Today I am wearing a short denim skirt (originally Oasis via the charity shop) a Gap nordic-knit chunky cardigan and thick ribbed grey tights (Falke, nicked liberated from the fashion cupboard of a mag where I worked a few years ago and still going strong). Also several pairs of socks, and a Uniqlo heat tech long-sleeved vest.

Thanks for the comments everyone. It's really encouraging - making all the hard work worthwhile mrsjones can see how difficult it could be to keep up, especially if you work full time too!

If anyone wants to share a stylish mummy pic with me, please do. Email is fashnav at yahoo dot co dot uk You can do it anonymously without your head (IYKWIM ). Just tell me where everything's from!

Already have one MN contributor so would be great to have more. I could do an ankle boots and skinnies post if you all send me a pic

Dingdong - Have belatedly clicked onto your blog - it's great! I think our obsessions with scarves and charity shop bargains tastes are fairly similar. I just wish I didn't have to wear dullsville office clothes four days a week.

Awww, thanks Cointreau So pleased you like it and that I am not alone in my scarf/charity (you wouldn't believe the pleasure I get from buying scarves IN charity shops ) ways! TBH, if I wore office clothes 4 days a week, I wouldn't be feeling the pressure I'm feeling right now to wear something stylish every day! Met a friend in Tesco today and she immediately peeked under my coat to see what I was wearing - the stress of it!

I am a stay at home mum, so dont have to dress up much. These are my latest purchase which i wear with black skinny jeans .... www.shoe-envy.co.uk/Fly_London_Ota_Boots_Black_p736.html I wear a lot of jersey plain tops and live in long cardi's or my wooly poncho. (please let link work, i am pants at links)

I also love skirts, with chunky wool tights, skirts of all lengths, and tunic tops with leggins. I'm a new convert to fly boots and have these.
www.shoe-envy.co.uk/Fly_London_Boots_and_Fly_London_Shoes_Mol_Warm_Boots_Black_p969.html

and these www.amazon.co.uk/Fly-London-Womens-Military-P500043012/dp/B001FV2K4C/ref=sr_1_1?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1328615590&sr=1-1 they are just so comfy!!

I agree with the good hair and accessories suggestions, esp shoes/boots and bag, though I really struggle to find decent sunglasses.
Any tips on where to look for sunnies?

I find TK Maxx good for sunglasses. Got a lovely pair of Kenneth Cole ones there last year for £19.99.

Cutler & Gross sunglasses are the best - gorgeous shapes and no logo!

I just wanted to say that I've been visiting your blog most days, dingdong. It's on my favourites bar so I can easily find you for an update - Thank you!

slapme, not only does your name make me laugh every time I see it, you are now up there with my most favourite MN people with that comment. Thankyou
Hoping I don't fall out with the S&B crew as I've featured my picks from Next today! Going to cover off a shop per week so all suggestions welcome. Topshop next week