Help, I'm 27 and look middle aged

[TeaJunky]

I admire (and am a but jealous of) all them women who seem to have well put together outfits, the right handbag and the right coat and shoes that seem to go with everything and are just generally groomed and look good...because I wouldn't know where to start
As a result, I am forever in my straight leg gap jeans with a cardi or polo neck...
I like casual dresses with leggings but don't own any...don't know where to look and when I see them in shops they just don't look like
they're made for me! ...at home I just wear tatty leggings and any old top or pjs. Don't tend to wear heels as they make me look too tall. And I love comfy stuff

I seriously need an image overhaul. Im 27 years old fgs! I'm 5'7 and a size 10/12 with a
slight pear shape. Oh, and I dont have bags of money so any recommendations will have to
pass the budget test!

Any advice about easy stylish stuff very much appreciated please

How about coloured jeans to be a bit more modern?

I am roughly the same height, shape and age as you and write a blog about being stylish on a budget here

I like being comfortable and live in jeans, ballet pumps and t shirts, cardigans and scarves to keep comfortable.

Gap, Topshop, Primark, H&M, Oasis and New Look all have lovely affordable things in at the moment. French Connection also have really good dresses cut for pears and if you check their website nearly always have a sale on.

Great thanks suburban! Just had a quick look at your blog, liked the polka dot dress!

Hi Suburbanstyle
Where did you get the scarf featured in the photos on tuesday 17th april? It is lovely!

Suburban I love your blog, thanks for linking to it. I am having an entire overhaul of my appearance and my style is not dissimilar to you, just a lot less polished and finished. I'm going to have a good look through to get some ideas.

@Tea I am 25 and have started feeling similarly.

wrt to bags and shoes M&s have good basic shoes for a capsule wardrobe that don't break the bank and are surprisingly well made.

Coats make an outfit (as it covers the rest up). H+M do good classic shaped stuff for not too much, and again they are surprisingly well made.

Straight leg jeans and cardis aren't that bad, just pair with a plain pair of shoes and a niceish top.

Or... don't focus on the clothes so much and get your hair done, and your nails done and wear make up and blow dry your hair everyday.

Thanks Galaxy
Jungle scarf is from Primark, but it is "inspired" by a Mulberry one

TKMaxx also brilliant for bags and shoes.

I am similar, I don't think I look too bad but my sister who is 25 is jut effortlessly stylish and 'on trend' all the time. I don't get it!

I've tried to learn a bit from her and have become a recent convert to slim purple (sort of maroon/purple) trousers which go with almost everything and look much more fashionable than my old jeans. Really comfy too. Worn with a top or t-shirt, cardi and flat ballet pumps, I love the way they look.

It is very fashionable round these parts to wear chinos, a kind of chiffon top and a blazer. It looks good but I haven't progressed to that yet!

The other thing I think can make u look younger and more fashionable is colours and patterns. Last week I bought two very 'bold' long tops for wearing with leggings. I think they are both quite young and I bought them from a trendy market stall so I hope they are fashionable. My mum did think they were lovely though so I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not

I too have just checked out your blog suburbanstyle - it's great! You may notice a lot of woman suddenly dressing just like you....! Have subscribed to it and look forward to following it.

I went through a similar crisis at 25. You get over it.

I love Suburban Style too - and Lucy is just as lovely in person as in her blog as we had the pleasure of meeting the other day at an event. You could also try school gate style, coco mama style or my blog, Style Guile. I post daily pics of what I am wearing - mostly high street with a few more expensive pieces thrown in but then I have a few more birthdays than most!!! I think that we are all about accessible practical fashion on a budget. Happy reading!

teajunky 5'7 is definitely not too tall to wear heels, I'm 5'11 and I love heels :)

Your blog is great, suburbanand you look fab, and i am encouraged to see that i actually dress quite similarly to you so hopefully i look ok too :-) yoube definitely inspired me to check out French connection sale- really love the dark red dress- and to pop into primark :-)

Decent hair cut - cuts years, you'll feel good: low maintainable, quick hair dryer blast job so you keep it up
1 pair jeans (yours sound fine btw)
Tea dress- primark about 15, loads to choose from
Jersey dress- h&m, bout 12, again loads to choose from
1 pair decent leggings, bout 8
Long line vest tops- loads of colours, h&m, 3.99, layer with long line cardi and scarf: dead comfy, smart, job done
Feet- pumps, ballet or converse style
Jacket- fitted style denim or jersey blazer
Job done, total spend say 50 plus hair cut
Hth

This is a great thread!!

Suburban your blog is fab!

I too have been feeling quite frumpy lately, OP. I'm 35 but find myself wanting to wear the things my teenage daughter wears so effortlessly but not looking as effortlessly stylish as she does! Am off for a haircut and lots of highlights on Friday, thought I'd go blonde for the summer, am brunette at the moment but being blonde takes years off me I find.

Thanks everyone

Hexagonal I often get highlights in the summer too, and probably will soon find it takes the sting out of my ghostly complexion.

OP did you try the spotty dress yet?

Lots of nice fitted jackets in Primark at the moment, but I am on a personal spending ban until the weather cheers up.

Zara is amazing too at the moment - lots of good basics, not too expensive and nice colour too. Definitely worth a look.

Suburban, I am on a spending ban too lol. We're off on holiday at the end of May and although it's tempting to buy more clothes, I have a shelf full of designated 'holiday clothes' so I'm going to use them, and use the bikinis I've already got.

This sounds mad but I am actually thinking of not buying any clothes for 6 months as i buy so much stuff and end up not wearing half of it; I might do the 6 month ban so I can re-evaluate what I do actually want to buy/wear. Hopefully summer is on its way, I have loads of summer clothes I can wear during my 'ban'......