I'm hoping some of you lovely folk can help me. I feel so desperately old and frumpy and I just can't seem to shake it off. I try to update my wardrobe but either run scared from the shops before getting as far as the changing rooms, or buy things that then hang in the wardrobe as I sneak back to my old comfy jeans and fleeces and die hard work favourites which, by now, have really earned their keep and should be set for a happy retirement...
I'm 43, size 10/12 and about 5ft9. Apple shaped and conscious of my pot belly! I work part time in a school office so need to be smartish but not overly formal and am then at home with the 2 children. DH has recently overhauled his wardrobe to great effect and I'm feeling a tad envious of his smart looks 
but we seem to clash when we go shopping together, cos he challanges me too much with things that are way out of my comfort zone. He likes shopping too, I don't.
I'm also afraid of turning up on the playground with my 'new look' and people thinging 'what the heck is she wearing?'
Can anyone offer any words of wisdom, encouragement or advice?