are you late 40s, early 50s and stylish? If so, please help!

[racingheart]

If you are, do you have any tips? Lots of the things I think I like look great on 20-something models with rake thin figures but frumpy on me.

I need a new basic wardrobe for autumn for 5'4" 10-12 pear shape. Would really love some ideas that stop me looking mumsy but avoid mutton dressed as lamb.

Thank you.

Agree age is just a number

Higgle, I have awful legs. They look like Subo's nanna's legs. They are massive and shapeless. They really limit what I can wear. Even when I'm slim they are hefty in comparison, so I tend to keep legs hidden under dark jeans or wide leg black trousers, or just below the knee skirts, which whether fashionable are not, are the best bet for me.

Lots of fashions that look good on leggy or younger women just make me look like a bulky, frumpy maiden aunt, so I do have to be a bit careful. In terms of cut, the White Stuff plunging neckline and tight just below the boobs look takes pounds off me, but I am very tired of their mumsy prints and would love to look elegant instead.

Like your idea of finding a shop that suits and sort of infusing their style.

I realised that no one ever says I look nice anymore, except gallant DH. None of my friends have complimented me for years. That's pretty bad.

OP that jumper is not frimpish as long as it hangs looks as on the model. I's when plumper people waer loose and fill it that it looks frumpy.

If you like the empire line of tunics etc I implore you to look at White Company- they have some dresses that would suit inc luding a lovely charcoal wool one with w V neck which is knee length and you could wear flat boots or dark tights and nice shoes. They also have " floaty" knitwear but it does have some shape.

TIP- scour MN for discounts- I never buy with less than 15% off.

I like slouchy tops with narrow bottom half but only buy thin slouchy tops,either jersey,fine merino wool,cashmere or silk.
I usually size down too,so still get effect without drowning in fabric,IFYSWIM.
As I am only 5ft 3 I try to wear a heel at all times,even if only couple of inches.
Have just de cluttered and autumn-ised my wardrobe and have a pile of tunics etc for ebaying.Went through a phase of buying White Stuff etc tunics to wear with leggings but probably won't wear that look this season.(Not that I am some great fashionista or anything but feel over that look now )

At the moment i am living in M&S dark jeggings tucked into wedge heeled ankle boots.Wrap pale pink Zoe tunic plus cashmere cardigan from Tk Maxx.I always buy expensive coats and scarves and cashmere on sale or from Tk's.i feel at 48 too old to wear White Stuffs patterned items but used to love them.I also love Me and Em and Brora in the sales.I prefer natural fabrics and plan to wear Hush cashmere/cotton mix henley tunics in winter over jeggings and Duo over the knee tan boots.I am only 5 ft 3 so again always wear heels and make up.

racingheart - that zara jumper - if the model is tall, and it's that long on her, it would be approaching my knees if I were to wear it

.....also that neckline would be much much lower

this is me! thedudesmummy could you describe or link to your slouch boots? desp searching for a pair online and need inspiration.

Thanks for the advice, Faust. I head for things that hide my bum, but if they're too long, the legs end up looking like tree stumps.

Could it look good with a very thin long sleeved tee with same shape neckline underneath?

Maybe I should lose the weight first and then rethink the wardrobe.

Also, I have some straight leg smoky grey cords which suddenly seem to be in the shops again. Was wondering what to wear with them. DS2 keeps looking over my shoulder and saying: 'no more grey stuff' when I browse for clothes online. Would love to add more colour.

With all due respect OP I think women who wear clothes covering big bums ( maybe with the exception of a dress) simply draw attention to it. it's the same principle as women who wear loose and long clothes to hide their size and they end up looking a like a huge tent. it doesn't fool anyone. Really :) Far better to find some great well fitting trousers- in darker colours- maybe boot leg to balance your shape- and wear a lovely hip length top, beads or a scarf.
A covered bum still looks like a big bum I'm afraid to say ( or lose the weight :) )

I disagree, Bo Peep. I think a big bum covered in a well tailored top that ends just at the top of the legs is far more flattering than a top which ends at the waist and shows off the big bum. It's not pretending to be slimmer, it's just not drawing attention to your weaker features. It's discreeter.

Please - don't let the thread die here. I'm waiting and watching and hoping for inspiration :)

I just bought this last week , got it today and i love it with legging and skinny jeans . this is me sorted for the season and it hides what i wanted it to hide ! thinking of getting the second colour ,what do you think ?can double up as an evening dress ??
www.lullilu.com/shop/womenswear/dresses/cape-dress

had a lovely look in mint velvet shop today - loads and loads of longer line lovely stuff

Dresslover, I think that look would work really well in the evening too, but wait for opinions. I'm the one asking for advice.

Thanks for all the brilliant suggestions of designers I'd never even heard of, like me and em. Will take a look at the longer line Mint Velvet stuff too.

racingheart, if you can lose the weight, I would go down that route to be honest. It's not so much the age - more a combination of height and age. I have been there and done that. I know if I were taller the few extra pounds wouldn't have mattered, but I am not and they did.

These are the boots I bought recently

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180767203321?var=480047704824&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I agree with Faustina too.I think if you're little and chubby its really difficult to find clothes to flatter you[speaking from some one who's gone from size 12 -16 in 2 years and now trying to lose it].Exercise will help to make you feel better about yourself and will help you hold yourself better.Also try and wear one colour top and bottoms as it really makes you look taller and slimmer.Your grey cords can be worn with a flowing t shirt/jumper plus a scarf/jewellery in your favourite colour.The White Company or Hush have lots of grey knitwear in at the moment.Finally i also wear either low scoopnecks or henley/cowl necked tops to elongate my neck area which helps me look taller.

GeorginaWorsley -I think you must be the lost twin I was seperated at birth from.

I am also 5 ft, 3'' and wear fine, slouchy tops with narrow bottom half and have a pile of White Stuff tunics I loved last year but won't be wearing this year. Not in public anyway. I'll probably keep them for days in when I'm not expecting to be disturbed!

I have also have a few smart tunic dresses from Toast and Cos that I've started wearing with long boots. I don't have the legs for ankle boots with dresses. They skim over the tum but still look smart and as with the slouchy tops, I sized down.

Um, just wanting to say when I wrote long boots I meant knee height not long boots.

Phaedra, what build are you - apple or pear? Your look sounds lovely. There's a mum at school whose style I absolutely love but she's the opposite build from me. Same height, but slim legs and round tummy. She looks fantastic in knee boots, dark jeans, tunics and wraps.

Faustina, you're right. I've lost 10lb already. I can see the difference but no one else has said anyhting, except DH and the DC. Another 10lb to go and I'll be back down to size 10, which gives a lot more options.

Sorry, meant Phaedra and GW. Off now to look at Toast and Cos tops.

I am on a mission. Firstly to lose 15kg (8 down - 7 to go) and secondly to overhaul my wardrobe. I want to ditch the t shirts and make my "default" clothes slightly nicer. Think I have spent too long looking a bit drab and reaching for a slightly shapeless, greying t shirts and now want to find replacements. Favour bootcut jeans (very long) or straight ones in boots with a pretty blouse on top. When the weather gets a little colder I'll be back into my dresses, opaques and boots. Really can't "do" tunics - they seem to add to my shape and make my boobs even bigger. I'm sure I'm better in something lightly skimming but structured.

Agree about weight loss.
Am using 'My fitness pal' and have lost 2kg in past fortnight.
Need to be 10 rather than 12 at my height.
Mint Velvet good shop for our age group I think.
Phaedra am flattered to be your twin!
I still glance in White Stuff but find White Company more my style now,especially as wear alot if navy,grey and taupe.
Scarves great for adding colour and can update an outfit instantly.
Have bought some great ones in Primark for less than a fiver!
For trousers I tend to hit Boden,Marks Limited or Autograph,Dorothy Perkins,and occasionally Toast in sale as fabrics wonderful.
Hear great things about Gap but di mist shopping online and nit sure if their sizes.

Racing if you are still reading...
I wasn't suggesting a top which ended at the waist- that would be cropped. I was suggesting a top which hits your top hip bones-think bikini knicker line!
IMO a top - either clingy or flappy- which totally covers the bum just makes it look bigger as it's a huge expanse of fabric. You can't hide a big bum whatever you do- but dark trousers can do a lot to disguise it. Again, only IMO a top which hits the top of your thighs makes legs look stumpier as well.

It's not possible to spot reduce a part of your body, but if weight is high overall, then it's easier to lose the weight than try to disguise it!