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.

racing.... you said no-one's noticed your weight loss... could it be possibly that you're still dressing as if you were ten pounds heavier? (I hope that makes sense!) I found it really hard to get out of the mindset of being a particular weight

Can I join in?

I'm 47, 5" 6 and a size 14 with small boobs and broad shoulders and like to keep upper arms covered. I wear a uniform for work but would like to develop a style for outside work, atm it's jeans(either straight or bootleg) and t-shirts.
Also I have a very small budget, think sainsbury's rather than Gap.
Can anyone help?

Adverse, if I were an hourglass 8-10, I'd wear what you wear. That's pretty much the ideal shape in my opinion. I don't mind being curvy, and since putting on weight do at least have boobs (32C).

Faustina, today I put on a tight vest top and was amazed how much my waist has shrunk so you're probably right, I was hiding it all under floaty things. I've also added a belt to jeans as they'd started sliding down , and that has made them fit much better.

So today's outfit is: bright block colour shell, dark bootcut jeans with heeled ankle boots and a black silky, scoopy cardigan. I've taken BoPeep's advice and the tops cut off at hip bone. Not sure I look slimmer but definitely looks smarter than the mid thigh baggy grey marl cardis I breed (currently got 4 of them!)

I am 5'9", size 12/14 but, sadly, a bit of a cart horse. I always looks like I'm squaring up for a fight but I think it's because I have mistakenly got Hattie Jacques' bosom (or possibly Les Dawson in drag!) which makes me look very top heavy. I have started a little folder of my 40 something heroes to try and pull together a look that I like (have reluctantly had to sack Carla Bruni though - looks a little alarming these days). I am also a Boden fan for their plain clothes - although wish their trousers were longer, Gap, White Company, Espirit .......

Racing- that all sounds much better. You might like to add a skinny belt round your actual waist over cardis etc which will show it off, but also detract from the bum!

BTW- it's only when IMO tops cover the bum cheeks that I think they hide nothing IYSWIM! It just says "I have a fat bum and am trying to hide it!"

Adverse I agree with you about underwear but wonder- if you are wearing an 8-10 how you fit into a 36 inch back bra? You are not committing the sin are you of wearing too small a cup and too big a back?
I am your dress size except at an 8-10 was told by a lingerie shop that I was a 32 or even a 30 back- and it's true! I've gone for a bigger cup and a smaller back and it's so much better.

Interesting point about LuLLiLu - The designer used to design for me and em and i found this article about her - www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1233459/When-empire-collapsed-I-numb-shell-shocked-fashion-queen-Ronit-Zilkha.html

She used to design for Princess Diana amongst others WOW !

There you go then racing heart - you might not want to buy anymore floaty things now! Perhaps do some more experimenting before you order anything?

Will do. Bo Peep is right and I'm wrong. Today two friends said I looked good (first time in months, maybe years) and a client said I'd lost a stack of weight and asked how. Actually I've seen her several times since losing the weight but only today dressed without covering everything up. This has made me really determined to lose the next 10-15lbs.

BoPeep is also right about bras. I was in 34A-B all my life, then finally got measured and discovered I was 32C, even at my porkiest.

Must keep looking for new tops. Should I throw out the family of grey marl cardis?

Sounds as if you are right on track Racing- keep it up!

Hi racingheart!

It sounds like you're doing really well and getting some great advice here! You asked me about tunic style dresses and whether I was an apple or pear shape. Definitely an apple with slim hips but not much of a waist. I wear smarter kinds of tunics because they skim over my stomach but if I had more of a waist and curves, I'd probably wear dresses that showed them off instead!

Had to revive this thread to say a little thank you to you all. Today I was dressed in my new make an effort gear and four different people stopped me and gave compliments. These include friends I've known for years who never normally say anything. Then a woman on the train said something nice and a younger man did a bit of flirting.

Go MN S&B gurus. I haven't felt so young or well turned out for years and years!
Even DS2 said 'You look lovely!'

For the record: skinnies tucked into knee high boots, big scarf, layered thin plain tops, buttersoft suede jacket (from Ebay for £2!)

Well done racing heart. That's a result !

that's so lovely to hear racingheart - thank you for letting us know!

Just wanted to say what a lovely thread! Well done everyone including OP for following the advice and getting the compliments

I lost 2 stone before anyone noticed outside my family.I could not believe it. They said it was because it was Winter and I was bundled up

racingheart's twin checking in here - except she said her dh gallantly says she looks nice; my dh has been complaining that I've let myself go

Second the point that it's not age, but shape that determines how good you look. A slim, leggy 80-year-old looks better than a stumpy person 50 years younger.

I have posted several times that if I try to do the preppy look I start to bear a remarkable resemblance to Sandi Toksvig...

LOL Letty. She may not be stylish, but who doesn't love Sandi Toksvig?

The greatest tip I've had is Bo Peep's. It would never have occurred to me to buy anything that didn't entirely cover my bum and go half way down my thighs. Now i buy stuff that skims the hip bones and get told I've lost weight!

Just discovered this thread and it has been sooooooooo helpful!
45, lost a stone and my fashion mojo with it!
Got some great tips on a thread I started and will now add big scarves to shopping list!

I am 52 and 5ft 2 and about 10/12 also

To be honest I dont care what people think unless I am at work. I wear tweed short suits with thick tights and boots, Knitted above knee dresses with tights a scarf and suede tie on ankle boots or skinnies with a fine knit jumper and a biker jacket. If people think I am mutton well so what I feel nice dressed like that.

For work, well thats a different story as I run a bridal shop so dress in clarks pumps and conservative clothes :)

wannabe your off-work look sounds really lovely.