The elusive timeless and effortless elegance I'm going for...

[EarlyInTheMorning]

I find that as I've reached 40 I want to change my style a bit. There's a lot of clothes I used to wear not that long ago that just look wrong now, for example, flowery knee dresses with calf boots and a cardigan. It doesn't help that I'm a stone overweight which doesn't sound like much but I am very very short, only 1,55m I think, so the extra weight really shows, particularly around my thighs.

I wear ponte leggings with calf boots most days. Up until recently I've got away with just a clingy top but with the the extra weight, I look too bumpy.

So having in mind that sort of floaty layered 'just thrown in' look that I wish I could pull off, I've been buying blouses and cardigans. Only every time I catch sight of my reflection I see my mother.

What's gone wrong?

Oh and I say that with the utmost love and respect for my mother. But she's 64, and I'm not.

"Floaty & layered" has many variations. Could you link to an image to give an idea of exactly what you mean? Are we talking Kate Moss does bohemian Primrose Hill chic or full on lagenlook?

Don't laugh but I like jennifer aniston, not that I have her legs

I've got decidedly dodgy legs - long waist, short legs, large calves - and I avoid calf-length boots at all costs. They cut off at the widest bit of the leg, making it look stumpy and wider than necessary. My legs look just about passable in knee-high, slim fitting, plain boots, or ankle boots - usually the same colour as skirt/jeans/whatever.

Not sure what your legs are like, but if they're not Aniston-like perhaps rethink the boots?

My legs, or any of my other body parts, are definitely not aniston-like. But although I'm short, I am also proportioned. Knee high boots make my legs look shorter. My legs are slim from the knee down so calf boots balance me as my thighs are my problem area. I have more of a problem in summer as I can't wear boots but I can't wear flats either, and as I have wide feet I need comfortable non plunge-y wedges that don't look to clunky. Really not an easy task.