I don't want to be frumpy and middle-aged

[postmanpatscat]

I looked in my wardrobe this morning as I dressed for work and I thought for a moment that I was looking in my mother's wardrobe instead. I hardly liked anything in there! I tend to buy mostly cheaper stuff (Matalan is local and open late, for example) or slightly dearer things in the sales. I'm a teacher so lean towards conservative but even my weekend stuff is dull, to be frank.

I am almost 45 but my face hasn't noticed that yet so look younger, 5ft 4 and 9 and a half stone so tend to be on the cusp of 10/12 (eg 36 bra so too broad for some size 10s).

I feel a splurge coming on, where should I go?

To a department store for a session with a personal shopper, maybe? Friends have been to Bentalls and have been transformed, for a reasonable amount of money, and with no pressure at all.

Er... Have you had a bra intervention?

No, should I? I'm a 36a, have tried going down a band size and up a cup size but in a 34 I just want to rip it off within the hour so I can breathe!

I was measured as a 36A, turns out I'm actually a 36E. Get measuring, you never know, you might be a different size altogether!

I have measured myself with a tape measure, quite recently too. I really do have quite a flat chest!

get to the bra intervention thread.

NOW!

HERE:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1706611-Our-Boobs-Deserve-better-the-bra-threads-continued-again

Ok, ok....but only me and DP see me in a bra, what about my clothes?!

i feel the same postmanpatsat, so watching for any advice. need to get away from frumpydom.

Oooo good for you for realising. Some places have good personal sylists but its a bit hit and miss. Shame Trinny and Sussanah dont have programs any more. They were very good in the day. (although I know not everyones cup of tea).I dont like Gok myself . Think he makes people look a little bit the same as every one else and sometimes a bit cheap and tarty. But thats just me, others love him. So maybe if you had a look at the last Trinny and Sussanah book or a Gok book or there are some good sylists online who can help you online. There are also alot of style blogs styleguile.blogspot.co.uk/ www.schoolgatestyle.com/ doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk/ have a look at these for some inspiration. Hope it helps.

Don't under-rate the importance of a good bra - it affects the look of everything you wear. For me, this and good hair cut and colour are the two most important basics - always with you.

I was also going to say you should have yourself measured properly. I weigh 1.5 stone more than you and am 5'6" and I'm a 36, which is feeling a bit big lately. I bet you'll find you're smaller around than a 36.

OP, I work in a school too, same age as you, love wearing my smart/casual clothes. Don't think I look frumpy.this is what I wear. My stuff is all high st.

Straight leg trousers in black, grey.
Cropped trousers, black,camel,
Fitted cardigans, fitted jumpers in lots of colours.
Shirts ( I like fitted styles), sometimes worn under a loose sweater with cuffs and tails showing....worn with skinny trousers.
A line just above knee skirts with fitted tops ( I love stripes)
Knee length boots.
Suede ankle lace up wedge boot....nice with trousers and skirts/dresses....give height without me tripping over children.
Ballerinas in nude and black.
Loafers in black.
Jersey dresses.
MOST important are accessories......I have loads of scarves to tie it all together, blingy statement necklaces (at the mo I love these worn under the collar of a shirt)

I also make sure I wear a bit of make up and have a decent hair do.

I saw
this dress today, was v tempted for school.
I invested in
these trousers last year and have worn them loads

Look at pinterest.com/Drywhiteplease/ for some ideas, although a lot on there is a bit denimy.

Please head over to bra intervention thread they are a lovely bunch and will get you on the straight and narrow (foundation garment wise). In the right size bra I look a dress size smaller and a lot of tops I had stopped wearing because they did not sit right now look good on me. Check out some of the ladies on here Pinterest boards they are likely to be a similar age and will give you some ideas. What is it you don't like about your clothes ? the colours ? the style ? The fit ? If you don't want to splurge could you change the way you put them together ?? Over on the frugal thread there is lots of inspiration I have been given lots of ideas on how to change existing items. This week I have worn a leather skirt to work by styling differently and resurrected a leather blazer and boot cut jeans from the charity bag into whole new outfits without spending a penny!! Don't let it get you down everyone gets into a rut now and then.

Drywhite, your list sounds a lot like my wardrobe too! I need to get new trousers eg black and grey, but struggle to find straight leg styles the right length. Sometimes the regular is too long and the petite too short! Like the sound of those wedge boots too.

Have visited the bra thread, as requested, and was recommended a 34E!! Have no bust to speak off and am currently in a 36A. Even when pregnant and breastfeeding I only wore a B cup.

Tonight's mission is late night shopping in Kingston, and I will even venture to the lingerie dept and see if there's any truth in this 34E business. It's hard to believe when I look at bras on the hangers when shopping and anything over a C cup looks massive to me!

Postie I went from a 34b to a 30F !!!! was uncomfortable at first but only because I have been wearing wrong size all most of my life. Tops look so much better and like shoes bras need breaking in who knew ????

Good look with the shopping would recommend Bravissimo they know what a well fitting bra SHOULD look like.

Here you go
wedge boots, and reduced look better in RL

Also like
these
Acne are doing a boot with a heel like this, think they would look nice with dresses too (ill wait until a voucher c ode comes though)