VERY casual makeover needed!

[oldmacdonaldscow]

My first ever foray into S&B, inspired by another first-timer I was reading about earlier.

I am a part-time WAHM and I do lots of voluntary work - hospice, charity shop, sorting crap used knickers on my hands and knees. Not glamorous at all.

I'm in my fifties and with somewhat greying mid-brunette hair. My sole virtue is that I am size 8 - 10 but with ridiculously slim hips. I sort of go "straight down" with no curves at all to speak of. Buying trousers is an endless nightmare.

I live in a few pairs of jeans, plain t-shirts, polo necks, cosy jumpers & fleeces.

I would SOOO like to look a little better than I do. When I was working in an office I used to buy from Hobbs, Jaeger, Phase Eight, Russell & Bromley and I looked pretty OK. Now I am almost invisible because I look so dull and uninspired.

Budget isn't a problem, but I have absolutely no idea where to start. Local shops are few and far between where I live - one department store, a fairly scruffy M&S and a couple of fancy boutiques. I will need to buy pretty well everything online.

Please, MNetters, help a sad old bag to smile when she looks in the mirror each morning.

Why not try a personal shopper in the first instance and then do your buying online.
The personal shopper will assess what suits you and might even make you become adventurous re your style. Once you know what works for you you can then confidently shop online.
Frasers and Debenhams offer the personal shopper service. Selfridges Oxford St also does but I don't know if you live near London.

Why not start small with e.g. some coloured jeans and some nice ankle boots to go with them? Sometimes you just need to buy one or two different things to wear to start feeling better.

Also, how about looking at Pinterest, specifically the women's fashion board? I get loads of ideas from there.

I second the personal shopper suggestion, too. Good luck!

Thank you both!

There's no personal shopper service within at least 100 miles of here, I'm afraid. (Unless M&S do one? Not sure I want to be "dressed by M&S" though! Especially with their local stock!!)

Finance, I tend to wear flatties (loafers) for practicality. I would love to wear pumps for style, but I can't because I have high insteps.

I will take a look at Pinterest, so thank you for that.

Keep the suggestions coming please! Links to a casual look that might work would be really great.

Personal shoppers are GREAT, I really recommend JL. You are very lucky to have what sounds like a lovely figure ... For any age!... Make the most of it!

The other thing that jumps out at me from your post is that 'somewhat greying mid-brunette hair' does not sound like you're wildly enthused about your hair style. Getting your hair done in a style and colour that you like (which could be all grey,nothing against grey hair whatsoever, it can look fabulous) is a really good way to pep up your look; you wear your hair every day unlike individual clothes so 'cost per wear' is infinite, iyswim!

Yeah, I know, tiger. My hairstyle is fine, but I've started to react against colouring, so I'm having to grow it out. I feel a bit grimmer than usual because of that, but I've not got many choices on that front now.

Thank you for the compliments about my figure! It isn't quite as good as it sounds, because "straight down" is a real pain fashion-wise, but it does.

I live in a very remote area and would consider 100 miles a fairly short distance to travel to go shopping, socialising etc. I suppose everything is relative.
I agree re M&S...certainly would not want to be dressed from there even if I was 70

How about flat knee boots over fitted trousers? That's a good look for slim hips. Clarks do loads of this type of style. M&S have some nice burgundy slim jeans in at the moment (limited edition range, I think).

Any update OP?
Meant to say, have a look at the cos website. Nice slim trousers, clothes quite edgy in general but ageless, might make you wear dresses and give you an instantly contemporary look.
Let us know how you get on

If your straight hips end in skinny calves then Clark's boots will be no use for you, as they are very wide on the leg. Fly boots are narrower, and you can buy fitted ones from Duo.

I'm also in my 50 s and like to think that I'm stylish < deluded> . My basic uniform ( outside work ) is skinnies ( show off small bum and good legs ) ,ankle boots , longish looser top ( hip length to hide fat tum) , good jacket or shorter coat and bright scarf ( plain or abstract pattern as I'm not a floral person ). It's not cutting edge but it works for my style and lifestyle.

I also wear woollen knitted dresses , long boots and opaques. Tunics and leggings don't work for me but that's also a useful everyday look .

If money isn't a worry I suggest you get your colours and style done. Once you know what colours and shapes suit you it becomes so much easier. Especially if you are buying online.

Just to say, Hobbs and Russell and Bromley both have plenty of casual as well as workwear options.

KristinaM, are you me?

Finance, you have a lot to answer for! I have just spent almost 24 hours of my life I won't get back over on Pinterest!

I'd never been on there before, and one thing sort of led to another.

Anyway, sorry about the radio silence everyone. I've ordered a couple of pairs of trousers from Debenhams that look as if they might just work for me.

Flat boots sound good, and I should be able to get those fairly locally.

I like the idea of woollen dresses, although I'll get the inevitable comment from the DC: "Mummy, you've got legs"! (I was last seen in a skirt circa. 2005 ...)

Colours ... I had those done years and years ago. I gather that they change over time though? Especially when you are starting to go a teensy-weensy bit very very grey?

I love pink, but it never seems to be in fashion. If anyone can find me some really nice pink jumpers it would be fab. I tried Google shop/search and didn't get much from it.

Mac skater - I wish I was, as you are younger and prettier than me :-)

Old MacDonald - do you know which pinks suit you? Warm or cool? Deep or pastel? What length and neckline ?

Boden usually has nice colourful stuff, e.g. pinks. Must confess to not having looked this year

Kristina, pretty well any pink suits me! I'm not a "pink" person at all inside, but on the outside it always works for me.

Took a quick look at Boden, but there's nothing that grabs me. One of the jumpers looks like a cardi on backwards!

(I love playing the Boden Sale game: Yes, that'll end up in the sale ... and that ... and that ...)

Glad you found something you liked in Debo's. Sorry about Pinterest!!

Tried looking at Boden but the website was sooo slow I abandonned as I don't often buy from them in any case.

Kristina, you are scaring me, do you know me? I know I have no photos etc on mumsnet so can I be identified otherwise, from other sites etc by my email address or something?

Panicking slightly, over re-acting maybe!

I'm sorry mac skater , I was just messing about

ooh Kristina, that's ok. I just panicked in case my email address had somehow outed me, not specifically to you obviously but to nasties online.

Anyway I'm sure what you say is not at all the case - that's why I never show photos of myself haha!

Happy wardrobe makeover OP!

Try Pure Collection for beautiful coloured knitwear online. I also live The White Company clothes for casual wear. Uniqulo stretch skinny jeans are good for slim people - size down.

If you know your size in Hobbs, Jaeger and Phase Eight, that makes ordering online easier.

The John Lewis website is great for offering so many different brands, so is House of Fraser. You could also check out Atterly Road, LK Bennett, Reiss, J Crew, Zara...

Not a fan of Boden.

Annebronte, thank you because I absolutely love this!

www.purecollection.com/.Cable-Sweater-Dress_LK-L72.htm

If I wear leggings I need heels though, don't I? Or would the flat boots work with it?

What can I put over it for outdoors?

Just a reminder that if you are ordering from John Lewis you can click and collect from waitrose stores ( not all of them) if you are near one and it's free and delivery is usually next day -

ALC126 for 25% off and free delivery at Pure Collection!

Nowhere near Waitrose, I'm afraid, but at least John Lewis do deliver here.

Annebronte that is absolute magic and thank you! I was struggling a tiny bit with the price tag, but with 25% off it looks like a complete snip. Off to order now.