So what are some non-frumpy looks for AW

[BriarRainbowshimmer]

...that busy mums can wear, and can also be worn outside in the rain?

I looked at those others threads and basically everything including the standard trendy mum uniform was seen as frumpy. I want some examples of non-frumpiness for normal people!

Diff'rent strokes...

No wedding ring here. I live in sin.

You wicked woman...

Children out of wedlock too - shocking.

i have an 18ct wedding ring that makes my finger go black. I am allergic to the alloy it seems.

hence I rarely wear.

Reminds me of a line from a Kelly Clarkson song:

'I hope that ring you gave her turns her finger green...'

Its really odd. It can be hormonal, can be allergic. no clue.

anyway, back to the clothes, pretty much every website I've look at (shops I like and shop in and can afford!) seem to be showing either look a) black, grey with burgandy/dark reds, turtlenecks (either tight or big slouchy ones), pointy ankle boots, leather skirts, or b) pastels with a 60s theme, also turtlenecks, short a line skirts, knee high boots with a 60s clumpy heels.

I am ignoring all the midi skirts as I'm far too short to look anything other than the frumpiest frump in frumpsville in them. Let's pretend we didn't see pool sliders with socks.

Am I about hitting it for AW or wide of the mark?

The magazines I flicked through today had tweed, pastels, the sixties, embellishment and khaki as their main ideas iirc.

I look like a corpse in pastels. Tbh if it's Autumn, I wear grey, khaki and black - but I do that for much of the year anyway! I do fancy a few bits of red though.

Oh tweed would work, I have a shedload of tweeds, browns and various shades of caramel/beige as it suits me.

I don't think I can do pastels.

What are fashionable types doing re jewellery or does this need a thread of it's own? (Preferably with a bracelet /bangle and belt focus as I can't do necklaces for fear of the "spirited" toddler choking me)

Are we doing hats at all?

The problem with Tweed is the Miss Marple Effect now I am well over 40.

Mum jeans are now in. The tummy warming tapered type. Get a pair of them to replace skinnies?

I ordered a tube skirt from Top shop but sending it back as cheap looking. Can anyone recommend where I might get a better one?

My other inspiration is sweatshirts instead of cardigans. But they have to be smart ones. I like the stuff they do at Selected.

Mate at work had lovely tweed jacket. Navy. From h and m

How anyone wore tweed or tights last week is beyond me. But they did

Whistles for the best tube skirts.

I can't wear tweed jackets but have a very old tweed pencil skirt with slits all around the hem, which I love.

Yes Whistles are good, Hush have them but they're ruche-y.

I was going to mention the tweed jacket in H&M, looked nice but I fear it'll be too short on my arms.

Faux fur jackets and waistcoats are everywhere atm, can't find a decent high street one yet mind.

Funnily, I was watching some old Tom Baker Dr Who, this afternoon, and Sarah-Jane's dress wouldn't have looked out of place in the shops, at the moment. I've seen a lot of stuff in both a similar print and shape, in various places.

This is the one
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From the back
ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/944x531_b/p01bw8kr.jpg

I have no idea whether it is frumpy or not but my autumn style is generally a skirt (often a line), silk knit or jersey top and long boots, either flat or heeled depending on how much walking I need. Not that exciting but I try to go for interesting fabrics or details, I love VW-eque draping for example. I'm also big on accessories like Kenneth Jay Lane bracelets or necklaces to stop it being too safe.

As a previous poster says if you dress for your shape and are generally well out together then I think that's 90% of the battle.