How do you guage if you are dressed too smart? And does it matter?

[Lucy1977]

Hi

This might sound like a really stupid question, however I'm interested to hear your views.

I have always been worried that I look too smart on occasions, this is probably because I am a jeans and jumper type of girl but I desperately want to change my image and wear skirts/dresses/trousers with nice tops etc. I've been getting great advice about what to buy but now I need to understand when to wear the outfits!

I grew up being a semi tomboy with 4 brothers but I've always, always worn makeup.

So, does it matter if you're overdressed (and I don't mean in a cocktail dress etc.)? I am surrounded by mums who wear jogging bottoms and fleeces so if I turn up at baby group on Friday wearing my denim skirt, skinny top and high wedgy boots I think they will fall off their chairs!
I easily get embarrassed and last time I made the effort to put on a nice outfit (rather than usual jeans, vest and v-neck jumper) someone asked me if I had a job interview! (I was wearing a pair of brown tweed trousers, white shirt and brown tank top). I was mortified.

Perhaps this is more about my confidence rather than me feeling over dressed? Just wondered if anyone else worries they are too over dressed?
My DH feels more like I'm usually underdressed most of the time, I think he has a point.

Thanks
Lucy

For me the golden rule of fashion is - be comfortable and then you will be confident, common sense should prevail ofcourse, all of what you have described seems perfectly normal to me, it's nice to get out of the trainers and jeans too. And remember it's not the clothes - it's the hanger....

I am trying to look smarter recently for various reasons; kids old enough not to cover me in snot and chocolate, dress down for job as I work with under 5's, of a certain age . I sometimes turn up at the school and get comments e.g "they don't allow super models here" or "are you going somewhere?, thought so, as you look nice". I get a little but it's all good natured. On Saturdays I look a complete unmade bed and have to take dd to an early dance class - all the mums see the real me then! Dress how you like for you as long as it's practical and comfortable. Short skirts for sitting on the floor at m&t not practical imo It takes a while to find your style after dressing down for so long but go for it

If you feel good and dressing up makes you more confident that you're not over dressed.

It's the change that people are remarking on by the sounds of it. That will wear off when people get used to the new you.

hi lucy,
what you decribed (brown tweed trousers, white shirt, tank top) is the sort of thing I usually wear!
I am in G ermany at the moment, where people generally dress much more smartly than in the UK. I was revolted when I was back to the UK for a visit recently, by all the saggy grey trakkie bottoms, and generally people who looked as though they had thrown on any old rags when they got up that morning.

I never bother with makeup or hair dye though!

For Gods Sake, dressing in clothes that aren't a track-suit is not over dressing!!!you sound lovely and elegant, go with it and don't worry about what other people think. Today I am wearing a black v-neck jumper and a pair of wide leg grey trousers. And I am spending the day on my bed, on the laptop, supposed to be working. I could be in my pj's but I thought I would feel better if I dressed properly and I do. Dress for your self.

I am never dressed too smart.

I always wear a red/purple coat with a green hat and pointy shoes

Thanks ladies

I usually dress to go un-noticed, don't like drawing attention to myself but I realise changing my wardrobe will pretty much get some looks/comments ...

I'm going back to work part time in Feb and during my maternity leave a lot of staff have changed so I want to be comfortable in my new clothes so I wear them with confidence when I get there - they wont know what I used to wear!

TH - you reminded me of a my friend, she's always in lovely coat and pointy shoes, oh and always got a great handbag!

Thanks everyone!

Lucy

I am permanently overdressed for everything, but it works for me and I look a bit odd if not dressed up. So even when at hoem with dd I was never in jogging pants and was often in some form of a heel. At work I tend to dress smarter than the senior management and when I go out I am usually the smartest. That is just my style and I am comfortable with it and it is now what people are expect of me. You are only over dressed if you are uncomfortable or pretending to be someone you are not.

I'm another scruff who if I wear heels, worry I look 'too' smart.
I'm getting over it though I expect some of the playground mums get confused as 2 days a week I'm in scruffy jeans and covered in paint/playdoh from my preschool job and 3 days a week, looking reasonable smart (if a little wispy!) in a skirt/boots/nice coat for my other job. But noever 'office' smart as the job isn't that kind of environment IFKWIM!
Lucy, when I was at the mums/toddler group stage of parenting, there was one mum who always looked lovely and actually, she inspired the rest of us to ditch the jeans and jumper once in a while..so go start a new trend and don't worry about the others!