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How to achieve the middle class / posh girl look and lifestyle?

634 replies

stuckonchapterone · 02/05/2015 19:21

Hello everyone.

I was seen, and read some threads similar to this, however I was wondering whether anyone could give me some advice, it would be much appreciated Smile

I have long been a 'fan' of the posh / middle class fashion look e.g. long hair, joules, white stuff ect. I was wondering what staples you would suggest purchasing in order to achieve this look and lifestyle e.g. I am looking into buying a barbour coat, once I can get to the shops (currently recovering from an illness at the moment, and part of this post is get some advice before I update my wardrobe to make myself feel a bit better) Advice on where to shop / eat and act would be great too Smile

Any tips / advice to help me achieve this look / lifestyle would be greatly appreciated. No negative comments please.

Thanks all! Smile

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Floppityflop · 03/05/2015 20:13

PS Barbour have some outlets and it's not all waxed / quilted jackets. I like it because it's made in Britain too.

ludovica · 03/05/2015 20:14

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

SconessMcFloness · 03/05/2015 21:04

I've loved reading this thread.

No shame in prosecco - but to me gin and tonic is where it's at or real ale.

Activities - camping - choose a camp field without any facilities, a toilet and a big field with climbing trees. Running, cycling and bootcamp - anything outdoors. Dog walking is a great way to meet people, most people have a Lab either black or gold. Scouting is very middle class here too, kids get dirty, it's educational and is a great way to meet people. Lots of walking clubs too, another great way to meet people. There are loads of stables close to us but I don't know anyone who rides.
I don't recognise the Sloaney type described below, the most distinctive thing about the middle class around here - which is almost everyone! is that they don't over dress....nothing is showy, no labels....even Mulberry looks a bit embarrassingly obvious.
Eating - that's a tricky one, I wouldn't rate Carluccio's or Pizza Express...we try to eat in independent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants.
Holiday's - skiing and camping or trekking through Nepal or something similarly active are the only holidays people talk about.

Good luck OP, hope you feel better soon. I think it's fine to aspire to a different lifestyle just don't put yourself in debt trying to achieve it, money troubles will not aid you in you attempt at a carefree, healthy look.

SnowBells · 03/05/2015 21:04

OK. So this wasn't a joke after all.

OP - my wardrobe consists of ALL the stuff mentioned on here. Joules, Boden and the like (also Reiss and Jaeger for more formal days). Most of these shops (other than Boden obviously) exist where I live, so it's just natural that I would buy from them.

I even have the requisite posh madame of a horse AND dogs to boot, plus a childhood with extended longhaul holidays abroad.

First of all, I have to say, look carefully at your shape. IMHO, all the items mentioned only really look great on people on the thinner side of life. A quilted gillet is difficult to pull off if you're not thin or bigger on the top than below. It can easily make you look like marshmallow man. I have a Barbour quilted jacket and a wax jacket - and have always had one since childhood, but this is due to riding really. I sometimes wear it elsewhere - mad dash to the shop or so, but it's filthy from all the horsey activities, so I prefer not to show up with them somewhere for too long.

Same with Joules. I wore Joules long before it became fashionable to people outside of the equestrian community. The polo shirts hold up well, and I still wear those that I bought 7 years ago.

So - in short, I have just been buying good quality things because they're all practical to me. Think about it that way... If you had that lifestyle - horse, dogs, et al... what would you wear? A Gucci dress won't get you anywhere.

Oh - I also have loads and loads of cardigans, simply because it can get really cold sometimes, and a cardigan is easy to put on and take off. You're basically prepared for all weather... really practical.

Also - skin care is really important (I don't wear makeup often). And get your eyebrows done. That's often what makes you look more messy.

stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 21:19

Thank you for your response SconessMcFloness As mentioned earlier on in the thread, I am a lover of camping, however haven't been for a while as DC aren't too keen Sad

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MiniTheMinx · 03/05/2015 21:21

Do people seriously buy Barbour for the look? I have a battered 15 yr old bedale and although I am fond of it, I don't wake up thinking "oh yip I am going to wear my Barbour today" I'm fond of the thing because I have been lots of places in it having fun doing stuff in the wind and the rain. I don't wake up preying for either wind or rain!

florascotia · 03/05/2015 21:25

Brora is good quality in my experience and Johnstons is even better. I don't know who can afford their 'normal' prices, but their sales are fantastic value for money.
Harris tweed is also good value because it lasts for ever. And the colours can be lovely. I have Harris tweed coats that are decades old and still look good. You can sometimes find them secondhand, but I'd rather pay proper money for them new than for some flimsy current fashion item.

Re handbags, I'd recommend Tusting for old-fashioned quality. Not cheap, but last for 20+ years. And no ghastly gold bits or logos.

ppolly · 03/05/2015 21:35

Following this thread is fascinating. Are there fine grades of middle class dressing? Does something like Barbour eventually become so popular with everyone that something else becomes adopted instead?
I have some second-hand cashmere jumpers and cardigans which I love, but I had no idea that this belongs to any particular class - they just don't itch as much as wool. And now I realise why my colleague sets so much store by her Joules gilet and scarf around the neck look. Alongside showing me photos of her kitchen extension.....

SconessMcFloness · 03/05/2015 21:37

Tustings is lovely - it's dh's favourite brand for leather goods but it's a bit conservative for my needs, their briefcases are so lovely. Finding non branded quality clothing and accessories is increasingly tricky.

SconessMcFloness · 03/05/2015 21:40

Barbour branding is awful...

SnowBells · 03/05/2015 21:42

Also, OP - go to no-name boutiques (the ones you've never heard of and are reasonably priced) but in places like High Street Ken. Not expensive but fits the style. Years ago when I went to Cartier Polo, I bought a nice dress for not much money - and the people I was there with kept on asking who designed it Grin. Apparently, I looked very Charlotte from SATC (which at the time you'd consider "preppy").

Another time, when I went to a tennis event, I went to Top Shop and made use of the personal shopper. He was fab!! Again, not too expensive.

squoosh · 03/05/2015 21:43

I think Barbour has gone the way of Tiffany's and Burberry in terms of having lost some of its cachet.

squoosh · 03/05/2015 21:44

And Hunter. Although with Hunter I think it's more that the quality has declined steeply.

MuttonCadet · 03/05/2015 21:45

Decent jeans, silk shirts and well cut jackets with a statement scarf.
Go for silk, cashmere, good quality fabrics rather than labels.

MiniTheMinx · 03/05/2015 21:58

florascotia, thank you for mentioning Johnstons, I have been looking for throws for the sofa, they have some very yummy wool throws.

ppolly, The middles will follow trends. I think Barbour was fashionable a while back. I also remember a few years ago everyone bought Driza-Bone. More money than sense. Now everyone seems to wear Dubarry boots, but the Tayberry boots are just as nice and half the price!

polyhymnia · 03/05/2015 22:05

Agree with remarks on Barbour brand.
Still not quite sure what sort of middle class OP wants to be like. Upper middle/ posh/ horsey/ Sloaney etc or yummy mummy middle middle who shops at Joilex etc. There's a big difference. Neither ' better' than the other, though, and some things always a good idea such as well cut and coloured hair, tidy nails.

polyhymnia · 03/05/2015 22:07

Joules, not Joilex!

stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:10

polyhymnia A mix of yummy mummy, horsey and sloaney I suppose? Smile

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stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:15

polyhymnia A mix of yummy mummy, horsey and sloaney I suppose? Smile

OP posts:
stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:15

polyhymnia A mix of yummy mummy, horsey and sloaney I suppose? Smile

OP posts:
stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:15

polyhymnia A mix of yummy mummy, horsey and sloaney I suppose? Smile

OP posts:
stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:15

polyhymnia A mix of yummy mummy, horsey and sloaney I suppose? Smile

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stuckonchapterone · 03/05/2015 22:17

Argh, sorry! Never meant to do that, I kept pressing the post button as my computer crashed and ended up spamming! Does anyone know how I can delete the multiple comments? :S

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mooth · 03/05/2015 22:17

If you have to ask how to look posh, you really aren't ever going to be posh. Even using the word 'posh' is really so far off the mark. Sorry - but it's true. If you're desperate to emulate the style (which you describe) just google Pippa Middleton and check out her outfits. And find quite a bit of money and get a private school accent and outlook.

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 03/05/2015 22:21

Don't do Barbour. If it's copied and sold for £20 on a market stall, that's not a good sign. Hunter wellies too, they are not good.

I get the look that you're aiming for, is it really you though?