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

[stuckonchapterone]

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

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

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

Thanks all!

OP i have taken a few screenshots of the posts I found helpful on this thread. it is such a long thread I didn't want to trawl through for links etc.

I would suggest you do the same with whichever posts you like/found helpful and then hide thread. there has been lots of useful posts and I cant imagine there being much more to add that hasn't already been said so save the posts you like, hide the thread and forget about it. if you need some more tips then start a new thread in style and beauty or chat or wherever relevant.

christmasevesteve the thread on 40's style was more about the swing/50's style. it was in style and beauty. called does anyone successfully wear 1950s/swing style/dresses. its only about the dresses really and not make-up or lifestyle but may be useful to you. I found it very helpful.

I think someone wanting to be a 'new age hippie' wouldn't post asking 'how do I act, eat?' precisely because they'd have some idea of their own motivation.

Twinklestein Others have asked the same question, I am not writing a book My user name is a bit tongue and cheek, I'm gradually recovering but can't seem to get past chapter one. It has taken a lot for me, rebuilding my life, esteem, finances. I've gone through a lot of change, given up my job for something new, moved to a new area, trying for DC number 3, attempting this style over haul. Hopefully I can get past being 'stuck' and move on to chapter two I hope that clarifies

I had to rebuild my life after illness when I was much younger, and it was a long slog. It's really important to have faith and keep going even when you feel you're on a plateau. Good luck.

Stuck, pale skin and dark hair are great. If you want to try out various looks cheaply, head for the charity shops in the west end and on the Thames towns west of London, such as henley and and marlow. YOu will find things that are a season out of date but cheaper than if you were to buy them first hand. The posh look - the really posh look - isn;t necessarily. It can have been passed on.

good luck. when i lose weight i shall reiinvent my looks too.

flat boots or shoes during the day. string of pearls and pearl studs. an Hermes scarf would be a good investment if you care about this (...) as it can dress up anything. they are about a hundred quid each. Don't try too hard as that is a giveaway. Healthy but not too groomed. Stick to dark denim. Couple of v neck woollen jumpers would be good. And some good shirts if you can be bothered to iron them. I look posh but have never shopped at Boden or Joules - too try hard. I tend to throw things together. And I have never spent much on handbags.

Lucky you messalina - you obviously haven't had to buy an Hermès scarf for yourself for quite a while.

Is that £100 on ebay? Think they are about three times this.

Hermes scarves come in different sizes and different textures/materials. DH got one as a gift for me with the others inherited from my granny and aunt. The gifted one was cotton/cashmere and about £250. I have a lovely liberty scarf from my granny that she let me borrow and told me to keep it. It's cotton and so much easier to wash! No idea what they cost but I doubt they are as expensive as Hermes.

uk.hermes.com/la-maison-des-carres/configurable-product-h242456s.html?color_hermes=BLEU/TURQUOISE/ROSE%20PALE&nuance=6 Blimey! It is pretty though.

uk.hermes.com/la-maison-des-carres/max-twi-festival-des-amazones-marine-turquoise-rose.html Oh, better!!

Whatever you choose to wear, you need to feel totally comfortable to project the confidence that will make it all plausible. Ignore snarky comments but please appreciate that others are just asking questions out of genuine concern (I was much earlier!)

Anyway, I Think you've already had some great advice but my best advice as someone who was once described as a middle class cliche (!) is swishy hair, subtle make up (I wear bobbi brown, Clinique and bare minerals) groomed eyebrows and manicured nails are a starting point. Discreet but stylish jewellery. Try galleries for one off pieces. A good watch. I love breige king on etsy at the moment.

Well cut jeans are critical, make sure they fit properly, they're long enough and straight in shape. Don't just buy by brand. Skinny with a nice pair of ballet flats look nice. I layer up linen sweaters with gap vests (look at wrap and hush online) Great Plains is also nice.

Scarves, quality leather belt (plain ones from Boden or jigsaw) and a decent bag, I got a vintage tan mulberry bag off ebay. It's not flashy and the brand isn't obvious but it looks classy and lifts a simple outfit.

For work I generally wear a plain silk or crepe top from somewhere like whistles, reiss, boden or jigsaw with zara or reiss cigarette trousers (I'm always being asked where they're from) and heels. I buy white company dresses in the sales for summer and wear with fine cotton cardigans and metallic boden sandals.

Do you have a budget in mind for this? Ebay is your friend, I bought a gorgeous silver silk boden top for £10 yesterday. Nobody will either know or question when I wear it to work.

Hope this helps.

Hello OP - I've slowly been working my way through the thread and have also found it really useful. I am also a big admirer of the preppy look and on the advice of a previous poster, I have made a Pinterest board for inspiration!

I love charity shops and car boot sales - today I picked up a Boden rugby style sweater for £2 and a TM Lewin fitted shirt and an Austin Reed fitted shirt for £1.50 each. So, I agree with other posters, this look really doesn't have to cost the earth.

Personally, I think it is worth spending on decent 'proper' jewellry, I cannot stand costume stuff. I only have a small amount, but what I do have is really special - diamond studs, string of pale pink freshwater pearls, understated Gucci watch.

I think you said you were very new to Mumsnet? I've always found its best to not respond to unhelpful comments, read them and reflect on them, but don't bother replying to every person that upsets you, you'll just feel hurt.

Oh, and definitely check out The Guardian online, especially the lifestyle section.

Even when I'm 80 I will never be old enough to wear a Hermes scarf

You'd be shocked! In my slimmer days I wore one of mine as a belt. They can be aging but not if worn the right way.

Just thought of something else. I rarely wear more than 2 or 3 main colours within an outfit unless it's a multi coloured piece which would then have neutral accessories.

I'd wear navy with beige, charcoal grey with pale pink, silver and black, for example. Any other accessories would then usually be white, neutral or metallic.

I might then contrast the lot with a bag or wear a patterned scarf which includes the main colours and also a contrasting one - coral or hot pink with navy. I also like a simple plain top and jeans with a pair of bright shoes.

Sounds dull but works for me

Make it plausible? Cringe

I think the OP is being given dreadful advice after being so ill to construct some sort of fake persona. I would think she should be surrounding herself with people who love her as she recuperates and gets to a place where she is confident and well enough to choose her own style and not put on the mask of another.

I've got a drawer full of Hermes scarves from the 80s when I worked in the City - well at least five but double that if I include the Liberty ones. Wonders if it might be worth flogging them on Ebay - or shall I just keep them - haven't worn them in years. They just feel so dated now.

I agree noddy.

As do I noddy and dame

OP I think an anonymous Internet forum is a great place to ask the questions you posed. The thread has been really interesting.

On a long thread like this there are always some comments with an off tone. That's what MN is like as as someone said I usually ignore stuff I don't like - of course you don't have to!

It's a funny business class and would depend on how you define MC and/or posh. I remember reading a definition of being MC child "as living in a large, cold house and going on boring holidays."

I've moved from a MC, quite aspirational place where the look was groomed and bordered on slightly bling to another more MC where the look is groomed but much more relaxed to the point of going to garage with wet hair etc.

I"m a bit older than you but I've been trying to get my act together clothes wise after years of self neglect. My kids are growing up now and look lovely while I look a complete scruff especially outside of work.

Today I wore whitestuff cropped trousers and plimsoles, a seasalt Breton tshirt and a Joules jacket. What a cliche! The outfit took me through a cycle ride, shoe shopping with DD, and a committee meeting so very practical.

Yesterday after a hill walk with my dogs I wandered round waitrose in walking boots, running leggings, old top and Berghaus waterproof (well a lined mac really) and probably looked more MC but scruffy!

I've just had an over zealous hairdresser cut the swishiness out of my hair and it's looking a bit cropped - oh dear.

And to those saying "just be yourself", well most people change and well done Stuck for looking after yourself.

That was my advice noddy but I'm not sure the OP was interested tbh.

Keep them, Beau. Something to pass on