OK, only picking up on this thread from Monday, so about 2/3 of the way through, seemingly. Picking up on where I left off, I will say this. I have WC origins and DH's are closer than mine, with his dad being a retired miner. We're both educated, though, within our respective STEM interests, and I was lucky enough to go to a (state comp) secondary that pushed the Arts, so I'm classically quite well read, despite my lack of patience with all that.
I'm 45 and style-wise I'm an ambiguous mix of M&S and edgy. I can talk to someone, over the phone, and despite an unconsciously adopted regional accent, be taken for MC, because I can grasp issues that require critical thinking.
I can meet those people (from the phone conversation) and not disappoint. I can chat comfortable with local WC parents and school staff, because they matter as much as anyone else. There's someone I have a massive urge to hug because she's so self conscious about a failed crown.
I've had some real shit to deal with in past years. I have 2 kids with severe SN. Hardly MC badge winners.
My main priority is being a person that I'm happy to be. I wear what I like - mostly M&S, Sainsburys Tu, Landsend and Next, to be frank, with the odd oddness thrown in. Emulation of others doesn't matter - I want to feel comfortable and not look a tit.
Behaviour-wise, what I care about is what comes out of my mouth (and fingers). I do drink. I'm rather partial to a good red, though like a decent ale or cider (though the latter is quite hard to come by) or some decent rum or vodka. Prosecco is fizzy shite and up there in disappointment with champagne, to be honest. Music is indy, rock, or classical or a bit of whatever else. Most important is that I enjoy it and don't want to break the radio in annoyance.