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Original poster

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
JoanHickson · 07/05/2015 13:44

I declined the slippers in the Italian house And went barefoot. They looked very well worn. Confused

everyvotecounts · 07/05/2015 14:07

oh i HATE that slipper thing! especially as they normally look shite (yes, well done, you've been to somewhere in National Geographic and bought something pointy toed and multicoloured).

TheSpottedZebra · 07/05/2015 14:12

ouryve I have no idea if your post was in jest. You can be taken as MC over the phone because you can grasp issues that require critical thinking? Can the plebs not do that? Right-o.

Want2bSupermum · 07/05/2015 14:14

We have velvet slippers that look like shoes. Regular visitors have their own and I sew in their initials. Guests ones are plain and come in black, dark red, dark green and dark blue. We buy them in bulk so they work out to be about $5 a pair.

Quite frankly I don't give two hoots about what class it is to have people wear slippers. We spent a fortune redoing our hardwood floors. We have rugs down too that are almost 200 years old. If you don't like don't visit. We can meet for coffee but you are buying as its your choice not to come into my home.

everyvotecounts · 07/05/2015 14:19

want2bsupermum would you let someone walk round barefoot or in their socks?

i don't actually mind taking my shoes off (i'd definitely ask if i was in a house and didn't know what their general protocol is - i think this pretty much is the norm socially now?) i just don't want to put the slippers on.

Want2bSupermum · 07/05/2015 14:35

Yeah of course they can walk around barefoot or in socks. A lot of people take the slippers though.

everyvotecounts · 07/05/2015 15:53

is the american "posh" look perceived differently want2besupermum (assuming because of the $ signs in yr post you're from there?)

i think of it as a bit more streamlined and minimalist than the UK.

Want2bSupermum · 07/05/2015 17:16

I do live in the US. Here it's a huge country and not as structured as the UK. In some parts of the country the home/ car / jewelry is very important while in other circles its your education and where we live its a bit of everything. Your DC taking part in activites is seen as a given. Being a SAHM is not seen as being a status symbol where we are. It's more of a 'oh what a shame you are not able to make enough to continue working' attitude. Obviously that changes depending where you are. There are many more women working with 2 or more DC compared to the UK.

hollyisalovelyname · 07/05/2015 18:35

Want2 where do you buy the slippers from ?

Want2bSupermum · 07/05/2015 18:42

Wholesale here in NYC. They also sell them on Amazon. I will look for the link.

Ionone · 07/05/2015 20:43

Surely the whole point of wooden floors is that you can do what the hell you like to them and they just age and weather? Why would they need protecting from shoes? We also have wooden floors (oak) and I wouldn't dream of telling people what they should wear to walk on them. It's just odd.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 07/05/2015 20:44

I wouldn't want people wearing heels on my oak floors !

squiz81 · 07/05/2015 21:10

Oh I really wouldn't want anyone wearing heels on my oak floor either. I don't think I'd actually ever ask anyone to remove their shoes though. Whenever we entertain my friends always remove their shoes without asking...we must all be very common Smile

Ionone · 07/05/2015 21:25

I think, on reflection, that I know very few people who wear towering heels even on special occasions. My friends are more of the Converse/ankle boots kind. So maybe that's partly why I think it's a bit odd.

hollyisalovelyname · 08/05/2015 09:57

Thank you Want2

lemonteaplease · 09/05/2015 14:07

Couldn't agree more with DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen !

lurkingaround · 09/05/2015 14:31

Totally agree with the DameD also!

But I remember as a teenager unearthing an old sign in our school that said 'no stilettos please' (for the wooden floors). We presumed it was for visiting parents. We thought it hilarious at the time. No sign of any artisanal slippers tho.. Not sure what class that makes me and my school (nor do I care) .

ofcabbagesandkings · 09/05/2015 15:04

Just a heads-up for those who were interested in Vertigo in relation to this thread - it's on BBC2 right now =)

lemonteaplease · 09/05/2015 16:37

lurking, we had similar rules at my school also. I find it quite funny this thread has moved from clothing / style to slippers in homes haha

ginorwine · 15/05/2015 18:52

Fab thread . ! It's inspired me to brush my hair more .sadly I will never make it as in my mind posh is associated with tall and willowy - a thing I could never ever be as I am more like hobbit in height .

Southwestwhippet · 15/05/2015 19:19

Hi OP,
I've been interested in your thread as I think in many ways I have the 'lifestyle' you are talking about but completely fail on the look. I own several horses (horses are my career), have chickens and a dog, enjoy going to country fairs, horse shows and point to points, am engaged to a farmer but I just don't seem to be able to achieve that effortlessly horsey, posh-country look many of my friends have.

Was thinking of you at Badminton Horse Trials though and looking at what people were wearing. The big thing seemed to be well fitted coloured trousers/jeans and country boots - preferably Dubarrys [drool] but Ariats and Dublins acceptable also. Trousers were all skinny and in colours like burgaNdy, pink and blue. No jumpers but loose fitting floaty tops with scarves and tweed coats which were either short and fitted or long over the hips. Tweed or faux-fur ear warmers also acceptable but no gloves. Hair either loose or roughly tied back, always long for younger girls. Makeup understated but radiant.

I failed as was wearing boot cut jeans over my yard boots and my work fleece which stank of horses and was decorated with hay (did have the faux-fur ear warmers though courtesy of my mum this Christmas) also thinsulate gloves and a massive jumper. I was super warm and cosy though Grin

I have been looking on eBay for some of the coloured skinny trousers though as I did think they looked good. Dubarrys sadly out of my league, think my OH would die of shock if I spent over £300 on a pair of glorified wellingtons

patsyintheworld · 28/08/2015 13:10

The style so many of you are describing in painful detail is only appealing if you improvise with it, to some extent, otherwise it is dull and dangerously close to being frumpy. It can be self-limiting and not very attractive. Mix in a tiny bit of conservative boho and you have given the classy (better word than "posh") look, some individuality.
I like tulle skirts, camel coats, tote bags - love a black nylon and fawn leather one by RL - deep black tights and pointed flats in a Sixties style. Uniqlo cardigans in fine merino or cotton and cashmere in black, dark grey and - to a lesser extent, navy - are staple. Freshwater pearls, preferably made by an artist/jeweller, are much less obvious than ordinary pearls. Though conventional pearls work well with a chunky wool sweater.

CainInThePunting · 29/08/2015 21:48

I'm afraid I've not read the (25page) thread other than the first page, I guessed where it might go but I think I get where you are coming from OP.
I did similar after a horrible period in my life where I wanted to almost reinvent myself to move on.
I'm still me, I've just changed the way I present 'me' to the world and it has helped me. It's like changing the furniture around in your house when you split up with an OH, clean slate and fresh start.
I suspect you've had some useful comments which will cover mine but here goes:
Find out if the stores you like have a personal shopper service; they should be able to identify items that look good on you and create the look you want.
Have a look a style magazines/websites and identify looks that appeal to you then find the items that make up that look.
As for the lifestyle it's got to depend on whether the events appeal to you. Are you at all interested in Polo for example? Or other horse related sports? That's a very narrow option.
Far better to find something that appeals and throw yourself into it. I started hill walking as I love the outdoors, so that is my 'lifestyle' now. You have to enjoy it to commit to it and be able to make it part of who you are.
Not that hill walking is a particularly 'middle class' hobby but it was what I wanted to do to change and get out of my rut. You can find your own thing.
Well, I hope my musings were of some use.
Good luck OP.

TeaAddict235 · 29/08/2015 22:20

Is this thread still going?
oh dear

TanteJeanne · 19/10/2016 21:37

I got my fab pearl earrings from Ocado - £6.99... delivered with the weekly shop..