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!

Try Zara for pencil skirts, blouses and blazers. Jones the Bootmaker for shoes and I think a Harris Tweed or Ness blazer is a must for an on-trend posh look without breaking the bank! I'm sure someone will be along to tell me I'm wrong but I think it looks great.

originalusernamefail I've had a look on Pinterest, but I can never seem to find people who have the style I'm after. Could you suggest some people to have a look at / follow on there?

What's your line of work? Is it customer facing, office based, or casual?

KiaOraOAotearoa Thank you for your input. For the jumpers, do you recommend V Neck / round neck?

And yes, what the done thing is, and conversation help would be appreciated. Since being ill, I've lost a lot of confidence, and not sure how to approach talking in public / around people. So that would help

Don't worry about the haters. I would say outdoorsy activities, perhaps to the park if you aren't near the country. Shirts from joules or Boden, straight leg jeans, classic shoe shapes and boots, fitted jackets in tweed, lightweight quilted jackets.

Lovewearingjeans Thank you for the kind words. I will try this, I do have a dog, although he's rather old (and on his last legs...) but will try get out over the park with the DC. Will also try search for the clothing suggested

Just be yourself OP. You won't feel comfortable having to put on a 'front' all the time.

Are friends/work colleagues living this lifestyle op?

Try Fat Face, they are similar and have regular 50% sales.

I understand what you mean by lifestyle and it can easily be seen on a shopping trip to the city. Go into Primark or eat at McDonalds and it's loud and bustling, people drop clothes on the floor and don't bother picking them up however wander down to Joules, Fat Face or eat some where like Carluccios and the atmosphere is different, it's quieter, more relaxed.

If your on a budget but want that sort of lifestyle, to mix with those sorts of people then go to museums, theatre, art exhibitions. All do free or cheaper events and good if you have DC as lots of activities to do.

LilQueenie I've recently moved, so I don't have any friends round here at the moment. I started my new job yet either, so I can't comment on that really?

Singleandproud How do you think I should go about meeting the types of people at such places? Like I've said earlier, I'm struggling with confidence, and not sure how to approach these kinds of things

Singleandproud Do you know when the next Fat Face sale is also? Thanks

Have you got children? Generally they work well as an icebreaker.

If not my local theatre has a friends thing where if you are going alone you can meet up in the bar before hand and chat.

If you go to things regularly then you become a face people will recognise and pass the time of day with and probably start chatting to you as you become more familiar.

OP- I think you are getting a really hard time because of the way you have worded question and because you are asking how to behave and what sort of activities you should do which strikes most people as strange.

I don't think you can make yourself 'posh' (silly word) if you are not. You will be much happier being yourself and working on your self confidence in other ways. Part of being happy surely is being true to yourself rather than trying to emulate others?

I do agree that making and effort to dress well and look after yourself is really good for your self confidence and a sensible thing to do if you have been unwell and are starting a new job where you want to create a good impression.

If you want to look stylish/ well dressed rather than 'posh' or 'middle classed' I would suggest simple plain basics and maintaining them well. Personally I don't find Joules, etc all that stylish.

Well fitting jeans in classic colours (black/ grey/ indigo)- worth trying on loads of pairs so that have jeans that fit really well.

Well fitting T shirts (ditto advice re trying on lots of styles and possibly colours too.

Silk shirts (Uniqlo has some reasonably priced ones on sale which could be good for casual or work)

Skirts and dresses- it depends on how old you are, your body shape and what suits you.

Better to have a few pairs of sandals and shoes that look smart and are well cared for than masses of cheap ones generally.

Buy a decent quality leather bag and some simple not too obvious accessories.

Get a good hair cut and make sure that your skin and nails are in good condition.

Fat face sales are every 3 months, if you sign up to their emails you'll know early.

What suits you? I look dreadful in round neck jumpers, but absolutely put together in boat neck ones. Have a look here, see if anything would suit you. I love their capes :)

Don't buy too many things though. And NEVER keep anything for 'best'. Ever! I have been doing the 33 items wardrobe for a while, it's been working quite well for me.

I never did eye shadow before, but I recently started, that might soften/brighten your face if you've been ill?

I am one of those people who would talk to homeless, police, elderly, teens, lawyers, gardeners and the Costa girl about anything! I don't mind. The trick is asking open questions, throwing a little humour into it. I am one of those people who goes to polo or cricket and candidly declare I gave no idea what's going on, do you mind explaining the rules to me? I've been known to reply to : do you follow the cricket with a : god, no, I'm here for the pimms and the gossip. Just relax, enjoy the experience.

My best friend is the world's best conversationalist, I've learnt so much from her! She makes you feel like you've got her entire atention, always pays compliments and is really funny. She taught me the open question 'trick'.
Don't overthink it. And don't do chip on the shoulder either. Nothing to do with preppy middle class either. People don't have the patience to lift you up where you're putting yourself down.

Advice on where to eat & how to act Very odd

ludovica Thank you for the suggestion. I am able to play sport at the moment, have been for a while now Do you think they would welcome beginners? I haven't played hockey since school, I don't want to look like a fool And yes, that would be ideal!

I second pinterest. I think for the look you want you could try 'made in Chelsea fashion' or 'preppy style' or similar? Pin everything you like then look through for things you've got lots of. I was suprised to find loads of plain clothing on my board, explains why I couldn't make an outfit from all my patterned clothes!

Hair, make up etc definitely help. Shaped eyebrows and a good haircut will be a good start. Nails short and a neutral colour. Natural looking make up and the right shade of foundation. I did the no 7 match thing but Lisa Eldridge has some good YouTube videos on choosing the right foundation and natural looks.

Sorry if I've repeated anything that's already been advised, I only glanced through :)

easternpromises I think people have completely taken my question out of context, which is upsetting to be honest, but there you go...

Thank you for the suggestions on clothing, I will add them to the list I've been writing haha

Your help is appreciated

OP, have you just moved 'down south' by any chance?

I'd say go for Boden; stripy long sleeves with padded gilet over the top. Brown leather knee boots. Classic white linen shirts, with dark denim jeans/denim shirt. Stick to navy/tan/white to begin with.

KiaOraOAotearoa I have no idea what suits me But thank you for the link, I will take a peek. I haven't been shopping since before I was ill, so I really need to update my wardrobe. My body has changed a lot since then, so will have to really spend some time looking at what would be best

The 33 item wardrobe sounds interesting, but I don't know if I could do it! I am incredibly guilty of 'keeping things for best'

Wow, I wish I could be that confident haha. I must ask... what is the open question trick?

Thank you for your help