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!

I think MN is probably going to shoot me down for even asking this (and I am a feminist really!!) but just wondering - have you fallen in love with someone in this "class" and want to get closer to them - or do you want a man (or a woman, indeed) from this "class"? Just intrigued.

No advice to offer as I went to Oxford desperately trying never to look like these people who, to me, seemed like clones. I know that's prejudiced of me but I prefer the individuality of other people.

Back then, several years ago, it was all about pashminas, but I suspect things have moved on...

NightLark I have just ordered a copy!

Ok here are my tips

No shoes or clothes with unnecessary studs, zips that don't do anything or multiple buckles etc.
Shoes should be simple and good quality.

Shops like white stuff make clothes with interesting prints, that's why they are distinctive. Search for interesting fabrics in other shops too but go for clothes made of cotton, wool, linen, cord and avoid cheap nylon a la primark/new look.

Accessories- go for a few good pieces that go with most things and be playful with your choice here. Don't over accessorise e.g wear earrings and necklace and bracelet and .... all at the same time.

Shoes and bags look better in brown leather rather than black but one doesn't replace the other- have both.

Don't show too much flesh! If you wear a short skirt, wear long sleeves. If you show cleavage, don't show legs.

Dang I'm good at this.

happybubblebrain Glad I can amuse you.. The things I'm growing drawn to and love,are those associated with this style. I'm just trying to figure it all out and make sense of it all, so I can change my current being (one which is associated prior to illness, and links to unhappy feelings) to one which will celebrate the new me, one which I hope will be increasingly happy, and full of good health

Lucy61 Thank you for your advice Lucy! I am currently looking for a nice brown leather bag, brown isn't a colour I usually go for bag wise!

This just has to be a wind up .

Stuck Ive had a major knock back and had really neglected myself. But last week, I decided to take action! I have been double cleansing and moisturising twice a day, including neck etc. Instead of going for a pedicure I bought Footner- look it up; better than any pedicure I've had. I bought some sea salt exfoliator and scrubbed my legs and arms for the nation. My hands were starting to look like they belonged to my nan so I've placed a moisturiser next to the bathroom and kitchen sinks and I use it each time I wash my hands. Also I pluck my eyebrows and blow dried my hair.

I looked at myself and I looked clean and fresh after all this. Not that I wasn't clean but it was like there was a grey shadow all over that has now lifted with a bit of tlc.

Not sure how I will keep it up but loved how I felt.

MissMuffetisin No, this is not a wind up. Please read the thread before you judge.

Ooh there's loads of people like this at my DSs school! As has been said you need thick shiny hair, good skin and subtle makeup , manicured but subtle colour nails, pearl studs, breton top with padded gillet on top, skinny jeans tucked into riding/knackered wellies and a brown Labrador. It's fine if everything has traces of dog/mud/field as you will have just been walking/checking the field for the weekends shooting etc. they talk LOUDLY and drive range rovers. Their kids are usually really naughty! Your kids must do loads of activities but at least rugby, cricket, tennis, piano, stagecoach. HTH Also they like sailing, Cornwall, country pubs and supper parties.

Good skin, good teeth, good hair, slim and toned.

You can't buy class but you can give it a damn good try!

If you're buying books, I recommend A Guide to Elegance for the clothes and Orchids on your Budget for the "lifestyle". Both very old, but timeless books, honestly. To an extent, the thrift book by India Knight.

Charity shops in the "posh" part of town tend to be cheaper (honestly!) and have a better selection of the type of clothes you're looking for. Also, any jumble sales/fayres in said areas (which tend to begin happening more at this time of year).

I second joining the WI if you can find one in your area. Or try to get involved in some way with a local charity you have an interest in - great ways to meet new people and to feel you are doing something of value.

And why is good hair. Skin and teeth indicative of middle class ? Are those on a working wage incapable of achieving this ?

What's your budget? I'm pretty sure I wear this kind of look all the time (perhaps the more lazy girl version though!) I'm 29 too btw :)

It's indicative of good diet, good products and spare time....

Queenofknickers Thank you for giving that insight. I definitely won't be really loud, nor will my DC really be naughty, too much like their mother (a quiet wall flower) although I'm working on it

Imagine if the OP had come on here wanting to look more working class? I can only imagine the responses on here. Everyone would assume that was a wind up. I still have my suspicions about this one.

This thread cannot be for real!

msrisotto Oooh, I don't mind paying extra for quality / something which I know will last for times to come. However, I refuse to pay say £70 for a dress which will fall apart within a few months and washes. Sorry the is vague but it's the only way of answering

Muffit They are too unhealthy on their diet of coke and crisps, innit? ;-)

I too find this thread very bizarre. I don't think the idea of trying to reinvent yourself after illness is unhealthy but it's the aspiration to look (seemingly) as though you come from a different background that strikes me as betraying a deep insecurity. I'm not judging this is just how this comes across to me.

For a while I want to be fat (I kid you not) because I am naturally stick thin and felt an ampler body would give me more authority, gravitas etc. (as some people might think being taller would). But I look back now on that aspiration and realize that really, I just needed to be happier "being me". It's a cliche but it's so true.

I guess if this whole project is just for fun, it's fine, but pretending to be something you're not can open you up for all sorts of trouble - not least from those who knew the "before" and "after" you such as the OPs DCs (presumably).

happybubblebrain I think you have misunderstood my question here, please read the thread. I can assure you this is not a joke, I am just aiming for a happier and healthier me, whilst attempting to take on a style ect that I love. Please do not be too quick to judge

MissMuffet - no, of course not. But, in a large crowd of well-off people, a far higher proportion radiate health & bien-être than in a crowd of less well off folks. Quality of diet, living conditions, working conditions, amount of leisure time & fresh air, stress levels and money for 'polish' all make a difference.

This is S&B so I won't get on my soap box. (My soap comes from Aldi )

I do a low-level reinvention project ever ten years or so. It's not the same as OP's but I don't see it as a particularly daft thing to do, more like making my outside match my inside as I change.

WhywouldIdothat No. The reason for this isn't that I've fallen in love / want to change. I'm happily married with 2 DC, just trying to get my life back on track

xposted with Queenofknickers there - YY, it all makes a difference that shouldn't exist!

It really doesn't matter what words you use to describe what you want. (I didn't grow up in the UK and was at first baffled by the term "middle class" to describe people from an affluent background, because until then I had considered myself middle class!) The important thing is that you have gotten through an illness and now have a new goal of being healthy and happy and expressing yourself. Life's too short to worry whether people think you're entitled by birth to wear brown knee boots.

I'd suggest that, if you need to ask, then it's not really you.