How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

Well I went to the village hairdresser to have the ends cut off my mane on the basis of this thread yesterday, so not all bags and shoes.

I am interested in how to look expensive if you are a big fat, pear-shaped, and like wearing jeans. This is my current first world problem.

bit fat
ONLY BIT FAT
Not big fat (yet)

Boffin my friend is pear shaped and she looks good in bootleg jeans with wedge heels - my idea of hell personally but she looks good! (I mean my idea of hell for ME and my body - don't mean to offend anyone)

I am a big fat, pear-shaped jean-wearer over 40.

I wear bootlegs - not massive flares, but I need something to balance the drumstick legs - and if I were to attempt skinnies they'd still be baggy below the knee despite cutting off the circulation to my thunderous powerful thighs.

Meh. Tess Daly can wear skinnies, personally I think there's nothing less stylish than shoe-horning yourself into "fashion" when it just doesn't suit.

I saw there was a bit of debate about black - it doesn't work for me unless it's for a night out and I've trowelled on the slap. For daytime wear it's simply draining, no matter how timeless it may be.

Navy and black is super-chic IMO.

One of the lead characters in Benidorm was wearing navy and black - she's the wife of the 'new family' (3rd episode just towards the end)

She had black skinnies and a floaty dark blue/navy top on. I remember thinking, those two colours look great together.

(never thought I would be quoting something 'expensive' looking from Benidorm)

I also liked Joyce Temple Savage's cream dress in this week's episode. Not everybody looks good in cream, but it really suited her.

The key I this is understated and well fitted.Buy best quality you can afford.I love buying good makes in charity shops always blue grey denim or striped.i brighten things up with a red t shirt or scarf a colour that suits my skin tone

I've loved these threads! Just finished catching up but you lot have inspired me to do a ruthless cull on my wardrobe and reorganise it so I can actually see what I've got instead of just wearing the same few things. I am on the lookout now for some other jeans (only have skinnies at the moment, despite not being skinny myself). Incidentally, I wear them with long tops or tunics and I think they look good. Perhaps I am deluded!

I do a lot of dog walking and I think these boots look great and are really comfortable, waterproof and practical. I also wear them around town (I just wipe the mud off). Any thought?

Blunnies are the classic Australian boots! Expensive on Toast though.

Good quality bag and shoes make the difference.

I wear my Blundstone boots loads, they are so comfortable and I love the shape. I love to wear them with skinny jeans, cocoon coat and cashmere polo neck but trying to look expensive is not really my thing - don't know why I keep reading these threads.

I would always wear black shoes with a navy dress or trousers (unless I what I am wearing looks better with my navy heels). I like navy and brown/tan as a combination, but some of my client meetings are in very traditional settings and there is still a bit of a 'no brown in town' rule. Whilst that wouldn't extend as far as a woman not being able to wear a brown suit/dress (different 'rule' for blokes!), brown shoes might raise an eyebrow.

I am extremely excited as I have a new job! Utterly terrified and just in process of signing contracts now. Really looking forward to it in an OMG what the fuck am I doing kind of way

I have decided that I am going to take the opportunity of a fresh start to really up my game in terms of work-wear. I dress reasonably smartly now - not suits but certainly formal. However I am going to apply 'Dress for the job you want, not the job you've got' which will be easier in a new office where there is nobody to start commenting about a change in style! I have this which has just arrived and looks really good when on. P8 dresses work quite well for me - I've got another one on the way (via eBay but which was BNWT).

Where else can I try for good quality work dresses? I don't suit traditional suits because the jackets never sit properly on me (wide back and big norks) but boyfriend type jackets do work well - I got this from Wallis, but I think the zips make it a bit too casual for what I'm aiming for in the future.

I have some weight still to lose (3st off, 3 to go), so I don't want to spend an absolute fortune on investment pieces when they won't be (hopefully) suitable for me in a couple of years' time. However I know I do need to spend a reasonable amount in order to get something relatively decent quality - the lining and tailoring and heavier fabric that works better for me!

Higge I actually think that is a really good look, it's how I wear mine too! I think an "expensive" (or chic or pulled together or whatever people prefer to say) look is quietly understated and appropriate for whatever you are doing. Your outfit sounds like that and that is certainly what I aim for. I'd say the cashmere elevates it from humdrum to chic

Congratulations on the new job Joise, that's very exciting, and on the weightloss, bloody well done. That P8 dress is gorgeous, very smart. I am out of the loop on workwear as I am SAHM now but what about Cos? This blazer would be helpful while you keep losing weight as can be belted looser or a little tighter.....

Oooh yes, that's rather nice. Thank you.

Am crapping myself at the new job, the bloody restrictive covenants are longer than the rest of the contract put together!! Hey ho, onwards and upwards!

One of the things I have been looking for is nice lace top vests - for jumpers or tops where the v might be a bit low. I have found some from Curvissa which was unexpected.

Took a chance and ordered a couple and they are really nice - the pics really don't do them justice; they aren't baggy and the lace looks far nicer IRL. They are lace trimmed at the bottom so ideal for those awkward tops which would otherwise feel a bit short. Designers seem to assume that everyone is either a size 8 with a tummy tuck, or a teenager with abs of steel. Since I have neither, I need the extra help

Ooooh, love those lace vests, am going to order one or two, perfect for smoothing me out!

Jolse, your new office dress is gorgeous and the vests are a real find!
Congrats on what sounds like a high-powered job :) Go get 'em!

Minty I always wear cashmere or Merino - any other fabric is either pointless(not warm) or itchy...so it doesn't feel special or particularly chic. Mostly when I'm dog walking we go off road and I wear wellies and a massive Arctic Parka - I look like an Eskimo, but I'm often trudging through ankle high mud and getting jumped on by other dogs, you quickly learn to dress for the occasion.

M&S are selling Fuller bust white shirts at the moment with no peep technology (hidden button) , they have a good stretch, good fit, good price and the buttons are covered. I love white shirts but they don't stay white for long!
www.marksandspencer.com/no-peep-easy-to-iron-fuller-bust-shirt/p/p22427936#bvHeader

JolseBaby Good luck in the new job - absolutely agree with dressing for the job you want.

Have you tried Me+em jolsie their fabrics ar v. Good quality. They have some pretty out there styles but some good classics too. Worth a look in their sale section... Will link when I get to laptop.

smart dress
lovely shirt
neat top
nice jacket
smart dress
They have a shop near Edgeware Road if you need to try anything on...

This is sort of self promotion, but on the subject of neutrals I just wrote a blog post for another company about the importance of neutrals in colour analysis, and I thought some of the seasonal neutrals boards might offer some inspiration, particularly in terms of taupes, black and navy etc. I think there is an associated Pinterest board too. Feel free to report if this isn't welcome .

What do people think about longchamp totes? Thinking navy/ olive green. Would be worn casual when out in park with kids etc.

is toe cleavage always bad?

my Uterque shoes have arrived and are really comfortable plus I like them.... but, toe cleavage!!!

Methenyou the Longchamp tote, Le Pliage? Is pretty ubiquitous but saying that I love my large black one. I work part time with a casual dress code and therefore don't need a super expensive bag and that one fits the bill.

A few French mums at dc school carry the small tote ones on the sr but I use the backpack one for the sr like this: Longchamps Le Pliage backpack ideal if you need to be hands free.

I saw a very striking middle aged lady the other day. She was slim, and had grey hair in a pixie cut. She was wearing form-fitting dark jeans and a dark jacket - in maybe leather or suede, with cobalt blue converse and an oversized scarf wrapped round her neck in the same shade. I couldn't take my eyes off her. As some else said - her outfit was a 'story', it all went together so well and complemented her.

I saw this tan leather bag at TXMaxx - does this qualify for the 'expensive' look? (For work.) www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-womens-new-in/almond-tan-leather-hobo-bag/invt/11344837 (I can't stand anything too structured, my bags usually have 'slouchy' or 'hobo' in the description!)