How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

Haven't read FB page (didn't even realise there was one!), and clearly most of the posters haven't read this. I think the name of the thread (as we have all agreed) is misleading and should be renamed: 'The search for chic: a thread supporting your fellow woman in the hunt for a bit of polish and sparkle despite the dust and grit of the daily grind...' Or something less wordy to that affect!

I think this thread has been a lovely, none- catty place to share chit chat and ideas, much like you would with friends. In fact, a lot of what I chat about with friends is the daily slog of adult life so this thread is a lovely, whimsical escape. As another poster said, I'm an educated, professional mother of four and I adore it all, but I'm certainly not going to be shamed for enjoying a fun fashion thread while chilling out on the bath enjoying a rare bit of me time. I'm really not interested in a mummy martyr trying to make me feel guilty that I like to thing about looking nice to feel good about myself. Anyhow, rant over.

Back to the style...

Had a wonderful shopping trip at weekend. Bought some fabulous fabrics (95% cotton, 100% silk etc) for under £20 in Gap, M&S, etc and some beautiful navy suede shoes from Nine West for a mere £19! The search for the perfect coat (well, on the look out for two actually-1 smart 1 casual ) contines. I bought all basics which has really opened up my wardrobe options as now have basic trousers/top that would match nearly everything else.

I realised that although I could spend a bit more, I'm still at phase where clothes easily get clicked/stained etc due to life with littles so don't want to spend £££ on things that, while the quality might mean they would last year's, my current lifestyle means they probably won't.

I've booked hair cut for next week and bought a nail buffer, eyebrow dye and some Sally Henson strengthening varnish with a teeny hint of pink. Bring on the grooming!

Excuse typos, on the phone, in the bath!

I bought a lovely slouchy V neck jumper today - in the men's department at Boundary Mills

I'm sick of sleeves shrinking even after a low temperature wash, and most women's jumpers that have a V neck or scoop neck are too low cut for me (I have no boobs ). This jumper ticks all the right boxes - the sleeves are too long, the V neck is quite high and it is a lovely colour. Unfortunately it is acrylic, but it is machine washable.

Thanks for the hot climate tips. ... gives me some things to work on. I have a trip planned to the local discounted outlet shop this week, having been inspired by this thread.

I was just going to ask about style tips for warmer climes. However it's a dry heat where i am with oven like heat hitting you from all angles.
You would think cotton and linen would be easy to find but it's polyester everywhere!

message for kiwimum
i would love to find a warm hat to wear that suits - often go on weekend walks with my family and my head is freezing! which shops are best and any best colour to go for?
thanks

Hi iloveoz, not sure where you're based, (Australia?) but it does depend on the climate - is it really cold where you are? I buy my cold weather gear from Kathmandu (a specialist shop for camping, tramping etc) it is a bit pricier, but the gear (thermals, gloves, wet weather gear) is really good quality, more merino rather than itchy wool.

If it is mild where you are, then it is fine to opt for cheaper brands - but I have found that polofleece makes my head sweat, and cheaper woolen hats have a lot more 'gaps' in between the knitted stitches which allows cold air in. Again, try merino wool if you can, which is a lot more comfortable and thinner, and allow less cold air in.

Colour - whatever you like! I'm quite boring (black hat, gloves etc) but if you prefer brighter colours, then go for it! (Can be helpful for finding you in a blizzard!)

Frizzy hair/humid weather - I have frizzy hair AND it's humid at the moment, so all you suffering (I feel your pain!) make sure you use a moisture-rich shampoo. I also found rinsing hair in cold water after washing can help.

Blatantly place-marking to read later with a brew

Just out of interest, we had a thread a few months ago from a poster who'd been to the races and was in awe of the glossiness of other female race-goers.

Is 'glossiness' the same as expensive, or is it somehow different?

I think of it as the same thing.

I'm assuming it wasn't Ascot ladies day she went to?

Wagglebees No, not Ascot.

As a woman in her thirties, I have to absolutely disagree with all the references to silk scarves. That is SUCH a middle aged thing!!! Unless the scarf is a huge giant one I guess.

Just wanted to give a big thanks to whoever mentioned the extra petite blog a few pages back. I'm really enjoying having a look through!!

I don't think I would ever have the patience to put that much effort into my outfits (sad but true), and sometimes her style doesn't quite mesh with mine, but the vast majority of the time I am LOVING how she dresses!!

I think it helps that she is so slim.

To be honest, even though it might be massively cruel and unfair, I think a huge part of looking elegant is either:

Being very slim

or

Being curvy, but with actual curves, not just a euphemism of fat.

being curvy with actual curves this is me, like a shorter version of Christina Hendricks (but legs not as good as hers), are there any fashion bloggers at all with this shape or all they all petite or tall and slim?

:) Also, ladies don't forget to deep condition your hair for the glossiness and exfoliate 2x a week.

Can anyone recommend a stylist blogger who is maybe top end high street but size 14 and 5"9 ☺️

The petite lady is fab but lots just wouldn't work on me

Well I'm also in my mid thirties and I love a silk scarf! Anything can be 'SUCH a middle aged thing!!!' it all depends on how it's worn.

Mitzy- how do you wear it? I put a square silk scarf on the other day and it aged me about 10 years. Would love to know how to wear it and look stylish.

Thanks to this thread I'm now looking at other women when I'm out , sizing them up for chic/glossy factor

The amount of money (and I really don't recognise most high end brands ) spent does not automatically mean glossy/classy I know.
(I did get very animated recognising a Mulberry Bayswater in Selfridges. DH was )

I am never going to look expensive (too much of a Bitchy Resting Faced Middle Aged Scruff Bag) but I'll settle for clean and cared for

DH bought me a square Hermès scarf for a birthday, and I never wear it, because I feel like it ages me by about 10 years. I'd love to get some wear out of it, so if anyone has any styling tips, it'd be great to hear them.

I wear a lot of scarves, by the way - it's just this square + silk one that I can't get to look right.

I don't wear scarves (maybe I should though I'm nearly 50 )

I have one of those M&S long with silver hearts type scarves that I like.

With a square scarf, do you need to make sure the name is on show?
I'd twist it into a rope a tie it under a shirt with open collar I suppose (not too David Essex that ?)

I'm 50 and never wear scarves and probably never will. They just do not suit me, they make me look frumpy. Dowager it could be that that Hermes scarf is just not you.
Some people they definitely do suit - e.g. - Mitzy
I don't know why. It's nothing to do with being young or old, or even how you wear it, necessarily.If it's not you it's not you.
That's why the OP posted the original question - it's all so personal. If it was a matter of "wear this, that or the other and you WILL look expensive/elegant/chic/glossy/whatever we want to call it, then everyone (who wanted to) would look expensive/elegant/chic/glossy/whatever we want to call it. And we wouldn't be on the second thread still discussing it!
IMO the secret is to KNOW what is "you" and go with that.

Dowager - I have a tkmaxx knock off square silk scarf which I bought 3 years ago and never wore because I couldn't work out how to wear it. But recently saw the American girl on the Apprentice (now hers are REAL!) and she wears them folded into wide lines then kind of draped round the outside of blazers. That works for me - and I get loads of compliments every time I wear it.

"Too look expensive?! Rather be rich in the heart and think of people who have NOTHING to live on rather having to show off! Respect the needies and provide the love and richness from the heart"

My god, pretentious, patronising bullshit!

I think clearly being slim is a huge help (never been that in my life!), perhaps having a confident manner also goes a long way too? Head up, shoulders back sort of thing?
Interestingly I deliberately wore today monochrome from head to toe and got several compliments yet I've done it before, wearing the same clothes, and nothing. Perhaps it's because since reading this thread I've started wearing makeup?

I love Hermes scarves, but I'd agree that they look great on some people, but don't suit everyone. I learned how to tie mine by following this blog:

Maitais picture book

Glossy hair tips:
Use GHDs straighteners to run through and tame flyaway hairs (use heat protecting spray first - just a couple of spritz will do!) . Or for added bounce, use Babyliss big hair curlers. Then add a few drops of this product 'No oil hair oil' to hair after styling or drying it with a hairdryer. It's way better than Argan oil etc. It's not too oily which would make your hair lanky but oily enough to give it shine.

I also spritz my hair with a little hair spray to deflect flyaway hair in the wind. Elnett gold spray can.