Caught sight of myself today- 36 and I dress like a fucking student. Help.

[ChippyDucks]

Was wearing bootcut jeans, converse, khaki tshirt and a navy parka.
I've got a good few casual-ish dresses pm have ordered a couple of pairs of ankle boots so I can wear them with tights, but can anyone find me some mid range to lower priced casual type blouses to go with my jeans? I need to look my age.
Work is a very prescribed black suit white shirt thing so need casual clothes to pull off the mid 30s not 22 look. Thanks!

[Julie0210]

I'm 49 next month and wear skinny jeans, converse or doc martens, even for work. In the winter I think it's easier to look smart/casual as can wear thick tights with a dress/skirt and ankle boots. Biker style jackets also look good with dresses and keep them less frumpy. I've just bought a velvet bomber jacket for £29 from Tesco, my 19 yr old dd was convinced it was from topshop. Personally I'd rather someone thought I looked up to date than smart

[flupcake]

Just following this thread with interest!

[greenishfingers]

I share your despair. I am mid 30s and was a (mature not trendy!) student before having kids. Didn't think I dressed too badly then but was a bit younger and used to war make-up and have the money to update. I'm now so pushed for time now, I didn't even get my summer clothes out of the loft til mid August.

My wardrobe is overflowing with drab, old clothes I never wear and I've resolved to have a clear out and an update for Autumn and winter this year. I have had my hair cut into a new style and bought a couple of new summer outfits in the sales before going on holiday and it made me feel so much better about myself.

I remember a thread last year where someone said they were on maternity leave and on a budget, and could people please recommend one or two basics that would be value for money and make them feel more up to date as they were totally out of touch with fashion. I bought Chelsea boots as a result (now binned - mended several times and totally worn out!) and they made me feel so much more stylish!

Anyone on here have suggestions for us of one or two changes that can make you feel you've updated your whole wardrobe?

Preferably that allow reuse of some of the usual items involved in jeans/converse look and are practical for looking after small children!

[EchoJuliet]

Argh don't know what mine is called? Quite beaten up with quilted sleeves? Xx

[ChippyDucks]

Right I've just bought a few jersey/ knitted dresses (fairly casual but more polished than what I currently wear) and my new ankle boots have arrived. I have also decided to stop tying my hair up in a topknot and had it trimmed into a nice graduated bob.
Just don't want to turn into a total scruff.....and I'm in danger of doing just that. Going to go through my clothes (of which there are many) and get all my really really casual clothes put by so I have to make an effort to get them out rather than them being the default that I automatically reach for every morning.
*disclaimer...I'm wearing jeans, converse, navy vest and checked shirt today

[wizzywig]

Just started a thread as im 40 and dress older. I want to dress as young as i feel.

[Toomanycats99]

I'm 43. I'm also a jeans trainers and hoody girl. I don't dress how I feel I should dress at my age - that casual but smart look. I think I have just accepted it's not me!

[Laquila]

Ooh EchoJuliet which All Saints jacket do you have? I'm dithering over their Cargo one at the mo...

[OlennasWimple]

Op, do you feel like you are dressing like a student, or like you did when you were a student?

[Mumstudentbum]

I'm 32 with three kids and in a student. I don't want to look like a student though and I'm in an I between, confused area at the moment. I want to look more polished and grown up but then throwing in skinny jeans, a tshirt and converse is so easy. I've even started filtering this look into my work wardrobe :(

Sorry I'm no help just thought I'd let you know I'm in the same boat lol.

[justpeachy74]

I'm 42 and you have described my look except that I did make a change from bootcut jeans.

I'm interested to see what advice you get ...

[faffalotty]

I.e wear what you want

[faffalotty]

I'm 47 and pretty scruffy. Couldn't give a fuck what anyone thinks or if I'm dressing 'my age'

[AstronautMikeDexter]

Office do great and really comfy brogues. They need rehealing every now and again but last well if you maintain them.

[Kikibanana86]

If you wear boot it's then you definitely are not dressing like a student lol its all skinny jeans and leggings with crop tops!

[elQuintoConyo]

I wear what i wear. Sometimes i look like a student, or a frazzled mum, or a teacher, or a commuter, or a late-night supermarket shopper, or sophisticated.

I don't own a hoody though, and never have! Are they warm?

[A1Sharon]

I think what you're wearing sounds great, but I think I know what you mean about taking it up a notch? You don't have to wear fitted dress and sky scraper heels to do that. But I think buying a few more expensive items can work.
Joules have 25% off at the minute. Keep your jeans, try a top like this, and I agree that a good leather biker or blazer would look more polished as a hoody but still as comfy.
You can still wear trainers but maybe invest in a more 'trendy" pair, like something from Ash. Still comfy but more polished.
I love these blazers from Warehouse, they lift any outfit, great for day or evening.

[Floisme]

What is 36 supposed to look like? or a student? I'm a part time student, a part time office based worker and I'm also 60. What do you think I should look like according to these mythical rules?

If you want to change your style because you're bored with it or because you don't think it suits you any more or because your lifestyle's changed then that's different and I'm all for it. But doing it because you've reached some arbitrary age and everyone else seems to be doing it so you think you'd better too .... it just seems a bit of a shame.

[bomfunk]

31 here - may-October I wear 3/4 jeans or denim short shorts with band t- shirts or plain/surfy ones, outfit completed with flip flops. The winter months - skinnies plus biker boots and hoodies or dresses and boots. That is my formula and has been since god knows when - and I'm sticking to it! Fuck it!

[bomfunk]

31 here - may-October I wear 3/4 jeans or denim short shorts with band t- shirts or plain/surfy ones, outfit completed with flip flops. The winter months - skinnies plus biker boots and hoodies or dresses and boots. That is my formula and has been since god knows when - and I'm sticking to it! Fuck it!

[Flisspaps]

Why do you need to look your age?

Why doesn't everyone just wear what they like rather than what they think they ought to wear?

[CallarMorvern]

I'm 46 and still dress like a student, I also wouldn't feel comfy 'dressing up', but I'm happy as I am. I do have a perfect black dress for posher outings, jeans for everything else.

[EchoJuliet]

I'm 40 and have no intention of dressing my age!! I'd agree with Laquila's 'rules'
A good leather jacket (mine is all saints) is great over loads of basic tee and jeans combos. And jersey bikers give a bit more of an edge than a cardigan and are more casual than a blazer. But Zara have a fab blazer with ruched sleeves in Ivory and black that go with everything! A few cool scarves and pieces of statement jewellery and your look will be updated in no time whilst still being able to wear the jeans and trainers you are comfy in :-)

[PNGirl]

No, but they were expensive and soft leather. I'd definitely recommend a try-on before buying.

[ChippyDucks]

Haha good one Ken and happy birthday for today! I don't know, I just feel a bit, for want of a more British word, daggy. I see mums at school who are the same age-ish as me and I feel like a child in comparison.
PN do the brogues not rub on your ankles? I fancy a pair but don't know how comfortable they would be.