Recommend a fashion blog/site for 40+ yo?

[TartyTart]

I have lost my fashion mojo.

Boots (ankle, knee), jeans (boot, skinnies), knitwear (chunky, cashmere) etc... I am paralysed with indecision.

Just seeing some pics of normal people might help get me out of this rut.

I came on to say SusieSoSo too. She is refreshingly down to earth and shops on the high street.

SusieSoSo

The sameyness is a difficult issue, a part of it is that bloggers need to get paid AND that fashion trends are a bit samey. I feel comfortable with my personal style and am actually turning to blogs to see what are the items that will make my outfits look current. Right now some of my storaged items are back in fashion - I am going to wear a pinstripe jacket from the 1990s with pale denim.

Midlifechic I pinned some looks from your blog that I liked and that would suit my lifestyle here and here are some other inspiration pics that I pinned for myself. Public criticism is tough and I am very sorry if this thread has gotten too personal. I think you look great and I really value authenticity. Many of us here really like you and your looks and would like to see more of your everyday picks!

I've caught up this morning and taken the constructive criticism in the spirit that it is intended. I instantly know which outfits you're referring to and can see your point. The thing is that I'm a normal woman - I can't afford to buy new clothes continually for my blog. So I have accepted offers of clothes occasionally this season but you're right mrsrhodgilbert, it does often make me feel uncomfortable and I always declare it when I do - so at least you know. It's the same way magazines work, I often borrow something and then send it back and yet nobody seems to be as irritated when the glossies do it,
Some of the comments on here have been helpful. My personal style may be too conservative for some people but not for others. There are enough blogs for everyone, I suppose it's just a case of looking around until you find your tribe.The great thing about being women over 40 is that we can choose for ourselves. No-one needs to be told what they should and shouldn't wear any more - who wants to be a clone? I'm really proud of the community of women that I've built up, so many of my readers have become my friends. Maybe we're not the coolest but that's fine by me.

Another MidlifeChic fan here, though lately I have been more drawn to her lovely, intelligent writing style than some of the more monetised, formal outfits. mrsrhod sums it up for me - she (midlife) is much, much more grown up than me. Still really look forward to her blog though and it is the only one I have continued to follow so please don't be too dispirited by some of the comments on here.

Thanks MyDogIsNicerThanYourDog - wow I don't feel grown up but then I am 50 next year (she says with a wince) and with the amount of stuff life has thrown at me over the years I guess it has happened by stealth! Anyway thanks again to everyone for the constructive feedback, it's given me lots to think about.

I don't follow bloggers any more but was so intrigued by all the 'dressing like you're 60' comments that I popped over for a look at Midlifechic. Her style isn't mine but that doesn't mean I can't admire it or that she doesn't look good. The piece about her son going to university really struck a chord.

I've never understood this dressing for your age business. Of course your body and your looks change over time and different things suit you but we don't all change in the same way and we don't all have the same tastes or the same lifestyle. We share a preference for sleeves, longer hemlines and better fabrics and that's about it.

Midlife chic, you are very gracious about criticism even though none of us like to be criticised. I think many of us see something individual in your blog, coupled with your hugely readable written style, and feel something is getting a bit lost in the monetised posts. So being leapt on in this way is actually a compliment! Your everyday outfits are good, where you don't always buy something new but provide links to similar items available. I think you put outfits together that look much more stylish than when your sponsors dress you. The sponsored kettlewell post was exactly this. You didn't look like you. Anyway, hard as it is to read, pull-no-punches feedback from readers who enjoy your blog is potentially very useful information!

I am a big fan of midlifechic and really enjoy her blog. As others have pointed out, it's the human element which makes her stand out from the rest, coupled with a really engaging writing style.

I personally don't expect to love everything that a blogger recommends or wears herself, although I have bought many things midlifechic has worn.

I'm 52 and don't consider myself frumpy, however I work in a corporate environment and have always been a classic dresser, even when I was younger .

You have been brave coming on here midlifechic and responding so constructively, it must be very hard to read some of these comments and not be upset, however you'll never please everyone.

I'm with you on the better fabrics floisme, it is so disappointing to find something that looks lovely only to find it's made from the polyester. A month after my 50th I was diagnosed with the dreaded breast cancer and am now braving my way through menopausal and medication inducing sweats with no assistance allowed. I need natural fibres.

I don't think I have a tribe as such, I can be in a tweed jacket and white shirt one day and a biker jacket and boots the next. Having had a lot of time resting recently I have discovered fashion blogs and I think my personal circumstances have made me incline more towards capsule, good quality pieces that can be worn many ways. When life throws tough stuff at you it fantastic to be able to indulge in something that completely takes your mind off things and read about other people and their experiences.

Midlife, I think you've been very brave to come on here, I'm intrigued about how you discovered this thread? But I'll continue to follow you and empathise with you and your student, I have my own, never a dull moment!

That sounds tough mrs. All the very best. I own a biker jacket and a tweed jacket too and I love them both. Say no to rules!

..... I am also 52 but I don't own either a biker jacket or a tweed jacket. Just desperately wish I did!

...... and mrsrhod

Firstly mrsrhodgilbert what an awful year you've had. Stories like yours are the ones that teach us not to whinge on about being 50. If that is all we have to worry about we are very fortunate. I am sending you a virtual hug and making a mental note to keep on looking for natural fibres in the hope that you keep on reading my blog and I might be able to help in a practical way.
So - how did I know about the thread? All bloggers know when Mumsnet is talking about them. You see a sudden spike in your analytics directly from the site and you know that it is either going to be good or bad.
The advice from the blogging community is to ignore it, that it will be a "bunch of bitter women who have nothing better to do." However as I spent a lot of years working on magazines, I know that independent feedback is invaluable. Once you have got past the intentionally cruel comments you find unbiased thinking that you should weigh up.
There are two types of blogs - those that write for readers and those that write for brands. There is nothing wrong with either approach but it is important to me to be the former so I need to listen to what you are all saying. I can see what you are telling me. As I said, I know instinctively which posts you are referring to and I have taken it on board. Once the bruises heal from some of the earlier comments I will be glad that I came on here for an open and frank conversation!

Sorry, didn't mean to derail the thread but thank you all. Midlife, apart from some early cruel comments I think you've got a pretty strong readership just from the few posters here, who are willing you to have the courage to become more independent again. I can appreciate the financial aspect, but finding different ways of putting together what you already own is what most of us do everyday. I buy carefully now and always think how it will fit into my style(s). Having said that I do like to read about your work with various retailers and how you feel about what's coming up.

I've just had a look at your Pinterest and I like what you were wearing and pinning a year ago that's not to say you should go back to that, your life, your style. If you do find lovely things in natural fibres I'm sure I'm not the only one who would find this useful. I find your posts much more honest than the very sponsored ones, especially the ones who seem to drop very heavy hints to retailers about their current wish lists.

Keep blogging, I'll definitely keep reading and I hope this unexpected feedback this weekend hasn't upset you too much and shows you do have a lot of support.

I am really pleased you have come on here to have your say Midlife - as I said upthread, I am a fan and I have bought things you have reviewed and been pleased with them so I do "trust" you. Where we part company though are the blogs that are too monetised, sponsored........ When I say "grown up" it is not an insult, just an observation that you are always "pulled together" and I am more of a "pulled through a hedge" person 😊.

Midlifechic I may not share your style but I love your honesty and openness and those are the reasons why I read your blog despite finding it very 'grown-up'.

I found fashion blogs about 2 years ago when I lost 4 stone through ill health and suddenly had no idea what to wear or how to dress now I wasn't as overweight. They have been really useful for helping me to think about my style after not really having any criteria other than can I fit into it. Recently I've stopped looking at a lot of them because as others have already said, most bloggers are writing about the same things and this makes them very dull and I hate feeling manipulated.

I would love more posts where people reuse clothes and put together new looks with them. This is far truer to my life than constantly buying np complete new outfits.

I follow lots of bloggers on IG. If I'm honest, I'm less bothered about reading the blogs.
It's a shame when women knock each other down rather than building each other up.
Me and my friends all have different tastes in clothes. It would be a boring world of we all liked the same and wore the same.
Equally though fashion bloggers who dismiss comments on Mumsnet do need to exercise some caution as this is a market I guess they try and appeal to!

Shamelessly place marking so I can have a look at all the blogs when I have time!

I do think it comes through on a blog when the author is dressing not to please herself, but for a brand iyswim

I agree that it comes through when a blogger is dressing to please themselves versus to push a brand. I have a style blog (not fashion, I don't wear much that is super 'on trend'... so, no ruffled tops, no cutout shoulders, no ripped jeans, no Chloe Susanna boots :-) ) but I wear what makes me happy. It isn't for everyone, but it is for me, and I love 'statement dressing' TheSequinist Do I do sponsored posts? Sure, very occasionally, but not for anything that I don't genuinely love and wear.

I personally love reading Midlifechic because not only is it beautifully written, her analysis is very VERY well researched and thought out (the recent high street cashmere post, for example. Or the Coolsculpting, or any of the skincare posts). Her style is completely different to mine, but I still learn a lot and get inspiration from her blog. She is writing what works for her and what she believes will benefit her readers. She's also a friend which is why I wanted to say my .02!

Another midlifechic fan popping by to lend support....I read this yesterday but didn't have time to post.

I love the fact that she always looks polished, neat and coordinated. So what if she doesn't wear cutting-edge trends - who cares? A fashion blogger can never be all things to all people. She likes classic, chic clothes, has a good eye for colour and cut, and some great shoes. Maybe there have been too many formal dresses on the blog recently, but I'd have far less respect for her if she suddenly showed up in ripped jeans and a peasant blouse which I know wouldn't be "her". I also find blogs showing work-wear are few and far between.

I am exactly the same age as her, also with three teens, and like her have wrestled with work-life balance over the last few years, so the blog is always going to appeal to me. I wish my house was as nice, though Many fashion bloggers can't write for toffee, so I appreciate her beautifully composed and presented posts amidst a sea of bad prose and superfluous apostrophes.

Midlifechic - I hope you aren't discouraged because of a few thoughtless comments from people who really aren't your target audience anyway....please keep blogging.

Can I just put out a general request to any bloggers reading - enough with the pleather leggings!

Always with the blasted pleather leggings.....

Midlife- I think it was brave of you to come on here and enter the discussion. It has shown that your blog has lots of admirers and the constructive comments arise because of people's support.

Tastes vary but the most important thing is for your readers to see you being true to yourself and your style.

cointreau has summed up my feelings for midlifechic far better than I could. I cannot understand anyone who would come on here or anywhere else to be mean to a blogger. Just don't bloody read it if it doesn't chime with you /suit your style. I increasingly despair of people making anonymous online comments that they would never dare make to someone face to face. Manners ladies.

Another Midlife fan popping up.

I am a bit younger than her but I love her posts - very well thought out and well researched posts some of which are also inspiring.

I don't do high heels (especially in cold weather!) and smart dresses but she has brought my notice to brands like Hush, Uniqlo's Ines de la Fressange range etc.