I don't want to look expensive thread. I like colour, prints and comfortable quirky stuff.

[NevermetaGilesIlike]

Thought I'd start a thread for anyone who finds capsule wardrobes in muted tones tedious as feck.

Ditto little diamond studs and designer bags with glossy bobs.

I personally admire the style of Alys Fowler and Helena Bonham-Carter.

Also love a bit of Gudrun/Lagenlook and other cheerful offerings.

A successful charity shop rummage is a joy to behold. I like messy hair, well -loved clothes and making my own stuff too.

Anyone else?

Tanaqui heres the link for them www.etsy.com/uk/shop/themakingboutique

Random Id love to be able to sew and make things but I'm clueless when it comes to that sorta thing. I can patch up rips and shorten/take in trousers for ridiculously skinny DS2 by hand sewing. Thats it really. Nothing with a machine.

I'm enjoying reading this thread. While I'm more "classic" I don't like threads titled "how to look expensive". I'm uncomfortable with that being the aim. Most of my friends aren't into clothes but one of my dear friends has fabulous eclectic taste and would be at home on this thread. I'm always admiring something about her outfits!

This is me glamming it up! I do love a nice corset...

AaaaHHH! This is my home! Will never loook expensive. I am kinda punky. I used to live in black but now I celebrate colour! I do sometimes wear (fake) pearls but in an ironic way! I don't mind pencil skirts but cannot wear them (apple shape). I certainly prefer colour on my nails to natural. Tend not to wear beige and hate that menopause pink colour (another mumsnetter refers to it as elastoplast pink!).

I really love the look of Helena Bonham Cater and Bjork in her many guises. Neither of them shrink away in beige, do they?

I feel that I sort of belong here, though not as stylish or brave as some of you! After years of being hideously overweight (size 28!) And only being able to wear what fitted, as opposed to what I would like to wear, I have lost 5 stone and am now a 16 (still losing) and feel like I am finding myself, finally. But, at 46 it's tricky. I love Kidstonesque style (which is probably a bit meh to you all) but I also love stuff that is a bit more edgy.I can't do classy or polished, or even "normal". I know that I look "different" ( could be code for awful!) And I constantly get told that something is very "me" (though I can't figure out if that is good or bad!). My current favourite thing is a pair of bright red Fly lace up top of calf high boots which I wear with everything..I feel like a goddess wearing them! Though I am sure I look like hell Lol. Any advice gratefully recieved.

Deathray menopause pink

I think the trouble with trying to look 'expensive' is that it changes something that should be fun into a chore. Fashion is best when it's joyful, and the expensive threads seem like a lot of work (dyeing hair, blowdrying hair, wearing makeup every day, having manicures and pedicures all the time, defuzzing regularly etc etc). There's a world of difference between having mad makeup and hair for a night out (fun and joyful) and feeling like you can't leave your house for the school run until you've done your face and hair (oppression). This thread is the sane thread, as long as that doesn't exclude my expensive shoe collection (expensive because I've got so damn many of them).

Yes Count it would be so boring if everyone followed the same rules.I love to see how people put different outfits together not everyone wearing a uniform. It's all a bit Stepford to me.

I agree with you, Count. My own style is quite understated these days (although I still like to give it a twist) but the expensive threads came across as too dictatorial for me, although they may have loosened up since the first one. And like you, I find the emphasis on daily grooming quite exhausting and rather joyless. This stuff is supposed to be fun!

But it clearly suits some people which is fine.

Now please tell us more about your shoes

'Fashion is best when it's joyful, and the expensive threads seem like a lot of work (dyeing hair, blowdrying hair, wearing makeup every day, having manicures and pedicures all the time, defuzzing regularly etc etc).'

And maybe that gives them joy...

Yes of course. Some people enjoy that stuff and some don't. The ones who don't wandered off.

I wandered off the first of those threads because my contribution got shot down

Yes I think the tone was set on the original thread where, if I remember correctly, there were one or two rather opinionated posts. I can be opinionated myself so I hope I can say that without giving offence There wasn't much room for dissent and a very particular look came out of it, which can be great but which wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

But S&B is vast and there's room for room for everyone.

room for everyone.

I am hankering for a pair of these.... has anyone bought Oxygen boots? If so are they comfortable?

My people! I don't wear colour (apart from the v odd splash of v bright pink or somesuch) but I will never look 'expensive'. Even if I put a £££ item of clothing on, I still manage to make it look like it's been dragged through a hedge backwards. I aspire to Audrey Hepburn but tend to look far more Bonham Carter - am too lazy/ugly/tight to look groomed, beautiful or 'expensive'.

Like these too....

Has anyone else cracked open their flares/bootcut/slouchy rolled up jeans recently?
Oh! The RELIEF after an age of skinnies. I have seen increasing amounts of people wearing them this month with converse and I have to say I'd forgotten how good they can look.

I'm lusting after these boots at the moment. Shoes are my absolute weakness

I love those imthelastsplash. I used to own a pair in a similar style but in boring, utilitarian brown.

Cant help on the jeans front. I think Id have to be surgically removed from my skinnies. But i prefer the orange boots.

Anyhow I saw this and thought of this thread www.instagram.com/p/BS5ot7Ujknm/

Room for room for everyone suggest we might have the space, but no entry without gel nails and a mumsnwt scarf!

Seriously thought I do like s and b, and I always think there are lots of different styles and budgets discussed.

I've been wearing flares! Dark denim with a frayed hem and grey supergas- with a roll neck and tank top when it was still cold, and looking forward to wearing with a vest when warmer- I don't think I can rock them with a jumper (though do rec me one if you can think what would look good!)- I'm aiming for a 70s vibe.

I love shoes and boots, I've probably got about 50 pairs! Love Edwardian ankle boots, thigh length boots, wish i could afford to get hand made shoes and boots! Like Irresistible Choice, they're so wacky!

Imthelastsplash Fly boots are incredibly comfortable, you won't regret buying them.

I used to have a style like this. Then I accidentally got lost in frump town. So I'm taking notes!!

I love all my Fly boots but they are not at all waterproof!

Tanaqui, I did read that right after spending a lot of money (for me) on a pair. Tentatively though, with liberal application of waterproofing spray, the style I have have been ok so far.