Would you rather look 'cool' or 'expensive'

[FlyingSoloFlyingFree]

I've followed the cool thread and the many expensive/groomed threads with interest and come to the conclusion that I'd rather be thought of as cool although as a dumpy curvy middle-aged mum, sadly either is unlikely .

Which would you prefer and why?

I've decided on comfort. But I do rule out soft, padded buckled granny sandals. You do have to retain a little dignity.

I'd WAY rather look cool, and I actually think that often isn't expensive. A lot of people I've asked where they've bought (what I would consider) trendy outfits and accessories - lots are from charity shops and markets

Cool. Definitely!

Less like a bag lady, once I've achieved that then definitely cool

Expensive for me. Always dreamed of being one of those immaculately groomed ladies. Have a feeling I'm not going to get there any time soon. Too prone to doing the school run in pjs tracksuit and wet hair 🙄

I won't manage either but some of the the tips on 'how to look expensive' are more manageable for me-natural fabrics, simple hair and make up, clean shoes and so on.

Not sure there were any 'how to' tips on being cool, probably because the cool people are too cool to post top tips on being them.

My aim though is too look the best I can manage within my budget.

OldJo - I find the people who look most "cool" don't seem to follow tips - they always seem to just have their own unique style.

Definitely cool. I'm a bit shocked at how invested I've been in that thread. I'm clearly even more shallow and vacuous than I thought.

Cool too
In reality, frumpy middle aged mum who has no idea where to shop.

I'd far rather look cool, however, the way I look (bone structure, features, body shape) lends itself far more to looking classic so I aim for (and fail to reach) looking expensive.

I think you either are cool, or you are not. I'm not. My DC are not. I remember meeting one of DS1's friends for the first time; he was about 7 and he was cool. Now, as a teenager, even more so.
So, I'd go for expensive, but I'm not great at that either. I think I may just be a lost cause.

I'm more of a grungy-hippie-rock chick dresser, so I'll go for cool anytime. I've never looked expensively well groomed, and I've never wanted to.

I'm more of a grungy-hippie-rock chick dresser, so I'll go for cool anytime. I've never looked expensively well groomed, and I've never wanted to.

Cool. But I think you can make yourself look expensive and you just are cool. I'm neither.

I'm under no illusion that I'm cool but that's what I would choose to be. The groomed look isn't me and it's easy to do if you are interested and have the time and money but I'm not.

I don't really get people trying to ' look expensive ' and think it might be tied up with the whole English thing of trying to look like you belong to a slightly higher economic group than yourself. The cool people just 'are' I think. Either way, trying to be something you're really not doesn't really work. Wear what makes you happy. If I could I 'd go for cool but don't think I was born cool.

Cool. I'm drawn to grungy/rock/punky clothes which I think are more cool than expensive looking. My long hair doesn't do groomed and I love smoky eye makeup. Going to gigs and live bands is my main form of entertainment. I would find trying to look expensive a big effort and not sure I could carry it off well.

Expensive (which I fail at dreadfully)

I don't suit cool as I am not a cool person. But I do have a classic clothes look I think but I need to work on it

As far as I can see, looking expensive always takes either a lot of money or a lot of effort.

Since I can't be doing with either, I'm going to go for cool and hope that the fact that I ran out of fucks to give long ago carries me through.

Cool.

Expensive. I think cool is unrealistic for me - I'm not particularly drawn to cool, edgy clothes and don't think they'd suit me. Expensive isn't very specific though- I'd rather look expensive in a subtle, understated way. Can't stand the over-groomed, blingy look.

Expensive if I could.

IMO very few people can pull off the 'cool' look. Most just look random and thrown together.

Unfortunately even if I do buy expensive stuff I can't be bothered with all the grooming for long so revert back to English-badly-dressed!

Cool.
I think you either have it or you don't.
It's partly to do with being happy with yourself and not blindly following fashion or buying something because it's expensive.
Cool people always look comfortable. That doesn't mean they wear frumpy things.
They can often break the rules and are often the first to wear new styles.
They are the people who suit a tattoo whilst others look awful with them.

Bit of both.

I've always tried to dress with what suits me, you'd think being tall and skinny this would be simple.

It's not.

I try and dress 'well' but find it very hard as shops are either frumpy or trendy, I also have a real bug bear about tops not being long enough, I don't want a gap between jeans and hem.

Interestingly my DH is great at clothes shopping for me, he picks stuff I never would and it always looks good.

I certainly don't dress 'cool' but I wouldn't say I dress 'expensive' as that implies trying a bit too hard.