50 - and lost my way. Help!!

[stringbean]

I've just turned 50 - which is hard enough (don't feel it, don't think I look it either) - have returned from holiday and looked at my wardrobe. It's full of stuff from years ago and I don't know how to go about updating it. My job is a combination of working from home and travel/visiting sites around the UK, so workwear needs to be smart-ish (but not suits/corporate - more trousers & cardi or jersey jacket, which is what I wear - but it's dull). At home I'm in a rut of jeans and boots in winter - also dull.

I'd love to wear skirts a bit more at home, and dresses for work, but just don't know where to start, and never know what shoes/tights to wear. Ideally I need something flat as it's more practical, especially for work, as I'm often on my feet. I probably have enough clothes, but don't know how to put outfits together or 'accessorise', whatever that means.

I'm 5'8, size 12 and have short hair, so feminine flouncy stuff and strong patterns looks completely wrong on me. I'm pretty low maintenance - never really got the hang of make-up so mostly don't bother. I'm just overwhelmed by the choice out there, the blogs where people seem to have so much money (and time! where the hell do they get the time to shop so much???). I'd like to go into one shop where there isn't much choice where I can get help to put a few outfits together and incorporate other bits of my wardrobe. I'm happy to pay a bit more for quality but bitterly resent being charged £100 for a polyester shirt. Anyone else feel like this, or know where to start?? Many thanks if you've read this far!!

FinallyHere, I've been doing click and collect for a while, but didn't think of ordering something in different colours - that's a good idea!

I'm on the lookout for a black, silky, lightweight, hooded parka after one whizzed past me this morning on a school mum. M&S will be my first online stop!

Hmm, maybe I need to go back to M&S. I lived near the one in Marble Arch when I was in my early 20s and bought a lot of clothes there at the time. They had some really fab stuff in those days.

Bumblebzz, I've been thinking exactly the same about a leather biker jacket and wondering if I should just go for it? Saw someone on the train this morning wearing one over a dress and thought how versatile it would be (trying to convince self ). Have been given John Lewis vouchers for my birthday which would go a long way towards one. In the spirit of buying better quality and fewer things, I think it's that or a nice handbag.

I live in my (brown) leather jacket. I like to think it makes my chino type jeans a bit smarter and a frock a bit more casual. Brilliant.

MLC2017 - I've looked at Boden for summer dresses (invariably draw a blank) but never tried any winter dresses, although I think some of them are quite nice (provided no loud colours/prints). BUT I come back to the eternal question of what shoes/tights to wear. I'm on my feet a lot, travelling on trains & planes so really need something I can walk a fair distance in without causing permanent damage. I often wear brogues, but they just look a bit frumpy when teamed with a dress. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Good luck with the new job/career Spanglemum - I'm very impressed with your plans to cycle to work. Onwards & upwards!

i wear trainers outside the offiice and change into heels indoors.
Doesn't really solve the problem I guess, ideally you want stylish yet comfortable shoes... unless you go edgy and get trendy trainers to wear with a skirt. Not an option where I work (formal/City). But surely would be fine for media and more creative industries

jelly sorry it's just a pic from Pinterest no supplier was mentioned

string I like Fly London wedges for work as I can walk miles in them or a wedge ankle boot - basically anything with a wedge!

Reluctantly - I suppose one's daily environment does make a difference to a wardrobe.

It took me years to slough off my no longer needed City suits. Still experimenting with exactly how to dress for a more informal (edging towards decadent) city life. My main thought, recently, has been "will this look ridiculous on the Tube?" And, actually, the people who look out of step waiting on the platform are the too-beautifully-groomed in four inch stilettos. This year, anything except trainers (and dishevelled minimalism*!) has looked frumpy. At any age, with anything.

*My dressing is becoming decadent, lifestyle not so much ...

Stylish yet comfortable shoes - surely an oxymoron if ever there was one . Sadly, I don't think trainers will cut it. I don't work in a media/creative industry and am partly representing clients when I go out on site visits, so need to look professional.

I agree Gruach - I seldom see anyone on the tube in stilettos, and always think how out of place they look on the odd occasion when I do. Lots of women wearing trainers and, I suspect, changing at the office, but it's not really an option for me, both for reasons of space and practicality.

How about knee high boots? Must be possible to get comfy yet still good looking leather boots...

I second knee high boots as smart Autumn/ Winter (and maybe Spring!) work footwear!

A few years ago I must have tried on 30 pairs until I found the perfect boots in Russell & Bromley. I now have a brown and a black pair that have about an inch heel but hug the leg, so give the impression of a higher heel while being really comfortable.

They look almost new still and have had a lot of wear so it really was worth spending the extra money. The shop tends to keep the same styles each year so they don't feel dated either.

I wear mine with skirts, dresses and smart, tight black trousers tucked in.

Emboldened by your thread, stringbean I had a conversation about the oxymoron that is stylish but comfortable shoes at work this morning. Surrounded by techies, all of whom claimed to not have noticed how uncomfortable high heels must be.

A few of the braver ones claimed that 'women say they are comfortable'. Sigh.

Reader, I may have ranted.

I wear flat black patent loafers from M&S and Hotter. With opaques in autumn and winter, and flesh coloured sheer tights in summer. Also in winter knee high boots, black, flat. I also have a mushroom coloured pair with a bit of a block heel.

Boots are necessary for stomping round London when it's raining. Flats are vital for the tube, can't be doing with heels on all those steps.

OutToGetYou - can you link to your M&S loafers? I fancy a pair but the ones I like aren't leather and I wonder how comfortable they would be.

These are the ones I have: www.marksandspencer.com/tassle-loafer-shoes-with-insolia-flex/p/p22467186?image=SD_01_T02_7453_Y1_X_EC_90&color=BLACKPATENT&prevPage=plp

Not leather. Patent is your friend in the rain though!

They do some others, some with a thicker sole and some with heels.

The Hotter ones are suede, I wear them a lot less!

My colleague wears same but from Dune I think. Everyone seems to wear tassled, flat, patent loafers in London.

Thanks. Are they comfortable?

I like those brogues....I also have a Quidco payout on its way in the form of M & S vouchers so might get some. I have also decided to get a couple of jersey dresses (Boden style) to do with thick tights and either brogues or boots as they always look so comfy as well as dressy.

Btw- if anyone wants jeans, the M&S slim boot (note, not boot, not slim but slim-boot) are the best ever- lift your bum up, don't do that silly flare thing at the bottom, but don't look mumsy either. Very very flattering. I picked up some in blue last spring and have just ordered more, and grabbed a black pair from ebay. Feel really good in them.

Oh yes, and I have tricky feet which is why I only really wear flats. I walk about a mile a day on my commutes.

Ok. So I am now on Pinterest. I can't obviously see where some of the outfits come from. I get the concept of using it for style ideas, but there are some current outfits I really like. Is there a way to see where they're from?

Those slim bootcut jeans must be good. They're sold out in most sizes.

My goodness, these threads move fast. Can't believe this is on page 5 already - needs to keep moving as so relevant. I am a slave to the Times style guide and now I want a pair or cord jeans - any links anyone, at sensible, not silly, money.

Came on to ask for advice in a similar but not the same position, am 50 but my body size changes are not just limited to bust but also hips. Have always been curvy but also fit so it wasn't a huge issue but have had various issues over last 2 years so much less exercise = now size 18 on hips. Need to be smarter than you, OP, for work and really struggling. SOme Cos stuff ok, Some plain boden stuff ok, got one amazing M&S dress but haven't found anything else....

....should prob start own thread but v grateful for any pointers!

FleaRiddenScruffBag - Seasalt has some quite nice straight leg cords on their website at the moment???

Haha I'm inadvertently fashionable this season as have some straight leg cords from M&S I got in a charity shop. I'm 52 and since I tend to hang onto my clothes, I find that they eventually come around again. A bit like a stopped clock!