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!!

Sorry to hear that op. All I can say is that what worked for me - eventually - was trying on loads and loads of stuff, including things I didn't think would suit me.

If it was me, I would hang onto those John Lewis vouchers for now. I wasted quite a bit of money in my early 50s because I fell for the investment dressing line and spent too much money before I'd worked out what suited me. So personally I would forget about quality and just go shopping somewhere cheap and cheerful where you can take some risks, have some fun and make mistakes without it mattering too much. Save the vouchers for when you've worked things out a bit more.

The only thing I would spend serious money on at this stage would be decent underwear.

FreakinScary - I've tried TKMaxx; my SIL buys all her stuff there and always looks fabulous (but she is petite and 10 years younger than me) but I can't be arsed to rummage through everything. Again, too much choice!

Buggerthebotox - my 'style' (if that's what you'd call it) sounds similar - skinnies, ankle boots, brogues & jackets (for work, anyway). Today I'm wearing skinny jeans, red/white stripey top, red ballet flats and then put on a Uniqlo down jacket to go out as I was chilly - but it all just looks so yawn. I see others when I'm out who just look so much more chic, but can't work out what they're doing right and I'm doing wrong.

Incidentally I've noticed invisibility starting to happen to me over the last couple of years (I'm 60 now) and I can cheerfully say I'm as vain and as obsessed with clothes as ever I was. I don't want to replicate the 'invisible' thread but I just wanted to say that because I really disagree with the idea that it's self imposed.

No I'm not, I'm 61.

Of course it's not self-imposed. Nonsense. I love clothes and I dress well in colours that flatter my colouring and fitted flattering cuts. Figure not bad/ I look after my hair. My make up flatters me. and yet I started a new job in a big office recently and I realised that nobody really cares. Before, if I started a new job, men would be friendly ''so who are you then!?'' or ''where have you come to us from?'' kind of thing. Friendly enquiries. Now, people are friendly enough if we get talking but no interest