How to look 'put together'?

[shoelaces]

That's it really. I'm approaching 40 and am starting my own business. I've never really worn make up and keep my hair short in a pixie crop style. I need to loose 2.5stone.

I'm not a typical middle class person, not raised by or lived in a community that is largely middle class. But these ladies will be my customers. From my age and upwards.

Where do I start? I don't have a lot of spare cash as it's all going in to my business, but I appreciate people need to 'buy' me as well as my products. So where would you start? I need to pull off being middle class TIA

without pigeon-holing my potential customers, research is showing me they will be 90% female, over 50 and mid-earners/retired with a reasonable disposable income.

Who’s research is showing you that shoelaces?

Sounds to me like you are being sucked into an MLM scam. Are you paying up front for a load of stock which will Empower you to be a Boss-babe?

I would second the well groomed brows comment, it just makes you look more groomed if that’s what you’re after, also getting lvl lash lift is good, it’s an eyelash perm and tint and lashes look really good with just a quick slick of mascara on top and much less tacky than extensions. Makeup wise I think a more natural look is classier so using beiges on the eyelid with a slight shimmer and darker taupe in the socket line, no eyeliner, and a very subtle lip that has a hint of colour like Vaseline rosy lips for instance, cheap and cheerful! Clear varnish on clean well kept nails, and hair the hair needs to be neat and tidy, either pulled back simply or down and not frizzy. Also try to avoid roots and harsh highlights. Clothes wise I read somewhere that navy looks much classier than black, and jeans are best in a dark wash with no fading or rips if you are going for a polished look, an easy to do look would be dark blue jeans a simple white fitted shirt with a nice blazer and simple small cubic zirconia studs. If I was looking for inspiration before buying new clothes I’d have a look at the joules and Boden catalogues online at what colours and outfits they put together and try and replicate the ones I liked with cheaper high street items from say next. I think the key is not to follow trends and try and keep it not to try hard and classic. Log onto Pinterest and type in classic outfit ideas. Good luck

Thanks for the advice and pointers everyone. And it's not an MLM scheme, I'm going in to business myself after 20 years of 60 hour weeks earning or saving large corps £M's and being made redundant 5 times. I'm brilliant at what I do, so I'm now putting my faith in myself to build the kind of business I have made succeed for others. 👊

Best of luck with the business

shoelaces that sounds great, and if you keep it simple you will really show off the shoes! Not to mention make it easier for you to put outfits together. Neutrals should look great with whatever range the shoes are out in as well.

Not wearing trousers is definitely more stylish. I hate them.

Some people may hate trousers but dismissing them all out of hand sounds a bit silly if I may say so. Was Katharine Hepburn unstylish? Or Marlene Dietrich? Or Annie Lennox?

They do need to fit well and to hang well but so do dresses. Few things look worse, in my opinion, than a badly fitting dress - and finding one that fits and flatters top and bottom is a nightmare.

Plus cool trousers may show off these kind of shoes better.

I agree with flo. I really wouldn’t dismiss trousers. If they fit well they can give a very relaxed chic look with a simple off white blouse.

Best of luck with your venture!

I can see that the look is going to be really important then, if it’s about selling shoes. You’re essentially a walking brand and shop front flr your shoes - and I do check out what a shop owner is wearing to see if it’s the style I’m looking for.
I agree that you’re going to have to put a fair among of up-front effort and investment in to the branding-of-you process. If you can find a good in-house stylist, e.g. at John Lewis, they may be a good way in.
If the selling point for the shoes is ‘stylish and comfortable’ that’s what the whole look needs to say.
And of course you want to aim for the people who will spend money on shoes, not necessarily the people who have money to spend.
If you’re going for trousers, which sounds sensible to me, you’ll probably need to get them turned up to be the perfect length - not very pricey and makes a big difference.

I find the look in the photo Dizzybacon shared tacky. The hair and collar of the coat clash and the combo of hat, glasses, bag, boots and coat ruff is too much. She looks like she's trying to hide behind these items and you want to make sure you are selling yourself, not what you're wearing. The effortlessly well groomed focus on one statement piece at a time and at least pretend it's old or inherited.

I agree.

Whose research...

I agree with Ginza.

You want to look great without anyone being able to pinpoint a specific reason, so understated and natural looking all the way.

Winser do great work trousers (miracle ones) - they do look a bit naff on the website but great in real life and can be washed. I wear them for work with machine-washable cashmere v or crew necks. Looks pared down and current enough without being trendy.
I agree that the picture posted looks tacky - way too much going on.

I dislike dresses too for the benefit of the ‘dresses must be the alternative to trousers’ brigade. That sounds a bit silly is I may say so.

My staples:

No trousers is mad, it depends so much on what suits you.

I wear trousers, blouse, long-line blazer and heels most days and my students (16-18 year old) call me ‘the stylish teacher’ if that means anything. It’s a pretty boring look but it suits me and it’s practical and I make sure everythig fits well which helps.

I buy almost everything for work from Uniqlo because it’s all neutral and works well together.

At the weekend, I’m a bit more exciting.

I don’t wear accessories cos I think they mostly look a bit shite unless they’re expensive and I’m too poor for that.

Agree with others that the photo dizzy* posted is meh - can’t see her face which makes me feel like she’s hiding cos she doesn’t feel confident. Hat and sunglasses always looks naff as fuck.

A friend of my mum's was always well dressed. Her clothes looked expensive and quite chic. She was not slim - I think she was quite large.
Her secret was to wear a patterned top with black M&S trousers and black high heels. I guess it would work with flatter shoes if you have long legs.

I have noticed a couple of young women where I work who always look nicely and appropriately dressed and they wear tunic style or 'loose but with a waist' dresses with opaque tights and ankle boots. Worn in rotation, they don't look boring.

I didn't like the photo either.

You forgot your staples Rose

The brigade are waiting

As I was about to say...

•camel wool coats
•navy wool coats
•black wool coats
•classic merino cardigans in black or navy
•black or navy crepe skirts - or similar - knee length and slightly flared
•lace or voile skirts in black
•striped thick cotton tops
•always a necklace - some made by artist jewellers, some Cos or similar
•tartan wool scarves in winter - ordinary size not shawl
• pointed flats or heeled loafers or patent flat loafers - usually in black or navy

But no trousers and dresses. My choice.🙄

A one man brigade, I’d suggest?

No trousers is not “mad”.
Pfft

At the weekend, I’m a bit more exciting

Do you mean your style is a bit more exciting?

Of course it's your choice. What a strange thing to say. Anyway your list sounds very nice and I'm sure it suits you.

rose no trousers as an absolute rule for everyone is mad. If you don’t like them, whatever.

Chill out.

If you normally wear trousers start there. If you want your shoes on display cigarette or 7/8 trousers. Keep your work trousers for work and wash them carefully so they last longer.

Top half depends on your shape and how you are carrying your weight., of you struggle here a personal shopper could help.

For work I find an interesting jacket can pull a bland neutral look together. somebody linked to this massimo dutti cardigan on another thread but Zara, Mango and MD are great places to find blazers and jackets that can be flung on over navy and black.