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

I would add to the excellent advice, is to spend a couple of afternoons trying on outfits from what you already have. So you know if you are grabbing a particular skirt on morning that you want to grab one of 2/3 tops and then which jewellery/scarf/shoes to put on with them. This isn't a very exciting way to dress, but it does mean you aren't having to make decisions when half asleep...

lucked I find that kind of cardigan really aging. Reminds me of ‘naice’ ladies.

A nice blazer, not tapered, is much more flattering.

I wish I could wear camel... I have tried so hard. It ain't happening for me: ever.
I have also gone back to normal-sized scarves. Scarves of any description now look shoite on me no matter what but it has been needs must with the weather. I can now only sadly eye the Lily and Lionel scarf mountain accrued.

comfortable stylish shoes

Really? , that would be the holy grail for me, if you really have them, please pm me or tell me how to get in touch with you. I would not care what you were wearing, but realise that others might.

No trousers FOR ME. Is what I meant . Obv

🙄🙄🙄

Chill out.

Huh? What an odd thing to say...

FinallyHere I was thinking the same. We are OP's target market. I need and will happily pay for comfort and style. OP please PM me too.

I really don't think the age of your potential customers matters in the clothes you choose. You need to feel comfortable, and not constantly thinking about your outfit, to concentrate on your clients. I would stick to what you usually wear but a little smarter. So if you wear jeans/leggings then stretchy trousers. T-shirts - smarter versions in plain neutral colours are fine. Flat shoes, e.g loafers/brogues/chelsea boots if you don't wear heels. It is fine to wear a trouser/skirt suit, with a t-shirt and even trainers.

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I'm working really hard with a few key suppliers to take the best styles they have that are also made with comfort in mind. I've got a factory visit coming up and last week I was with the society of chiropodists and podiatrists. I'm pulling together a range that should fit the bill, so that customers don't have to do all the legwork. I'll be selling online but mostly through pop up shops and home visits. The key to comfy shoes is in a good fitting by an experienced professional. Just like clothes, shoes do not have a standard size!!

I don't have my website fully functioning yet, I'm about 4 weeks away from my first pop up shop. I should have everything ready by then, including my wardrobe!! Thanks again everyone.

I really don't like blingy/'done' nails; I much prefer to see plain, clean, nicely shaped natural nails, maybe a bit of clear polish.

Weird trouser comments - I think a cigarette pant and decent leather ballet flat looks great.

I'm also no fan of the 'statement' necklace/shoe/scarf. If you've nailed your outfit, then you don't need it, and I often find a statement' item a bit jarring in an otherwise chic outfit.

A well-cut shift dress with a slash neck looks great with ballet flats (again) and bare leg-look in warmer weather.

Cashmere sweaters, cardis if you can afford it, the best you can get otherwise.

For me, I prefer clean, slightly boxy lines, so Toast is my go-to place for quite a lot. I really don't like a cluttered look, so personally, I'd prefer no bright nails/necklaces/scarfs/matchy matchy accessories etc. as it always looks a bit try-hard. Good sunglasses/glasses, really smart leather bag/briefcase/whatever and a plain silver bangle would be me going crazy with the add-ons .

All of that said, if you're good at what you (and it sounds as though you are), don't stress too much about this aspect. Good luck with the business.

The key to comfy shoes is in a good fitting by an experienced professional

That may well be the key to matching the available shoes to any particular pair if feet. Im sure there is also something about the availability of foot shaped shoes, which is, i realise, at odds with what is considered stylish. Im very, very interested, on behalf of myself and of my mother, too.

My mum likes Hotter shoes. The ones she wears aren't particularly frumpy and I'm tempted to get some.
I like Toast too but their styles seem to be for the tall and slim, but I would look at high end high street shops and Hush and Boden.

I would say....
Good pair of jeans
High waisted black and grey trousers with a tapered leg
Some nice black chelsea boots
Good quality white shirt or t shirt, cashmere jumpers or cardigans in black, grey, camel
Short, neat, neutral nails
Eyebrows done, tinted if needed
Take care of your skin and wear a BB cream rather than heavy foundation
Nice jewellery but not too much of it.

The dizzy bacon pic is a bit 'towie' try hard.

I’d be interested in knowing your web address when you have it up- on behalf my mum and aunts (id have a look myself too).

Capsule wardrobe in neutrals that suit you. Keep embellishments to a minimum.

Look at White Company for pointers. Always try and get all leather shoes and bags. Tan pretty much works with everything for both.

Blue velvet does great flats.

Good coat, good hair cut, manicured nails and a nice smile.
Good luck in your venture.

Oh yes, I'm sure you've got this covered, but do iron whatever needs ironing! . I know that ironing threads split MN down the middle, but people CAN tell if something that should be ironed hasn't been ironed (though they'd never say so!)

I saw a woman in a fabulous trouser suit a couple of years ago - she looked stunning, but took off the jacket to reveal that she'd only ironed the cuffs of her shirt, and not the rest...totally undid her look.

Your business sounds like an excellent idea and I can imagine that you will soon build up a base of loyal customers.

There have been some great suggestions already, but writing as someone whose work involves home visits as well as stands at exhibitions and conferences, clothes-wise, this is going to be about practicality as well.

If you're doing a fair bit of driving, packing/unpacking the car, lugging boxes of shoes around, stretching and bending to assemble bits of promotional material, kneeling down to help fit shoes etc etc , you'll need clothes that can cope with that and still look decent. They need to be made of fabrics that don't crease easily, or pluck or snag or be so loosely woven that they get caught on things and rip (said the Voice of Bitter Experience)
You'll also need to check that they don't gape or gap or ride up when you're stretching/bending/kneeling/whatever.

I usually go for the trousers/top/jacket or cardigan combo or dress/woolly tights combos in fabrics that I feel comfortable in, that are easy to care for and will pass the stretch up and bend down test.

I just have short neutral nails and a light natural make up (aim is to just look like me but a bit better) and a bit of subtle background perfume.

Thanks for all your advice and supportive messages. I will update this thread when I have my website up and running!