What is your definition of 'cheap'?

[Annabelle4]

I'm 35 and would regularly wear skinny jeans, ankle stiletto heel boots, a Primark top, have gel nails, bleach blonde highlights, tinted eyebrows etc.

Lately I've wondered if I'm beginning to be too old for this look; my face seems to be aging rapidly and I'm not quite sure that I can pull off this look much longer, that it might in fact appear cheap

Should I leave it to the 20 somethings and early/mid 30s, do I need to change my style?

Thoughts?

Wear what ever you like Op, the definition of cheap is not expensive .

You sound as though you put time and effort into what you wear and how you groom yourself.

If you’re happy, carry on. I think sometimes as people age they look better with slightly different toned hair and make up, because skin changes, but apart from that we all like different things and should express ourselves.

No of course you don't!

My mum is mid 50's and wears skinny jeans, bleach blonde highlights and gel nails! It makes her look younger!

Stick to it if you feel comfortable OP!

I think quality is always crucial.

If you like your style but feel "cheap", why not upgrade slightly if you can afford it? Good quality skinnies and leather ankle boots (never pleather) are classics. All the ankle boot wearers round here are in flat versions: try swapping the stilettos for flats. Swap the cheap Primark tops for better quality ones in similar styles, but better made and in nicer fabrics.
And if you like the groomed look then stick with it, but maybe tone it down a bit. Nails in natural shapes and toned-down rather than violent colours, groomed but natural-looking eyebrows, hair done by a top hairdresser in a subtler style.

FWIW I think everybody, even gorgeous 18-year-olds, looks way better in good quality clothes that fit well and non-garish hair and makeup. It's just that older women are more experienced in experimenting with their style and more likely to have disposable income, so they can usually afford better quality.

Great advice, whiteknight. Exactly my own thoughts.

Thanks all

Maybe the Primark tops have to go....

Well I am 38 and often dress as you describe (heels are regularly flats mind). I love a Primark bargain, although I am admittedly very careful about the fabric, my shellac nails are currently red with a polka dot design on 2 fingers and I have my eyebrows tinted dark brown monthly. So we can be cheap together OP.

Wear what you like with confidence and you can't go too far wrong

Your description sounds like a friend of mine who is in her 50s - she looks marvellous. The style is as you describe but she goes for the ' fewer items, better quality ' philosophy. I think it is harder to get away with cheap and cheerful as you get older.

Ironically it costs a lot to look cheap between the hair dye and the manicures. Quite frankly if you feel self conscious then you should find something that works better for you. You may be shocked how elegant you look when you ditch the heels and highlights.

Madame Macron looks chic in a very expensive version of TOWIE. If you are thin and blonde it works into your 70s, and worn well, it's lovely. If you are above size 8-10, you need a huge personality and boundless self-confidence to carry it off well. Which is not to suggest it's impossible.

Assuming that you mean what I mean by looking cheap, and that it is something you don’t want (after all the amazing Dolly Parton apparently said “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap”), I would ditch the stillettos. I hardly see anyone in heels these days, and when I do it doesn’t seem to look whatever the opposite of cheap is!

Well it depends how you wear that look.if you want to look more trendy then mum jeans, wide legs and trousers are cooler but if you’ve a nice pair of skinnies which fit well then that’s fine. You can be blonde just not platinum or yellow. Ditto with nails- they can be nice if gel just no neons, baby pinks or trashy colours, or silly shapes - nicely oval or rounded. Tinted or 3D brows are a good thing if they’re not spermy or like you’ve sharpied them on. Ankle heels are nice if a good leather or suede and not literally cheap ( though a thicker or block heel is more stylish - no wedges in winter though. )

Then again if you like all that stuff then just embrace your trashiness- your life.

'Embrace your trashiness'
Ouch

It’s down to what you feel comfortable with, what social groups you move in, what your surrounding social norm is really?

I think if you feel self-conscious/like your look is holding you back socially or making you uncomfortable and you feel stuck in rut, then that’s a nudge to make some changes?

l