If you don't schlep around in jeans and are rather elegant...

[AsAProfessionalFekko]

What do you wear/where do you shop?

I think I need an overhaul!

I think Massimo Dutti is quite nice for more special things that can also be worn more regularly (not just full-on wedding-guest wear iyswim). A woman in my fitness class had on a very smart mustard wool coat with a beautiful piped finish on the lining which she got in the MD sale.

I've a friend who I think is stylish. She never wears blue jeans. Black, white or khaki. She wears a neutral palette mainly. Shops everywhere but I think she sticks to a set of rules.

Other stylish friend - jcrew and Isabelle Marant.

I do wear jeans but also ankle length light wool trousers from Zara, Mango or Massimo Dutti.

Wool coat rather than anorak type thing.

Loafers rather than ballet pump type shoes.

I wear quite a lot of grey, and white, and some black. Accessories like scarves tend to be grey.

Put hair up in a quick 'chignon' (twist and clip up) rather than a ponytail unless have time to style a proper smooth ponytail in front of the mirror at home.

I also wear jeans (dark blue, black, khaki) for everyday wear (I work from home) paired with a smart fitted blouse or cashmere jumper. Agree with PP re. well cut good quality wool coat or tailored jacket. I also like Burberry/Joseph/LK Bennett for Winter shearling. I love accessories, so add a pop of colour with a Hermes scarf/shawl with a classic Hermes or Chanel bag. I wear a few pieces of WG jewellery that work with every item in my wardrobe. I generally buy a mix of designer and high end high street pieces.

This beautiful lady is a source of inspiration (if you like her style of course!):
www.maitaispicturebook.com/

I love her style chanelprincess thanks for sharing.

It's definitely the style I will adopt in a few years time once the DC have flown the nest.
Plus she's made me realise I can go for much larger earrings that I've been dithering about getting recently and to go for more bold accessories.
She does appear to have a very charmed life.

Good thread

What do you groomed people do for everyday makeup? ( love the tip about the chignon btw)

Also, any tips for hitting that sweet spot with your wardrobe being smart without looking “too dressy” or standing out too much?

I’d love to be smarter but often feel I can’t get the balance right between “scruffy” and “going to a party”

Lehewa

I don't wear much make up usually with working from home, but I do try to keep on top of the basics (i.e. brows shaped and tinted, lash lift and tint, a few drops of fake tan in my moisturiser, regular manis and pedis) then I might use a cream blusher and a brightening powder such as Dandelion, or a sweep of bronzer if I'm looking pale. If I'm travelling and with clients then it's a full face of make up, hair straightened etc.

I think that a few good quality staples in neutral colours are really helpful for looking smart but not too dressy - even if it's a T shirt or a plain jumper, if it's well cut and fits well, it makes a huge difference, rather than buying something cheaper that will start to look worn after a few washes. You could accessorise with a statement necklace, scarf or earrings or add a nice brooch to dress it up a bit, and then change these pieces each season so you stay looking up to date without spending a fortune.

Tantpoke

She has that wonderful French elegance doesn't she. I love some of the jewellery on her website.

“Wool coat rather than anorak type thing.”

I think that is my downfall, but it rains such a lot where I live I really need an anorak type thing. Is there such a thing as a stylish and warm waterproof coat?

Lisle Jacobson is what the yummy mummies here wear. And Sorrel boots.

They don't look any more stylish than my Craghoppers coat. Some of them look very similar.

a few drops of fake tan in my moisturiser

Does that work? What a good idea!

bold fail.

Farfel

Clarins Radiance plus golden glow booster for face is specially for that purpose but I've used a few drops of Christian Dior facial self tanner in my moisturiser many times to get a glow without a 'full on' tan and it works very well. Give it a try!

You don't have to schlep in jeans - good jeans, lightweight v neck or crew neck slim fitting cashmere in a neutral that flatters is always chic.
Clarins radiance drops are fabulous for a customisable glow.

There was a very very long thread here before which led to follow on long threads. The general consensus was being slim is key to being groomed and stylish. Of course it isn’t the only way but it plays a very big part.

The threads are worth reading. I think the first title was ‘How to look Parisan’ or something similar.

I’m slim but still often look scruffier than I’d like.

I’m working on

• haircut. I learned to do the MN haircut (terrified) and it works yay! This is probably one of the biggest confidence things for me - good hair is about 60% of my look.

Buying a clip thing so I can try the casual bun alluded to earlier (rather than a scraggy ponytail - hair is pretty thin)

• having a uniform of casual/ lounging clothes - in mainly black so everything goes. Time and mental

Energy constraints (depression) mean I often just feel like picking from a “pre determined pile” rather than matching scarves etc.

• Feet and hands. Not painted but no hard skin or grubby nails.

• I’ve started using blusher after a lifetime of avoiding (either no make up or eye only) and it does work. Also less fiddly than eye make up

• I’m looking at getting a chic large watch as this is the only bling I wear day to day.

I’m generallly very scruffy but in the autumn, on an impulse, I bought myself a pale blue wool Jaeger coat (been wearing an old North Face parka for years). I have had so many comments about how I’ve smartened up, and yet it’s just the coat - I’ve changed nothing else.

MadMaryBoddington it's amazing how investing in a quality coat can make such a difference to how people perceive you.

I learned to do the MN haircut
May I ask what the MN haircut is? Is there a thread on this?

@Chanelprincess this is my question exactly! Going to hunt out my hairdressing scissors for cutting DD fringe in preparation!

poddige I'm almost certain I don't have it and I'm terrible with scissors I do think well cut hair that's in good condition is important and tend to notice 'bad' hair and neglected nails and hands on other people.

I'm struggling to link but it's top of Google if you search for "Mumsnet haircut?"

It seems to work as a good "in between" thing for my "mid length but trying to grow out with layers " style.

my style brief currently is a really "minimal low cost and natural (live in a cheap area and walk loads) look"

but want to be artfully casual not scruffy?

hoping that good hair and my face looking ok is most of the battle won

MOOPied I found the video - thank you Wow! Her hair looked amazing and it seems so simple to do. That's a super flattering style and a practical length too.

I love and admire women who 'do' fashion but have found that I'm personally better suited to a 'uniform'
Certain jean style (slim boyfriend) suit me, V necks, blazer or tailored top, scarf but not necklace all suit me. For work I look better in trouser suits than skirts. Dresses are better than skirts and tops. Never got my colours done but navy or grey is better than black, bright blues and oranges not pastels other than a dark dusty pink.
Best thing I did was throw out everything than just didn't quite work. And then I stopped buying stuff on a whim and now buy things that fit into that 'uniform'
A bit boring but my god it takes the stress out of it all.