Hop on, the train is about to leave frumpsville

[DULLDull]

I posted on chat a few days ago about this but thought this might be am even better place.

I am frumpy and I hate it.

I am 45, 3 stone overweight and a SAHM who feels has lost her mojo since motherhood descended 12 years ago.

I want to change so I am hoping to start a thread for any like minded fellow frumps.

I am thinking clothes, hair, make up, diet and style tips in one place to help release our inner goddess.

Anyone care to join?

[namastayinbed]

[123fushia]

I’m on board too. 55, and at least a stone overweight. Bingo wings and wobbly tummy too! Sun kissed skin on face and arms at the moment so feel younger and healthier until I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror 😟 or window. Have been mixing Johnson’s baby lotion with same amount of Dove Summer glow moisturiser to rub into my scaly legs. Really only takes a minute after a shower in the morning - then I wear knee length denim shorts with a tiny bit more confidence. Short, clean finger nails too. Have express file and polish at local shop on toe nails - to match my sandals! (I know....really not cool!)
Just trying to put a positive spin on the state of things, but will really have to start the ‘eat less, move more’ approach soon. Will start tomorrow! Good luck fellow travellers. X

[Lovelydovey]

Another one joining in! I’m 35, about 3 stone overweight and have completely lost my way style wise.

I’m running a huge event in early December and would like to be at least 1.5 stone lighter by then and looking more professional.

I’m going to clean the chipped nail polish off my nails now....

[DULLDull]

Welcome all new passengers. There's room for all.

Right today I am going to clear out my wardrobe. There's loads of boxes and stuff in the bottom which I want to clear out. I am also going to file my nails which I haven't done for months

I have put a pinterest board together to try and identify a style and decided Lauren Laverne is my new style hero. I have no idea how I'll pull it off but I am thinking of smart tshirt, skinny jeans, blazer and shirt dresses. Whistles have loads of Laurenesque items which I have pinned. I fine whistles a bit £££ so will wait for sales and check out ebay.

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Shuffle up you lot, is there room for one more?

Mid forties (kinda ) definitely overweight but have been Slimming World for a while and not as sturdy as I was, phew!

Trying to get more into maxi dresses (appaling knees) and demin jacket combo. Which I'm enjoying though not sure it'll carry over well into autumn?

I use instagram a lot for style inspiration - I'll link some folk I really like later, if anyone's interested?

[123fushia]

Anyone know where to get straight/skinny jeans that are high waisted for ‘tummy control?’ I think my jeans make me look older but aren’t skinny ones just a great big s.q.u.e.e.z.e?

[ilovecherries]

I’m stepping aboard :). I’m 60, and I lost 5 + stone last year. I do feel as if I have a new lease of life. I had to sell/donate/recycle every item in my wardrobe. Even my shoes were too big. I have put together a summer wardrobe which I love, but one cold day today and I’m conscious I really don’t have much that will be suitable past September, except for a few nice jumpers I bought last Christmas. I also have no hair (alopecia) so I need to rock the bald or wear wigs, which I’m pretty used to now, no real angst there. I know that decades of obesity did mean I completely took my eye off the style ball though, and I want to look/feel great this AW. I have no real idea how to accessorise or ‘lift’ and outfit or do any of the things other women just seem to know. I’ve always looked after my skin, but I want an everyday make up look, nice nails and to start to understand how to put outfits together.

[nancybelle]

I have started using Dior nail glow and lip glow and love them. I also bought the Dior lip stain which gives good colour that lasts and can then just add balm throughout the day.

Still look frumpy though - probably not helped by wearing my hair in a ponytail all the time. I hate wearing it down unless I am on a night out as it is so heavy and gets in the way but don’t want the high maintenance of going short again. Any non frumpy hair ups that take no skill on really thick hair with the potential to go frizzy (Brazilian blow drys have changed my life).

[Liskee]

@ChaosTrulyReigns yes please to the insta inspiration!!

[DULLDull]

nancybelle how often do you need to reapply the varnish? I am tempted but it's almost £20 a bottle.

ilovecherries well done for the weight loss. What's your secret? Pinterest is great for idea on outfits. I am following loads of people I like who show fashion for over 40s. It's really inspirational for identifying your style.

Yes to more Instagram inspiration. I am gradually adding to my collection.

[BettyBooHoo]

Me! I'm nearly 48 an these last 2 years my weight has crept up to 12 stone with a thickened waist. I'm 5ft 7 so don't look very overweight, but the change in body shape makes me feel frumpy.

DH has recently lost 4 stone in weight and is looking amazing and 10 years younger, which makes me look even more frumpy in comparison.

I've upped my game regarding skincare and am now religious about double cleansing + retinol + SPF every day. I've also just learned how to properly shape and shade in my eyebrows (which were fading away) which has made a big difference and given me a mini facelift.

[AgathaTabithaBagatha]

Hello, can I climb aboard the Frumpington Express?

I'm 47, fatter than I've ever been (but addressing it), and have realised from some horrifying glances at my reflection in shop windows that my indie girl uniform of jeans and tops from 20 years ago is no longer edgy and cool and I look butch and old. (No disrespect to anyone butch and old, but it's not the look I'm going for.)

I'm not going go all Kirsty Allsopp and start embracing florals, I don't think. I used to wear florals for a bit but I think the invisibility of fat middle age has made me lose confidence in them. Plus my legs are awful, really heavy and short, so I hide them in jeans rather than wearing dresses or skirts.

I'd be happy with bretons and skinnies if I looked good in them. I like Cos, but nobody looks good in Cos, plus my face is too happy, Cos models look like they're imprisoned in a Scandinavian labour camp.

I'm thinking maybe Oliver Bonas and Hush for style. Their dresses are nice, and I think once I've lost a significant amount of weight I could give it a go.

Hair-wise, I'm at an awkward length at the moment, and my last colour was far too warm. Eyebrows are pretty good. Face is nice once it's a bit thinner. Neck is an abomination. Nails are mostly good.

Sigh.

[nancybelle]

Dulldull, I had it on for 2 weeks and it didn’t peel or chip. It seems to fade away and my nails didn’t look as glossy. I used 2 coats as 1 looked like clear polish and the 2nd coat enhanced the pink of my nails and made the whites look whiter.

[jumbledumble]

Skint fat and frumpy. I get my hair cut every 8 weeks, gel nails on fingers, never paint toes and get my eyebrows and lip and chin done regulalry.

But I'm fat and when I'm stressed I get fatter because I eat. I'm also (I hope fingers crossed and saying prayers and lighting candles) getting a council house so I'll be moving so it is the right time to gut out my wardrobe.

Bought some M&S per una slim bootcuts the other day which the 16 year old declared as acceptable - I think they look better on me than skinnies because they kind of balance me out?

[teta]

123fushia Nydj do very good jeans that suck in the waist. There are frequent Nydj sales on BrandAlley.
For those looking for really flattering, slimming, leg lenthening trousers the H&M khaki Lyocell pants are the bees knees ( but sorry are very rapidly selling out). I’ve bought two pairs as they keep on coming back into stock.

[happypoobum]

nancy I have very thick curly hair which I usually straighten. However, I went to see the new Mamma Mia film and got all nostalgic about how my hair used to look like theirs. Then I realised - I still actually have hair like that!!! I just bloody straighten it out of habit/it used to be fashionable.

So for the past week I have been drying it upside down with strong blasts from hairdryer, rough drying with my hands (apologies if wrong terminology) and it looks bloody great!! It means my face doesn't look so long and thin and I deffo look younger. If I need to put it up, I just twist it and put it in a big comb clip thingy.

Agatha Try &Other Stories. Same group as COS so bloody good quality, but less coccoony invents word

[YukonGold]

Hello, my first post on MN, please can I join.
47 and have recently lost 2 stone on SW got another stone to go I think. I’m Apple shaped and am now starting to look at what I’ll look good in for Autumn.
After I lost 1.5 stone I treated myself to a really radical change of hairstyle. Went from mid back length and copper to pixie crop and light grey with very dark roots, I love it, just need to sort out my wardrobe now.

[BettyBooHoo]

Can you link to those H&M trousers please teta .

[JillyBear]

Done my pedicure, a bright cheerful scarlet polish. It's a start.

Weight wise, starting tomorrow, yet again . Did the blood sugar diet in June for three days and then gave up. I'm not sure if I have unrealistic expectations, get bored too easily or am a greedy sow. But I do need to get my shit together.

[teta]

Here you are

[Choccywoccyhooha]

I'm in, recently turned 40 and have been asked three times in the last month when the baby's due. Last baby was born 4 years ago and I am still two stone over my ideal weight. Currently i'm 12 stone and i'm 5'7", I need to be ten to feel healthy.
After having a buzz cut for the bulk of my 30s I have been growing my hair for 3 years and it is now just below shoulder length, but I am at a bit of a loss with it.
Like a PP my eyelids are disappearing and the makeup routine i've relied on for years is in need of an update to a "maturer" style.
My wardrobe is good, I know what suits me and am quite bold with what I wear in terms of colours and patterns.

[IslaMann]

Ooh hello, I need to catch this train too. 47, with a 2.5yr old and absolutely no energy. At least 3 stone overweight with thunder thighs, bingo wings and a huge overhang c-section tum.

[dementedma]

i have found my people. I have a c-section overhang too (3 x c-sections) and, due to several recent changes in my life, need to get a grip, smarten up and step off in a new direction.
It's about realising that I have a value and I am god damn worth some investment in myself!

I get eyebrows , lip and chin waxed regularly but that's about it.

[AhHere]

Can I join too? 39, 3.5 stone overweight with mad hair. Another one who feels like she's really lost her way. Getting married in October and feel like a real train wreck.

[nancybelle]

Reading this thread makes me wonder what it is that makes someone frumpy. Lots of people say they are fairly well groomed - nails done, excess hair removed etc but is it just being overweight or wearing ill fitting clothes that makes people frumpy?

My makeup hasn’t changed for many years but I don’t know that it looks frumpy as it is very simple but maybe I need to bring it all up to date.

What do you all define as frumpy?