Help me help my DD (tactfully)- any 30-ish olds out there?

[LucindaPeel72]

DD is 31. She's very pretty (everyone says so) gorgeous figure, fit, interesting, intelligent (not that I am biased) looks early 20s, and she's looking for a boyfriend, having broken up with a couple of long term ones and been through a bit of heart ache. I know she is aware of her bio clock.

She loves clothes but they never - in my opinion- do her justice. She tends to go for high necked tops, often voluminous in ditsy prints and except for summer dresses, never shows an inch of flesh.

The men she has met before have been friends of friends, so she's never 'put herself out there' looking to date. But that source seems to have dried up.
But if she does is there any way I can gently suggest she tries to look a bit less 'prim' if she hits the dating scene? I don't mean fishnets and a tiny skirt obviously, but something that is a bit more flattering? Or should I just keep quiet?

The only possible thing I could suggest if you are determined to ‘help her’ is try taking her to shops like Jack Wills (can be quite timeless and yet “young”) x

I think your question comes from a good place. I don't think she should be encouraged to change, but what about gifting her a confidence boosting photography shoot?

There's no indication she lacks confidence. The OP specifically says that she loves clothes. She's had more than one long term relationship already. She just doesn't have a partner right now. The same is true of many 31-year-olds.

And I'm sorry, but thinking that something as complex and personal as your romantic life and finding a life partner can be sorted by dressing differently is just such an out of touch, patronising Mum thing to think.

but what about gifting her a confidence boosting photography shoot

Are photo shoots confidence boosting? I’d have thought exactly the opposite unless you’re already pretty confident and happy with your looks.