From dowdy to dandy - has anyone radically changed their look/style?

[Sarcelle]

I am a middle aged woman. I have some nice clothes and I can look stylish - more so in the warmer months than in winter. I sometimes watch Trinny's videos. She is far richer and a different shape to me, she has an over reliance on platform brogues and glittery fabrics, and sometimes she veers into bag lady territory (one of her recent videos had her in a coat with two sleeveless long gilets over them!)

But she has fun with fashion, takes a few risks and that is sadly lacking in me. I want to be a bit more out there but not interested in tattoos or pastel tints in hair, I want to be more stylish.

I also listen to a radio show in London hosted by Jo Good. She also video blogs as Middle Aged Minx. She's in her 60s and wears some super stylish non middle aged clothes that make me want to donate most of my wardrobe to the charity shop.

Has anybody changed their look drastically from one thing to the other and what effect has that had to your life, relationships, confidence? I want to shake things up a bit. I figure if I don't do it now I never will.

Nope, but watching with interest as I'm in the same position!

Has anybody changed their look drastically from one thing to the other and what effect has that had to your life, relationships, confidence?

Are you not making too many assumptions? You've said you can look stylish - so why would you need to change your look 'drastically'?

And I'm not sure you can anticipate any significant effect on the rest of your life.

I can tell you, from my own experience, that it's life change that might alter how you dress. New activities, occupation, people to be involved with ...

So I guess I'm asking if there are ways you could make your life more exciting.

I have to ban myself from the “sensible” option when shopping. If I like two things I’m usually drawn towards the inoffensive which “goes with everything” by the ghost of my mother’s voice. It results in boring outfits.
Now I make sure I get the statement item instead.

Like musemum I have to consciously steer myself away from the safe option but this is becoming easier with practice, I’m drawn to statement jewellery and nice fabrics like velvet, brocade and silk.

I aim for a slightly edgy but luxe look, I also take a lot of care of my hair and nails and am about to have cosmetic dentistry to take me into my second half. I don’t exactly want to look younger but I guess a stylish grown up woman. I try to dress well every day and wear makeup and perfume otherwise I feel dowdy which comes across in my personality.

I’ve accepted my weight, age and looks to a large extent and that acceptance has rekindled my interest in clothes and my appearance. I spent my younger years skint and wearing any old thing I could afford, I had no confidence at all.

Feeling confident, and getting the odd compliment changes the way I interact with people, more chatty, more open to new things. Like armour!

Have to add I’m relaxing in not very stylish pyjamas right now though.

Yes. I’m not where I want to be yet but it’s more like a work in progress.
Due to substabtial weightloss I was stuck in comfy clothes and shoes that didn’t suit me, were ageing etc. I didn’t wear make up anymore, my skin looked dull, nails bitten to the quick. I looked awful. I caught a sight of myself in a window and thought ‘that woman looks awful, why would you let yourself go like that’. I then realised it was me.

I started slowing losing weight, proper skin care, good food, teeth whitening.

I then was able to buy clothes because they looked nice, not just because they fit.

I still have 6 more stone to lose to be back to where I want to be but the change in the past year makes me unrecognisable to where I was.

That should be weight gain not loss

I think it's true that being yourself is sylish, a cliche I know.
I'm the opposite to most people, I buy lots of 'fancy, going out clothes' after Christmas I bought 6 dresses 😯😯. I also have lots of active wear, yet I struggle with middle of the road, smart casual clothes.
I try and stick to colours that suit me rather than what is fashionable and I'm the same with shoes.
My dds often do my makeup and I change it so I'm not stuck in a time warp yet I don't wear fashionable makeup if I know it doesn't suit me.
So for example if it's current to wear light coloured lipstick, I'll find a light colour which suits my skin.

Since writing the OP I am buying a kitchen. My wish to be stylish will have to be achieved within my existing wardrobe!

That's a shame op I was enjoying the thread and waiting to hear what changes you've made!

I will have to show you my kitchen. It is definitely dowdy at the moment!

As I’ve got older I have given less of a flying fuck about the house, totally over the nesting thing. It’s all about me looking amazing and on holiday as often as possible

I've got to admit I have no interest in house stuff either!

OP, I like to funk it up a bit too. I've been using Pinterest to collect pics of clothes ideas which I've found useful. I don't think you need much really, maybe a bit of an overall polish (nice hair, teeth, hands, etc) with a few key items thrown in?

Maybe a well-fitting bra? A modern scarf in a flattering shade? Some statement jewellery? Some funky boots? Personally, I'm longing for a good coat.

Have a look at Helenwearsasize18 on instagram. She has a lot of fun with her look.