Casual clothes for smart people

[Fairyliz]

I used to work in an office where I was expected to dress fairly smartly; think suits, tailored trousers dresses etc. I used to find it really easy to find suitable clothes that suited me and I often got compliments. I think it was because the tailored shapes gave me a nice outline.

I'm now retired so no longer wear these clothes as I am doing the housework, walking the dog etc but I don't know what to wear! Despite the fact that I have joined a gym and toned up I think I look like a bag lady in casual wear.

So any advice what to wear, where to look?

Jcrew or gant? Hobbs weekend collection?

Max Mara weekend ? Pricey though.

In this weather I’d wear slim fitting trousers with a bit of stretch, plain silk shirt and merino jumper and ankle boots. Uniqlo, M&S, Viyella or Toast sale, Clark’s, Geox would be the places to buy these mid price range

Have a look at midlifechic. She's 51, very classic dresser and usefully features both her work and casual clothes.

Slim trousers. Well cut is a must. Cashmere polo or round neck. Artfully wrapped scarf. Tailored narrow leg jeans. Ankle boots. Crisp cotton shirts or silk shirts. Arket are worth looking at. Jaeger do great cashmere. Well cut trousers too. Massimo Dutti have excellent separates and I really like M&S jeans. Always have a biker jacket, a puffa coat and a casual Parker style coat. Or top with a boyfriend coat. Again Jaeger have excellent ones in the sale.

I have found my people. I have a lovely working wardrobe but it frankly all goes tits when I get in the front door. I resort to the same pair of leggings and jumper and I need to work out a lovely cosy home and weekend style.
I aspire to ‘off duty ballerina’ as per earlier thread but the reality is, as you say, a lot more bag lady than ballerina.. sigh.

Following! I'm late 30s but have a similar problem. My work wardrobe is lovely but off-duty I end up in the same dull things.

Where to find decent cotton/silk shirts please?

Clippity I have some from Modern Rarity (John Lewis), Reiss and Jigsaw. But currently covering several in M&S which look good value.
black silk

shell top

collarless, in great colours

sleeveless but not too strappy - really useful

*coveting!

I mainly wear Modern Rarity from John Lewis mixed in with some Whistles, Me + Email and Toast (but only in the sales). And now at my time of life I've decided fuck it I am only going to wear cashmere knitwear, but I like to bid for the real quality second-hand stuff on eBay.