Getting older...ho, hum....join me for a moan....

[welshmum]

I think I'm going through this phase at the moment of being really unsure about myself, what I look like, should look like. I'm worried about dressing too young/too old, all the decisions that used to be so easy now feel difficult.
And as for putting on weight it seems to doubly scary now - the older you are the worse it makes you look and the more difficult it is to lose it.
I'm so fed up of considering what I eat but if I don't and put on even a couple of pounds I feel just crap.
I was thinking the other day about just giving up and embracing middle age, getting softer/greyer/plumper....

Before I join in I want to know how old you are?

me too

me too

I know what you mean - it's really difficult to find your way, if you're not too confident. I have had some success in looking at 'older' people whose style I admire (Kristen Scott Thomas, Isabella Rossellini, that sort of person), then taking those elements of their style that suit you and using them. I find myself aiming more for 'elegant' than 'pretty' these days (don't always succeed).

I'm...gulp....43

im 36 but feel 56

gah ! welshmum,I'm older than you and do feel similarly style wise - am greatly afraid of frumpdom and middle aged invisibility !

Still young.

Don't do middle age until at least 50!

(don't do 20 though).

It's just so much effort now!
Things that I just kind of did because they were fun ie hair cuts/colour you have to do.
Half of me thinks I have to do it for the children's sake - I can't risk looking like I've gone to pot at the school gates although it's tempting....some days....

wait till you get a grey pube (sigh)

got them already

not got them yet, phew !

[nips to bathroom and back] no not got em

I have caught myself looking at trousers with ELASTICATED waist bands - how depressing is that???

i got some on but they comfy so wats it matter

Do you have a little money/time for yourself?

I think you have to spend more time and cash to get the right look when you get older.

Can't just pop into Topshop and grab something (or worst still ASDA/Primark)

Find shops you feel confident with and stik with them.

I feel like it used to be a small part of my life and relatively good fun.
Now it's fraught - I caught myself thinking about a tummy tuck the other day and that is just so not me.

Now you're getting to the heart of it scatty spice, I love Topshop and often buy from there - carefully though, I'm not in dungaree shorts.

Hahaha!

this is funny

I am 36

I was in Jayne shilton trying on some shoes and they were pink sort of snakey skin with a wedged heel.

I loved them and they fit me but....i had a question!

I went to the assistant and said,' Are these shoes for an older woman?'

3 of them at the same time said, 'YES!'

'I thought so,' I replied, 'but they are so comfy!'

I ended up with cream stilettos which are gorgeous but not as comfy!!

Don't get tummy tuck

Watch 'how to look good naked'

collision !

Topshop is Great, but agree proceed with caution!