Help for everyday smart casual

[MrsDrudge]

I’m 61 newly retired and struggling for everyday smart casuals. I have a few “out out” clothes, and jeans/leggings and jumpers around the house. Because I wore a uniform for work I struggle to look smart/cas for everyday - eg pub lunches, shopping, trips to theatre and cinema etc. How do I look smart and put together without looking overdone, or mutton dressed as lamb? I’d like views from the young elegant women (and men!) on here rather than the similar site for older women. Thank you to everyone who might be able to make suggestions.

At the moment I actually look and feel like my user name.

I'm not elegant or young but also need advice.

I would suggest that you forget your age, and that you shop in stores that do well made clothes. I like Jigsaw, Hobbs, Uniqlo, M&S and the like.
The other day, a colleague had a gorgeous dress on, and I asked her where it was from - New Look!

Do you have any celebrities that have the sort of look you like?

I would forget your age and dress for your body shape and lifestyle.
There are lots of blogs which explain how to do that.

If your outfits feel too dressy, try toning them down by switching one item with a more casual version, e.g. swapping shoes for white trainers, or switching a blazer for an denim jacket instead.

Denim makes any outfit more casual - I often wear a denim skirt with a nicer top.
Don't try to dress like someone else. I think it's important that you still feel like you.

Yes - but the ones I like are not often seen in smart casual. I liked the clothes worn by the blonde actress in “Cold Feet”, Ruth Langford is about my age and size and she looks smart, but again a bit dressy rather than casual.
I’m 5’3” and size 12/14

Here's the dress, I think, and the colleague is curvy and it looked fab.
www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/burgundy-satin-pleated-midi-dress/p/650491167?comp=Browse

You could get a personal consultation at John Lewis. I should.

Dress for your body shape. Get the shoes and coat right. Jeans and a jumper is fine, but you need great jeans and a nice jumper.

Agree forget your age, think about what style you gravitate to, bohemian? Glam? Practical? Think about your body shape and lifestyle and perhaps look on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration.
Go through your wardrobe and sling out anything that makes you feel actively bad wearing. What kind of budget do you have?

Pinterest. Just type in smart casual outfit and your off!

Google “Ruth Langford street style’ (or any other celebrity) and click on images to see what sort of things she wears off duty.

I'm 43 & wear a uniform at work so I like to look smart when I'm not at work.

Jeans: If I want to look smart/casual I base my outfit around a pair of black, grey or darker denim jeans, at present mine are the Darcy skinny ankle grazers from Dorothy Perkins because they fit me well & are the best length (I'm short but not quite Petite length).

Top: I usually choose a top depending on what I'm doing. For example if I'm out in the day I'll wear a smart jumper from somewhere like River Island or Zara. I also bought an embroidered victorian style blouse from Zara recently for Spring weather.
At night I'd wear a lace high neck top or a cami or something sexy but pretty anyway. Most of my evening tops are from River Island, Oasis, Monsoon, Dorothy Perkins etc.

Shoes: I would wear my trainers shopping (I've got Nike Air Force 1s & Adidas Superstars) and time a casual pub or coffee shop but for a smart lunch or out in the evening I'd choose ankle boots usually with a heel (my favourites are grey from New Look & have a slight platform & block heel, I can walk in them easily & they make me look taller).

Coat / jacket: I have a short puffa jacket with fake fur on the hood that I bought from TK Maxx in the sale £25. It's smart, waterproof, wind proof & goes with everything. If I'm going indoors I take it off straight away anyway.
If the weather is a bit better I wear a black biker jacket instead. Mines from the Tesco sale actually but looks fine. You don't want anything expensive if you're leaving it eg in a cloakroom or on a barstool.

Other bits: I like to wear a crossbody bag because I don't drive & I don't want to look like an easy mugging target. Mine is grey from River Island, smart enough for day & night.
For jewellery; hoop earrings of all sizes are in fashion & suit everyone.
If you want some fashionable jewellery go to Accessorize as they have nice sterling silver & gold plated stuff.

If I'm tired of jeans I also like to wear short skirts & tops or short dresses with opaque tights & my flat black over the knee boots.

@MikeUniformMike will check out those stores. I’ve just moved near Oxford from a very rural location and other than a tiny M&S and New Look not a lot of choice, and on line purchases from other sources go back more often than not!I’ve not had the opportunity to try Jigsaw or Uniqlo, so thank you for your suggestions.
@vitaminC trainers or a denim jacket to tone down the look of more formal clothes is a great idea, and more current than my usual attempts. I’ll have a try on and experiment - good suggestion thanks. I will feel more like me wearing clothes I already have

Some great suggestions thanks - I agree I have to identify the style I gravitate to and bold from there. Also a new John Lewis in Oxford so personal shopper is a great idea to investigate. @LilyJade you sound so chic and well put together (gave me a smile about leaving your coat in a bar - I’ve done that more than once!!) I’m going to investigate all your suggestions, I need you as my personal shopper!

@smileannie @Summersunandoranges I will do some googling - and research styles for shape/preferences etc.

@LuxuryWoman2020 wardrobe overhaul planned at your suggestion! I WILL sling out the dross (tend to hang on to for doing gardening/car maintenance etc - and then wear this stuff every day. No wonder I feel like a scruff)

Uniqlo is great for basics and knitwear. I'd suggest Toast but they tend to suit taller people.
The shops in Oxford are lovely.

Cos and Arket are good. If you have the budget, Margaret Howell.

Other shops I like are ones like Comptoir de Cotonniers (sp). I've found the odd nice thing in Zara.

I can't remember the name of the shopping centre in Oxford, but it has Uniqlo and Cos which are excellent for the T shirts and knitwear you will need, as everyone else is telling you. Get down there and start trying stuff on. Jeans the wardrobe basic find your best and most flattering cut, fit and brand, and budget for two pairs a year. Keep all of that fairly simple and neutral and budget to buy a pair of great, fashionable but comfortable shoes twice a year, (boots for winter, sandals for summer would be my thought) at the top end of your budget. Once you stop trend-chasing, then the accessories are what make/elevate your look, and the great thing about them is that a nice-quality classic bag goes on working for you for several years. Dress your best for the life you live everyday, and spend as little as possible on occasion wear... unless for your daughter's wedding. Trawl the charity and vintage shops, but don't expect to find outfits. All the above, plus use colour. I generally stick to a cool neutral grey palette, but I love orange and red and coral. Consider textures important. All grey wool becomes dull, but add a grey satin element, even a tiny one, and it lights up the rest. Most important of all, keep on looking for ideas, and never buy anything because it will do.

And bear in mind that the weather is never wrong, but you might be wearing the wrong clothes for it. Plus fitness; everything looks better on a strong body. I'm 63, and I now spend more on exercise classes than on clothes.

I’m mid 40s, and work in a creative type role, so smart/casual is my default. I don’t wear the same actual things for work/not work, but variations on the following:

Cropped wide leg trousers, with slim crew neck or polo neck jumper
As above with tucked in t-shirt, merino or alpaca v-neck cardigan
Mini-ish skirt (I have a few different leather ones) with jumper as above, 100 denier opaque tights
Jeans + blouse, or again, slim jumper, or both of it’s very cold

I also like midi dresses, or midi skirt with tucked in t-shirt - probably more in summer though.

I like Cos for trousers, Whistles or Levi’s (cropped 501s) for jeans, blouses from Zara and Topshop, knitwear Cos, Other Stories, M&S, Whistles. Summery stuff I tend to spend less on because I live in a cold place, but really like Warehouse and Oliver Bonas for dresses.

I wear a lot of leather trainers - black Stan Smiths, Vejas, Continental 80s for work, white Stan Smiths with blue jeans, and I also have gold Nikes. Otherwise flat Chelsea boots, or DM monkey boots.

I have tons of coats/jackets, collected over years, but if I had to cut it right down I would pick (from what’s in my wardrobe):

Big parka with a hood - it rains a lot here! (Whistles)
Leather biker jacket (Whistles)
Oversized denim jacket (Topshop)
Faux fur coat (Zara)
Long cocoon wool coat (Warehouse)

I’m 5ft 6, fairly standard size 10, occasionally a 12 on the bottom

I'm nearly fifty. In the winter I like to wear coated jeans in black, navy or khaki (Next do the best) with a chunky jumper and ankle boots. I like to mix black jeans, black jumper and taupe boots or khaki jeans, cream jumper and snake skin boots. I have a couple of statement coats, one is a navy blue teddy coat from Zara and a grey leopard print from M&S. When wearing them I keep my outfit very muted and simple but like to carry a deep wine colour patent leather bag for a pop of colour.

For summer casual I favour Gap Best Girlfriend fit jeans as they're really flattering on me and I wear them with white Stan Smiths, or some pewter flatform trainers from KG. I like Hush tshirts.

@XingMing thank you! I certainly need to get into Oxford and do some serious trying on. I think at least a good day on jeans/shoes/coat/bag and build from there.

I genuinely appreciate all the replies and the time everyone has taken to help. I have lost my way a bit on shopping for clothes and didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to go to some of the shops mentioned. All suggestions have not only given me some great ideas, but a big nudge towards looks to explore, the confidence to try them out, and a plan to work with.
Thank you all again for your time and ideas.
Wardrobe purge starts tomorrow!!

I have a similar issue and for me right now JEANS are the big thing I can't figure out. I'm really bored of skinny jeans. What next? I have a preference for a smarter look so black or navy or darkest indigo are my favourites but what style?
I also have an extremely high waist.

My SIL is late 50s and I envy her off duty style. She always looks great but equally comfortable. She is a John Lewis devotee.

I had a little spree there myself recently and am looking forward to better weather to bring out my haul

I agree @TheBoring jeans are difficult and I too am bored with skinnies. I’m going to take up the suggestions for shopping on here and go for a good old try on. I think I might be too short for wide crops, but fancy a coated pair!

This coat in navy has made a huge difference to how smart I look. I can put it on over any jeans or trousers and go anywhere. It's well made, the fabric feels great, it's lightweight but keeps out the wind and rain. Perfect now with a jumper.
My advice would be to sort out your coats, shoes/boots/bags first. Don't buy anything else until you have invested in these. I always found it easier to buy yet another H&M dress or Gap linen shirt, but I never wanted to spend on the bigger ticket items, so I never pulled-off smart casual.

Inspired by another thread about resisting impulse purchases and planning your capsule wardrobe with a spreadsheet and budgeting across the year, I'm finally looking 'together''.

Dress your best for the life you live every day*
This is great - as is spending less on occasion wear that’s only worn once or twice. Going to make this my mantra!