44 and dress like a student!

[WereThereAnySexualProblems]

I'm 45 next month and I just don't dress like a grown up. I always revert to jeans, trainers, tops and wish I had the confidence to wear different things like dresses, skirts, trendy things. I am 4'11'' so short, and feel like whenever I try and wear more classy things I look like a child playing dress up! I am slim and in good shape, 32dd chest and in proportion, I keep fit and have 2 young children. Is anyone else short like me and has found casual smart clothes that make them feel good? Also, my feet are a size 3 and I have no idea what shoes I can wear that are comfortable but not trainers! Totally lost my way.

I think most school mums in their 40s tend to wear jeans and converse and a Breton style t shirt . So you’re not unusual !

My feet are small at a 4 and I wear a lot of Timberland footwear with a heel as I am short too.
If I wear a dress then it’s above the knee with ankle boots or sandals.
But there’s no point changing what you wear if you won’t be comfortable in it !

I'm same age and similarly always in jeans, trainers and T shirts/hoodies (especially at the moment!) I'm quite smart for work but would never wear shirts or dresses outside the office.

Marking place as also looking for style inspiration and have been trying a few things out since lockdown! I really like the smart casual look of Hush/Mint Velvet and follow on Instagram. Can't afford the clothes though

Flat, pointed loafers would look lovely if you have small feet?

I'm older but at 5 foot I really struggle to find things that fit properly regardless.

Thank you for your replies! I guess the main problem is my height and finding things that fit well so the clothes don't end up wearing me. So it becomes easier to just chuck my jeans on. Just had a look at Hush and Mint Velvet and yes that is the kind of relaxed style I'm aiming for but way out of my price range! Even petite trousers just don't fit well. My ideal pair of trousers would be slim chino style ones with a slight stretch which would look lovely with some loafers (thanks for the loafer recommendation!) I think even if I was given an unlimited budget I still wouldn't know what to buy..!

H&m has a petite range and does some really nice tapered/cigarette style trousers, plus they're all very reasonably priced. They've also got some nice puff sleeve blouses/short sleeved jumpers which look really smart tucked in, but are as comfy as wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/search-results.html?q=Petite+trousers

Thank you so much @Jellybott, they are exactly the style of trousers I was thinking but would never have found them! What a good selection H&M have got and very good value.

I’m 53 live in jeans T-shirt pyjamas on lazy days.

What is petite like at HM? I'm barely 5ft and find most petite ranges are still too long in the leg for me.
I struggle to find things I can get away with as I'm short but also round with big boobs. When I'm at work I wear a uniform 5 days a week so don't have much need to wear my 'own' clothes just at the weekend but I do feel your pain, OP!

Ann Taylor and The Loft do good petite stuff. People sell it on Vinted here. Although generally regular sized stuff. Might be worth getting some sale stuff and paying the tax on it.
I wear a lot of their stuff to work and a colleague got inspired, shorter than my 5'3", and ordered some too.

A well cut blazer instantly dresses up jeans and a t shirt. I have a navy one I throw on and any outfit looks a bit smarter

You actually need a wardrobe of a few things That all go together not just some one-off things... If money is not great then allow yourself a few of hundred pounds and get...

3-4 good plain tshirts
2-3 loose crepe vests
Two pairs ankle grazer chinos
A belt
Two pairs of loafers
New summer jeans
Two soft tailored jackets
Two scarves
A cardigan
A bag
New pumps
Loafers
Invisible loafer liners
Maybe a denim skirt or shirt dress

Then mix in existing denim jacket/biker jacket, handbag, sunglasses

All of the above in matching colors... Choose one base neutral so e.g. Everything to go with navy. You'll literally have an infinite number of cool comfy grown up outfits!

@Heartlake that's a fab list, thanks! I think my first step will be a casual blazer and some loafers to go with my jeans and tops to ease the transition into grown up clothes

I'm the same age and dress the same. Honestly I think it's our generation. We had our formative years in the 90s - we always wore comfy clothes.

I totally give in to it now. I live in Stan Smiths/Doc Martens/Birkenstocks depending on the season. I like black or grey jeans. I do try to wear blouses/shirts rather than T shirts. They look a bit smarter and are forgiving on the tummy. But I tend to go for darker colours even then (I still love a 90s ditsy floral print on a black background)

I don't wear blazers tbh. I don't understand people wearing blazers outside of a workplace. Blazers to the supermarket? Really?

I could see myself wearing some soft unstructured jersey blazer type thing, in other words like a cardigan in a vaguely blazer shape. But that's as far as I'd go. I think Zara used to do things like that.

But I think it's important to be true to your actual tastes, and don't change them, just tweak what you already wear.

I'm the same age but taller. I wear dresses, tights and boots; skirts stretchy tops and cardigans and tunics and leggings. White stuff, seasalt, Crewe are my go-tos.

If not blazers then soft tailored jackets... Dress up or down. I get a lot of stuff from gasp M&S... Chuck in the odd necklace. Or bangle here and there, so something with your hair and you're good to go.

If you've got some spare cash, get yourself a smart watch.

Never, ever be uncomfortable!

I'm 37 and recently started really looking at my wardrobe as had loads of stuff which didn't match and wasn't useful. Best advice I started following was dress for your life - mine is work from home mainly, dogs, even in work very casual and I love comfy clothes. My main colours are black and dark grey. Burgundy and dark green for colours and basic tops in black/white so I can now mix and match and buy a couple of new things each month.
I've for a couple of pairs of skinnies but will be getting some relaxed jeans and smart joggers. New zip up hoodies from Jack Wills (after a suggestion on here and in sale) and they are so warm and cosy! Trainers in recent sales - Stan Smiths, Adidas slim, pumas etc in black and white. Converse. Pinafore dresses, tights and doc martens for when I want to be a bit smarter. Couple of nice summer dresses from Gap sale that go with Birkies and trainers. Denim/leather jacket. Also got a couple of things from Depop but mainly shop new (in sale). Loads of offers around at moment.

I'm early 40s 5'1" and wear size 2.5 or 3 shoes depending where they are from, and feel your pain! It is hard to find nice petite clothes.

I do buy a lot of Boden, there's plain petite things are very good, and their clerance discounts are pretty good. Hobbs Petite is nice but pricy, I got a lovely trench mac from there last year and it really smartens up the jeans and t-shirt option.

For the cheaper end, New Look does petite online and it's often nice.

For loafers and casual shoes - Russell and Bromley kids sale! Honestly, smart good quality and small enough.

Are you on instragram? Someone on here recommended following the fashion lift - she's a petite 40-something stay at home mum - her 'try ons' are often helpful to see what things will look like on a short person. stealmystyle40 is another petite 40-something SAHM fashion person. I don't know if any other petite people on here have ideas of who to follow. Sometimes just seeing what 'normal' petite people are chosing to wear can give you ideas.

@Disgruntled thanks for those Instagram pages to follow!

If anyone knows of other petite people to follow, let me know! I find it hard as so many "40+ style" type instagram and youtube people love the "floor length, fully skirted floaty dress with either biker boots or white trainers and a leather or denim jacket" look at the moment, but they are so hard to wear if you're our height without looking like you are drowning in fabric, and having to pay to have things altered. (Have realised tighter long skirts look good on this height, and often things described as midi are maxi on me!)

Any recommendations for good petite jeans? My preference is softish denim, skinny with a slight stretch. I usually go with Next as that's what I've become used to but would welcome any other brands that have worked for fellow petite ladies!

I’m 5,3 so not mega short but I wear Levi black skinnies in the short length

My jeans are all Next and Boden now. I've had M&S ones in the past and Gap, but the Gap ones never seem to fit quite right.