"Nobody ever told me" thread

[littlecatfeet]

I was wondering, do you have any personal style/beauty tips that you worked out all by yourself?

I have two:

1. Never ever apply perfume when you're under stress - running late, or angry, or anxious - it seems to cause that horrible reaction that makes perfume unbearable.
2. When you are carrying 'le flab' (as I call it) a silk slip looks a million times better under a dress than shapewear. It slides past your creases and moves naturally. And you're comfortable!

What hard-won or fluke inspirations do you have to share?

Converse don't actually suit anyone

I wish I had known before I went to Egypt in the 80's that there is sweat/waterproof sun cream available. My suncream just washed down my face! And I got blisters.

That you shouldn't spray your chest with perfume as the sun does nasty things to that area if you do!

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve posted this link on MN.

But here we go again...

what should women over 30 wear?

I'm 45 and I wear 6 euro Converse rip-offs from Primark. Ta-dah!

Don't give a shit about anyone else's opinion. If you love something then it will make you feel great wearing it.

Ha! Like converse?

Converse don't actually suit anyone

Yes they do

@eaglejulesk can I ask which brand you discovered, which is like a more comfy version of Converse? I am well over 40 though …

@LunaNorth

Thanks for that link, I especially love this:

*Women in today’s world are hit from all sides. Do this. Wear that. Don’t do this. Don’t do that. Speak softly. Smile. Agree, agree, agree. Assimilate. Shut up. Stay down.

The last thing we need is other women telling us what we should and shouldn’t do. Stand up, ladies, and stand together. Don’t be like Kallie Provencher. (Especially don’t be like her.) Wear what you want, do what you want, and support one another! And like all of these fabulous ladies, don’t give a fuck.*

Bloody hell 7 pages and every other post is about converse, let it go people.

No one ever told me that short hair can actually be quite ageing (on some people) , I found this out the hard way.

No one ever told me that short hair can actually be quite ageing (on some people) , I found this out the hard way.

Yes I agree. Feel much younger with shoulder length hair.

Feel I should go and buy some converse now I am 60!!!!

I was convinced short hair would have a rejuvenating effect on me, but it didn’t, I just felt in invisible. Thankfully I am back to shoulder length hair again. Plus converse and Adidas gazelles!

@lunanorth I love that link. Those women all look fabulous. I feel like a total scruff sitting here WFH in my joggies with no make up.

This also vollocks unless you’ve tits like fried eggs

Well for me depends on the top, those rubbish lacy bralettes, not good, the sporty style ones or I have bra tops with removable cups have better support.

@Coffeepot72

I was convinced short hair would have a rejuvenating effect on me, but it didn’t, I just felt in invisible. Thankfully I am back to shoulder length hair again. Plus converse and Adidas gazelles!

Me too! After I had my first baby, I followed suit of a few of my mum friends and got the chop, in to a long bob. It made me feel so depressed and took more time and effort to style than my long hair! I felt ugly and frumpy. Grew it out by the time I was thirty and now 31 I feel so much better. I will never forget the bitchy guy at work who once told me all women should have their hair cut short past 25 🤬

Currently sat with (my long flowy) hair in space buns, not GAF 😄 If there was one gift I wish I could bestow upon my daughters stylistically speaking it would be confidence. I spent my twenties mainly skinny as a rake with an enviable figure but had zero confidence. It is such a wonderful, freeing thing to have.

The last couple of years I have never felt more attractive despite having a mum tum, terrible eye bags from having a toddler and a baby, and boobs that now seem to go in opposite directions.

I wear way less make up now and receive way more compliments.

Foundation clings to eye bags and makes your face puffier and exaggerates wrinkles (on me any way). I had terrible skin for years, I used to use a tonne of different face creams, cleansers, toners, spot washes, concealers, gels, primers; since I moved to plain old soap and water followed by Simple face cream I never have breakouts.

The more you shave, the more you shave. The longer I leave between shaving legs etc the slower the hairs come back.

Cheap clothes in cheap fabrics are not worth it. They just make me sweat.

PPs are bang on about magazines and journos not being right necessarily about what suits you. What is that old quote? “If tomorrow, women woke up and decided they really liked their bodies, just think how many industries would go out of business.” All these mags etc are trying to make money off our insecurities.

I have enjoyed this thread and like others say am taking note but with a pinch of salt :)

It’s taken me until the age of 33 to realise that I cannot.stand.jeans!! I’ve worn all sorts of styles over the years but ultimately I am comfiest in leggings with long tops/tunics or midi length dresses. I wish I’d given up the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans years ago!

I don’t have any style tips though, I’ve never figured out fashion and styling and my “uniform” used to be jeans, trainers and a T-shirt and is now a dress, trainers and whatever cardigan/jacket goes

Forget about fashion & find the colours & style that suit you. Without an unlimited budget, it's really hard so when you find something that ticks the boxes, buy it!

Can anybody over 40 and a shoe size 7 please post me their converses? I've got 9 years to go so they'll be going to a good home.

I'm more than happy to send regular updates and cards at Christmas and birthdays.

DM me for my address.

Thanks in advance.

Marking place

Face masks hide your double chin. Bliss.

@Bluesheep8 When I say lots of medium intensity walking, I mean 1.5 hours 5 x per week, then on my feet all day at work 5 x week.

Black and navy don't go together no matter what anyone says. (do people say this?!)

Hyaluronic acid is amazing. Of all the fancy things iv tried this has made the biggest difference to my skin.

Knockers over tights to keep them up

Cotton cycling shorts under dresses in the summer if you get chub rub. (shockingly far people exist and Wear dresses!)

Lolz knickers not knockers!!!

If you buy a top with those long loops sewn into the shoulders (for ease of hanging in the shop) - CUT THEM OUT! They look awful hanging out of a neckline. I realised this when I saw an otherwise-nice picture of myself and these ugly hanger-loops were the first thing I saw.