School run fashion revamp?

[Eesha]

I realise this might be a very pathetic sounding post but recently single and the only time I'm ever out is on the school run and I feel like I need to revamp my look. Prelockdown it was glasses, jeans, jumper, trainers and a massive parka. I didnt wear makeup either. I look lovely when im out out but not on a normal day! It's an hours walk home so I want to keep the trainers but any other tips to look a bit more presentable and perhaps desirable?

@whiteonesugar im a 14/16 but I've found with jeans that things in a 16 have felt baggier later.

I’d defo say 14 then

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Definitely don’t wear a wool coat with trainers!

I don’t do a school run but since I stopped dressing up for work, I dress casually for the nursery run, and so does everyone else of course. I think it depends where you live. Everyone here wears sweaty Betty or other sleek leggings (H&M do some cool ones too) with a puffer coat. You have to wear trainers for the walk, so make sure they are comfy enough (not converse! You need sports ones like you said above) then plan your outfit around those. No jersey dresses! It’s better to look intentional, not like you got dressed and then chucked on the trainers for comfort.

Agree with every word!

Two pairs of leather leggings plus a hair curler purchased. About to bid on some decent trainers too!

So today I went for my vaccine in :

Girlfriend jeans in blue
Superga white trainers
Black Victorian sheer floral high neck blouse
Leather jacket

I still felt a mess, where am I going wrong and how would you have styled me!? I think the jacket might have been wrong but what would an alternative have been?

Today’s outfit sounds lovely. I like my leather look jogging bottoms, with a slight roll up and either dms or trainers. Tuck a shirt or T-shirt in or with a baggy sweatshirt. Always nice and comfortable but I feel more ‘done’ than with normal joggers or jeans. I would definitely agree with PP re groomed hair and nails and maybe a tiny slick of make up

@Eesha a picture would help!

When I'm feeling down I find a squirt of perfume makes me feel more stylish, even if I'm slobbing around the house.

@Betty000 i scraped my hair into a bun as was greasy but I guess it just felt like too many colours going on so perhaps I needed a plain inside top or black leggings rather than blue jeans?

That outfit sounds great!!! I also swear by dry shampoo if can’t be arsed to wash hair it gives it a bit of a boost and means I can get an extra day (or 2 😉) out of it. You sound a little down on yourself OP which is very sad 😞 I hope you’re ok. I’m sure you looked fab in your outfit. Did everything fit you ok? If something doesn’t fit me quite right I’m feel rubbish in it. Post a pic maybe we can suggest some tweaks?

@itsmeagainagain thank you for caring! I'm not sure if it's the vaccine but felt a bit overwhelmed today, lone parent of toddlers trying to manage it all. My boyfriend dumped me a few weeks ago citing his own mental health issues and I'd really like to feel good about myself but it's a struggle at times. I just feel if I can perfect a look, it will be a good way of faking it till I make it.

Hi @Eesha sounds like you're going through a really tough time. I completely understand you wanting to nail a perfect look. Not sure how helpful this is to you but I'll share what I've recently done as I've been struggling a bit lately with body confidence issues and some other stuff but if I feel good in clothes it really boosts my mental health. So I took everything out of my wardrobe and I only put back in the things that a) fit me right now (not when I lose weight) and b) I like/love. It left me with not very much stuff and I haven't thrown anything away yet because I just don't want to deal with it all its all too emotional for me. Since doing this I have really enjoyed getting dressed and feeling good during the day. Nothing major outfit wise everyday but even if its skinny jeans and a hoodie its my fave skinny jeans and a hoodie I love to wear. Could you do something similar and just rotate outfits. Every morning when I opened my wardrobe I was just so overwhelmed with looking at all the clothes I had and still feeling like I had nothing at all to wear. I do have some nice dresses which I will wear with ankle boots or a shorter cord skirt with a roll neck jumper and ankle boots. This time of year a nice coat and boots are fab too and I often have leggings and a hoodie on but my coat and boots are all that are seen. Hope that helps and I really hope you can start feeling better soon x

@itsmeagainagain thank you, thats really helpful! Ive done that before but perhaps I'm due another one. I think my clothes dont flow/complement each other. They are all very bright and nothing goes together well. I've purchased the leggings off the back of this thread, the curler plus more leather look leggings, and some trainers. I wonder if I need a black coat or plain inside top to bring it together.

Hi @Eesha... I think you sound like you’re taking the bull by the horns and should be really proud of yourself! Walking an hour to do the school run in the (hopefully) nicer weather will be fab for your own mental health, and your kids. I certainly wouldn’t invest a ton on your wardrobe, as I bet you tone up and end up with the post-breakup body to die for!
You might be 40, but you’re not a million years old. You certainly haven’t lost your mojo yet. Why don’t you check out some instagrammers for ideas like doesmybumlook40.... She’s funny and showcases lots of places to start. Look for inspiration, but don’t copy everything. Find what works for you. Google Uk instagrammers over 40, if that’s what you want. Or, over 30. Personally, I don’t think you need to “Act your age” completely, but dress for your body and personality too.

can you post either some pics of outfits @Eeshaor maybe 10 of your favourite things and maybe we can style them? I agree you probably don't need to buy a load of new stuff you've probably got bits you already own that perhaps you just need one item to pull it all together? What's your favourite part of your body? I don't mind my legs so I'll wear an above the knee a-line cord skirt with thick tights and brogue Chelsea boots and a plain roll neck jumper or even a long sleeved body suit. I love bodysuits! I always wear a bit of make up as I feel so much better for it and will brush through some dry shampoo if necessary. My hair is rubbish during lockdown but I give it a bit of a curl with my straighteners too. Also I pared down my jewellery as I had quite a lot of stuff I wasn't wearing so now just rotate big hoops and a few other bits. Always wear quite a few bracelets as that's my 'thing'. Other outfits are a midi dress with tights and ankle boots with a very slight heel if not doing much walking. Today on a dog walk at beach normally I'd have jeans and a hoodie but for a change I put jeans with a lovely long colour block jumper. Chelsea boots and my long grey wool coat which I left open as it was really warm. I also have long sleeved body suits one in black and one in plum and I wear these with my jeans and a fave cardi. I'm a classic pear shape and so I like the way a body suit doesn't add any bulk at my waist. I've definitely found that unfussy clothes suit me best.....although I do love animal print so that features a lot!

I was thinking this as an option, a jersey blazer?

that's a nice blazer but be careful which part of your body it hits... I have a lovely grey Jersey blazer from Asda which I rarely wear as it hits across the middle of my (large) bottom and I think emphasises it. Obviously there is nothing wrong with that if you're confident etc. I'm a pear shape and so jackets/blazers/coats that suit me either need to be on or slightly below my was it to emphasise it or mid thigh... I have a black blazer that is oversized ends mid thigh and I wear with skinny jeans and a t-shirt and boots... what's you're body shape (sorry If you've already said)

Most of my blazers have come from New Look thinking about it... I have this or one very similar although not jersey..media3.newlookassets.com/i/newlook/654986301/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/black-gathered-sleeve-long-blazer.jpg?strip=true&qlt=80&w=1200

this would be lovely for spring.... only £10 in the salemedia2.newlookassets.com/i/newlook/676192108M1/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/light-grey-check-jersey-blazer.jpg?strip=true&qlt=80&w=1200

hmm not sure my links worked.....bear with

black blazer www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/black-gathered-sleeve-long-blazer/p/654986301

check blazer www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/light-grey-check-jersey-blazer/p/676192108

@itsmeagainagain thank you for those! I'll look again at New Look. I wear 14/16, my bust is 38GG and I'm 5ft 6. I would say I'm hourglassy. My ex said I had a smaller bum so I'm wondering if I'm an apple shape with weight going on in the middle.

It's just ocurred to me again that I'm only going to be doing school runs and long walks home and back at present so perhaps I need to concentrate on coats rather than blazers for now!

I've not read the whole thread so apologies if this has already been discussed but whenever I feel like my wardrobe doesn't work, it's because I don't have enough basics and I try to wear more standout pieces together and they clash. So your outfit with the Victorian blouse may have been too busy with jeans and leather jacket depending upon the style of each/both iyswim?

Definitely a nice coat will see you through 👍 doesn’t matter what’s under it for a school run too 😂 also agree with @JMAngel1 re some basics

@JMAngel1 thats exactly I'm feeling, too many nice pieces which have patterns/bright colours as I'm dark but no plain basics. I'm struggling where to look, H&M?