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How to look more modern

275 replies

Nightmarenextdoor · 20/07/2021 21:21

I went to a trade event at the weekend (creative industry) and was really aware of feeling not quite right. Maybe it was the heat, maybe the weight I’ve put on over lockdown or maybe I’m dressing like I did 18 months/2 years ago and everyone else has moved on.

I like simple comfy clothes but with a bit of an edge - thinking maybe I’ve lost the edge!

Any ideas how to update myself a bit?

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33
MarieThea · 01/08/2021 21:59

If your hairstyle allows it: replace side parting by center parting. It made me look more with it AND it made me look younger too.

ShrikeAttack · 01/08/2021 22:46

Great thread. I always particularly enjoy @Floisme's musings. My two penneth worth is find a look that really suits you, and that expresses who you are and then tweak it constantly. I'm tall and broad-shouldered, angular not soft, and my colouring is all contrasts. Consequently I suit very structured clothes, and clean looks. I know I would look an absolute horror in prairie dresses, frills and flounces so have steered well clear. I do suit midi-dresses that have a waist and structure, and trapeze dresses so wear those and accessorise them to the current sensibility. I don't suit trainers with dresses so don't wear them, but have fisherman's sandals, flatforms and Chloè chain flat sandals.

I never suited skinnies so never wore them, I wore narrow-legged dark selvedge denim with a turn-up. It still looked modern, but was much better for my aesthetic.

I like heels, not every day, but they do suit my style of dress, so I wear a block heel (I've also just bought some kitten mules and lowish wedge mules, both of which look very modern).

I've always liked a centre parting, a massive quiff , slicked back hair or a giant bouffant. Soft hairstyles don't really do much for me.

Above all, fashion should be fun and expressive. If you're interested in being more modern, just be considered about what you wear, I'm constantly thinking about outfits and trawling websites.

Who says what's modern anyway? The people I see out and about that look great very much have a personal style rather than an up-to-the-minute look.

ShrikeAttack · 02/08/2021 02:04

See here.

How to look more modern
MarieThea · 02/08/2021 12:00

Also: if you have loosefitting dresses in your wardrobe that look too short: wear leggings in matching colors with sneakers or loafers making sure there is a bit of bare ankle. Updates any old dress instantly

Floisme · 03/08/2021 08:27

Thank you ShrikeAttack that's very kind of you Smile I do enjoy thinking about this stuff - in fact the older I get, the more satisfying it is because it becomes more of a challenge.

I really admire people who find their look and just tweak it over the years, even though I've never managed it myself. I have a friend who's always gone for a boho/hippyish style but she regularly freshens it up and puts her own spin on it, e.g. mixes it with menswear which looks really cool. My failing is that I get the hang of a look but then get bored and move on, although now I'm finding myself coming back to some of them.

ShrikeAttack · 11/08/2021 23:26

I think my look is quite glam @Floisme and always has been. Not fakey-glam, but sleek glam. I don't do hair-dye or injectables. I do do massive sunglasses, heels, great fabrics and swagger.

That's my glam.

And I love it.

ShrikeAttack · 12/08/2021 02:00

I quite like myself. I do think that's very important.

And I'm always feeling ok.

I think it's alright to like yourself.

How to look more modern
MarieThea · 12/08/2021 09:21

I agree that it is crucial to like yourself, but then... that somehow comes with a certain self confidence. I must confess that liking myself to me came with middle age and menopause! in turn this makes me more adventurous in my clothes, with mixing of old and sometimes new, often second hand new. Don't expect others to tell you you look good: make sure you look good for yourself!

CornedBeef451 · 25/08/2021 13:57

I've been looking for a not-neat blazer and have ordered this one.

www.next.co.uk/style/st743256/282669#282669

It feels comfortable but is quite thick, what do you think? I am not tall and slim like the model.

Floisme · 25/08/2021 14:34

I like that CornedBeef451 - particularly because it looks slightly longer which I think gives it a contemporary feel.

My only reservation would be that it's 100% polyester. In case you can afford a bit more, I've seen a corduroy blazer in the latest Ines de la Fresange / Uniqlo collab which is due out tomorrow and also some in a wool / tweed mix, although they're quite a bit pricier, plus they haven't given all the fabric info yet.

Floisme · 25/08/2021 14:36

Sorry I forgot about the link:
www.uniqlo.com/ines/21fw/uk/en/women/
That's for the whole collection - scroll down for jackets.

Don't let me talk you out of that Next one though, especially if you say it feels like a thick fabric - I really like the shape.

IDontThinkSoNo · 25/08/2021 14:54

@CornedBeef451

I've been looking for a not-neat blazer and have ordered this one.

www.next.co.uk/style/st743256/282669#282669

It feels comfortable but is quite thick, what do you think? I am not tall and slim like the model.

I bought that blazer and returned it straight away. It looked great on the website but Really cheap on real life. It’s the polyester. Then I ordered a vintage wool Harris tweed men’s blazer from eBay for half the price which looks great!
IDontThinkSoNo · 25/08/2021 14:56

Cornedbeef, sorry I just reread and see
You already have the blazer. Sorry, didn’t mean to slag it off so much! I’m just trying to buy better fabrics and longer lasting clothes and it didn’t feel like what I was looking for.

IDontThinkSoNo · 25/08/2021 14:56

@ShrikeAttack

I think my look is quite glam *@Floisme* and always has been. Not fakey-glam, but sleek glam. I don't do hair-dye or injectables. I do do massive sunglasses, heels, great fabrics and swagger.

That's my glam.

And I love it.

I like the sound of your glam!
CornedBeef451 · 25/08/2021 16:33

@IDontThinkSoNo that's ok, I'm still debating sending it back!

I really don't trust my judgment so thank you for the feedback!

CornedBeef451 · 25/08/2021 16:36

@Floisme thanks I'll have a look.

I always look scruffy and cheap so feedback on new purchases is always useful!

Floisme · 25/08/2021 16:49

I think it looks smart and modern CornedBeef451 - not scruffy at all! Now that I'm looking more closely, the Ines ones I linked look as if they might be a bit more fitted, and personally I think I prefer the shape of yours because it's got more of a menswear vibe. I find the main problem with 100% polyester is that it can start to look worn out quite quickly, plus it's not as warm.

CornedBeef451 · 25/08/2021 21:18

@Floisme I think you're right about the material. I tried it on again and it's already looking crumpled at the back.

I'll keep looking. I like this one but you're right it might be too fitted. https://www.uniqlo.com/ines/21fw/uk/en/women/?utmsource=affiliateewindow&utmmedium=affiliate-incentive&utmmcampaign=78888&svcampaignnid=78888&svtax1=affiliate&svvtax3=Skimlinks&svtax4=mumsnet.com/api&svv_affiliateid=78888&awc=677111629905782cb15e4a7ba8d7f0ab5250ae047e0668f

Floisme · 25/08/2021 22:28

It's just personal preference - I like quite a masculine shape in a jacket and I'm finding harder to say with those Ines ones without seeing them on a model. But I'd check them out tomorrow (or whenever the launch is). I do like the tweed ones but again there's no info in the fabric yet plus they're more than twice the price.

Floisme · 25/08/2021 22:29

Sorry that link just takes me to the whole preview so I can't see which one you mean.

Ponks · 26/08/2021 10:47

I love that Uniqlo jacket! I personally prefer a 2 or 3 button fastening to a single button low down as single button jackets can gape a lot(on my dumpy shape at least).

Floisme · 26/08/2021 11:02

I like it too! I do think I still prefer the shape and slightly longer length of your Next one but that's just me.
It's also more than twice the price for 45% wool so that's a bit of a dilemma. Bet you wish I hadn't suggested it now!
Are they both fully lined?

CornedBeef451 · 05/09/2021 00:18

I sent back the Next jacket and then went a bit mad on eBay. I bought a Harris tweed jacket and this one, formerly from M&S.

I have no idea if it looks modern but I like it! 100% wool and I've snipped off the gold buttons.

It did remind me that I shouldn't look at eBay after a glass of wine, I nearly bought all sorts of clothes for a body shape I'd like to have but, crucially, do not actually have.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234169728979?trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item36859a7fd3:g:Nh4AAOSwQ3BhMUqS&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACkPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSRAQR8FABHjfpFoyRlXhWmQFxyJC1W32xH8ZO7ByNzbcs7Z0RoGOARLl%252F9u2vnAAGg1rQZf1%252F8ow2HRerkzbcK5%252FYF6sHifU3Ix196s069xkIBv9KeCD7dyPW369YeVvrWpyhpF5d8%252Fhqa6W1x%252FKpcNaHRZ%252BPSLaMHe%252FG%252FEVWZwgAKVvPUWJ5%252FOeeXH5OW1I6b3vL5TIvP%252FJeWQ3onFu%252F7WE%252Btlqb24cRSg0qYcCiLh5UNlxE4RqUyd8gZNFXnsALlz7vCyuvKoyPibYV0tgcQ%252B5ulP%252FIEgDASMmMf2stXRUKsfXFeNQvBP5D2lqVOjXiBRCidpKgLAVvABfwMPRodhoD5zx7fLfbyZmqbOcUN1ZzBXAcklE5%252BvtOxJyAQ4OY7ss254UzwFztK%252Bnj3%252F4i2a8jJ711lBFvtdRPt72F5rvPCD2358dMdS%252BmGtCUVF22ZK1qwW24g5qG0myw9S5O1SFngL1atT7usPGMc5Re48BG%252FuA1Sn2OokACZ1IFp2Yob%252BvCt0ETbXCMUxG9mRibsz9w9EWlUfQ7q4bdE8PgONYcQMn97BclzRhfUMJVurqcd05%252FhNhtMsIPzyAH6r7WCiyUQGpxnND%252FimlowqKJtgSHWkAs03LPIHtmdpGlKSnvj4YgCegsoYekVtJFx%252FsQj6%252BndzKGoDhEEyD6nipwVyqjbj0iwqfXiVSv5CbekLHzNoKCPa%252F7GgmB0vh3F9fPxQwu25SM7ZDGixPwzRm3eRQRZJpOTSPh%252BeQo5xLR%252Ff5qsynIPaVgSdwukHUgilKNQ3evDjDsGLlYixmns2rb8L6No%252BIYRzbi4hXcJHxWpV2T%7Campid%3APLL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

CornedBeef451 · 05/09/2021 00:34

Just checked the label, not wool, I was thinking of a different one!

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