Significant purchase to make me look and feel grown up

[LlamaofDrama]

I'm a regular on all the "how to look groomed/ stylish/ put together/ not like a bag lady" threads. I'm doing better, but it's safe to say I still have my less sorted days, probably about 360 a year of them.

In the next 6 months I should have what is to me a significant amount (probably around £500) of frivolous money that I can spend on sharpening up my look. If I'm spending this much, it needs to work hard and will need to be used almost every day, I don't want something special that will sit in the wardrobe and only come out once a year. I've got two ideas of single big ticket items to spend it on and I can't make up my mind. Or I could get neither, and instead get some style advice and supplement my wardrobe or get some better makeup or...

I'm short, busty but not overweight, and my personal style is fairly pared back. I wear neutrals, no fuss, very little jewellery, rarely patterns, rarely bright colours. I aim for tidy; classic would be a high point. I've never in my life been stylish.

Idea 1. A good handbag. It would need to be reasonably large, to take a small laptop, a packed lunch and bits and bobs. So I could get everything I need in one bag, not be loaded down with several. Ideally leather.

Idea 2. Get my ears re-pierced and get some good earrings I can wear every day. Maybe platinum and diamond studs, if I could get anything in budget. My ears were pierced and closed over because I was allergic to so many earrings but I'm not allergic to my platinum rings so I have hope about ear rings.

What would you recommend, stylish ones?

I wouldn’t wear diamond studs during the day so I wouldn’t go for those. I would buy a pair of Gucci snaffle loafers or decent shoes, as I find those last well and are generally timeless. Otherwise I would go for a decent wool winter coat.

Handbags I find are funny beasts - the Mulberry bags that everyone was raving about as timeless 5 years or so ago look v dated- see also hobo bags etc. They probably will come back into fashion but you’d struggle to make them look of the monent now.

What about some great underwear from Rigby and Peller (or similar), a good bra can make such a difference!

Either some amazing leather boots or an amazing coat.

For £500 you could get:
A good pair of boots - around £150
A decent coat - ditto
Diamond earrings from somewhere like Monica Vinader - again about £150
And a really nice scarf to go with the coat

For platinum diamond earrings you are looking into the thousands, and I honestly don’t think worth it anyway.

If I were in your position I’d probably buy three or four really good quality items - a decent coat or jacket, as mentioned, a pair of high quality jeans that fit you really well, a nice pair of ankle boots and maybe a pair of very small gold hoops that hug your earlobe.

I agree with a good coat. I love the ted baker ones they're so classy. I got a pair of Pearl earrings for my birthday and look more grown up and sophisticated when I wear them which has been most days tbh! I love them

Maybe you could try earrings with a titanium post. I've just had my tragus pierced and titanium is what the piercer recommended as the least likely to cause irritation.
I really like the idea upthread of choosing moissanite and getting them made.
I would probably buy a decent coat and bag though. And get a good haircut. These are the most obvious things that upgrade a look.

Do you have a good haircut and colour? Eyebrows, teeth?

Glasses?

All of those are with you everyday and make a great deal of different to your look I think.

Now rethinking the plan - thank you! Good bras I have but I do like the idea of a strategic overhaul and one good piece in each of several areas, so a trench, some ankle boots, a nice but not crazy price bag and maybe a really good pair of trousers.

My teeth could be improved but would cost way more than I have available. Some more attractive glasses would be a very good idea. I'm not sure that throwing money at my hair would achieve anything, i think my hairdresser does what can be done, it's just a bit meh.

And yes, titanium post earrings, I've been considering these.

Thank you everyone, I'm off to research a shopping list!

A gorgeous quality leather bag from somewhere a bit off the beaten track like Mimi Berry, and a beautiful coat. You can't go wrong with a trench - you can wear it when it's cooler with layers underneath. I love a navy trench myself - less predictable than a stone or black one but still goes with pretty much everything. You may even have enough change to buy a lovely cashmere scarf from somewhere like John Lewis or M&S.

I'd also consider a ring, something simple in rose gold perhaps. I love rooting around second hand jewellers, there are some real bargains to be had.

And never underestimate the power of a gorgeous lipstick! It's only a fraction of your £500 spend but a perfect shade for you in a luxurious clicky tube can lift everything, even if you don't wear any other make up.

I'm very envious of your dilemma, OP!

Coat.

Lovely dilemma!
Please come back and tell us what you decided.

Bicester outlet, get a Mulberry handbag.

If I had that kind budget I would definitely get my eyebrows microbladed. I think eyebrows really make you look put together and the artist I have my eye on does amazing work.

Just wrt to the earrings, have a look at titanium ones. They have been brilliant for me and I was allergic to most things. eBay have them new with cz and screw on backs

Some great leather bags in JL sale (just been browsing!) worth a look there for coats too, Hobbs, Jaegar and Jigsaw are usually classic/well made.

If I had £500 to spend I’d get an All Saints leather bag, I think they’re classic and very well made and feel special. I’ve got two, both at least 5 years old and I wear them all the time. Then I’d get some leather Chelsea boots in brown, a pair of really simple gold earrings, a little leather card holder and a mid length wool coat. If any change I’d buy some sort of casual blazer in a neutral tone.

Also….sunglasses! I feel like a pair of sunglasses which really suit you and go with anything makes me feel great. They don’t have to cost a fortune either, I’ve got a few pairs of expensive glasses and the only ones I wear are a pair of tortoise shell print Vans ones which cost £20.

A quality black leather jacket would be my choice, biker style, collarless, slightly cropped, silver hardware, buttery soft leather chefs kiss

My best ever purchase was the above, perfect condition from EBay for a tenner. Will last forever and goes with everything.

Aspinal do good sales and have lovely classic bags

An Hermes scarf - I was given one for a big birthday by friends and I feel fabulous every time I wear it. It makes everything else I'm wearing with it look instantly classier - it just feels like a true luxury item.

£500 is a tricky budget as it won't necessarily stretch very far and you will find that you have to compromise on quality. Yes, you can probably buy a pair of diamond studs for this price but the quality will not be great and the settings will unlikely be platinum. (However, if you start investigating pawnshops, you might actually find exactly what you're looking for and on budget).

Rather than invest in things, invest in yourself. Clothing and accessories will only do so much; build a foundation to work on - good haircut and colour, scale and polish at the dentist, medical pedicure and well-fitting underwear. It is these little things that add an almost undefinable polish to someone and make them look grown-up and pulled together.

If you have any money left over, a really good pair of glasses (if you wear them), and if not, sunglasses.

@LlamaofDrama I would see an orthodontist if your teeth are wonky and yellowed. Good teeth are worth the investment. Invisalign can work wonders and is not invasive like metal braces. You can get them done for about 3-4K

Whoops thought your post was 5k not £500. Scratch that

@MaybeWeShouldGoToEastbourne love it! That's going on the planning list for

@sleepyhoglet if I had the budget I would definitely do that. I'd love to but that's not money i can reasonably take from family budget for vanity. The money I've got coming is a work bonus and it's mine, all mine

@sansucre most of these I have. Hair cut is regular, and I think good, scale and polish twice a year, always good, fitted bras. Feet aren't bad (ugly but tidy). I do need to stop buying the cheapest possible glasses, so putting those on the list. Might sneak them into ordinary spending rather than this budget if I'm clever!