Need help!

[goodnamegonebad]

Hi,
I need some fashion direction please -
I am not too bad with smarter events but feel I fail miserably with the casual look. I'm not a big fan of jeans as I find them quite uncomfortable and became quite lazy in lockdown by wearing leggings everyday.
I would like something comfortable (but not 'aging') - I don't actually know what kind of trousers suit me best (my legs are quite short )
I would also like a smarter hooded raincoat that looks more fashionable than functional, and some general suggestions about looking casually stylish!
Also, where do you shop if your in your 50s, 5'4 and size 12?
Thanks in advance for your expert advice!

I'm 49 and also don't really like jeans but I do wear them as I find they're the easiest to do smart-casual with. I team them with a nice top and a blazer plus ankle boots.

If you're finding them uncomfortable, you're probably wearing them too low on your stomach....is that where they feel uncomfortable?

Get some higher wasted jeans.

Otherwise, trousers aren't always the best choice if you're shortish of leg.

Not unless you wear a shorter top to balance yourself out and not many women of 50 like doing that

Do you wear dresses?

Thanks for your advice Fortunes, you’re probably right about the jeans, I need a belt to keep them on my waist!
I do like wearing dresses but a definite no to a crop top! My kids would disown me

Ha ha I didn't mean actually cropped but one that skims your waist...you know, just ends at your waistline. If you've got a flat stomach, that's a good way to make your legs look longer.

Haha, my stomach is only flat if I lie on the floor with and hold my breath

😁😁

M&S had some lovely soft jeans in fantastic autumnal colours when I was there yesterday. Looked stretchy and comfortable.

M&S and Uniqlo are good places to look.
M&S are great for jeans, Uniqlo good for parka type coat, hoodies and knitwear.

Watch the cut of trousers.
Be careful with colours and patterns.

Oh yes I’d forgotten about Uniqlo, I’ll have a look.
I’m in 2 minds about M&S at the moment, their sizes are so hit and miss but I’ll probably have a look at a softer style Jean, that’s probably what I’m after.
Thanks for all the advice 😊

You are welcome. I'm your age and height, and I look at most high street shops. The shops we have include H&M, Zara, TopShop, Primark, New Look, TKMax, Mint Velvet, Joules, Seasalt, White Stuff, Fat Face. Jigsaw.

Some of those are shops your DC wouldn't shop in.
From the list, Zara is the one I've had 'finds'. The M&S used to be great but the food hall seems to have taken over a bit.

M&S have loads of different jeans and at different prices. You'd need to try them on. Fat Face jeans are comfortable

Seasalt is good quality and their coats get rave reviews on here.