I'm not 27 anymore. And it's all overnight.

[TwinsandTrifle]

I wouldn't have really thought about this before, but I've looked more and more on the fashion threads on here and I've got up this morning, looked in my wardrobe, and sort of recoiled. I don't know where to start, so I'll be as direct as possible.

Three years ago (before DTwins and lockdown) I was 36. Looked 26/27. Genuinely. And dressed like my peers who were all around that age. I also worked in the fashion industry and was pretty used to traipsing round in comfies and being put in outfits.

Roll forward a mere 3 years, just turned 39. But I now definitely think I look much more my age. Lockdown and twin pregnancy have definitely shown. So now I have a wardrobe for 26 and I'm 39. I'm stood here looking at it and it's all a bit cringe.

Where do I start. I think I get stuck because of what I look like, compared with the style I like. For example, I love Kate Middleton. Classic, elegant, but it works because she's quite tall and stringy, and pencil shaped. Imagine JLo in KMs clothes. She'd look ridiculous. I'm a JLo. Same skin tone, hair colour, small waist, big behind, fake boobs. I've always been a size 6, and after DTwins I'm an 8, so whilst I appreciate this is still small, my age 26 wardrobe doesn't only look too young, it now looks a bit too tight as well. Brilliant. Tops I probably need a 10. I don't know where this has crept up from.

I went through a phase of trying to dress a little older and more classically, and got some Fairfax long boots and a pretty gilet, and honestly, I looked stupid. My body shape is quite "sexy" so I can dress easily for the rare occasions we go out in the evening, but day to day, it's like I've woken up this morning and realised, I've got nothing to wear. And I don't know where to start, or what's right for my appearance and shape. I'm suddenly 13yrs out of date.

Where do I even begin?

I have just been looking at the Reiss website, inspired by this thread. That's how I kind of want to dress, but does one wear Reiss to soft play?

I can't help, but I just wanted to say I have this problem too. Had a baby in early 2019 so haven't really bought new non-maternity or mum/lockdown clothes since early 2018, and everything in my wardrobe looks wrong now. I'm nearly 40, was dressing early 30s before!

I'm late thirties and I sympathize, I stare at a wardrobe of the coolest, chicest japanese clothes, stylish things from mumbai, iridescent jackets, paisley on paisley shirts, stylish things from Rome, velvet jackets and cowboy boots and everynight I get in and put on a hoodie or a chunky knit fisherman's jumper. FML...

@ReggaetonLente I looked at the "new arrivals" page on Reiss. This is my take...

What lovely clothes. Quite tailored. I'd wear a lot of this out to dinner, which sadly is not what I spend 99% of my time doing. Not a single outfit that I'd go to the supermarket, then the dentist, then cook dinner in, which is actually what I spend my time doing. Also, look at their feet. Every outfit (bar a handful) are spaghetti strap sandals. What do these outfits look like with flats. Which flats? When would I actually wear any of these clothes? They majority don't look too comfy.

I sound like someone's sensible nan, don't I.

Does anyone who's not in full time work actually wear this kind of thing day to day?

I got some bits in hobbs, but some of it was admittedly frumpy. I go around John lewis where I can see plenty of brands. Got nice bright basics from French connection recently and had loads of compliments.

[quote TwinsandTrifle]@ReggaetonLente I looked at the "new arrivals" page on Reiss. This is my take...

What lovely clothes. Quite tailored. I'd wear a lot of this out to dinner, which sadly is not what I spend 99% of my time doing. Not a single outfit that I'd go to the supermarket, then the dentist, then cook dinner in, which is actually what I spend my time doing. Also, look at their feet. Every outfit (bar a handful) are spaghetti strap sandals. What do these outfits look like with flats. Which flats? When would I actually wear any of these clothes? They majority don't look too comfy.

I sound like someone's sensible nan, don't I.

Does anyone who's not in full time work actually wear this kind of thing day to day?[/quote]
Yes you're totally right. I have no answers.

I live in Tokyo at the moment, people here definitely have their own style and I see beautiful chic clothes everywhere. But nothing for a 5'10" UK size 12 breastfeeding mum of 2 with the remnants of a dodgy lockdown home hair dye job...

Oh God, I feel this so much. Also an hourglass, had DS in mid-2019, didn't lose the weight until December at which point I had 3 good months and then we were into lockdown, now I'm totally lost.

I'm back to a size 8-10, but DS left me with a massive kardashian style bum to work with, so now none of my trousers fit. I'm also a 30F.

I've had some success with Sandro and Maje stuff. Straddles the line nicely between classic and flirty. I've also been embracing paper bag waist trousers and jeans, but understand they're a bit marmite. Oh and I LOVE a jumpsuit. Sorry not sorry.

I just boxed up a load of my Equipment shirts to send to a consignment store . Equipment shirts and a slight chino used to be my go-to work look, slightly louche, but now I just look like a badly packed parcel.

@Snowisfallinghere

Why shouldn't a 40 year old wear a jumpsuit? Even if you do think that certain clothes become unsuitable after a certain age (which I don't), 40 isn't that old, and jumpsuits aren't that edgy or what I'd think of as "youth fashion", they go back to 70s and many of them are quite elegant in style. Obviously, if you're not keen, then avoid, but if you like the look of them then don't think "I'm too old" because that's BS.

That was my thought too. Jumpsuits are far from an edgy garment associated with 21 year olds. If I have to think of a celebrity who I'd associate them with it would be Gillian Anderson who's early 50s.

I feel you OP! I am short and curvy and too much of my wardrobe is tailored and smart. I do highly rate Spanx leggings, they come in a short length. I got them on asos when they had a discount code (every other day). They are comfy and flattering and can be dressed down with a shirt and boots for the winter.

You sound like u have a lovely figure and just need some gentle help to find the type of outfits this would lookgreat and make u feelComfortable. If u are happy to post a picture without your face we might be able to make outfit suggestions easier- I think start with some jeans / cigarette-trousers that fit well and make you feel good.

@TwinsandTrifle

I mean, you can technically wear a jumpsuit at 100. I'm not sure how great it would look.

Let's not derail the thread down the "should you"/ age tangent.

With regards to an opportunity to "reinvent yourself" how would you go about this in actual steps?

Look to see what might work for you in the shops. I think you have to actually try things on rather than look online. Try clothes that you might not have considered wearing previously is what I am trying to say..:)

I am like you although much older. I have an hourglass shape and tend to wear bigger tops over jeggings or leggings or skinny jeans.

I recently bought an oversized top in yellow from New look and it has turned out to be the best thing I ever bought. Sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone to find it !

I don't know if this suggestion is any good op, but I have a friend with a similar figure to you and she has some stylish looking baseball type jackets. One has dark front panels with lighter sleeves, and the other is silky with tropical flowers. I think one was from Zara. She wears them with tapered skinnyish jeans and ankle boots or platform metallic trainers and a crossover satchel type bag with striped strap and she looks casual but put together.

Dunno but that was a great op 😊🍹 and I know how you feel!

I am heavier than you but have the hourglass turned to straight up and down figure.

I find the following work and may give a bit of life to some things in your wardrobe after

Slim balloon jeans. Room for the bum and thighs but a nmbit more modern. Look good with trendy trainers or vejas. Mine are M&S and I am not an M&S shopper. Love them. I have them in mid blue and a grey colour and they have given life to lots of old tops and jumpers

Some simple merino jumpers in grey/black/red/whatever colour suits you. I love my old j crew tippi ones and find they go with jeans/cargo trousers as well as longer skirts.

A black roll neck jumper - cashmere for preference but I hear you on the twins so maybe a Uniqlo or JL one for now until the snot years subside! Slightly but not too oversized.

The jumpers can be worn with various jeans and trousers to tone them down a bit but to keep you still in your zone.

T-shirt’s are generally a mare - hush are not terrible but it’s really just a matter of trying millions On and seeing what you hate the least!

For dresses me+Em, whistles, Reiss, hush are the best of the lot for me. I get one from each a season - it’s always try a million on and see what works.

For long boots everything else has to be plain. So 100 denier black tights, mini skirt (I have a little viscose flippy floral one that is versatile but not too sexy for everyday) then plain black jumper. It’s the old tits or legs conundrum if you’re adding fuck me boots!

But I live in lululemon 80% of the time - one way to embrace that is to go trendy sweatshirt and funky trainer and think fuck it! There was a ridiculously cute cropped zip up fleece in Zara today which would be perfect for the ‘let’s rock the athleisure’ look but it left too much tummy exposed for me. www.zara.com/uk/en/fleece-waistcoat-p01255710.html?v1=111509083

Oh OP, its just such a normal part of becoming a mother in your 30s - that sudden change in the way you live, your bodyshape, the time you have for yourself- that throws so many woman who had felt they had their style and way of dressing their body shape sorted.

If you frequent these boards, over the years, so many woman find this a massive problem that's not discussed. With the added issue of no childfree time to go to shops and try things on / people watch to get ideas.

I found it helpful to follow people on Instagram who have a similar bodyshape to me and in their late 30s / early 40s. Just getting ideas about where they shop and how they are putting a twist on fashion.

Actually our book club were talking a few months ago about how many of our DHs were going through something similar now they were working from home after years of just suits at work and scruffs at the weekend, so many were having similar "i dont know what to wear" feelings trying to build a "at home but not looking like you've got the flu" wardrobe. So many woman said "like after you have a baby and need to change how your dress".

It really does seem universal!

I have a similar problem and wear a lot of shirts with skinny jeans/cords and either flats or boots now the weather is chillier.

I get the shirts sewn up at the front by a seamstress or else they gape. I find they look smart enough for wfh / generally running around. I'm unwilling to wear track suits, jumpsuits or dunga. I just can't.

I have skinny hips so wear a lot of stuff tucked in.

Dungarees!

Not exactly sure what you are asking but are you looking to update your casual style? I have a JLO esque figure so kind of sympathise. I think you need to step away from average high street brands to be honest. I like some stuff in jigsaw, reiss (they had an asymmetric knit last year) and toast (shirts, gabi trousers) and at times boden and banana republic. But that’s all.

Depending on your budget try these brands - toteme, raey, vince, joseph, franke shop (or at least check out the style).

On off days mostly I wear slim or straight jeans, ankle boots (don’t like trainers), v neck tops or popover shirts (mainly toast), cashmere jumpers, silk cami with a v neck cropped cardigan, cashmere hoodies, leather jacket or a wrap coat for winter.

www.reiss.com/ca/p/floral-print-high-neck-midi-dress-womens-theresa-in-blue/?category_id=218&gaEeList=W%20-%20New%20Arrivals#&gid=1&pid=6

^

Love this dress. Not really suitable for the school run tho

@Bex000 I think you could wear them with a midi length button through shirt dress or a side split maxi skirt. They wouldn't be "in your face" you'd just be flashing glimpses IYSWIM

Dresses! MIDI dresses, wear them with boots/shoes/trainers etc easy to wear and you can go smart or casual plus if you get patterned ones and get marks on them from your DC then it’s not immediately obvious.

Flares jeans and a wrap top/unbuttoned gently does the same for that shape of figure as a wrap dress.

Basically I think you could do pretty well with a late 70s vibe.

Have you tried Cos OP? Try things on rather than go online. I like that i can find interesting shapes and cuts. It wears well and while not young looking isn't "mumsy" in a bad way either.

trying to build a "at home but not looking like you've got the flu" wardrobe.

Well if this isn't life in a nutshell

I love the sound of the baseball jackets with skinny jeans. I'd never have thought of that.

The only recent picture I've got is trying on bikinis and I'm not sure about tits aplenty, flashing my thighs, headless or not. I'll try and take one tomorrow, just put DTwins down and got a famished DH and DS awaiting dinner!