Have you 'become stylish' age 30+?

[BiffChipsandKippers]

I'm not stylish, never have been. Probably not particularly well dressed. Fashion has never really interested me. Very much a jeans and t or jeans and jumper type person. I do want to be a bit better dressed though. Stylish probably isn't the right word as I don't want the hassle of trying to keep up with changing fashions, just want to look like I've made a bit of effort/polished. Possibly an impossible task with 3 little ones and a full time job but I'm sure others do it!

For context, I have a 10 month old, 3yo and 6yo, very outdoorsy family, office job but casual dress for that and 50% WFH.

Any tips would be much appreciated!

I have same aged children as your youngest two, and I'm here for tips....honestly I don't know how the insta mums look so stylish, I make sure I have a spare decent quality tee shirt in my baby change bag (sticky hands, leaks of many kinds etc) but that's all I've managed.

I make sure I put on SPF and a bb cream every day, while running around after the little ones at breakfast time.

I am sticking to a neutral pallet because I feel more put together and it prevents impulse purchases that don't suit our busy muddy toddler activities.

Hopeful someone with more help than me will be along...

Yes I've been SPF and BB creaming for a while. Neutrals don't suit me at all though, I'm quite pale so I look ill in them 🙈. A good rich or bright colour is better for me but so easy to get wrong!

Hah another one who'd love tips! I only have two little ones and only work part-time and already feel like I look like I've 'let myself go' and I'm not even quite 30 yet! Today I'm wearing a jump suit which I think makes a nice change but depending on what we are doing I wouldn't always fancy one due to the toilet situation...

I think I'm more stylish now than I was, for sure.

I wear basically what suits me, rather than what's fashionable

Jeans, shirts, flats in winter

Lots of dresses with a belt and sandals in summer

I’m 35+ and have found my style now and really comfortable in it. I have a 6 yo and almost 2 yo. For work I wear Lucy and Yak ragan jumpsuit in denim or the olive green colour, either with a top underneath or as is if it’s warm. Or I have a few chuck on printed dresses. Always have a bit of quirky jewellery (earrings, necklace) and wear rose gold Doc Martens or smart leather converse. I honestly get so many more compliments now! If I want to feel smart I will ‘do’ my hair (blow dry or put a wave in) and wear lipstick. Same formula outside of work too.

Eyeing this one up now - this is how I wear mine with top underneath https://lucyandyak.com/products/ragan-jumpsuit-organic-cotton-maria?searchID=0c103c9554b549c93376c7b07606be93&searchObject=39764060831847

Some version of a capsule wardrobe is probably the easiest way to go about it. I don’t mean necessarily restricting yourself to 16 items, more that it’s useful to have a few basics that go with everything and won’t date (or won’t date too quickly).

A couple of pairs of tailored trousers in colours that fit with your existing pieces (navy? charcoal grey?) is a good place to start. A blazer or two can make a big difference. Shoes or boots are a good alternative to trainers. A classic handbag in black or brown is always worth having.

What you buy depends a lot on your lifestyle, age, budget, preferences etc. But in general people who look stylish are wearing a mixture of ‘boring’ basics and up-to-date accents.

I should clarify that to me stylish means something different from fashionable… if you want to be fashionable then I’m sure someone else can help .

Is your youngest past the stage of pulling hair and earrings/accessories? I feel like a human climbing frame most of the time, and I'm limited to updos and studs.

My post partum weight is the same but my shape is just different somehow this time around so I'm having to adjust to the booby squidgy bod.

I found a blazer I loved and bought it in a few colours.. Ditto t-shirts / camisole tips. Posted with jeans and converse, it's a brilliant uniform.