Anyone up for a ‘fashion in my 30s’ thread?

[Jamtartforme]

Because I feel a bit too old for cycling shorts and crop tops, but too young for Next and Boden.

I like the look of Nobody’s Child and of course I have my beloved ASOS but was wondering if anyone fancied a chat thread for new ideas…

Me! I've been thinking similar, I actually feel like im increasingly ageing out of ASOS too...
Current go-tos are Mango, Uniqlo, Massimo Dutti, Jigsaw and COS.

Although I also recently shocked myself by buying a wedding guest from Abercrombie and Fitch which was a very unexpected choice!

Yes please! Am currently looking at bits from Mango, Jigsaw, Mint Velvet and Crew Clothing. I don't think any one brand really encompasses the "look" I like or the colours/shapes etc so I'm working hard to combine the right stuff from different places. Had a wobble earlier this year and started a thread which basically condemned most of what I'd bought as "way too boring and unflattering". I've been following The Curated Closet to try and get a handle on style and buying and it's definitely helping (I'm 34 btw).

Ooh can I please follow along for inspiration? I'm 33 and increasingly finding i'm getting that in-betweeny feeling like you say of being too old for the lastest trends, but too young for the Boden type stuff I see on other people. I just want to look cool!

Ah, great to have some company!

Although I also recently shocked myself by buying a wedding guest from Abercrombie and Fitch

That would shock me too 😉 on a serious note, I actually really like a lot of stuff from Abercrombie and Hollister - minus the enormous logos of course as this isn’t 2010 and I’m not 16!

I really need to start only buying things I really like, and really scrutinising them before buying, rather than being taken in by a cheaper price/nice pattern only to realise it doesn’t flatter me and is not stylable with other things I have.

I should be getting a lump of money through soon so my plan is to ditch 90% of my wardrobe and start again, and to actually draw up a list of exactly what I want and stick to it.

I find a good tool for buying is to think, ‘Would I put this on NOW?’ And if the answer is no, don’t buy it. I’m guilty of buying (for example) a nice occasion dress despite the fact I have no upcoming weddings, or something that ‘I wouldn’t put on now but will have the confidence to wear if I shave/tan/style my hair a certain way’. Then I never have the time to do those things!

@Brieandbeetroot how have you found the curated closet? I’m wondering whether to give it a go…

@MiniEggsAllYear welcome! And same - I worry people look at me and think I’m a bit frumpy/2015…

Yes I haven't got a clue what to wear. I am today wearing a dress from FatFace and I am worried that I look frumpy.

@Jamtartforme I'm finding the book really helpful (as is my mum!) as it's a guide to find your personal style and how to cull/maintain/fill your wardrobe with items you can actually wear.

I'm extremely guilty of clinging to clothing and style preferences that don't suit my lifestyle (hello 18 pairs of high heels I haven't worn since before the pandemic!) and that's really helping me to address that. I wear casual clothes much more often now but have no sense of my day to day style so end up looking scruffy or grabbing the same things all the time. The book is helping me to challenge that.

I also don't like the current 30s mum uniform of floral dress, trainers with everything, biker jacket. It just isn't me, so although I am a mum in her 30s, there's no point in me adopting that look!

I'm 38, and I'm thoroughly enjoying finding my way with fashion a little- my youngest is 4 next month, and the first 2.5 years were just a write off for me. Felt fat and old beyond my years, especially since I live in a middle class town, so the mum uniform is very much Boden/ maxi dress/ long down coat in winter.

H&M was absolutely great for me for spring, and Zara has been my go-to for summer - though it's a pain that they are so slim fitting for those of us who are pear shape.

This skirt has been my evening buy of the season, along with a polka dot satin slip skirt. I have banished all but one of the floral midi dresses. I have bought a couple of over shirts from Zara, although where they are meant to oversized I have slimmed them down a lot- that shape is no good for me. Wide leg trousers have been a staple, and halterneck/ racer back style vests

Would you mind linking that first skirt @anon2022anon ? It looks lovely. I've also been impressed with arket and baukjen for similar styles and good basics.

I'm also hoping for inspiration. It feels like your thirties are the time in your life when you finally have an idea of your own style and enough money to get decent clothes that last bit I've spent all of it so far with grubby young kids and baby weight which is really cramping my style 😂

Yes please! I’ve only just this summer got back into thinking properly about clothes after having my two kids and cycling in and out of maternity/baby friendly clothes.

ive loved this summer trend of linen trousers/shirts but want to have some nic e ideas for aunts and winter that fit wiht the mum life but aren’t mumsy!

@Callmesleepy it's unfortunately sold out on h&m, but worth keeping your eyes out on vinted- they also do it in cobalt blue, and I got one BNWT from there.
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1166804004.html

I'm mid 30s and post baby so I'm just going lurk quietly on this thread and take notes 🙂 I'll be in stretchy maternity wear if anyone needs me

Yes please! I’ve just turned 30 and had my first baby. Pre-baby I always wore dresses, but that doesn’t seem to be very practical now so I’m a bit lost! Would love to get some ideas and update my wardrobe.

@Caffeinatedmama I'll join you...33 weeks now so you can only imagine the stretchy attire currently in circulation...

Also is it just me who would love to look cool and minimalist in white blouses but know they’d end up covered in paint and chocolate after one wear?

Great thread! I’m 37 and currently culling my 20’s wardrobe and my attachment to skinny jeans in favour of more timeless bits. I’m
a t shirt, jeans and blazer or soft trench kinda girl, trying to wean myself into wearing more dresses. Cos, Arket and Zara tend to be my go to for basics. Then I’ll usually pick up some more pricier bits to supplement in the sales for the rest.

Shoes is where I’m a little bit unsure of? The middle class mum uniform around here is Veja’s. I live in espadrilles in the summer and trainers in the winter. But I used to like a ballet pump. I quite like the ones that come quite high up on the foot, I think they were Celine but I can never justify spending that much. Anyone seen any cheaper dupes?

Hi new members 😊 I can resonate with basically everything that has been written. My youngest is nearly 5 months so I’m still trapped in the baby sick/breastfeeding wardrobe. Today I’m in a periwinkle blue coloured sweatshirt from H&M, Mom jeans which don’t fit that well postpartum, and black Birkenstock’s. I like sweatshirts as they feel like a younger alternative to knitwear but only in muted or pastel colours, anything too neon or primary makes me feel like a playgroup assistant (or Giovanna Fletcher! Lovely lady but just not my style).

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/uo-nyc-visions-sweatshirt?category=womens-hoodies-sweatshirts&color=004&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Whistles also have some nice ones.

I agree about shoes, I find them problematic. The one thing I can’t part with is my UGGs in winter, thank god they seem to be making something of a comeback! And I lived in a pair of bashed up white Reebok’s last winter, but outside that I’m clueless.

Me as well. I have a white cheesecloth button down shirt that I thought would be good from a breastfeeding perspective, but I’m pale with blonde hair and it only looks good if I’ve remembered to do tanning drops. Otherwise I look anaemia. And my 4 year old wipes her nose and mouth on me 😬

Following. I love clothes and shopping in general, but having gone from an office job to SAHM a lot of what I own just isn't working for me anymore. I've done a lot of culling over the last couple of years and I'm planning on packing away things I can't bear to part with but don't actually wear, to then look again at what I do wear, which mostly seems to stuff I don't really love, so I can figure out what I need/want. Just waiting till the twins start school so I can actually have a minute to myself to do it!

I did the same and packed away all my pre baby/work wear in the hope I’d be able to wear it again. Five years on I’ve started to accept the fact most won’t be worn again and I’ve sold a few pieces but there are some I can’t bring myself to part with. The worst is the expensive stuff! I should probably get it on vinted before it becomes so outdated no one else wants it.

also I’ve got a school mums night out soon and realise I’ve no idea what people wear to the pub anymore 🙈

@Mariposa123 depends entirely what type of pub/ clientele it is. If it's got a younger crowd then basically anything at all- and I really do mean anything- plus a pair of trainers. If it's a bit older then a midi dress with flat sandals. I would say that unless you really, really want to.wear them, save yourself the hassle of heels.

I'm tempted by a waistcoat at the moment, but unsure if I can carry off a co-ord. I like it though.
www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-co-ords-l1061.html?page=2

Shoes wise, I've just had two pairs of fisherman sandals arrive, one John Lewis sale and one Vinted, and im in love with them. Really enjoying clomping around in them.
Black ones are a little smarter

I’m having the same dilemma about work clothes. I’ve run my own business WFH for 6 years without setting foot in a formal environment that would necessitate me wearing a suit. So why the hell I’m still holding on to my tailored suits/dresses, I have no idea!

I love Uggs in winter, warm, comfy but completely impractical in wet weather. I prefer leather boots but with a sheepskin lining. More structure, no soggy feet but still warm and comfy for the school run.