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…

I've mostly given up on trying to make cardis work tbh! There's only one I've ever had which doesn't look frumpy - it's a super long line, thick Ganni one I got off Vinted. I think it works because I'm quite tall and it has a strong shape and holds that shape well? I think heavyweight knits look better for longline too - slim knits just look a bit cheap to my eye as a "jacket layer".

Anyway moving on from cardis... I've given a lot of thought to layers as someone who is constantly cold!

I really love nice sweaters. I think it's important to see them as part of the outfit you're putting together not just an extra layer? I've got some gorgeous Everlane sweaters I love that are super comfy. My personal preference is roll neck/polo neck styles and I have them in a variety of thicknesses to suit occasion.

Also don't discount a nice hoodie!
This is my COS hoodie which I love. I wear it with an oversize blazer/coat & tucked into tailored trousers or with leggings.

Blazers - I'm personally a huge fan! It feels a bit weird if you're used to seeing them as office wear. I felt that way at first now couldn't imagine my wardrobe without them.
If you want to be more on trend then go for boxier cuts and strong shoulders & avoid overly fitted, tight styles like the type you'd see in an workwear suit of the 2010s!

Coats - this was an adjustment for me as my coat always used to be an afterthought but now it's often basically my outfit 🤣 I love a nice coat. My classic trench is sooo useful as an extra layer in warmer weather and it makes me feel all classy & French too 🤣 for Winter, I have a longline puffer, a thick wool structured coat, a patterned wool coat & a long furry coat. So I have different warmth options depending on weather!

Shirts - I have a few classic cotton shirts in different colours and these are very useful for layering 🙂

I find a cardigan can work with a top tucked in underneath and a belt but you do need to accessories to stop the frump. It gives that long thin line down the front which makes you look taller and slimmer. Long line cards I have never managed to make work though and, like the others, I've found cardis need to be thicker.

Have you all tried a bomber jacket? Feels a bit Lily Allen mid 00s but hey ho.

I'm fascinated by Kibbe but I find it very hard to make a judgement on my own type. Is there such a thing as Dramatic who looks like a child playing dress-up in tailoring? I can't decide if it's just that high street tailoring is badly cut so it doesn't work on me! I'm 5ft 5 so a bit borderline on height but possibly a flamboyant gamine instead.

I'm by no means an expert here but my understanding is that at 5"5 you'd need to have very strong vertical to be a pure D.
I only really know about typing the taller types as that's what I am.

But often trying on clothes that generally work for different types is a good indicator. So if you look a bit like you're playing dress up in a lot of tailoring that maybe indicates you're not one of the types that looks their best in tailoring.

That definitely worked for me - I look cohesive & not overly formal in tailoring. Whereas flouncy, pretty, fussy clothing makes me literally look like an adult pretending to be a child 🤣

There's a decent community on Reddit that can help you with typing if you're not sure. I find it's really helpful getting others to take a look as it's hard to assess ourselves.

I never thought I was particularly sharp and vertical - and while I am certainly not an extreme example of those traits I definitely do possess them as others see them in me.

I know this is making things even more complex and it seems a bit "astrology for people who like clothes" but there's another way of looking at things which is considering your "style essence". If you have a playful, "gamine" essence but a dramatic classic body type for instance you might want to consider how you could add & express playfulness while still broadly adhering to Kibbe lines
The essence stuff is about considering your personality and vibe and the Kibbe stuff is really just for working out the kind of tailoring & cuts that work for your frame. That's my understanding but as I said no expert!

Good ideas.
Another one I just remembered for de-frumping cardigans is to wear them buttoned up with nothing underneath so you're flashing a bit of skin.
But then I guess it's not so useful as an extra layer that way!

I have done heavy, long cardigans that work with dresses (they sort of work like a coat) but I never like the look of them with trousers. I have a couple of thicker cardigans that I only wear done up that I think make me look a bit trendier. I need to get rid of the one waterfall cardigan I own. I wore it for teaching but it’s so frumpy now

Thanks for this, great advice. I'll investigate Reddit.

You're welcome hope it's helpful x

So back on the topic of cardis (this is exactly the topic I pictured 30 somethings passionately discussing when I was in my teens...)

This is the only longline I've found that I feel works in terms of being flattering & not frumpy (though you may disagree haha)

It's a crap pic but it's a thick wool Ganni I picked up on Vinted. I think the strong vertical line helps as does the thickness & length?

I won't buy any more though, this was literally the only cardi gamble that's ever paid off!

That looks good! Doesn’t make you look frumpy in the slightest!

lolling at the idea we’ve become an old person cliche to your teenage self 😂 I’m actually starting to realise why my granny always used to ask if the new clothes I was trying to show her was washable and lined!

Washable and lined is the holy grail! Natural fibres too ideally, none of that new fangled recyled vegan leather rubbish.

Had anyone else seriously considered making their own clothes? I'm not sure when I'd have time this decade but it would probably be easier at this point.

Omg me too 🤣 caught myself shuddering & frowning at "polyester" when I was clothes shopping recently...and LOL on the lined thing too, I always check for that now!
Had a bit of a weird transition stage where I still kept trying to shop in places I did in my teens & early 20s but always feeling out of place and coming home with stuff I felt ridiculous in and fell apart after one wash. But still I was terrified of trying anywhere that seemed too grown up & serious!
Fully embracing it now though! And convincing myself I'm cool and punk still cus I wear fishnets even though these days it's more Sandro "fishnet inspired" tops in fabrics that wash well rather than a literal 2 pound pair, ripped "artfully" and worn on my arms. So maybe not lol

I did! Nearly bought a sewing machine on a whim but my friend talked me out of it by lending me one instead...still haven't touched it unfortunately. I'd LOVE to be able to though. And I'd really love to learn how to do decent alterations as I'm a massive thrifter & I pick up soo many pieces that are excellent quality but don't fit quite right. I feel like well fitting clothes are so important to looking and feeling "polished".
I'm just scared of sewing machines though, I think because I was so hopeless at textiles in high school it knocked my confidence for decades..
.

Ooh something to share- I recently discovered Thrift Plus and oh my goodness....
I wouldn't recommend selling on it as sellers clearly don't make much judging by prices charged..

But I've found some real gems for 3-4 pounds a piece and unlike Vinted there's no additional charges to pay (apart from shipping if under £50). You get an additional 15% off by signing up to newsletter too.
So I got a haul of high end, designer stuff for around £3 a piece. Including Citizens of Humanity & APC jeans, Bally & Miista shoes, Twinset & Sandro dresses, Isabel Marant trousers & a pair of Faith Connexions leggings in great condition that originally retailed at a crazy price something like £600 which I can't comprehend 😳

They reduce items as time goes on so the trick is to put higher priced stuff on your watch list as it notifies you when it's reduced.
And also when searching apply filters (condition: brand new or like new, there is some tatty stuff on there and brand type: premium and designer) then set it to "sort" from "low to high price". It brings up all the heavily discounted good quality stuff first then!

Ooh yes I saw this the other day! Will have to get used to it, I haven’t found the filers as good for searching specific things as vinted so far.

also yes yes to only natural fibres now! Even viscose makes me feel sweatier than cotton or linen.

I find the price points really tricky at this age, too.

I live in a hot place where there aren't many shopping options, so dresses are my friend, but shops that cater to our age group online seem to be either cheap and low-quality, or suddenly leap to £200+ for anything decent.

I recommend all ladies from 28+ follow Sheerluxe (if you're younger check out their 'Luxegirl' brand). It's an online magazine that produces a ton of great fashion content, it's my bible. They have a website, youtube channel and are across Instagram/Tiktok.

@natura that’s where these preloved sites are your friend! I agree I wouldn’t buy most of the cheap stuff on the high street but struggle to justify big spends at the moment.

@Mariposa123 You're totally right – I wish I lived somewhere where Vinted etc. was a thing!

You are my people! I send back most things from asos and H&M these days.

In my early 30’s I was firmly in oasis / warehouse but they’ve gone and loads of online basics turn up such rubbish quality that I want to actually shop in a shop…

Not ready to be a frump either.

Ive had some luck in French Connection but it’s quite expensive for my budget.

I think this gang of Mumsnetters might need to start our own fashion brand...

Haha yessss. There’s definitely a gap in the market for us to corner

I do actually like the company This is Unfolded. Not too expensive and also ethical and they get customers to help with design ideas. Sadly though I think they only ship in the UK

Following with interest! In my 20's I shopped at Topshop, warehouse, oasis- all places I loved! I still have some clothes from these places although recently had a clear out and now regret getting rid of some of them! The quality was so much better then!

Now I'm really struggling to find clothes I like and can justify paying £46 for a skirt for like I did yesterday in Next (even though the fabric is flimsy and see through, and will likely tear at the slightest tug) it's just that I was desperate for a work skirt.

I really am regretting having a clear out, I had much nicer things in my wardrobe than in the shops :(

Loving this thread, in the same place at 37. Can anyone recommend any instagram accounts to follow to help me visualise the wardrobe I actually want to have please?

I’ve just had a look, the fashion is amazing but the prices way out of my league unfortunately 😔 I can’t really spend more than £50 on a single item unless it’s a coat or UGGs or something like that. It would be good for inspiration though, if I can find some cheaper substitutes!

Ugh it’s another grey and rainy day today, got DD’s nursery summer fete, wtf do you wear in this weather? The practical answer is a raincoat and shorts but seriously who wants to look they’re at brownie camp 😭

@natura imagine! We would do so much of a better job. I’m still amazed that even ‘decent’ shops assume everyone is the same height and do so few options for bigger boobs etc.

I took a deep breath and threw out my mom jeans the other day. I actually really liked them it’s just I didn’t buy the right length as the ones I wanted were sold out 🙄 so my first purchase will be the same jeans in the correct length. Here they are in case anyone is interested - they flatter even my pancake bum:

https://www.asos.com/stradivarius/stradivarius-slim-mom-jean-with-stretch-in-authentic-blue/prd/204672109?clr=washed-blue&colourWayId=204672110&SearchQuery=stradivarius