Bag and Jacket advice

[1AngelicFruitCake]

I feel I’ve lost my way since I got older. I desperately need some help! I’m early 40s, size 14, being positive I’ve got a big bust, good waist (trying to ignore my sticky out tummy and big bum).
Jackets just completely confuse me! I wear dresses with leggings or midi/maxi dresses, fairly feminine patterns so what would be a good jacket?

I want a nice bag for going out to the pub on a rare night out with friends. I really like the Marc Jacob’s saddle bag style but I don’t want to spend that much.

Any help appreciated!

No budget?

This is a wonderfully contemporary jacket shape that goes really well with dresses, making them look more relaxed and less twee:

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/voluminous-bomber-jacket-with-pockets-l06717916?pelement=43337133&colorId=500&style=1

This is definitely feminine - and great for summer into autumn:

https://gatherandsee.com/collections/jackets/products/lily-of-the-valley-puff-jacket

I’m new to this board (coming on here makes me feel like im loitering somewhere I don’t belong!)
Jacket wise I don’t want to spend more than £50, ideally less! Bag no more than £30/35. Thanks for replying. I feel so pathetic I don’t know these things!

thank you for your help I’m sorry but they both feel way too trendy for me! I don’t know how I’m going to feel wearing a jacket with dresses as I haven’t for so long!

Roman have some lovely denim-style jackets in lots of colours. I have a few and they look good with jeans, trousers, dresses.

I'd go for a good old denim jacket. M&S and Next have lots to choose from.

Bag wise - what do you like, cross body, shoulder, big, small - what do you need to carry?

i really like cross body bags but I don’t know what’s in fashion. I love pastel colours but I don’t want to look too twee!

Never heard of Roman thanks. You e both said denim jackets so I’ll look on next as well assumed Id look silly in one!

I a black denim jacket ok?

Whatever colour you like!

As for bags, the Uniqlo cross body bags are great. It’s amazing what you can cram in there!

Ok thanks for that link will have a look and great about the colour. I went out today with a group of women, all lovely, all roughly my age and one made a comment and laughed about what I was wearing. I’m quite a bubbly person so she’ll think I’ll laugh it off as she’s really nice but since getting older and putting on weight I’m incredibly insecure about how I look. Thank you for you help!

way too trendy for me

assumed Id look silly in one

Why, @1AngelicFruitCake? How is it that you feel so out of step with completely mainstream clothes (that have been around for ages) in your early 40s?

I don’t know if it will matter to you but there’s a strong cohort of women in their 50s / 60s / 70s on MN who are all completely engaged with contemporary style. I doubt anyone on S&B believes that someone in their 40s should feel too self conscious to try out evolving trends …

Honestly I think it’s a combination of not going out socially very often for last few years, a couple of well meaning but unkind comments from friends/colleagues and me feeling like I look ridiculous! I have some lovely clothes that I feel confident in and think I look nice. It’s the jacket situation I feel silly with!

Well she wasn't nice was she? I can be rude about stuff I see on here (Mother of the Bride outfits are no holds barred) but in real life , the "if you can't say anything nice, say nothing" policy applies. I'm also capable of complimenting things I wouldn't personally wear but look good.

The first jacket suggested by Wilderness really isn't way out/ outré and I'd put money on it being more stylish than what the person who made the derogatory comment was wearing.

Probably. You might try searching "Chore Jackets". These are boxy, utilitarian jackets made of cotton or denim. They do the same job as denim jackets (in the jean jacket sense) but are less ubiquitous than jean jackets.

On your budget, I would put it all on the jacket and just use whatever bag you have or get the cheapest high street / supermarket / thrift shop number that carries what you need.

Chore jackets £90 or less
Chore 1
2
3
4
5
6

Having looked at all the recommendations here, @1AngelicFruitCake, especially the chore jackets above, I wonder if you’re reconsidering your jacket budget? Obviously we can each only buy what we can afford, but below £50 for a jacket (new rather than pre-owned) to stylishly cover a size 14 might seem a bit optimistic. (Maybe if you haven’t bought one for a while you’ve fallen behind current prices?)

Definitely think you need to ‘get your eye in’ again - because what you’ve effectively asked (so far) is Please help me find a cheap, old fashioned jacket.

Which I’m certain isn’t what you actually want!

I also think you need to up your budget for both items. For a good, long lasting jacket I’d be looking up to £100. Check the OUTNET.

I’m a big fan of designer bags to elevate a simple jeans/ tshirt look but the cos leather cross body sling bag is a good high street option (still about three times your budget though )

I’d look at something like Whitestuff eBay outlet. This one is £55

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395319151410?itmmeta=01J2S0APRG0MKAK4JCM0T42WK9&hash=item5c0adb8b32:g:TgIAAOSwPjhmFNrD

Find something you like the look of on some of the sites mentioned then look in the sale section for similar, Massimo Dutti have some lovely jackets in the styles mentioned but are down to around £50. Don't go for something thats got a great discount just because its cheap, you wont wear it and have wasted your budget, go for the style you'd like thats more in your budget. Denim jackets and bomber styles will always be popular.

and I agree, shes not a very nice person 😤

I agree your friend doesn’t sound nice, some of the comments about prices on here blow my mind. I don’t have that sort of budget and I don’t think your asking for the impossible. I’ve found these which are in your budget:

https://www.riverisland.com/p/khaki-tailored-crop-bomber-jacket-904788

https://www.riverisland.com/p/black-quilted-cross-body-bag-912874

For affordable also try new look, quiz, Zara. You don’t need to spend 100s to update your look.

OMG I love this! Must stop looking at it as it’s nowhere near pay day yet…..

Can't go wrong with a denim jacket.

Well I’ve no idea what you were wearing obviously but she sounds horrible.

If there’s one thing that stuck out from your OP, to me it was wearing leggings with dresses. I do think that’s a dated look and IMO was never great/flattering when popular. Each to their own but I much prefer the look of just a longer dress like you seem to have as well.

Not personally a denim jacket fan (although I actually like the “chore” one above!). I tend to like a slightly oversized (not huge), lightweight trench in the spring/summer. I find it goes with everything, can have the sleeves pushed up to be more casual and isn’t too out there. Maybe have a look at Mango for affordable options (maybe via Vinted?).

in contrast to PP, I’d try and get a second hand jacket and spend on the bag in your shoes (although possibly second hand for both to up the quality!). Massimo Dutti bags are really classy, quality leather and not ridiculously priced. I’d aim for something understated with minimal branding/hardware.

Found a few v affordable bags since you like crossbody. FWIW, I prefer a more classic/less edgy look generally - these are not in any way daring but inspired by a classic Celine style and would be versatile/not date IMO:

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/bags/crossbody/crossbody-bag-with-flap_67004483?c=CU

https://www.marksandspencer.com/faux-leather-cross-body-bag/p/clp60547840?colour=BLACKMIX&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_bau_smec_counterfactual&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bTXUUMkNSYgtKo5zxO_69G-Y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjLS9saynhwMVppFQBh04SgblEAQYFyABEgKkc_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/bags/crossbody/animal-print-effect-flap-bag_67030429?c=TA

Something a bit more modern:

shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/bags/small/leather-effect-shoulder-bag_77000374?c=09

I agree.