Saw myself on home security cameras- need help with fashion makeover

[FrumpyMcFrumpFace]

We’ve just put some new cameras up that look down our front path and driveway. I was reviewing the clips earlier and saw myself going out . I was dismayed at how frumpy I looked. My mum is staying for a few days, she’s 78, and I actually thought it was her first of all, and had to do a double take.
I’m mid fifties, size 14, 5 ft 6. My whole wardrobe is Seasalt or White Stuff. I’m rurally based and no longer work, so I don’t need work clothes, just a few outfits to go out for a meal etc.

please could I have your suggestions for some fashionable outfits or fashion brands that I might not have come across.
I’m getting my hair restyled this week, so I’m totally up for a rethink.

I've never honestly near Seasalt clothes after seeing them for sale in a garden centre 15 years ago

That in itself put me off for life

've never gone near Seasalt clothes after seeing them for sale in a garden centre 15 years ago

That in itself put me off for life

Because people who are gardeners lack style?

Haha, I am a keen gardener… but get where the PP is coming from - I can only imagine buying clothes at a garden centre if I was elderly! I do actually have a couple of Seasalt T-shirts - just plain ones though, their patterns make me look like a woman who has given up.

Well. There's certainly a lot of hate for Seasalt on here. Plus some generalisations about the elderly.

The o my person I know that wears Seasalt is my MiL, to be fair. She’s in her late 80s.

I love the Plumo vibe. I've not had much from there that has worked for me but the odd thing has been great.

Thanks all, I’ve really enjoyed reading your comments and have had a giggle at some. I agree, I’ve put on some weight since the winter, and I’m generally feeling unhappy with my look overall. So, a plan in action:

• get hair restyled tomorrow
• half a stone weight loss before my holiday in October, its doable
• have ordered a pink jacket
• have ordered some wide leg trousers, a shirt dress with wide belt, and some wedge espadrilles, if I can work out how to post the links I will.
• have ordered some taupe eyeliner- did not know this existed. I watched a you tube tutorial, has made me think I might need to rethink make up too.
• already sorted a bag for the charity shop
• have asked husband to re-site the cameras to a more flattering angle 🤣

Yep, feeling better 🥰

👍

But insufficient detail on your new clothes …

Have a look at Erica Davies on instagram ☺️

Yay! Difficult bit is getting started - now you have you’ll enjoy the wins/boosts and keep going! I lost my way over lockdowns 2020-2022 and have completely sorted myself out since then. Lost a stone, take a lot more care of myself, spend a lot more time and money on clothes…..it’s so enjoyable again. Obviously I have all the things that come with age - wrinkles, thinning hair, thread veins on legs etc etc but this doesn’t bother me - I know I’m making the best of what I have now and since it’s only going to be downhill from here I’m going to enjoy what I can for as long as I can! It may be shallow and vain, but I get a great deal of pleasure out of clothes. There are worse vices!

Have fun OP and report back!

I know you're looking for style advice but as the PP said in a very funny way the way you hold yourself is very important, I know that when I was regularly doing weight training I felt so much more youthful and ready to take on the world, even in my daggy old clothes (which hung better).

Mid 50s is a perfect time to build simple resistance training in if you're not doing any and you will feel so much more confident in yourself that your new image will follow.

I had a similarly hideous experience where my photo was taken. OMG Who is that fat old woman with a hunch back and awful hair?

Getting your DH to change camera angle made me laugh op. Good luck to you, we all need a boost sometimes!
I do think good posture is very important- it will add inches to your height, flatten your stomach. We spend so much time looking down at phones, computers, children, hobs!

Glad to know she has a good pension. You pay for the quality.

I think Seasalt is made in China? I had high hopes but its not nice really. Same with White Stuff.

@eggplant16 , where the clothes are made varies.

Dress I’m wearing today is made in Bangladesh, if that helps.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/product

I'm back from the hairdresser and very pleased, had it all chopped off in a layered look, was previously down past shoulders, no fringe etc. This is what I showed the hairdresser, and she did good :-)

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/528610075016598701/

The parcels have already started arriving too, so here's the first dress:

https://www.sosandar.com/green-chain-print-midi-shirt-dress-1

Most of my wardrobe is navy blue, so it always feels daring to go for a different colour

I also ordered these:
https://www.sosandar.com/champagne-gold-ankle-strap-high-wedge-espadrille

But they will have to go back as it looked like one of the ugly sisters trying to get the glass slipper on. Will look for some alternatives.

Some of these:
https://horizons-lointains.fr/en-gb/products/white-lightweight-cotton-wide-leg-trousers?_pos=16&_fid=7bcd47766&_ss=c

I have never bought anything from any of these brands before, taking someone's advice to go to different places.

I really like a couple of these things, thank you, going in the basket now.

It’s a pleasure.

But as you say, the important thing is to explore as many new to you brands as possible. And also to spend some time looking at clothes way above your price range, so you can discern which of the mid range brands are really in touch with contemporary style and which are just treading water.

(Are the white trousers intended for a holiday? They’re at an odd price point for white trousers. If simply for home wear, you might as well buy in the Uniqlo sales for a third of that price. If they’re for ‘out’ - I’d conclude the fabric is too cheap not to turn grey and limp after one wash. But I’ve never encountered that brand so … 🤷‍♀️)