I want to be a glossy 4x4 mum

[glossystyle]

I’ve got major envy for those glossy mums who always look effortlessly put-together, the ones who pull up in a gleaming 4x4, wearing an immaculate coat, perfect jeans, and trainers that somehow look fresh and stylish instead of like they’ve been through a muddy football field. Their hair always seems bouncy, their nails are pristine, and they make juggling kids and life look so chic. I know the reality underneath will be different to this perceived polish but I fantasise about gliding around like a glossy mum.

I’m determined to give my wardrobe and look a bit of an upgrade, but I can’t afford to throw money around. I’m obsessed with Vinted, and I’d love some advice on what kind of brands or key pieces I should be looking for to recreate this vibe. Think understated luxury, nothing that screams flashy, just timeless, polished style. I am 42 and would love to dress youthfully but established.

I also feel like there’s some secret to their beauty routines, always glowing skin, neat nails, and perfectly styled hair that looks natural but clearly isn’t. Is this the magic of a Dyson Airwrap and Charlotte Tilbury, or am I missing something?

Basically, how do I create this effortless gloss without bankrupting myself? And is there anyone else out there reinventing themselves via Vinted too? Would love any tips, tricks, or recommendations to help me nail the look! Thank youuuu.

Permanent hair removal 😂 god help you turn up at school in your 4x4 with a hairy fanny 😂😂😂

Is that you Amanda ?

Fucking hell . Such a depressing shallow thread when there is so much going on in the world.

Oh to have only worry about what you look like.

And now I am sloping off firmly holding my hard hat …

I've had a hairy fanny all my life. No complaints. Been married 39 years!!

I don't know why you need to feel the need to be so rude! @glossystyle was only asking a question about how to improve her appearance. If you don't like it and don't want to contribute there are literally 1000s of threads and post on MN you can contribute to. This one's not for you? Move on. Please don't make rude comments though it is totally uneccassary.

I've had a hairy fanny all my life.

Only on very hot days do I do the school run bottomless so my hairy fanny doesn’t ruin my gloss most of the time. And frankly it’s not very comfy sitting on my leather seats without pants so I don’t recommend.

You can definitely stay thin past 35 without smoking or 'hardy eating'. Okay I'm only just 35, but I'm a size 4-6 (so a 90s size 8) and eat 3 meals a day without fail.

It's what you eat, not how much you eat. Starving yourself to stay thin is rarely sustainable and doesn't achieve the stick-thin-but-healthy look.

I will be honest that there are plenty of threads that state they don’t do any ironing as no one notices (they do) just air dry their hair, or just pull on the nearest leggings before doing the school run and claim they never look pulled together

Quite honestly you have to care about how you look. It doesn’t take hours but you do need to care and want to do it

It is also time. I had my nails and hair done last week and it took bloody hours!
Getting your car valeted takes time.
Skin work also takes time.
You have to want to prioritize it.

It’s not necessarily money, it’s time that you need and I think some people would rather not bother

You can stay thin. But you have to want to. I work with a couple of women who claim they want to be thinner but never look at what they are consuming.

@Crushed23 I said skinny as that’s the word the poster I replied to used. I guess it depends on what your definition of skinny is. Size alone is a bit meaningless without height as a size 6 person at 5ft looks very different to one at 6ft. I was an underweight BMI when I was younger & skinny but had a fast metabolism & could eat what I liked. I couldn’t maintain an underweight BMI now without restricting somewhat but I’m not interested in that. And as I said I can only talk about my experience in the fashion world where disordered eating was the default.

I will be honest that there are plenty of threads that state they don’t do any ironing as no one notices (they do) just air dry their hair, or just pull on the nearest leggings before doing the school run and claim they never look pulled together
Quite honestly you have to care about how you look. It doesn’t take hours but you do need to care and want to do it

This is pretty outdated but maybe location specific. I hardly ever ironed in my days of magazines & head offices & always air dried my hair but I really cared about how I looked.

Lululemon is your friend.

Being concerned with global events and caring about what you look like aren't mutually exclusive you do realise this right? I find it bonkers that people think this is ALL I would think about. I'm genuinely interested in improving my appearance, for me and my inner confidence.

OP, thanks for this fab thread - will have a proper read later. @theprincessthepea, very interested in your suggestions - would love some links (particularly to ‘cool’ T-shirts! 🙏🏻). TIA.

This is a thread on the style and beauty board, get over yourself.

I've found that when I was unhappy then I couldn't muster the energy to care about my appearance.
Now that I'm in a good place I enjoy taking the time to dress nicely and put make up on from time to time.
Oh and I can still care about things going on in the world.

This

Really? I’ve always associated this brand with 20-something gym bunnies

You claim you want to improve your appearance, but you don't want to make the best of your own features and find styles and colours that suit you: You have explicitly stated that you're trying to look like the woman from the school run, who has no job.

So far, the women who follow this Sosandar catalogue style (that says: my husband is richer than yours) are trophy wives, or spend hours of their day achieving this look and their lives are underpinned by the processes required to maintain their appearance i.e. not eating.I was most amused by the poster who says having regular massages is one of the "basics".

And the time! Where does this time come from if you're the mum of a kid that needs to be delivered and collected from school? I felt sad by the woman who has neglected her home and has a car like a skip so she can spend more time on her blow dry.

@CinnamonJellyBeans I think you've totally misunderstood the point of my thread and also casting huge judgements on glossy 4x4 mums. That's sad to read.

How do you get a 4x4 if you are unemployed?

Jeez the bitchiness on this thread is off the scale...and the implication that a woman who looks well groomed and makes an effort with her appearance must automatically be stupid, or neglects her children or some other bullshit. FFS.

@CinnamonJellyBeans what are you talking about? The glossy mums I observe all have very good jobs. Lawyers, marketing directors, copywriters.

You said they wear jeans and trainers.