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.

@CinnamonJellyBeans you know lots of people hybrid work? Even glossy mums. I'm baffled you think these people are all vacuous because they care about their appearance.

Pathetic ambition

Formal dress codes have all but been abandoned since Covid - even in the office unless you're meeting clients. There's nothing odd about jeans and trainers.

Although I can't think of any of my colleagues who stand out as "glossy mums" but that might be because it's not a style I find interesting.

Lydia Millen is awful - too instaglam. I live in the country and in an ideal world I’d live in Loro Piana and Purdey but my real life go tos are:

Troy London for coats and shirts
Hicks and Brown for fedoras
Rise & Fall for cashmere
Holland Cooper (sparingly as a bit instaglam)
Fairfax and Favor
M&S Ivy jeans for wearing with long boots
Levis Rib Cage jeans For everything else
Penelope Chilvers
Superga tennis shoes for summer
WNU shirts

Good for anything and everything:
Sezanne
Mango
Zara
M&S
Reiss
Barbour

After 12 pages on this there still seems to be a lot of confusion on what a glossy mum actually looks like. Are they Kate Middleton wannabes? WAGs? An influencer? They are brain dead! They are cultured! You must read loads but also spend a long time blow drying. You have to be thin, you can’t have hair unless it’s on your head & then it needs to be BIG. Unless you are going to Pilates & then it needs to be in a low bun. You must wear beige even if it makes you look like death, puffers are naff & you need to iron everything. You can do the look on the cheap but labels are important & natural is key but cosmetic tweaks are a must. I’m certainly confused!

This is the joy of Mumsnet. Having a fun discussion and all inputting different ideas and taking from it what suits you. I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone's input even the wollys that think this is my one and only ambition.

I feel like this look makes you look older than you are, it’s also really boring. I like to express my creativity when I dress. I love patterns and metallics, texture especially. I don’t think beige and boring cuts make you look interesting though granted it can look expensive. The big things that help me feel pulled together are gel nails (so im ignoring all the negative comments, good haircut, laser).

For FEDORAS?!

dying with laughter

Alright inspector gadget

Get over myself??

🤣🤣🤣

I live in a different world. The people on my school run dress for the weather and it is most definitely not a catwalk event. I'd most likely be sectioned if I did the school run in some of these suggestions.

I'm in the North. It might be that.

check out Mellissa Murrell on insta, and her videos on tube, I have revamped my entire wardrobe in the last 10 months since finding her. Some of her stuff is a bit more expensive, but most is highstreet and she is great at highlighting items when the come in the sale, but she gives so may tips and ideas that can then be used on purchase else where like vinted.

If only you had a fedora

I think you’re referring to me.

i don’t have any free time, you’ve mistaken it. A Brazilian blow dry is done at a salon, it lasts 4 months. It means your hair looks perfect after you’ve washed it. If I had time to blow dry every morning, I wouldn’t need a Brazilian one.

My car and home are messy because my priority is my kids + job. You’ve exaggerated “mess” to “neglect” and “skip” which was unkind of you.

My point was that people look at me and assume I have a rich husband and endless free time because of the various hacks (paying a bit), and that the op doesn’t have to be a sahm with a very rich dh to do that. It can be done as a working mum. Sorry it made you sad though!

But is IS sad that you say you have no time to tidy your home and even your car is full of rubbish because you are doing your hair. You said exactly that.

As for the BBD, I've had those and they don't turn you into Kate Middleton, they smooth it your hair. No curls or volume.

Always make sure clothes fit properly!

If in doubt for things like coats and knitwear size up so they hang better. (I quite like the M&S cashmere for the price, if you look after it - but I always size up in it as it is more flattering. (Size 10/12, buy a 14). Navy is pretty universally flattering especially as we age a bit. Soft greys and heathers can also be nice.

Jeans need to be well fitted, they relax as you wear them. Decent belt (leather, doesn’t need to be branded). Ivory denim looks classier than white imo. Dark denim if you want to look a bit smarter, a lighter wash for more casual looks.

Look after your things, it doesn’t matter how expensive they are if they are creased, scuffed or dirty.

A smart wool coat, nice jumper, decent well fitting pair of jeans and a pair of Spezials is pretty much the uniform now in most of the offices and meetings I go to.

"Glossy mum" isn't my style but goodness knows what you think is so hilarious about wearing a felt hat.

I’m sorry it didn’t work for you, that’s sad. It has done wonders for me. I don’t have to do my hair, I don’t know how else I can explain it. You never have to do your hair. You wake up and go. Mine isn’t flat, it’s glossy and bouncy and thick. I’m thrilled - gamechanger.

At the end of the day, I think you either have 'style' or you don't. The people who I know who are stylish just naturally know what to wear to look good and often it's more about their natural poise (they way they hold themselves etc) than what they wear. I always admire a particular colleague of mine but when I ask her what she's wearing it's always Primark, New Look, M&s etc- nothing special. She wears cheap shoes from Shein, which somehow look expensive on her. The best thing to do is wear what you love and it will be 'your' look and there will be someone out there that admires you. If you have to try to attain a certain 'look' it's probably never going to happen if it's not coming naturally you.

I cannot believe the pp who thinks Cleo Lacey is the epitome of this look 😂😂🫠 ☠️seriously. Op wants glossy. Chic. Not like someone who maybe buys her holiday wardrobe at matalan, has lip fillers and uses a standard high street hairdresser for overdone highlights. The whole point is to look very very very natural - like you’re not trying!! Like your genes are the most epic of the human race and you have time to invest in yourself and zero stress in your life. Not and I repeat not like Cleo Lacey.

@OneBadKitty

I have a colleague like this. We have different styles (she likes colour and prints, I do not) but my god she can put an outfit together so well and it is never expensive brands. It all just looks expensive on her, she looks ultra polished and put together every time I see her. She has wonderful curly hair too.

I’m not sure you’ve read the same thread.

Who has said you need to be a trophy wife or not eat? That’s frankly insulting. I earn decent money thanks very much and I suspect most other posters also work since most women do nowadays.

I wonder if going to an image consultant would help as you would find out what colours suit you and which clothes would suit you.

Some people find wearing sunglasses (!) is pretentious (read it on MN) so I'm not surprised by their silly reaction 😂😂