Help! Sudden realisation that I am frumpy!

[EnfysDilys]

Oh Lord, I need some style advice!
I was waiting at the checkout in Next earlier, and had this sudden realisation that I’m 50 and frumpy!
I seem to be wearing the ‘slightly overweight in my 50’s’ uniform of a seasalt type jersey top and trousers.
I haven’t changed my hair or make up in years (shoulder length with a fringe) and I just look tired and worried all the time!
What can I do Style Gurus! I’m not ready to be frumpy!

Whats wrong with next? They sell so many brands now, mint velvet, monsoon, hush so many more, I always take a look on the clearance site, its all through the year, they have some great bargains, only this week i purchased a fur gilet half price, its still on there normal site at full price. A great tip is to buy things out of season for bargains.

@YouSayChorizoIsayChorizo thank you 😊 😍
I agree with everything you said!

I have a job where I’m bedding over a lot and also typing a fair bit and when I started doing the apple fitness strength workouts my posture improved no end and I was more flexible.

Nope, I’m not going to avoid wearing something I like in case a 30 year-old wants to wear it too. I think it’s up to younger women to differentiate themselves from me if it bothers them.

As for Next, I’m sorry, I normally try and avoid being rude about other shops but it depresses the hell out of me and also makes me a bit cross to see some of the droopy, lightweight, badly made shit they try and fob us off with. I think it annoys me more than when newer shops, that have less of a history, do it because I remember when they really used to be great.

As for Next, I’m sorry, I normally try and avoid being rude about other shops but it depresses the hell out of me and also makes me a bit cross to see some of the droopy, lightweight, badly made shit they try and fob us off with

It’s even more depressing when Next is pretty much the best on offer in my small town, I agree their clothes are like dishrags, shit quality and frumpy as hell.

I love this advice and would absolutely follow it, but I'm just not sure I can pull off swishy velvet hippy skirts and corset tops at an overweight 43 😂

Love the idea though, I feel so frumpy at the moment and it's because I don't actually like anything I wear. Off to see what Disturbia and EMP have to offer.

For me it’s about staying a good weight.
I’m mid 40s and wear tight dresses, heels, big goth boots, mini skirts, tight jeans, crop tops, leather jackets, band tshirts etc, colour my hair, makeup, nails. The times I’ve been overweight my style has gone frumpy.

I’ve never had the hairtype for a fringe. But I’ve always been jealous of those who rock one, they do make people look younger and saves on botox!

I must admit nearly everything I have brought fron next online has been a different brand and not next brand, although did just buy their wide leg leggings in petite, they call them leggings but they are more like a pull on jean.

I agree about the weight. Clothes look much better when I have a waist.

I completely agree, next stores are some of the most depressing shops on earth, it's where you go because it's open late, you have an interview in the morning and you're desperate because your trusty interview trousers have got a hole in. It's the home of, "it'll do for now". Fine if that's not the only option in your area but for a lot of us, aside from the supermarkets, it is.

My theory on next shops is that they are basically parcel collection points and that's where next make their money. Anything outside of that has to have a high profit margin as the customers are generally passing through collecting parcels rather than going with an intention to find a specific item. So it's badly made own brand stuff rather than the higher quality brands from the website that justifies the floor space.

I think supermarket clothes are generally better than Next. At least they make an effort to get you to stop and look.

I completely agree with this. We don't have an Asda nearby so I'm out of touch with George's offering but I'm forever going on about Sainsburys and Tesco (Sainsburys in particular) for decent quality, actually nice clothes. I was in Next the other day for the first time in years and didn't see a single thing I was bothered about.

Snap!

I got a pair of mint velvet wide leg cargos last year which I love. And a Tommy Hilfiger shirt.

The shops are pretty dire but the online clearance is great.

As for other posters' comments about Seasalt et al, it lasts, the basics are decent quality and when you've finished with them, they sell really well on Vinted.

Sometimes this is about not prioritising your own health and well being when life is busy with being a wife/mother/employee/carer etc
I think more time to sleep, exercise, eat healthily and do what makes you happy is really important.
Posture, hair and life attitude make the most difference to your perceived life vibrancy in my opinion.

Yes I very much agree with this.

It probably isnt even the weight, its just most people feel more confidant when at a healthy weight. I know Im more inclined to dress in 'camouflage' when Im heavier!

I hadnt realiesed Next had such a bad rap though...I havent shopped there in years.
I cant be doing with Seasalt or Boden though, just not my vibe (if ever something comes up on my Vinted and I think 'oh, thats a really frumpy pattern or cut' its always one of these two brands!😄).

For me is maintaining 1) weight, 2) eyebrows and 3) skin. The clothes are secondary.

Oh dear I thought Next had some lovely stuff in for this summer 😆 and I stand by that. I'm probably stuck in a dog walking clothes rut but I don't think I'm in any way a frump. I do think it's also how you feel inside OP about your physical appearance. Treat yourself to a proper facial and invest in some new make up. A restyle always works with a colour change, even a slight change of colour it doesn't have to be dramatic. Xx

Fur gilet? Not sure that would be my first choice of un-frumpy clothing, to be honest!

I got a lovely Disturbia dress for my birthday, I think their stuff is really nice quality.

I wish we could get some knee length, just above knee length, length skirts and dresses in the stores, midi or mini is so annoying.

@boobashka my blazers are from Zara but I got them last year I’m afraid. I had a Quick Look and they still have lots on there. I like a double breasted long line style with really sharp shoulders. Always leave it open so size down so it doesn’t billow out too much.

Thanks @JMAngel1 ! I'll take a look 😊

I told my children to shoot me if they caught me wearing sketchers!

I am curious about the comments about prints? So do people not wear tops or dresses with prints? Do they make them look frumpy? Off to change my wardrobe