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How can I be in my era

3 replies

ApplesCrumbleButtons · 12/10/2025 13:02

Hoping this thread might be useful others beyond me me me 😂

TLDR:

What are your wardrobe basics aged 45 - 55 (allowing for being roasting hot)

What seasonal statement items might work and not date too quickly

How much budget to do a wardrobe refresh (high-street budget)

Should I get a stylist to help me with fashion aged 45 - 55

What should I buy to update my wardrobe while waiting to lose weight?

Shall I cut all my hair off? 😂

This has bothered me all my life, okay maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's Sunday and I'm pondering, and have just watched Victoria Beckhams documentary who seems to have stuck to relentlessly to her look.

I always seem to find a style just at the time I've moved onto what feels like another era in my life. Why am I like this? Why can't I dress either in a way that fits my life now, or even communicates something forward thinking about how I am?

For example, I discovered wearing colour in my early 40s and have embraced colour more. I now feel at 45 like I'm done with colour and I want more strong lines, contrasting textures as well.

Or when I was a student I just dressed in very student clothes, pretty much until my late 20s/early 30s.

I also haven't managed to budget very consistently in my wardrobe which is probably part of the issue - I'll wait until everything is falling apart, then buy budget versions to keep me going. When I'm slightly more flush I will buy a nicer item, but it never really pulls everything together as invariably another part of my outfit is dated.

If I wanted to get this desired wardrobe (my workplace were going on about 'your brand at work' - makes me want to vomit but I think at same time it does make a difference), what would the best approach be?

Things that have worked in the past are doing a review of the basics and getting all these current and up to date. If I'm thinking of items that would last say 5 - 10 years (a usual lifespan) do I need to just buy classic items? Otherwise in a few years it starts to feel dated (even less with fast fashion!)? What fail safe ways can I look less boring though if I do buy classic clothes? Would colour and clean lines be a way to achieve that? Does this even lean towards a 'style' I can adopt, as I would love to feel like I have a style.

I like having an item of interest - but keeping it fairly clean with a little bit of an edge. How feminine do I want to look and feel in mid 40s - mid 50s, my hair takes forever to sort these days, how do I pull off looking feminine, thinking long floaty dresses in summer. So there are basics and then seasonal pieces.

How much budget does this need. Should I get a stylist.

It's also not helped by fluctuating body weight. I end up feeling like there's no point going shopping when I'm a stone over my BMI as I want to get back into that range first. But also need a self esteem boost of buying something now - so what should I buy in the interim while I'm waiting to lost weight.

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 12/10/2025 16:00

Layering, layering, layering then you can throw clothes on or off depending on the hot/cold situation.
I usually wear trousers or a skirt then layering the tops staring with a teashirt, I hate shirts....its got to be comfortable.
All my waists are elasticated, I can't stand anything tight.
Im a bit of a slave to fashion but I can still do all of the above. Im always trying new things.
Im 63 and have waist length hair. If your hair is nice why cut it? If its sparse and not in any kind of good condition then cut it.
9

Gettingbysomehow · 12/10/2025 16:04

I find stretchy clothes can fit over one stone. I love colour. Ill wear red patterned trousers with black layering over the top half and nice shoes.
I look at the fashion pages for the season the decide which of those things I can try without looking like Bette Davis in Baby Jane 😂 its great fun translating high fashion into high street.

dudsville · 12/10/2025 16:29

Maybe this isn't about whichever era you're in. My preferences changed frequently until I found my style. I don't know how a person finds their style. My own discovery would be too anecdotal, but since finding my style it's all be a lot more stable.

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