Frumpy

[Starlightstargazer]

Right so I’m soon to be 44. I’m looking and feeling frumpy 😩. I popped into Urban Outfitters in a moment of mid life crisis and realised I was not cool enough to be there…..
I need some trendy clothes!!

The only time I felt cool enough to be in Urban Outfitters, I couldn’t afford to buy anything from there. The last time I went there, I felt very stared out my the shop assistants young enough to be my children. Plus it was a total mess and everything looked cheap and poor quality. Most shops are disappointing nowadays.

Urban Outfitters used to be great back when it stocked APC and Vivienne Westwood, it's now squarely aimed at teenagers wearing the latest retro 90s/00s trends. The quality is dreadful. Don't let a shop like that get you down.
What sort of thing do you like when you see it on other people? What colours, fabrics, shapes, styles do you like?
(And of course, ditch the misogynistic F word!)

I’m late forties and shop in Zara & Stradivarius, Spanish fashion shops have a nice range of clothes which are great quality too

Im 40 this year and i shop on temu says it all.

Im 42 and shop in New Look, M&S and River Island. I’m short and have only ever found T-shirts to fit me in Zara!

Perhaps you should try Mint Velvet, Saint and Sofia, and Whistles. Better quality and still on trend.

Thanks for recommendations. I’m not sure what I like anymore! I need to have a look around. I’m short with a long body and short legs 🙄 . Have lost a lot of weight (12kg) but still like a small dumpling

have you had a shape analysis or a colour analysis? That might be a good place to start with knowing what styles suit your body shape.

The word frumpy needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history. Such a dismal, sexist + ageist term.

That sounds interesting, where would I find one of those?

What’s the sizing like at Mint Velvet?

There are lots of online personal stylists. I had a bodyshape analysis and colour analysis from Style Me Happy, I follow her on instagram too. Really straightforward process and you get a detailed report back of why certain cuts or colours work well for you and what to avoid.

Thanks!

I'm in my fifties and shop a lot in H&M. They hit the quality/price ratio better than most high street. UO and Anthropologie are dreadful quality for the price. M&S also good for quality/price and surprisingly TU at Sainsbury's for some things. I also shop a lot second hand (in vintage and charity shops as well as vinted) but I think that only works once you know your style so agree getting that sorted first will help.

I wouldnt wear any of that its far too baggy.

Any of what?

I think you need to work out what your style is. Buying a load of random items from a shop ( particularly fast fashion on the high street ) isn’t going to resolve this. You need to work out what direction to go in. There are various books / stylists online who can help direct you if you’re interested. ( not copying their style finding your own. ). You’re just transitioning into a new phase of your life… it’s normal 😁

And fyi it’s not about body shape and flattering it’s about feeling like yourself.

@Starlightstargazer I seem to recall UO had quite a lot of Damson Madder stuff when I last looked. If those things appealed to you I’d suggest, for a grown up upgrade:

https://www.plumo.com/

The prices of the clothes 😳 🫣