Page 2 | A stylish person you once saw who you can't forget

iCod · 2026-05-26T19:04:26+00:00

Me, Southwest West France about 1979 We were still agog by topless women, but there was this one woman who had a gold chain around her tiny waist and she looked brilliant and I just thought today she must be dead by now Who do you remember seeing that made an impact?

FictionalCharacter · Yesterday 01:04

Diana, Princess of Wales.
Covent Garden area one spring or summer day. Ever had that feeling when you are somehow aware of something and turn to look? This was it. I saw a tall, slim, striking woman walking fast with an elegant older man in a suit, clearly her close protection officer. They were talking and she was laughing. She was wearing one of her usual stylish outfits, shortish skirt and little jacket. Her hair was perfect.

I realised then why there's the expression "a head turner". She seemed to have an incredibly strong presence and it was impossible not to look at her. Some people have that effect when you see them in person. I've read that Margot Fonteyn was like that - people would turn to look before they even knew she'd entered a room. Darcey Bussell is the same. I did that same involuntary head turn when I hadn't even known she was behind me.

I'm sure some of the less famous people PPs are describing had that same "something". I wish I had just 10% of what they have!

researchers3 · Yesterday 01:46

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/05/2026 21:20

Mrs Watts used to run the other Brownie unit and would come into the infant school to help children learn to embroider. She was expert in polite conversation, invited groups of children to her house for tea where they'd learn to sit at a table, make tea in a bone china pot, use the nicest cutlery and cups, nibble at arrowroot biscuits whilst Bach or suchlike was playing in the background and at the first hint of a child's sadness or thinking they could fail, would always answer with a suitably encouraging reply. When I was slumping around the place, she decided that today would be the day that we learned how to stand and walk like graceful dancers (and brought out some slim hardback books from her full bookcase for us to balance on our heads). She promised that she'd teach me a little bit of ballet and gave me a book showing the positions and terms when I was clearly the most enthusiastic about this.

She was small, probably around 5 foot tall, wore cream and beige clothes, a dark polo neck jumper in winter, wrap cardigans in spring and autumn, all looking immaculate, a perfect fine gold chain around her neck, a narrow gold watch, slim gold rimmed glasses with a slight cats eye that suited her perfectly, carried a dark brown leather handbag and had the most perfect, pure white bob, glowing skin with the faintest smattering of pale gold freckles on her cheeks, along with perfectly cool toned lipstick, neat eyebrows and long, dark eyelashes. She wore a gold wedding ring and a diamond solitaire on elegant hands (with the slightest hint of swelling in the knuckles) and perfectly neat, oval nails with pale pink varnish on them.

She would glide effortlessly from classroom to activity area, leaving a faint scent of flowers wherever she went and never seemed flustered or impatient or raised her voice, but would smile, revealing perfect white teeth as the skin around her green eyes crinkled slightly.

I thought she was amazing (hence why I was able to remember so much about her appearance, as I was fascinated by her) and like nobody else I'd ever met.

My mother despised her with every fibre of her being.

I always thought that if my hair went white, I'd try and look like Mrs Watts. Sadly, I doubt that even with white hair, I'd ever be as lovely and elegant as Mrs Watts.

Loving your description! It's almost like a short story!!

Why did your mum dislike her so much?

KojaksLollipop · Yesterday 02:24

My next door neighbour, she’s amazingly well put together and such a lovely and funny lady, she was obviously a society party girl back in the 60’s/70’s, from her stories. She looks after her husband who is lost to dementia, but her house and garden are like works of art. If I’m nipping to put the bins out or something I have to check she’s not around, I feel scruffy enough when I’m done up, never kind when I’m in my tackies and slippers.

KojaksLollipop · Yesterday 02:31

KojaksLollipop · Yesterday 02:24

My next door neighbour, she’s amazingly well put together and such a lovely and funny lady, she was obviously a society party girl back in the 60’s/70’s, from her stories. She looks after her husband who is lost to dementia, but her house and garden are like works of art. If I’m nipping to put the bins out or something I have to check she’s not around, I feel scruffy enough when I’m done up, never kind when I’m in my tackies and slippers.

Sorry I realise this doesn’t fit your “once saw” part, ignore me, lol

2017SoFarSoGood · Yesterday 02:47

About ten years ago I was waiting to cross the road in downtown SF when this glorious older woman walked past me. She had the most amazing short spiky silver hair, was tall and willowy, and her clothes - tailored but almost floaty trousers, fabulous short fitted jacket, chunky gold jewelry - and her stature made me stop and watch her. Such a presence, I prepared to tell her how marvelous she looked. When the light changed and she turned to cross, I saw it was Shirley MacLaine. Needless to say I did not say a word .

craftycowbag · Yesterday 06:10

Just a couple of years ago, Unliquo had opened in Edinburgh. It was busy but I saw a tall and extremely elegant lady. She had grey hair, fabulous skin and wore a white shirt and wide leg dark blue jeans. Her accessories were just perfect and she was around 60ish. She looked gorgeous and so well put together. I asked her about her jeans and they were from ME&EM so I shot round to the shop to try them on. I looked like I was wearing curtains!

BuddhaAtSea · Yesterday 06:29

A woman in her 30s, I think, wearing a white shirt dress that was short at the front but longer at the back, with elbow length sleeves. Almost like an 3xxl man’s shirt. She had a straw bucket hat and straw coloured lattice flats, a tan battered Mulberry, chunky jewellery, silver on one hand, gold the other, gold earrings and 3 gold necklaces, one of them a coin.
I actually took a photo of her, initially because she stepped in the photo at the wrong time, then deliberately, because I thought bloody hell, she looks amazing, I want to recreate that look.

Secondbestpriest · Yesterday 06:44

@NeverDropYourMooncup you write beautifully, I can completely picture Mrs Watts. Please tell us you write for a living!!

Original poster

iCod · Yesterday 07:38

I never understand how people know what kind of a handbag people have

OP posts:

TheToteBagLady · Yesterday 07:44

Secondbestpriest · Yesterday 06:44

@NeverDropYourMooncup you write beautifully, I can completely picture Mrs Watts. Please tell us you write for a living!!

I agree.

I would read an entire book based on Mrs Watts

JulietteHasAGun · Yesterday 07:47

Was in the village chemist years ago, looking a scruffy state in my dog walking clothes. A man came in who was a total vision. He was the spitting image of Brad Pitt in Oceans Eleven in an exquisitely tailored pale grey suit.

I think my jaw literally dropped open. He opened his mouth and spoke in an American accent to ask for directions to the nearest doctors. He was given directions and left, I craned my neck to watch him as he walked to his car, silver sports car and he drove off.

I am convinced Brad Pitt was in my village pharmacy. And he was beautiful. This was 15 years ago, maybe more. I still think about him often.

BreezyMintHiker · Yesterday 07:47

On our estate. A magnificent black woman dressed in swathes of jewel coloured clothing - scarves, turban, huge earrings, she’s tall and very
large but it’s the way she moves that strikes me. She holds herself and moves with a grace, elegance and confidence that’s mesmerising.

VeganSteakAndFries · Yesterday 07:47

sidneytweeney · 26/05/2026 20:56

I tried brogues once… I felt like Mr Marvellous

Show quote history

I can’t stand brogues on women.

PeoniesAreMyFavouriteFlowers · Yesterday 07:53

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/05/2026 21:20

Mrs Watts used to run the other Brownie unit and would come into the infant school to help children learn to embroider. She was expert in polite conversation, invited groups of children to her house for tea where they'd learn to sit at a table, make tea in a bone china pot, use the nicest cutlery and cups, nibble at arrowroot biscuits whilst Bach or suchlike was playing in the background and at the first hint of a child's sadness or thinking they could fail, would always answer with a suitably encouraging reply. When I was slumping around the place, she decided that today would be the day that we learned how to stand and walk like graceful dancers (and brought out some slim hardback books from her full bookcase for us to balance on our heads). She promised that she'd teach me a little bit of ballet and gave me a book showing the positions and terms when I was clearly the most enthusiastic about this.

She was small, probably around 5 foot tall, wore cream and beige clothes, a dark polo neck jumper in winter, wrap cardigans in spring and autumn, all looking immaculate, a perfect fine gold chain around her neck, a narrow gold watch, slim gold rimmed glasses with a slight cats eye that suited her perfectly, carried a dark brown leather handbag and had the most perfect, pure white bob, glowing skin with the faintest smattering of pale gold freckles on her cheeks, along with perfectly cool toned lipstick, neat eyebrows and long, dark eyelashes. She wore a gold wedding ring and a diamond solitaire on elegant hands (with the slightest hint of swelling in the knuckles) and perfectly neat, oval nails with pale pink varnish on them.

She would glide effortlessly from classroom to activity area, leaving a faint scent of flowers wherever she went and never seemed flustered or impatient or raised her voice, but would smile, revealing perfect white teeth as the skin around her green eyes crinkled slightly.

I thought she was amazing (hence why I was able to remember so much about her appearance, as I was fascinated by her) and like nobody else I'd ever met.

My mother despised her with every fibre of her being.

I always thought that if my hair went white, I'd try and look like Mrs Watts. Sadly, I doubt that even with white hair, I'd ever be as lovely and elegant as Mrs Watts.

Your mum despised her? Why?

DirtyGertiefromno30 · Yesterday 07:54

My Mum lives in a care home and her friends daughter who visits there is absolutely beautiful. So stylish and warm, kind and sweet . Her whole persona is like one of an angel l kid you not . Everyone adores her and her clothes and make up are perfect. I am like a girl with a crush when l see her she is just so lovely. She's perfect she really is . I am not gay btw. l am just in awe of her loveliness. She wears everything co ordinated and soft natural fabrics and wool . The one outfit that stood out to me were the beautiful soft taupe shirt sleeved jumper cashmere with the exact shade trousers and simple gold accessories and a pair of low heels in the same colour . She buys her Mum beautiful clothes too bless her.

Chamb · Yesterday 07:57

Anyone else reading this in the deluded hope they'll read a description of themselves?😂

thedevilinablackdress · Yesterday 08:00

@researchers3 @PeoniesAreMyFavouriteFlowers
Poster has answered your question re. Mrs Watts upthread already

lateSeptember1964 · Yesterday 08:02

Loving this thread. It’s a classic

AllJoyAndNoFun · Yesterday 08:03

in the 90’s I was at Uni and there was a girl in another college who always wore black ( usually slim cut jeans and a light sweater, a scarf and loafers) and looked amazing- pretty sure she invented the messy bun before it was a thing. Also she had a v cool name- classic English first name and European “de” type last name.

Nothungrycat · Yesterday 08:13

A woman on the tube many years ago. She was older but still very rock & roll. Slim, with messy grey hair, a leather biker jacket and many silver chains around her wrist. It made me realise you could get older and not get boring... I've channelled much of her look into my current (mid-60s) style. Apart from the being slim thing.

Catlover1705 · Yesterday 08:14

I was in my local newsagents back in the 70s, must have been 9 or 10. A black Bentley pulled up outside and a girl my age came in wearing the most beautiful long party dress. It was lilac and floor length and she wore her hair in a bun with trendils. I remember being blown away and this started my love of dressmaking.

keiratwiceknightly · Yesterday 08:22

Woman on the tube a few yrs ago. Probably late 40s, very slim, and had on a black polo neck and a calf length skirt in some heavy fabric with a sort of Mondrian inspired design on it. I caught my daughter’s eye (aged about 16) and she mouthed back “I know!).

Fradishes · Yesterday 08:31

The most striking and memorable person I have seen was in 1995 in JFK airport. I had to wait 12 hours for a connecting flight, and in the very early hours of the morning, when the departures lounge was almost empty, a tall and incredibly elegant woman swept through with a couple of guys in her wake. She had a black hat and some sort of long flowing black coat, and was just so glamorous. She was gone in a second (to a private jet I assume!) but I’ve never forgotten the sight, or the sudden aura of New York A-list-ness! Then it was just me and the cleaners again 😆

Lifepoint · Yesterday 08:45

Geneva airport, late 1980’s.

Plenty of stylish wealth on show anyway. All to be outdone by a petite older lady with perfect posture and a quiet smile. Chanel suit, perfect chignon, pearl earrings, neat little handbag in the crook of her arm and tippy tappy classic black pointy-toe heels gliding towards me. She took my breath away. It was only a few seconds but I’ve never forgotten being in the fleeting presence of Audrey Hepburn.

Myblueclematis · Yesterday 08:50

In the late 60s, me and a friend babysat for a surgeon's wife for an hour in early evening so she could pick her husband up from the hospital.

She read Vogue, it was always on the coffee table. She was so glamorous, wore beautiful clothes, lovely speaking voice and was very attractive (so was he as I remember). She was also very nice to us.

At the time she was the epitome of what I hoped I would look like when I was her age (probably mid 30s at the time). She's probably mid 80s now.