Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

With / For which parts of your life do you make consistent S&B effort (work, home, out out, holidays etc)?

5 replies

EnergySauce · 08/09/2026 14:10

This is more of a pointless pontificating thread off the sun lounger… I largely keep these thoughts to myself in anticipation of comments “it’s only work, who cares” and “what is the point of spending on the gym kit, any old t shirt would do” and “nobody sees you at home”. There is no real argument against any of these, you do you, and my thinking is that all these categories take up large parts of our lives, so how are they less important dressing with inspiration for than a few hours on a weekend?

I have been raised in the late Soviet Union where women made a real effort to look good when out (mainly work and occasional), holidays were rare, so not a wardrobe category as such. Occasion (best dress) wear was often downgraded to workwear after a few years, and aside from house coat, my Mum and Nan just wore old work dresses at home, with some exceptions of course, home clothes needed to be comfortable as so much was done manually. Both made zero effort to look good at home, clean but that’s about it.

I have inherited the dress up for outside the house attitude but I also make effort to look good at home - in a completely different way. I thought it was sad how they neglected themselves at home, so made a conscious choice to be different. I love my holiday wardrobe too; update it regularly - it’s a an opportunity to try on something different, maybe a bit more exciting than what I wear in everyday. I do workout several times a week but never treated my gym kit a fashion category, most my items are gifted by DH who does athletics, it’s all Nike and indestructible. So much that some shorts 20 years old now look like vintage fashion to wear with heels, like Adidas ones 😂 Yet I admire a few ladies in my gym in nice sets, with lovely water bottles, so browsing online for a few new bits to make my gym kit feel more intentional. Admittedly, I am now with time on my hands as an empty nester in late 40s and some disposable income to be able to even entertain these ideas, it was not always like this.

Just curious how the rest of S&B board treat their life compartments sartorially?

OP posts:
Daisywhatsyouranswer · 08/09/2026 20:28

I lost some weight, well I gained weight, then lost the weight, size 10 to and 18 back to an 8. And somewhere I lost my way. Black or navy stretchy clothes.trying to hide.

when I hit goal I replaced my wardrobe. And found my style had totally changed, it was no longer like when I was first slim. some is trend related, some is personal preference.

i love wide leg trousers, close fitting tops. I wear a dress 5 days out of 7. Midi dresses, fitted at the top, usually sleeveless.big slouchy jumpers. Lots of cashmere, silk. And always now light colours. I wear a lot of cream and beige,with some olive green, navy, dusky pink. I never wear black.

i like quality clothes,me and em is a particular favourite. I wear all my clothes all the time,very little is saved for good, unless it’s restrictive and impractical

i make sure I put something lovely on every day.

EnergySauce · 08/09/2026 21:29

That’s lovely to hear - thank you for sharing!

OP posts:
Rooflight · 08/09/2026 21:50

I’m intentional with all of my wardrobe areas:
work out wear
cosy post-bath/ home-day clothes
’normal day’
More dressy day
Going out/ entertaining at home
Weddings
Nightwear
Swimwear and coverups
Holiday dresses
Coats and jackets
Etc

I think about the realities and practicalities of my own life and make a little capsule for each section. I don’t have huge amounts of clothes - my wardrobe is a fraction of the size of most of my friends. But it’s all thought-about and deliberate. I’m a bit of an organisation nerd!

BibbityBoppityTwo · 08/09/2026 21:54

As I’ve gotten older, feeling put together has become more important to me. I enjoy the ritual of getting ready and it makes me feel in control when life is chaotic. It’s much like having a tidy house for me. When the outside feels in order it reduces any internal stress for me. I like to look good, even lounging around the house, although that doesn’t always happen.

PhaedraTwo · 08/09/2026 22:38

I like quality clothes.... . I wear all my clothes all the time,very little is saved for good, unless it’s restrictive and impractical

i make sure I put something lovely on every day.

Being lazy but above says it for me too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page