if you are a little old lady like me (35+) where do you get your style advice from?

[badbadbadparent]

have just bought a magazine full of teenagers jumping around in neon crappe

will be 40 soon (god) and want to look stylish and eclectic and watnot and keep up with fashion but not slavishly etc etc

obv this does not include neon crappe

any blogs or websites or magazines I can look at from time to time to ensure I do not end up looking like my mother?

Thanks Flier - please tell us more!

well I was in store anyway (returning about 5 dresses I'd bought which weren't right for me) so asked about the personal shopper service. The assistant took me to the personal shopper lounge and I was lucky to be able to see a personal shopper straight away.

She first of all took some details, name, address, date of birth (you don't have to give this), size top half and bottom half, the colours you normally go for and what you are after (in my case something to wear to a wedding, either a dress or a trouser and top combo). She then told me, looking at my complexion that I would suit autumnal shades.
Oh, she also asked if I had any, IMO problem areas.

I then was asked if I would like something to drink, then sat back and drank my tea and read some magazines while she went and picked out a more than a few different things for me to try on.

Now, every single thing she brought out suited my shape, I have been so fed up with picking things up, trying them on and them not fitting over my generous hips and thighs. She obviously knows her stuff. She also brought out matching or co-ordinating jewellery, bags and shoes for me to try with it.

Generally appointments last for 90 minutes and she told me that you are under absolutely no obligation to buy anything and she is not on commission. I genuinely felt under no pressure at all, I just really enjoyed the experience of getting to try on outfits that actually suited and fitted me

Ooh it sounds great. May give it a go - did you buy anything nice?

I'm planning on buying a few different pieces, going back on Wed to finish off as had to rush away to pick dd up from pre school.

I might just give it a go as well flier!

Do they really not mind if you don't buy much/anything? I bet it depends on the shop as well whether you get a good one or not as well. Knowing my luck I will get one who recommends luminous hotpants or something.

well I suppose do do want you do buy something, so will only bring out things they think you will like. I hope that those who were thinking about it make an appointment and do it! I'm going to go back in the spring with a friend and just have a good time trying on lots of outfits

meant to add but I really felt under no obligation

I'm going to go for it flier, once my new baby tummy goes down a bit!

refreshing to read all of this as I too am seeking to refind my sense of self - turn 40 next year and am determined to finally become confident and stylish and not look like the toilet cleaner.
I buy knits from East, but my biggest problem now that baby weight is finally clearing off (not all of itm mind you) is that fashions at the moment really don't suit me. I have big boobs and am slim across the shoulders, so although these tunic tops and dresses are the only things that fit me properly, they look like naternity wear on me, which is a disaster. I used to buy topss from bravissimo bit I can't stand their clothing any more and can't find anywhere else that caters for my kind of build.
Good Housekeeping, even though DP despairs of me, he doesn't mind the recipes and I enjoy bitching at the 'Look for a lifestyle' section. I'd love someone to try to do my lifestyle in one of these kind of features. Come on Gok, bring it on!!