Anyone interested in forming a "shop more wisely and less compulsively", "no more expensive mistakes" and "make the most of what you already own" thread?

[LetThemEatCake]

There seems to have been a digression from the original intention of Penth's very worthy thread so, rather than cause anyone any offence or detract from what Penth and others were setting out to achieve, would anyone like to do a thread in a similar vein? Discussing potential purchases (advising each other for/ against in sensible fashion!!) and talking about how we're wearing existing pieces etc

Am off to Sunday lunch with friends but will check back in later.

Wearing purple Tam Tam dress, grey opaques, grey slouch suede boots, charcoal travelwrap for discreet bfing. Pretty exited about the sunshine so nearly cracked out the new OP sunnies but am saving for summer proper

have a good day all

Eshermummy - no, not Hoxton

Tracy - I managed to get that belt in the shop (they didn't have it online) so hoping the whole outfit will look good. But i"m going to be ruthless and if the dress isn't perfect I'll send it back.

LTEC - thanks - I shall try the Tam Tam on delicates while crossing fingers and toes! The crumpet dress is gorgeous but thank goodness not in my size.

Fleecy - I have found JBrand really work for my shape (longish legs, big but flattish bum and proper hips!) Wow I sound like such a stunner don't I . They seem to pull me in, in all the right places. I have the 7/8 and I really like them. The other jeans I have had recently are James jeans but at the moment I prefer jbrand

Looking like a hot mess today due to lack of sleep....must stop myself from purchasing to 'feel better'. Won't describe the outfit as you may puke.

Grey Monday morning. DC2 being a pain in the butt. I find myself wanting this. Why?

I don't know LTEC

I have a couple of things like that, love the idea of them, but every time I wear them DH & DS laugh

Reading this thread and Hanaflower's colour link has prompted me to have a bit of a clear out. I'm blonde with blue pale skin and grey eyes so what possessed me to panic buy coral, I realy don'tknow.

Am hovering around the AV tees at the moment. MIght wait till payday though. also loved the warehouse tees and tops. Also (still more) currently debating Fly Mol and Fly Mes but think I will have to find somewhere to try them on as am a bit chunky of calf.

I'm not sure about that tee LTEC, but I tend to shy away from red so that might be it.

I think I know what it is. It's that "argh!! all I buy these das are plain tees, I am middle aged!! Quick!! Crack out the graphics!! Embrace your inner and long-lost rock chick!"

Red suits me, I think.

By the way, please can someone advise re the Martha jeans???

Martha Jeans are good.

A nice slim/straight leg - ideal with heels but not so good tucked in to boots.

Size down as they come up big

LTEC it's exactly as you said - trying to make a break from plain tees but possibly going that step too far. I bought a rather 'directional' graphic teeshirt from Maison Martin Margiela - which is amazing...but just looks like I'm trying too hard. But looking at your pics - you can probably pull it off

god, dunno about that

tracey - can I wear the Marthas over high top trainers? is there enough room in the ankles for that?

Sartorially speaking, not much to write home about today. 7FAM jeans (bloody ancient) and a fitted check shirt (Primark) over the tissue-trashed long-sleeve black tee. Going to the library and museum with the dcs.

Ah, here you all are!

Riven - you sound lovely and tall - am far stumpier shorter than you and think being tall is so elegant. My tall friends always look so much nicer in their clothes. Am in London so can't shop w you, but enjoy. And it def sounds like you are seeing yourself v differently (ie negatively) to how others would. Hope you enjoy the well earned treat.

Tracey - do the Marthas stretch? I am size 11 so thought 12 would be fine initially then would prob be too big (ala Uniqlo skinny jeans which stretched out of shape - yuk). And size 10 gives me enormous muffinage.

Re Uniqlo Heatech tops for layering (foggy memory name of fashionista architect who asked), they are brilliant! Did that yesterday under a dress and they don't add much bulk but they do add plenty of warmth. Was v nice and warm.

Am sitting here in tracksuit as DD woke many times last night [v frustrated emoticon], so waiting for coffee to kick in then about to go and don some proper clothes. Think will wear red turtleneck w black Zara leggings (v thick like jodhpurs) and knee high flat boots. DH thinks I look a bit "giddyup" in that but whatever.

so, following on from esher saying that she flits between looks, and tracey saying on another thread that at 37 she is too old for playsuits & denim minis ... and me having bought that red t-shirt in a moment of "sod it-ness" ... How should we be dressing considering our ages and circumstances?? Maybe pinning this down will help us on the 'expensive mistake' front?

Take that Brora dress for instance. I know that at 37, I should be able to wear it with aplomb, but something tells me that I am not elegant enough to do so. In my head I am still a bronzed beach babe (hence denim minis and halter sundresses) or scruffy uni student (see today's sartorial offering)

Thoughts??

Funny about age having an influence on how you dress. I'm 26 and struggle with not wanting to appear too teenagey, especially as I look quite young and have 2 children , but don't want to go too middle aged. Respectable and groomed is what I aim for

I know I am coming late to this thread but it articulates very well what I have been thinking for a while. I am 43 and feel the need to present a more grown-up/groomed/generally "together" image to the world. Neither do I want to quietly fade away into the background the way that some people seem to think that middle-aged women should do.

Among the silly impulse purchases and expensive mistakes I do have some nice clothes. Of course there are plenty of "panic - that'll do!" buys as well, worn once, then stuffed in the wardrobe as I feel bad throwing them away in view of the money they cost.

I'm 5'8"; size 10/12; what can kindly be described as "athletic" build (ie no norks and muscly legs!) - but seriously fairly happy with body shape/image.

I have also been on the verge of booking a session with a colour consultant for a time now and this thread has spurred me into action...I will make the call this afternoon!

LTEC - I think the marthas would be fine over high-tops. I wear them over normal boots fine.

Bunny - I'd definitely go for the 10 - all jeans seem to stretch a bit to me. I size down in marthas and up in baxters if that helps.

LTEC - I too fluctuate in my look. I don't want to look mutton but equally nor do I want to be middle aged.

I will still sport a denim mini on holiday but not in this country unless in my garden.

Think I'd ideally like to have a wardrobe like Jennifer Aniston's - oh and her body and hair.

Badiet - have fun! I had mine done when I was a teenager (birthday present from Mother determined to get me out of wearing black - didn't work - I'm a 'winter' so offically allowed )

LTEC - interesting question and I personally flit between styles (as my life has so many different sides to it right now). I have lots of beautiful dresses that suit my groomed side - but also denim minis and jeans for my scruffier soul.

I'm 38 - and although I have many things wrong with the way I look I think honestly I don't look that old (quite, maybe 37 ). I'm about 5 8 and size 12 now but soon to be size 10 - with big norkage. I'm far braver when I'm a 10. The colours come out, the style gets slightly more 'directional' and the elegant dresses hang looking beautiful in the wardrobe.

I quite like having various dressing alter egos though and although it would be lovely to be the kind of person that has a 'look' I don't think that will ever be me. I will always be a mixed bag (or should that read 'old bag?')

oh god - I must use the spell check and try and censor my use of smileys

Quick offering from me...

As we are multi faceted women with many roles and interests and elements to our personality [wank emoticon](hope I haven't made us sound like multiple personality disorder!!) is there any reason we need to stick to one look?? I don't want to.

Some days I do want to look elegant (a la Audrey or Grace), some days funky (a la French student), some days casual (a la Sienna), so want a wardrobe that allows me to do all of that. Of course, I pretty much interpret these looks with my natural bias towards clean lines, classic styles (not v adventurous).

But that is code for "you can't make me throw away my denim minis, you can't!!".

Agree, agree, agree with LTEC and DN. I'm 38 and DS2 is four months old but this doesn't equate with the 21 year old that I am in my head. I know that my days of sparkly hotpants are over and I need to be well groomed and look more put together but I still want to look on trend and not like I'm about to join the WI.

I'm trying to buy better classic clothes - and then update with more fashion pieces each season. Haven't managed it with much success yet.

I was trying to think of someone who was 30/40ish who has a really good look that I aspire to but couldn't think of anyone. Any suggestions?

I definitely dressed too old as a teenager in the 80's.
Now at 43 I like pretty but not frilly,slightly unusual but not way out,clothes.
Shops wise I find things I like in
White Stuff(despite Mary Portas'comments in The Telegraph this week!)
Boden,but not much this season
Kew,especially simple knitwear
Fat Face,sometimes
Autograph,especially trousers
Warehouse,for silk dresses
Topshop,vests and tees.
I love chunky/unusual jewellery.
I also look out for clothes from Danish designers like Noa Noa,Sandwich etc,but can't do the whole look,and also pretty cardigans from Avoca.
Style icon wise,I like Jennifer Aniston's jeans,vest look but a bit plain on the jewellery front for me I fear.I like looking at the dresses Holly Willoughby,Claudia Winkleman,Sienna etc wear,even though they are decade younger!

Please may I join! This thread echos just how I feel at the moment. I'm 38 and you think that by now style wise I would have got it sussed out - however I am more confused than ever.

Reading the descriptions of your outfits you all sound such a glam bunch, where as mine would not make for interesting reading I'm afraid! However this thread is very inspiring and I shall endevour to do better!!!

GeorginaWorsley, just have to say I love the sound of your outfit! Have the very same raspberry Clarks shoes, Autograph tights and White Stuff cardigan and just had a look on ebay for a similar dress!!

BTW today am wearing oatmeal layered tunic sweater with stripe sleeves currently in White Stuff shop, blue Hush scarf from sale, Oasis jeans and gorgeous new tan KG biker boots. Accessorized with new dark blue Radley bag, the whole look got premiered in the supermarket this morning..!!

Oh yes - I do like Claudia Winkelman's style - fab shoes and dresses.

Me too, I wish I was her size though, she looks dainty in things that would make me look a heffalump

I thank you chippy
Unfortunatey am not as glamorous today.Have just said on the other thrad,am wearing
Wideleg wool tweed trousers
White Marks vest
Moss green Boden v neck
Brown Autograph boots
Wallis brown necklace
Boden moss green cord blazer and shades of green scarf from Marks.
All the above are between 1 and 5 yrs old,which I suspect may be why I am not feeling as good in them