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Original poster

Fashionistas, stop me wearing jeans and fleece all the time

50 replies

QueenofWhatever · 09/02/2010 20:16

I've been looking at some photos of DD (5) this evening and realise I've been wearing the same baggy blue fleece and loose fit jeans for the last five years. Not the same items of clothing obviously, just they all look the same.

Please help me become the foxy rock chick I feel I should be, despite being a 40 year old single mum. I'm 5'8" and a standard size 10. I can dress OK for work where it's smart casual, but outside of work it's a bit of a disaster zone. I'm veering towards White Stuff and Monsoon, but only at eBay prices.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
LetThemEatCake · 09/02/2010 20:26

Step away from the fleece and jeans!!

you are a tall size 10 so there is no excuse for covering up!!

White Stuff and Monsoon all wearable but not foxy rock chick ... link to some of the stuff you like to give us some ideas of your taste

Bobbiewickham · 09/02/2010 20:29

Jeans, biker boots, stripy top, scarf, boyfriend blazer, fab scarf.

Comfy rock chick!

Bobbiewickham · 09/02/2010 21:02

Just the one scarf

runforit · 09/02/2010 21:06

Throw away the fleece

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 21:09

Joan Collins believes that fleece belongs on sheep
A mother with a figure such as yours
has the fashion world at her feet

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 21:24

Buy these
these
this
this
and

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 21:25

these

That should sort you out for a while

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 21:27

Oh and these

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 21:29

these for the cold days too

moondog · 09/02/2010 21:39

Ruffallo, Jesus that pair of boots looks like something one wears to fly fish or perhaps clean up nuclear waste.

KristinaM · 09/02/2010 22:00

why are you dressing in the style of monsoon and white stuff if you are a wannabe rock chick?

its not compulsory to be boring just because you are a mum, single or not . As LTEC says, you are tall and slim, you have so many choices.....

mrsruffallo · 09/02/2010 22:19

Oh, they are all the rage round 'ere moondog

moondog · 09/02/2010 23:45

Blimey, is that so?
Where are ye?
Newfoundland?

Original poster
QueenofWhatever · 10/02/2010 19:56

OMG you lot are quick! Don't you have jobs?

So I'm not sure what clothes I do like I realise. I need to be comfy and warm which I think is why I default to fleeces. If/When it gets warmer I might be able to branch out into cardis.

I can feel you all flinching...

My big question is what do I wear on my bottom half except for jeans. I'm wary of attracting leering male attention because I have ishoos. So the aim is foxy, not sexual.

Links to what I'm watching on eBay. And this. And this.
And this

OP posts:
Romanarama · 11/02/2010 10:17

How about trying skinny jeans with a cashmere tunic for starters?

The things you are watching on ebay are nice, but you need to keep warm too! Look for longish fitted roll neck jumpers made of wool not synthetic. Also try wool dresses around knee length with opaque tights and boots. If you're cold, put a cardigan (also wool) the same length as the dress over the top, and put leggings over your tights. Buy some uniqlo heattech tops to put under everything so insulation is not such an issue.

Throw your fleeces away or swear to use them only for sport. If you don't do sport then just freecycle them today. Fleeces are really ugly.

vesela · 11/02/2010 10:44

While I don't think fleeces are ugly, I also found last year that I was wearing jeans and the same fleece way too much. I also feel the cold, but since switching to dresses/tunics/skirts over leggings have found that since leggings are warmer than jeans, I don't need to bundle up as much. I've had to buy some longer cardis, though (should be able to find them in the sale pretty cheaply).

Although I've tried on skinny jeans and want to like them, I find them too uncomfortable (including at the knee) when I sit down, compared to leggings - they're just too restricting and I hate that. No point switching from loose-cut jeans into something that's more uncomfortable.

upahill · 11/02/2010 11:36

Top Shop is ace for biker/ rock chic stuff.
If a bit unsure go to one of the big Top Shops and get them to put an outfit together for you. (could do this in Selfridges or House of Fraser)A personal shopper doesn't cost anything but will get you on the road to inspiring you.

I tend to by my rock/biker style t shirts and leather jackets from 'Hein Gericke' The on line stuff is a bit limited at the moment but the shops are good.

River Island is on fire at the moment for this look as well.

I loved Mrs Ruffallo's ideas. Even if they are out of your price range (I don't know what your budget is ) the ideas can be copied.

By the way if you get two tokens from Daily Mail there is 20% off everything at Debenhams until Sunday. That should get your wardrobe rockin'!!

helenlucyp · 11/02/2010 11:40

had/have the exact same problem (right down to single mum, size etc), suggest you try what I did which is arrange shopping trip without DDs, with lovely stylish (but not scarily so) friend and actually take time to try stuff on......realised couldn't remember last time I did that with no time pressures, didn't buy huge amount but did see lots of nice stuff that I can pick up on the fly at other times. Ted Baker has some lovely things that aren't too eye-wateringly expensive.
Then let's have a fleece bonfire and a glass of wine

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 11/02/2010 11:47

Switching from blue (I'm guessing) to black jeans some of the time might be a good place to start. That was my default option in my rock-chick days, with big boots of course, and they are usually flattering too. And a gorgeous leather/fake leather jacket if you want to go the whole hog!

I don't think ALL fleeces are necessarily bad either, some fleeces or hoodies can look quite funky but you do need ones with a bit of interest (NOT just navy blue! - but I used to have some nice surfy-style ones) and they do need to be in either a good state or "deliberately" worn to look good! So throw out any bobbly old things. If you can find fitted ones that show your figure they will look much better than baggy saggy ones too.

You might like long skirts too if you are feeling a bit hippyish? Again with boots, and maybe chunky tights till it gets a bit warmer? Or a shorter kilt-style skirt with same chunky tights & boots as you start feeling braver?

Now I just need to take my own advice (well as soon as I get out of rubbish maternity things anyway)!

indialily1 · 11/02/2010 11:50

get rid of fleeces, ok for joggers and sheep. but that is it!!

Starbear · 11/02/2010 13:29

Watching this thread with interest but haven't got time. Have to put my fleece on and do some housework and shopping

BarbaMamma · 11/02/2010 13:38

I really like Next online, simply because I can shop on my computer without having to trek anywhere with kids in tow, get it delivered in a matter of 1-2 days, try it on and then just drop it back to a shop if I don't like it. The best part is not having to pay anything up front as they always bill you the following month, so you have time to work out if you like the stuff you ordered or not before paying.

They do stock a load of crap, but also some surprisingly nice jeans, leggings (£8 - bargain), blouses, etc. And I seem to remember they have a biker/rock chick style section in their current collection, or something along those lines.

To my great surprise I've found M&S aren't so bad either, especially for good quality, funky tights and tunic dresses. Which is what I've converted to since getting bored to death with badly fitted jeans and tops that do nothing for me. Show off the legs, cover up the boobies and keep warm - works for me.

The fleece has got to go - get a lovely woolly/chunky cardigan or jacket with a belt to show off your waist from Primark instead - they've often got loads of nice and very cheap warm tops.

Travellerintime · 11/02/2010 14:03

I too seem to have a default fleece that comes on sometime in Nov and stays on til about March. This winter I've tried to branch out slightly - a friend suggested buying 2nd hand cashmere on ebay - much more stylish and warm too. Ok, not that rock chick-ish, but rock chicks generally don't have to do the school run.

GladioliBuckets · 11/02/2010 14:44

How about combining a more glam top half with jeans? Plenty of nice little dresses out there that go great over jeans with a cardi (and vest underneath if cold is an issue.) Ideal for covering tummies.

Amazing cheap highrise skinny jeans (use first timer discount code)
Nice boots Shuropody(I'm guessing you have big feet?) How are you with heels?

Try Peacocks for dresses and cardis.
Get a long swishy coat since you're tall you can carry it off. Military style or dark trench. Also try accessorising with hats, scarves and gloves to avoid the dreaded fleece.

GladioliBuckets · 11/02/2010 14:46

PS If you find skinny jeans too restrictive you are washing them too often! Once a week ladies! Takes a couple of days to get them soft and glove-like.

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