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Help me please!!

17 replies

SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 10:02

I am 42 and deeply uncool and always have been. I never seemed to get that memo when I was younger about what was 'in' and have always felt awkward style wise. In a way it has got a bit easier as I've got older as I've dressed for my shape and almost wear a kind of uniform (skinny jeans, vest top, cardy) or 1950s type dresses/floral dresses. I recently discovered Fat Face (see?) and like surfy kind of dresses and Bodeny kind of stuff.

I am going out for a meal tomorrow night and can't find what to wear. Last time everyone (very hip group of people) wore very stylish clothes and looked great. Me? Floral 1950s dress. Like A Sore Thumb. Sad

I am 10-12 pear shape with horrendous carrot shaped flabby legs huge norks and panicking about what to wear. I don't want to sit there tomorrow night feeling uncool again but am aware of my limitations re having legs on show and concealing my huge arse!

All the women in the group have been working out and lost a ton of weight, I on the other hand have put on half a stone and feel flabby. Add to that the horrific sunburn on my back and you can see why I'm panicking.

I need to wear something simple that won't make me feel like a heiffer but stylish.

WTF am I going to do?!

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sweetheart · 25/07/2014 10:08

Have you got a pair of good fitting jeans?

I'd suggest a kimono jacket - covers a multitude of sins!!! Some great fitting jeans and some heals to give you some height (I'm a pair and I love heals for this very reason!!!)

Chanel Julia Roberts in Notting Hill

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Northumberlandlass · 25/07/2014 10:09

Disclaimer: I am not particularly stylish.

If it were me...I would go for block colour maxi dress (I don't do patterns) bangle up (I don't like statement necklaces), large scarf/ pashmina over shoulders, sandals/ flats.
Hair styled ! I big hair mine & it is swishy & smooth & perfect make up Smile

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 10:26

Sweetheart I thought dark blue jeans and a white shirt with a blazer and a neck scarf and heels but is this ok in a nice restaurant? Are jeans ok or too daytimey?
Will have a look for a kimono jacket as I have sins that need covering!!

Northumberland maxi dress also sounds good though!!

I will try my jeans on and see if they currently fit and go from there. I will be back...

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 10:28

Ok...good jeans making me look like a butternut squash trapped in a lycra sock..
I'm going to have to head into town for this aren't i?

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flipchart · 25/07/2014 10:33

Would you have time to go to a HoF, John Lewis Selfridges or other large store and get a personal advisor?
Explain what you have said here and get them to come up with an appropriate outfit.

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 10:36

Flip I've thought about that before but add into this budget constraints Sad I have a fear that the personal advisor would come up with lots of things I just couldn't afford and then there would be that embarrassed silence when I couldn't pay for all the lovely outfits they'd picked for me.

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flipchart · 25/07/2014 10:40

Honestly it doesn't have to be like that.

I've done it a few times. I'm not so bad now but when money was really tight I told them I was on a small budget and what clothes I already had and came away with a gorgeous top. It was about 20 quid more than I paid in my life but my god it was (still is ) awesome.

Even the bigger Top Shops have a style advisor. I used theirs last year when I was 47! Came away with a dress, cardi, top and handbag and looked good and appropriate.

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sweetheart · 25/07/2014 10:41

You don't have to buy what they suggest - just get ideas of shapes and colours - you can always look for something similar in a cheaper shop if necessary

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 10:44

I wish I'd planned this earlier as the meal is tomorrow and I don't have time to go to the bigger stores nearer to me. The TopShop here is a smaller one staffed by beautiful size 6 teenagers who would probably sound an alarm if I waddled in.
Are you a young looking 47 year old Flip?
I'm wondering when I became so old looking!

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AnnabelleDarling · 25/07/2014 10:47

Is there a Cos near you? They have some great dresses, but you really need to try them in RL I find. I love dresses for looking 'pulled together', you just need to find the right style for your shape

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Northumberlandlass · 25/07/2014 10:48

I'm 42 too Smile
I've been looking at some lovely jumpsuits recently. Dress up with heels?

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flipchart · 25/07/2014 10:50

Are you a young looking 47 year old Flip?

I couldn't possibly comment!!

Actually I'm 49 now, I've just had my birthday. Top shop advisor was about 14 months ago.


Have you thought about the rest of you apart from your clothes style? Keeping your hair in a fashionable style that suits you can help you feel better. What about having your eyebrows shaped and lashes tinted.

If you already do or don't want to that's absolutely fine, It was just a suggestion.

I've started a thread on S and B about trying to look good for a months time!

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 11:14

Annabelle I've never heard of Cos but a quick look on their site tells me the nearest one is miles away Sad One for another day I think.

Northumberland Jumpsuits? Did I tell you about my legs? Two giant flabby carrots (although not too bad from the knee down) The sight of a jumpsuit on me would have dogs whimpering in their sleep! Wink

Flip I do try and keep my hair relatively styled (it's long and layered) and recently coloured it. Eyebrows need doing though -good thinking! And I will dye my eyelashes tonight too.
I will also do my nails tonight. It's like a full time job trying to look passable. When did that happen?! I will join your thread, I've let myself go and need inspiration/help!

Serious question: are nude, patent kitten heels a no go?
I'm going to need new shoes aren't I?

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flipchart · 25/07/2014 11:50

Regarding your weight, and I'm only mentioning this because you did.
On my thread The Shred was suggested, how about that?
Ok, it's not going to make a difference for the weekend but I 'let myself go' briefly a few years ago and felt caught out when we were invited to an impromptu night out. After that I vowed to keep on top of things, yep it's high maintenance but it makes me feel more confident and I have fewer 'bad hair ' days now IYSWIM

I know this mightn't be everyone answer and some of their stuff is a ubiquitous but how about nipping to Next or New Look. Fairly cheap and up to date. Could do as a quick fix.
House of Fraser have next day deliveries and a really good returns system.

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tethersend · 25/07/2014 11:59

Ok, what shops have you got near you and what's your budget? Also, what size are you?

What about a dress like this with boots?

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ihatethecold · 25/07/2014 12:22

Next have hareem trousers that are forgiving and up to date.
I bought black ones. I'm a size 12, short with a bit of a tum and thighs.
They are very comfy.
Cost about £18.
Get a top with sleeves to your elbows to cover your sunburn.
Go for a bright top to lift your face.
What's your colouring?

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SirRaymondClench · 25/07/2014 17:33

Flip I did the Shred a few years back and loved it, (actually did it for 60 days!) but I ended up having to strap my knee up because I have weak cartilige and Shredding made it worse. It really worked though!
I am back on alternate day fasting and was walking 5 miles a day (fast walking) so will start that again as soon as it cools down a bit.
I found a black dress in the sale at H & M and love it but the only problem is its backless and I have 28H norks!
Also got a cute tea dress (I am officially Mrs Stuck-in-an-uncool-rut)
I have the widest feet ever but have no nice shoes so looking for some now as all I have are nude kitten heels.

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