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A general style update

anne

Veteran

I've been taking stock recently and have identified these trends

1) a strong move towards wearing white and lighter colours. I pretty much can't see myself buying darker tops now, and always pair the ones I bought previously with a white necklace or scarf. I just don't like how my face looks against dark colours anymore

2) I have cut my work days down to 3, including a casual Friday. This means I now have only 2 days to wear my work clothes so it doesn't really make sense to buy any, since I have enough. But the hard part is that I like wearing tailored clothes, so AM tempted to get new stuff. Many of the items I bought 2-3 years ago are still in great condition and still fit and flatter, so it is hard to justify a change.

3) Like many of us, I'm working on a smaller, higher quality* wardrobe. I never really had a big one anyway, but I may make another 12 item year this year, as much of my wardrobe is in good shape.
* slight exception for those silver sneakers from Kmart!

4) Facing being in my 40s and feeling a bit dowdy at times. Thinking of changing my hair, maybe cutting a fringe. Family had pointed out this will make my face look square. Thoughts?

5) I ended up not buying higher shaft booties and bought some normal ones. I still haven't bought jeans and deciding what jeans to buy this year is my next fashion challenge. I have tried embroidered which I liked the look of in theory but not in practice, and am still looking for Angie's recommendation of a cropped straight pair. Australians - if you've seen any I'd love to hear about them
I don't know if I am ready to embrace the higher rise and cropped top combo that seems more modern now. I ended up buying a sweater that was long, and have tried at least one shorter one on that I didn't like the look of. I'll put pics up soon.

Would love to hear your thoughts about any of these.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Sisi

Veteran

1) I am on the same wavelength. I cannot stand dark colors anymore. I was glad to notice (thanks to my famous wardrobe reports) that in 2017 I have been ablo to reduce the number of black clothes in comparison with 2016. Next step: reduce dark blue.

2) This is difficult. I know what it is liking something that you don't really need. I am afraid I am of no help here.

3) I agree with this! I am also trying to live with a small wardrobe. I noticed that less things make me feel happier.

4) I suggest asking a good hairdresser a cut that works for you. I can see you with a fringe though.

5) I am not Australian, sorry! As per the highrise/cropped top combo I suggest to make some other experiment. Maybe you need some time to get used to the new look, or maybe you just don't like it and will never like it. This is at least what happens to me (I like cropped pants now, but I will never-ever like culottes!).

anne

Veteran

Thanks Sisi, for such a detailed response. Here's some of the pics l mentioned about when I tried the new looks.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOOOHOOOOO. Go Team LIGHT Colours. You know I'm a fan.

I liked you best with a structured and layered bob - so much shorter than now because it brings out your pretty face and flawless skin - but I remember that hubs does not. Perhaps you can sway him?

You need cropped straights. Ask Bijou.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm wearing white on top (again) today and have been enjoying the lighter look too.

I can't say I've been reducing my wardrobe but I have been much more particular and haven't been adding much recently because I'm pretty well set for the rest of the year at least.

I think you could pull off a fringe. If it were me I'd likely cut a very small section into a fringe first just to try it out. Do you know who Lynda Boyd the actress is? Maybe something like hers?

Sal

Veteran

Hi Anne,

All sound realistic and good ideas, here are my comments and suggestions:

1) I love you in light colours - bright clear pinks, whites, blues, reds- all look wonderful.

2) I think a slightly shorter haircut would give your hair more body and bounce. I find either sitting above the shoulders or below easier in some ways - sitting right on them means that you can get kinks at the bottom. Keep in mind the ability to wear it up for gym and running. I love fringes (and cannot have one due to a cowlick) but you do need to commit to regular trims and cuts:)

3) I can't offer any suggestions on particular jeans. It sounds like you might be set for work, so maybe concentrating on casual Friday, smart casual might be where you get two-three days of wear. There are some great dresses around at the moment that are very easy to wear with boots and flats.

anne

Veteran

Thanks!

Angie - I'm sure you're behind the move to lighter colours!

DH does prefer my hair long, but would never impose his preference. I was partly doing it because of him and partly to save money (I spend only $30 a year. 3 x $10 budget cuts). Also, nearly all the women in my office have long hair. I wasn't necessarily thinking of cutting it shorter, but maybe adding a fringe or changing the colour. But maybe I could go shorter.

Texstyle - yes I'm actually more like you - not actually reducing my wardrobe much, but not adding much either. But it wasn't large to begin with - less than 100.

I hadn't heard of Linda Boyd, but Google images is bring up a variety of fringe looks - would you mind posting a link to the one you had in mind?

Sal - yes, concentrating on smart casual is my thought too. I hadn't thought of dresses in that context though - and yet dresses are my best look! Food for thought there!

Hair for running/ gym is a consideration. And the regular trims could be a problem. I'm wondering if I just got around to actually blow drying it, if that would be enough!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

anne- I was thinking just a slight fringe like the one she has here.

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anne

Veteran

Thanks texstyle !

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I take full responsibility for the movement to lighter colours. Good on blondes.

Your hair has more volume when it's shorter.

rachylou

Veteran

That light blue sweater is lovely on you - the soft texture with the colour. It sounds like you have a plan. I'm personally not so sure about a fringe, tho. Maybe long choppy layers... ?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I'm impressed with your thriftiness! Only a 100 item wardrobe ( mine is almost double that, managed to cull it by 4 this week, yay) and $10 haircuts! Mine are $29 every 6-7 weeks and I thought that was quite thrifty. I am sure you could find better embroidered jeans than the ones you try in the pic which look too tight and off proportions. Unfortunately I can't think of brands in Australia that have reasonably priced embroidered jeans. I have embroidered boots instead

Style Fan

Veteran

I love the picture texstyle posted. I trim my own bangs. I watched some YouTube videos to learn how to do it. I need to do it every 2 weeks.

anne

Veteran

Jenni - you are quite thrifty. With a short hair like yours you need haircuts more often and I paid about the same as you before I discovered the $10 place.
And keep in mind that I don't like clothes shopping when evaluating my smaller wardrobe! It is WAY down on my list of pleasurable activities. I like to be well dressed and am interested in clothing, or else I wouldn't be here, but the actually shopping bit I need to psyche myself up to do at all.

Those jeans were tight! I've got used to some stretch element. I was having flashbacks to the feeling that I used to have in the 80s and early 90s with tight waisted jeans. I have seen some inexpensive embroidered jeans, but I'm not sure I want to support the shop that sell them (thought I have bought from them in the past) as they are rated very low on ethical scores. And they all have embroidery on the curve of the thigh - I don't think that's a place I want to draw attention to (I have seen it looking great on others though)

Angie - my hair has quite a lot of volume right this minute! I'm talking about bed head!

I've lost half this post. Will press send now and continue in another.

anne

Veteran

OK - what I had I already written that got lost?

Oh yes, Jenni and Joy - I can't return the blouse as it was bought a year ago and has been washed and worn. I bought it with YLF approval but I am not sure the neckline was visible. At the time I thought the little stitch that keeps the 2 sides of the neckline together was enough for modesty.

Rachylou - a hairdresser a few years ago told me to grow our my layers!
And I love the blue in that sweater too - but I thought the style did me no favours and bought the looser one that you may have seen in my other thread.

Style fan -so much can be learnt from you tube videos! Your fringe looks good so you must have mastered the trims. DH cut I my hair for a few years when he was a student and it was long, and I think I only once had to have a hairdresser fix it.

Sal

Veteran

Anne: I really liked this WIW from a while ago:

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....is-dress-9

That is the sort of casual dress I mean, not too loose but not too fitted either.

Jeans are really hard- you are in such good shape but it is hard to get the combination of rise, thigh and waist fit, fabrication and length. I do wear jeans but am keeping it really simple (four pairs total, two very old and only worn for soccer sideline or around the house).

I also forget about blow drying my hair often...it does look better when I do it but some days it is not a priority.

anne

Veteran

Sal, thanks for trawling though my old posts to try and find a picture of me - I really appreciate your time in doing this. I do wear dresses a LOT in summer, and in winter for work wear, but not so much for casual, apart from the denim shirtdress that I've shown a lot recently.

And yes, Jeans are hard. (not as hard as trousers - which I have pretty much just stopped buying) I have 2 bootcut pairs from years ago that are the best looking on my legs - one for heels and one for flatter shoes. And I have 2 white pairs, one of which is worn a great deal more than the others. None of these will be good when the weather gets rainy

And then there's my almost jegging, dark blue ones relaxed skinnies that are kind of my default - but they are 2 years old and close to wearing out.
I don't know if I should just try to replace it, which shouldn't be too hard, or go adventurous and do the cropped thing that Angie is urging - but that may require different tops - and do I really want go there!?

Here are my boots btw - only I got them in black
https://m.myer.com.au/shop/mob.....glove-boot

Bijou

Veteran

Hi Anne

With the change in season, it is always great to reevaluate your style.

In relation to your queries

1. Light colours love you, so enjoy wearing them.
2. With three working days you may want to just add a few new pieces to your working wardrobe so that everything does not wear out at the same time and to keep it feeling fun and fresh.
3. Changing up your hair is fun. You most definitely are not dowdy.
4. Jeans, I have the AG Jodie crops bought from Myer (currently on sale but still quite expensive). I do love them as they fit beautifully and have stretch. Whilst I love my crops, I still love skinny jeans, so perfect in rainy weather.
I am happily wearing cropped sweaters and bought a great one at Sportsgirl (in finds). It is flattering and has a lovely split sleeve.

Hope this helps. I can relate to being 40 and feeling less than fabulous. But as I am now in my late 40's, I seem to be happier within myself and enjoy fashion more than ever.

shopaholic77

Anne! I like your style

anne

Veteran

Bijou, you are a darling. I like the look of that sweater. Especially since I have a sportsgirl voucher! I'll check it out!
Yes the jeans are a bit pricy, even on sale.
Shopholic77, thanks

anne

Veteran

Just had a thought!! Seeing as skinnies very seem to look very tight around my calves, I ought to be at least trying on cropped skinnies - they may end up looking like cropped straights!