Gryyfin - Thank you so much for the wise and much needed words of wisdom! Yes, I am at a place where I'm not certain what my style is although I remember what it was and how much it changed after having my sons. You are correct in identifying that I have purchased items and then came to the realization that they were not my style. I'm also an older Mom; first child at 33 and second at 36 which makes me feel behind. Other friends were parents long before I married and it feels like they have it together. I more than likely need to take my time and enjoy this place in my life before I tackle style.
Thank you for the sweet words about my little ones! The photo was taken about a year ago and I am reminded of how much change was happening then and now. I am very blest to have my peanuts and husband. Eventually, I'll need to look the part of a put together Mom

That kind of did take me years...the photo is so lovely and you look good in it. We have just recently had my baby's ( third of 3) 21st birthday and I did photo boards, all the lovely memories of that time came rushing back and it really didn't matter if I looked a bit off, in retrospect. I did have some favourite clothes but I was so busy sometimes it wasn't happening. And the age thing... Two of my best girlfriends I met through the kids, one 4.5 years younger and one 6.5 years younger than me, it hasn't mattered at all. Hugs to you.

Where I live most of us were older moms. You are certainly looking for style help sooner than I did, so that is a big advantage.

Sooo... I have just remembered... I am a technical writer by training and profession - i.e., an office worker. But in the last couple of years, my hobby job (as a baker) (which oddly enough needs all my tech writing skills) has taken over. Well, ok. I always did half my work on a factory floor, but a tech factory is not as rough as a bakery.

Anyways, when I'm not at work, I'm walking with my dog, puttering in the garden or tackling some other home improvement project. I'm not ever eating cheese cubes at a gallery opening, lol.

On top of that, my style is RATE (Rough Around The Edges), not polished. It is pretty hard to not somehow feel underdressed. Every now and then I catch myself pondering very hard to come up with a smashing perfume-commercial-worthy outfit for kneeling in the dirt. Lol.

At the same time, you know to be honest, I feel embarrassed for people when I see them dressed to the nines at Safeway buying anything other than a bottle of champagne and flowers. Lol.

What I'm saying is, context is important, but easy to forget. If you're dealing with baby spit up what you want is a cute, well-fitting t-shirt... you won't look good in a 'stylish blouse' and baby spit up, but you will look darn cute in a t-shirt and baby spit up... if you know what I mean, lol.

Ok. You probably don't have this problem. But I do l, as I sit here wondering whether to 'get dressed' or go water the eggplant...

Barbara - True, but I also want to be recognized as a leader in my workplace and although I wear scrubs to the clinic, I need to wear something resembling professional dress for conferences, in-services, etc. My goal is to look put together and polished so that I can demonstrate my knowledge with the proper outside appearance.

rachylou - Oh yes, context is everything but I would love to have some glamour in my life. Wearing a cowl-neck sweatshirt on a library and Costco run is somewhat emotionally defeating when I know that there are other more attractive options. I love your humor in describing your life and your RATE style suits your perfectly!

I am sorry to hear about your health problems, but am sure you will find support and get some good advice in this forum.

Beautiful photos! And you look like a very charming gamine.

Have you tried a pair of the more sturdy/supportive ballet flats? Ballet flats are VERY gamine, as you probably know. And they are a chic (as well as comfortable) alternative to several other shoe styles. If you buy them a little larger than your usual size, you may be able to use them with your orthotics. (I myself do this much of the time.)

You look gorgeous!
I like the idea of " stompy gamine". I have fussy feet, too so my footwear is getting " bigger" and it's harder to wear very slim or pointy styles. I'm not very good with fashion advice, but you may find you can balance the footwear with some aspects of the pants width, cropped jackets, collars and other details up top. Plus we are lucky because with all the fashion sneaker looks, the " eye" is accustomed to chunkier footwear-- even with skirts and dresses- so you can take full advantage of that.

Oh, Stompy Gamine is a Good style moniker, one of the best I've heard in a while. A touch of glam is a great challenge; I like it. Makes me think of French New Wave - have we discussed French New Wave yet up thread? Jean Seberg is amazingly glam in a striped shirt... and 100% gamine.

I just read an article about how Dansko clogs will be trending this season, as people put away their Birks for the cold weather. (It made me laugh, because I live in a rural area where the hospital is the largest employer by far, so Danskos are never *not* trending.) Anyway, I think, trendwise, this is a very good time to be a stompy gamine.

The Cat - Thank you for the suggestion! I did run this by my podiatrist and the gentleman who corrected my orthotics and they were giving that shoe a thumbs down. They felt they weren't going to be supportive enough with my rigid orthotics and that most styles flex far too much which doesn't work as I need more rigid shoes. I will just need to move forward and appreciate the look on others and hope that I can live vicariously through you and your fab ballet flats!

unfrumped - Thank you for the kind words! I do need to think about what I want for my wardrobe and what is truly feasible...I am quite happy that footwear is in that has a more supportive base.

rachylou - Indeed! Isn't Jean Seberg fabulous? And to think she was a small-town girl from Marshalltown, Iowa which isn't far from where I reside. I love stripes and confess to owning at least 15 different tops/sweater/pullovers.

La Pedestrienne - I giggled a bit from your comment because Dansko clogs are worn for comfort here too! It's the rare woman I've seen in town rocking Danskos with a boho or ethnic look and looking like it's perfectly suited for her. Yes, they are quite popular in the clinic where I work and I also have a couple of pairs that I wear for happy feet. If you find that article, I'd love to read it!