I have to disagree with several of the "What Not To Wear" suggestions.
Some of these depend entirely on how fit you get yourself, and who you regularly socialise with.
I am a retired research scientist who has to work because like so many women in this country I don't have any proper pension. So I took the plunge some years ago and rebuilt my skills in aerial circus arts on trapeze, aerial hoop, silks and rope. I now teach these aerial circus arts and aerial dance in physical theatre for my living. My doctors tell me I must never stop doing this because it has got me amazingly fit again. I have now also taken up rock climbing as a hobby.
The result of this is that I now mostly socialise with young adults who are between a third and a half of my age. I have to fit in with the groups I socialise with, and so I dress accordingly.
I find that I wear lycra a lot, especially lycra leggings which I wear for work and for social life. I often wear denim hotpants with the leggings, which my young friends think looks good. I also often wear long drop-waist jumpers with leggings or jeggings which also looks good if you have a reasonably fit figure.
My cover picture on Facebook shows me in lycra with denim hotpants. The photo was taken by a friend I climb with who is a third of my age and dresses the same. This photo can be seen here: [http://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/841065_10200576663006895_1678595338_o.jpg]
I also often wear racer-back tops, but I wear them with racer-back bras rather than go bra-less. And in summer I often wear denim hotpants without leggings because nobody minds a few creases on your knees if your legs are fit and muscular instead of fat and flacid.
The answer therefore is to put in the dedication and determination to getting fit and staying fit, and you can then wear lots of these things and look good, at the same time as enjoying life more and haveing more friends.
Helen McCall xxx
(to both of you!)
