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What do your clothes say about you?

(162 Posts)
gracesmum Sun 07-Oct-12 18:12:28

Yesterday I found myself giving sideways glances at any ladies of a certain age wearing anything which could remotely be described as purple!!
And on our way back to the station we saw lots of "girlies" up in Brum for a night out with legs up to their armpits ,vertiginous heels (and certainly no vests) looking like they were about to audition for the X factor. This morning I met a rather grand elderly-ish lady in our village shop wearing typical "no nonsense" clothes - sensible shoes, good thick tights/stockings, waterproof gilet and a very serviceable skirt of a very decent length, a bit of a social stereotype.The sort who says "It's getting cold, throw another dog on the bed" smile
And I wondered how much what we wear is a cliche - or a statement about who or what we perceive ourselves to be? I am also thinking of middle aged (or older) politicians or slebs in jeans while our grandfathers at the same age would have been in suits with hats, female slebs showing far more flesh than they ougher at their age or the ubiquitous teenage uniform of opaque tights under denim shorts,Ugg boots, big hoop earrings and long blonde hair.
What do your clothes say about you? Or do you (maybe unconsciously) dress to a stereotype?
(Willowy blonde, about 5'10 and the right side of 50 apart)

Stansgran Tue 09-Oct-12 16:13:46

In Japan they seem to have some sort of cover for the handle bars of bikes that you can put your hands in-like the ends of gauntlets-they look perfect for your needs*jjenn*. Will try and find out about them

Oldgreymare Tue 09-Oct-12 08:05:25

Just remembered, they had some lovely ones in Dent's factory shop last year, and reduced too. Will investigate! (Another excuse to shop!)

Oldgreymare Tue 09-Oct-12 07:55:26

joyfuljenn another late hello.
Do you knit or do you know anyone who does? There is some lovely 'wool' about. I'm only a self-taught and very occasional knitter but I'm going to have a go (in rib, I'm sure it's got a proper name, is it garter stitch?)
Might even make a snood to match.
After Brum it will have to be shades of purple!
P.S. a lovely project for a knitting GC maybe?

Butternut Tue 09-Oct-12 07:50:21

I was just about to suggest the same thing, B.

I managed to get a pair of gloves with very long cuffs several years ago - although that was from the States. They do work well, so worth keeping an eye open in UK. I think they were from Wall Mart - so nothing special but very effective.

Bags Tue 09-Oct-12 07:45:32

Well Brora have some anyway. Mine are stripey which these aren't.

Bags Tue 09-Oct-12 07:43:38

joyful, I use wrist warmers for that problem. I've got some wonderfully warm and comfortable long cashmere ones from [thinks.... tries to remember...] Brora, I think. Will check...

Ariadne Tue 09-Oct-12 03:58:21

Hello, joyfuljenn! Am just catching up, so am a bit late saying hello, but welcome.

In a lot of these ** boxes there are loads and loads of clothes, especially jackets in jewel colours, which I wear / wore for formal occasions over black trousers and tops. I have a dress, yes just one apart from a couple of evening ones, but always wear trousers, from palazzo pants to M&S jogging bottoms (£9.50!) or jeans. I am very happy with quite big cord shirts (over the black or navy) for every day.

And I too have scarves - love them. But shoes - comfort triumphs over style most of the time. Gave away my gold Viva la Diva evening shoes as I packed..need now to consider the hats which are lurking somewhere. Oh dear.

joyfuljenn Tue 09-Oct-12 03:20:35

does anyone know where & who might sell sort of seperate cuffs, to stop the wind blowing staight up my sleeves? When driving my mobility scooter in cold, windy weather, it has the effect of sending icy fingers directly to the heart! None of my coats/jackets have tight sleeves at the wrist; tried tucking them into my gloves but they slip out again. I might even have to resort to rubber-bands!

Oldgreymare Mon 08-Oct-12 22:44:41

Jess blush
Bags They sound a really good idea, altho' my hair is short it also resembles dandelion seed, my fringe actually tickles. I do wonder whether years of blow-drying have caused the damage or whether it's part of the inevitable ageing process. (My hair also used to be curly, not any more)

NfkDumpling Mon 08-Oct-12 22:31:13

I've got two Buffalikes which keep my neck and sometimes ears snug. Thanks for the web site - they have some really snazzy ones.

Bags Mon 08-Oct-12 21:34:39

ogm, you get a card with each buff that does indeed have lessons about how to put them on. There are also videos online. Mainly I use them for keeping my dandelion seed hair out of my eyes when I'm busy doing something outside, and to keep the wind out of my ears. DH mostly wears his round his neck.

glassortwo Mon 08-Oct-12 21:32:30

number I bet she was thinking it looked better on you smile that's why she had a miserable face on.

Marelli Mon 08-Oct-12 21:29:44

Well, number, she obviously had very good taste! wink

numberplease Mon 08-Oct-12 21:24:03

When I got on my train home from Brum the other night, the girl next to me had the same jumper on. I nearly said "Snap!", but she didn`t look the sort to appreciate it, so I kept quiet!

crimson Mon 08-Oct-12 19:25:19

I always used to worry about turning up at a social event wearing the same dress as someone else so I did one of two things. Wear separates so that it was less likely to happen. But mainly I would go to a second hand designer shop by where my daughter lived and pick up something from there. My reasoning being that everyone else would be buying something new. My daughter has never understood this; she says it wouldn't bother her if someone else wore the same dress as she KNOWS she would look better in it.

joyfuljenn Mon 08-Oct-12 19:19:41

Oh gracesmum, you're a real tonic! I want to be your neighbour! You anywhere near Harlow, Essex?!
I'm quite smart/casual, myself, although I HAVE to wear one, very bright colour, or I feel invisible. I'm into Cotton Taders this year, they actually suit me, makes a change. Before the spine broke, I was 5' 8", but in the 10 years since I've shrunk by 5" & will never get used to it. I enjoyed being able to see over the top of most people's head, the only time I felt superior! lol

JessM Mon 08-Oct-12 19:08:50

I would go for that offer if I were you grindos. Met OGM on Saturday and I think you would be in good hands. She had a great selection of purple accessories too! She could be my shopping buddy any time.
(yes, some of you have spotted it, there is a bit of an after birmingham love-in going on, on this thread. Please be tolerant those of you who were unable to attend )

Nanadogsbody Mon 08-Oct-12 18:53:48

As mother-of-the-bride I wore trousers to my daughter's wedding. But they were lined silk and so floaty most people though it was a skirt; the bottom half of a summer two-piece. I was so comfortable too.

gracesmum Mon 08-Oct-12 18:53:37

crimson I shall have that printed and framed to put beside the mirror for those days when my reflection looks like the wreck of the Hesperus!!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!![mwah. mwah] emoticon!

Ana Mon 08-Oct-12 18:45:44

I certainly agree Bags about the happy fact that trousers are now an acceptable alternative to dresses! I actually can't remember when I last wore a dress....

Oldgreymare Mon 08-Oct-12 18:40:39

Bags they look like very lovely lampshades, I would need lessons in how to put them on.
Ah Jess a woman after my own heart, in another life I would be a professional shopper.
Grindos and Jess there are a variety of shops in Bath (my nearest city)that are off the beaten track and have some lovely things on the other hand there is a lot of rubbish around.
Grindos p m me if you want a 'shopping friend'.

JessM Mon 08-Oct-12 18:10:42

Take it back if it does not make you feel good grindos. There was a positive epidemic of duchess of cambridge dresses this year. They took over. A gruesome headless army of red, royal blue and emerald green mannequins.
What you need is a shopping friend who will look at your and the dresses through fresh eyes. My image of Bath is lots of little mother of the bridey boutiques. Somewhere like John Lewis might have a very different selection. (But maybe i've got Bath all wrong)
I love taking people shopping. I have offered to take the mayor out to get a new posh frock for her big banquet, but I don't think she is up for it. (oh well, I tried)

Bags Mon 08-Oct-12 17:55:46

The perennial problem, grindos! Good luck with finding a new outfit. Isn't it nice that trousers are now acceptable where once only a dress would have done?

Grindos Mon 08-Oct-12 17:22:53

I can wear one of the dresses to the golf club do, Bags, but the second do is a very special family one, and they've seen both dresses many times!

Grindos Mon 08-Oct-12 17:19:27

I think that's a good idea, nanadogsbody, will start the shopping again. Should be easier this time though!