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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)

Littlenellie Mon 08-Oct-12 14:22:47

Whizz round Tesco and shove it on the trolley plain t shirts,jeans,and when it's cold a zip up hoodie,today's is red,on the other hand can wear a dress with leggings and boots,money is my fashion dictator,and with a 13year old wanting 'stuff' ,most happy in jeans thirst and hoodie.

feetlebaum Mon 08-Oct-12 14:29:18

What do my clothes say about me? Nothing - if they know what's good for them.

Barrow Mon 08-Oct-12 15:05:35

When I was working I had to dress the part - suits and heels, when I retired I packed the lot off to the charity shop and swore I would never wear a suit again! Now I dress for comfort, mostly jeans and tops and flat shoes (relief say my poor aching feet!). Evenings out I usually wear trousers and a smart top with flatish court shoes.

However, I used to organise charity balls and so do have a few evening dresses and when called for I can scrub up reasonably well!

Ana Mon 08-Oct-12 15:07:12

Nice one feetlebaum! grin

kittylester Mon 08-Oct-12 15:07:32

Having panache is something I would love but if I wear a scarf, for instance, it never stays in the same place and would droop in the soup, so I'm dead impressed gracesmum. I have a quirky friend who wears stuff I would never look at but, on her, it always looks right. She has loads of self confidence which might be the key - she doesn't care what people think and, consequently, looks fab!

Having looked quite good in my teens and early twenties and not realising it, I'm not very adventurous now but know what suits me.

annodomini Mon 08-Oct-12 15:14:21

Me too, kitty. If I wear a scarf it very soon looks like a piece of chewed string.Clothes-wise, I think I'm just scruffy. Happy in joggers and a fleece top - saves on the heating. My wardrobe is a tribute to Landsend and Hotter.

crimson Mon 08-Oct-12 15:49:02

gracesmum; I'm only going to say this because you referred to it yourself but you look much younger and much prettier than the photos on you profile page.

Grindos Mon 08-Oct-12 16:44:50

Mostly I wear jeans and tops and only Hotter shoes, but we have two 'do's' coming up and I want a new dress. I have two dresses in my wardrobe, one is 16 years old and the other at least 10. I love them both. So at the moment I have some money from my birthday in July, and the interest to shop, but I can't find anything suitable. I have been in every shop in Bath, tried on anything I vaguely liked, but came away with nothing. I can't imagine anyone liking most of the stock in shops, young or older. Then I went to a different town and bought a dress, but it is the best of a bad lot, and I don't feel good in it. I still might take it back. I would say that over the years, not having something nice to wear has put me off wanting to go out. Both my daughters and my niece say they have great trouble shopping too, so it's not just my age!

Nanadogsbody Mon 08-Oct-12 16:49:41

* barrow* that's exactly what I did when I retired too, plus I dumped the watch and have never worn one in the six years since. I simply tell the time by the sun instead. It's over the yard arm, DC has just been collected by SiL, so wine now and the peppered steak from Hairy Dieters later.

Nanadogsbody Mon 08-Oct-12 16:54:52

I know the feeling grindos commiserations. Have you considered going for a pair of floaty palazzo pants and a nice top? They can look very dressy, are easy to wear and great for future mix and match?

Bags Mon 08-Oct-12 17:18:33

If you love the dresses you have and they still fit and suit you, why not wear them to the dos? I would. It doesn't matter that you've had them for years if they still suitable and you still feel good in them.

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!

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!

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?

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)

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'.

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....

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!

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.

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 )

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.