Sense of style

When you try things on and don't like what you see, look hard in the mirror and be analytical about WHY the item you liked enough to try on now doesn't seem right. Chances are it will be fit, or length. Both can be altered at any dry cleaners with an alterations service, for not much £££. Mine charges £15 for hems and £25 to reset sleeve/take in shoulder, which can be miraculously effective and make a dress or jacket look much more expensive than it actually was.
Decide what colour really "sets off" your eyes, and get a few scarves in that colour. Look on the internet for different ways to tie them.
At a make-up counter, ask the assistant to choose you two new lippies; one for day and one for evening. You may be in for a surprise here, as you would probably pick the same colour you always do, and the assistant won't do that!
Have fun! I notice that Dame Judi almost always wears what I'd call upmarket ethnic; long tunics over skirt or trousers along the lines of a shalwar kameez. Try it.

Damart are not as stuffy as they sound and do a wide range of sizes.

Any John Lewis will give you advice free of charge. Just Book in advance. I've been given advice by my trendy daughters who are in their early 40's. It's surprising how modern you can be without looking like mutton dressed as lamb. I love Phase Eight and at the other end if the spectrum Sahara. But Lands End are good for basics as are M & S although they have lost their way generally.

I wish I had a little black dress and a little flowery dress and some little cardigans to shrug on..........I am far too fat now.

If it's clean and it goes on, I wear it and am thankful for it.

"Tesco's, where I buy my best clothes." That's what my daughter says and does and I love her sense of style. Although she/we buy at other shops we both like tesco.
I find supermarket clothes pretty okay for every day wear.

I forgot to say I'm 68. Age isn't a barrier to being stylish.

Good alternative to joggers & t shirts is fitted black leggings and a longer tunic / jumper top. Still casual and comfortable for everyday wear but a little more stylish I think. It's what I live in all winter with long boots. In the summer I go for cropped leggings and flat sandals with a lighter cotton tunic. Only get dressed up now for formal occasions, when I usually pick a dress, bolero cardigan and coordinating bag, shoes etc.

Apart from F&F and George, I buy all my clothes online from Very, which has an amazing range of clothes to suit all styles, sizes and pockets. I'm 5'0, having shrunk from 5'2, and appear to be a standard size 14 in their measurements and you can order by around 21:00 for next day delivery or arrange free pickup from local store of your choice. I live in leggings, t-shirts, and boot-cut jeans, and have a couple of dresses for choral concerts/special occasions and a pair of black trousers, but don't pay more than £25 per item. My main problem is with shoes (I've got short broad feet and most of the time struggle to find comfortable shoes, so live in cheap £10 trainers, slip-on black casuals and sandals with double buckles and adjustable buckle heel straps, but would like to have just one smart comfortable but reasonably fashionable pair (I can't wear those stiletto 6" things and still walk more than a few yards) has anyone any reasonably priced suggestions?

Yes I too have problems with shoes. Have hammer toes and a bunion. Can't wear high heels either. Every outfit has to start from the shoes up!! For me the other problem is that I have not embraced the fact that I am now 2 sizes larger than I used to be so when I try stuff on in a shop I just think I look too fat!

When I was younger I had a neighbour (and friend) who didn't have much money, as none of us did when we had small children, but she always looked stylish and so did her house.

She just had the knack.

Kitspurr thanks for the Alexa Webb link; there seem to be some good ideas on there.
I think I'm the jeans, check shirt and gilet person but sometimes something smarter is required.

Little black dress? I wish.

It's a pity if a size 14 is thought to be a 'plus' size though. I saw an article recently where a size 14 journalist went around the designer shops and it was impossible to find anything much in that size - all catered for sizes 6-10.

My MIL used to say that the designers were lazy - they couldn't be bothered to tailor the clothes properly to suit normal-sized women and that the 'designers' could stick a badly cut sack on a size 8 model and it would look fine!
She would be horrified at some of the skeletal models you see these days.

I have problems with buying shoes Skweek. Yesterday I noticed that Clarks are doing some of their shoes in wider fit. I do have a smarter pair of Gabor shoes with a small heel - they were expensive but will probably last for years as I rarely wear them.

I am going to be picky! Always on thevlook out for a new label, I too clicked the Alexa Webb link and thought oh dear!
Maybe I should have gone further, but tight jeans on frankly curvy legs? Ripped jeans (also "skinny, but the legs weren't) Beige waterfall cardigans?
Ripped is not never a good look . End of.
Skinny jeans on fatty (!) legs neither.
A pair of dark indigo boot cut jeans in the right size, a jacket (or even cardigan in a colour) and a big scarf would be my outfit of choice and IMHO much more stylish and flattering.

My problem is finding a suitable shop ! In my town you have lots of choice if you are young and thin or want casual wear but for a mature size 16 wanting smart clothing you've got no chance!

Make an appointment with the Dressers in Debenhams. They are really helpful and can help you choose a wardrobe which will make you look your best. You don't have to buy anything if you decide you don't want to but will know what styles really suit you.

Hear hear Mauriherb
Can still wear the size 8-14 clothes I bought years ago( now size '18') only because the style then was to have wider cut sleeves. Now they just will not accommodate bingo wings and bigger thighs.
Did a hundred mile round trip thinking john Lewis would offer me something new. no! I called the manager and asked him if he could see the customers in his department. He looked puzzled until I explained that we were 5 larger sized, disconsolate- looking women who could find nothing suitable. He suggested I contact the buyer in London.
All I want is natural fibres(skin condition exacerbated by many synthtics except fleeces) and a comfortable garment. The nearest I could find for my requirements in one ladies' department was a pink / purple spotted skirt.
Now I have to stick to Unisex.... not that I care too much at approaching 80 but would love some sort of local choice

I get a lot of inspiration from the chic at any age blog. She often does features for gransnet.

but tight jeans on frankly curvy legs? Well, not tight jeans (straight-legged ones and not at that price either )

I must confess I only briefly looked at the jeans (not ripped!), check shirt and gilet picture (what I would wear when I meet Cammila at the polo match) and just thought that the rest would be suitable.

Or Camilla

Jalima & Shweek have you tried Evens for shoes? They are all wide / extra wide fit and start at a size 4 if I remember correctly. I used to buy all of mine there before I had my bunions done. Best thing I ever did BTW - bunions fixed I mean ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201703/medium-46179-img-0978.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201703/medium-41407-img-0976.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201703/medium-874622-img-0977.jpg

Perhaps unfair to judge on first appearances, but these would be a total no-no!!

MawBroon. I would wear the last outfit but with heeled brown ankle boots as the flats would make me look dumpy with the long cardigan. White skinny jeans only look good on the super slim don't they? More about your shape than age I would say.

I got rid of most of my smart work clothes, but find it really difficult to find anything these days. Our local M&S is dreadful, Phase 8 is too expensive and the House of Fraser has been revamped and only has high end brands like Hobbs now. I just want classic, well fitting clothes that don't break the bank.

Yes I hesitated over the last, as tan and denim go well together, but thought the shoes made it look tacky. A pair of cowboy boots with a little heel would lift it.

IMHO the pink jacket would look good with a knee length floral or denim dress and nude ballet flats. Too rock chick for the more mature lady with the ripped jeans!