Dressing fearlessly: throwing out the style rule book

Some people would regard that as daring, petallus. That's not a criticism. Good on you!

It's very liberating not having to be matchy-matchy any more

That's the word I was looking for (not "got dressed in the dark")

The 'eclectic' look

You rebel petallus!!

To be serious for a moment (why?) many of us were brought up to "match" - (or co ordinate) what we wear - handbag to shoes, scarf to gloves, gloves to something else, top to bottom etc etc and I think that can be extremely ageing . It can also be hard to resist, but I notice that the DDs who are very cutting edge, would not dream of being "matchy, matchy"

Dressing fearlessly sounds too effortful to me with its suggestion of being daring.

I went out shopping this morning in floppy leisure trousers, hardly brushed hair, no make-up, flat shoes and an old coat.

The thing is, this woman is Forty Three

Telling granny to suck eggs .....

mind you! I haven't seen myself in the mirror yet!

I wear what I feel suits me and what I feel comfortable in, although when I do make a supreme effort, my nearest and dearest always comment and say I look good when I scrub up

I never wore pink before my hair turned white but the two go quite well together.

Liberate pink - it isn't just for toddlers!

well at the age of 60 I have just bought two pair of leggings one black with a sort of embossed velour print (matalan) one bluey patterned (asda) and pair of grey jeans with very tiny polka dots on (all skinny) I intend to find a nice pair of knee length boots to wear with them all, did buy some in M n S out of my birthday funds, but they were too tight round the foot, but fitted lovely round the calf (I have chunky calf's) they had a stretch panel at the back and stretch zip,so had to go back as need a wide fitting.I would not wear them with shoes as I would look like an "egg on legs" although with all my walking I do seem to be firming up.

I agree, anya, so much so that I haven't even looked at it. I'll do my own prohibitions, thank you

PS couldn't care less about prohibited list

Love the idea of making your own trousers out of curtains!!

I wear jeans almost all the time, with T-shirt, shirt or jumper according to the season. BUT if I'm going out I believe you can still look smartish if you don a decent coat or jacket and perhaps a nice scarf. In winter I'll add a hat and gloves.

I have a very dear friend who is 86 and is now in very poor health, but still wears full make up every day, has beautifully manicured fingernails and wears a great many of the things in the 'prohibited' list. I visited her in the care home today and she was wearing a leopardskin sweater and tight black trousers - it was too warm to wear her fur gilet over the top! She wanted to look good for her 83 year old boyfriend who was coming to visit.

This dressmaking out of curtains idea...... Didn't they do that in Gone With The Wind, Scarlett made one( or rather her servant did) probably, out of velvet curtains?

I could even get to like suits if there were more like that.

I've looked back on the thread - it was Thatbags' idea - thanks for the inspiration.
And Harry Styles' outfit is really smart - really!

rosequartz charity shops definitely throw up some gems.

I recall in the 60s have one dress pattern.... It was amazing what could be done with a curtain. At the end of the month I'd buy a piece of cheap fabric. Could make that dress with my eyes shut.

But had only one pair of shoes to go dancing. Flat gold sandals with loads of gold plastic discs on the front.

Ooh, I had some flares like those in the 60s except they had a pink and black pattern!

ha ha ha

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/harry-styles-compared-ikea-sofa-10487955

should be the right one this time

Be careful though, you could end up looking like Harry Styles

never collapsed a buggy !

My typing si not showing up so I could have typed anything

So that is where The Sound of Music got the idea!!

I've always made a few of my clothes and still do. It's a way of having something original. Recently it has been mainly flared trousers, and skirts. I have a few favourite patterns which I've made up several times.
I like to be able to choose my own style and fabric, though fabric choice isn't as good as it used to be.
Good idea to make trousers out of old curtains - which someone mentioned. I might try that.

I don't do glamorous. Never have and never will, and what's more I've never wanted to (don't seem to have needed to either). It just wouldn't be me. I don't dislike the glamorous look for other people if that's what they like, but it's not for me.