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Style & beauty

Some people have it, others don't

(51 Posts)
NanKate Sun 15-May-16 15:45:16

The following are meant as statements not criticisms.

Why does Jenni Murray appear to wear black bin bags most of the time ?

Kate Bliss from Bargain Hunt wears all the clothes that would suit me. I emailed her about a lovely jacket she wore and the next day she replied that she had bought it in the sale at Laura Ashley's.

Why does the lovely funny Paul Merton look like an old man in his flat cap and jacket on his railway programme ?

How does Judi Dench look effortlessly chic in her loose fitting tops and trousers ?

Over to you.

GrandmaMoira Thu 19-May-16 12:03:46

Thinking of someone British and near my age, I think Twiggy always looks good. I think I look better in skirts than trousers, especially knee length A-line with a fitted top, but this is more office wear and I'm retired. I do however wear a lot of skirts in the summer. I don't bother much with my hair, but am aware that it looks much better when cut regularly and just washed.

phoenix Wed 18-May-16 18:00:36

If I make an effort I do ok, but it's the making the effort bit!

gettingonabit Wed 18-May-16 17:34:29

trisher I think I meant that Judi Dench, to me, looks dumpy regardless of what she wears. I didn't mean to imply that "dumpy" people can't look stylish. I'm dumpy myself, and struggle to look kind of....sleek? Elegant?

I think Lulu always,looks great. Definitely has it.

Luckylegs9 Wed 18-May-16 16:48:55

I would be in enormous shoulder pads, power dressing was just in, a size 10, if I dressed like that now the style police would round me up for causing a disturbance. Oh and I had big, curly hair, red, now I am fighting the grey.

Lazigirl Wed 18-May-16 13:29:15

I went to hear Jenni Murray speak at an arts festival couple of years ago. She was entertaining, and considering her weight I thought she looked fabulous and comfortable. I like her trademark scarf which she drapes over one shoulder. We are all different shapes and sizes, I am small and would love to be taller but I think it's about wearing what you like and feeling confident, or giving an aura of confidence. smile

amron Wed 18-May-16 13:16:18

me too f77ms sunshine

trisher Wed 18-May-16 13:14:53

I don't know! Sometimes I think I look alright another day I think I look awful!
If JD is 'too dumpy' to be stylish as gettingonabit says that must rule out a lot of us anyway. I don't think Joanie is stylish at all- a bit too much work and only if it means 'tarty' really.
Paul Merton is on a programme about trains it's practically compulsory to look like an old man!!!

loopylou Wed 18-May-16 11:34:25

I can only assume I never had 'it' in the first place!

Lyndylou Wed 18-May-16 11:19:59

I'm not sure I've ever had it. Apart from uniforms, like my WRAF one and my barmaid one (tight black skirt and high heels), I've always felt a bit wrong in skirts or anything remotely floaty. My daughter says I always buy the same thing, jeans stripy tops and jackets. The last time I wore a skirt was to my daughter's wedding. It was really nice, came to half way up my calves, so not very revealing or so I thought. Unfortunately it was a Muslim wedding in India and I was told I was showing too much leg and was given an old towel to cover me up!! I was 55!!
My inner feminist is still furious about it!

SwimHome Wed 18-May-16 10:54:49

It's not just women. I have identical twin sons and from the start one would look cool in anything, the other always looked as though he'd been through a hedge backwards (as my DM would say) though we could never quite analyse what the difference was. I'm just wondering which one I take after?

gettingonabit Tue 17-May-16 08:32:09

I don't get the lurve for Judi Dench. I think she's too dumpy to be really stylish. Helen Mirren always looks great, even if she's had stuff done. And Joanie, of course. What a glamourpuss.

I love Shirley Bassey too.

I tend to admire a slightly ott glamorous or rock-chick look. Anyone who can rock a biker jacket at a more mature age gets my vote.

I thought I was being ultra stylish yesterday with my stick-on nose stud. wink. Until I scratched it off in Sainsbury's, thinking it was a pimplegrin.

Deedaa Mon 16-May-16 21:28:32

Think I cracked it today! I was wearing a lovely, colourful, long Per Una skirt and I asked 9 year old GS1 if he liked it. he said "Yes, it's just right for this weather, nice and floaty" He did go on to say that perhaps my necklace was a bit too bright though, but on the whole I felt it was a result grin

NanSue Mon 16-May-16 18:39:37

I'm losing it. I really really try to stay on trend without looking "mutton" but it's just getting harder. Unlike Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep whose style seems to get better with age. Patti Boulaye looked amazing in that Real Marigold hotel series in all her kaftan/kimono style clothes. I would live to know where she buys her stuff.
I think tall people can look good with less effort. I blame it on my height, clothes never fit where they should when you're as short as me. I would like to have some clothes made for me but it's so expensive.

Just caught sight of Jennifer Saunders on T.V. She rarely looks like she brushes her hair.
Russell Brand looks like he needs a good wash.

KatyK Mon 16-May-16 18:34:18

Rich and famous people like Judi Dench have stylists and dressers I would image. I'm sure I would look better if I had those!

Lilypops Mon 16-May-16 18:31:20

I seem to have it in the Summer only and I think its because I have a tan and love bright summery tops , white linen trousers, hoop earrings,and sandals, I feel better than in winter hidden under Woolies where "it"seems to disappear, I love Mary Berry,s way of tying scarves, they always make a polished look,

rosesarered Mon 16-May-16 18:27:48

how do we know if we have it or not? Is it a case of.... if you have to ask, you don't have it?grin I don't like Judy Dench or her clothes.

rosemaybud Mon 16-May-16 17:34:27

I always feel more elegant when I wear a scarf but otherwise I don't think I have 'it'. People tell me I look stylish but because of my size I never agree with them. Since I retired I think I've forgotten what my style is. I love Judi Dench and her clothing

NanKate Mon 16-May-16 15:42:54

For about an hour or so today I had it.

DH took me out to coffee at a lovely Italian cafe with cool Jazz in the background. I made a really effort as I haven't been out too much recently. I found a lovely blue scarf all floaty, a Country Casual top I had bought for £12 and a pair of Next harem trousers. I put on some slap to cover up my pale complexion . It's the best I could do in the circumstances.

I feel a bit like Cinderella , I am almost back to normal now, but it was fun whilst it lasted.

Nonnie1 Mon 16-May-16 14:43:22

I think you have to step outside of your comfort zone to 'find' yourself. It helps having daughters to go shopping with. They always have a different 'take' on what suits.

kittylester Mon 16-May-16 13:50:17

Well I went shopping for tops this morning and I definitely haven't got it. shock

KatyK Mon 16-May-16 13:23:47

I used to have it but it ran off about 10 years ago and hasn't come back sad

grannyqueenie Sun 15-May-16 23:36:38

When I went for a colour consultation the stylist said I looked "very Judi Dench", I was so flattered I agreed to have a make up consultation as well. I think that was her plan!! Left to my own devices on a good day I manage to look like a dumpy, 60 something year old woman with short grey hair hmm

Anniebach Sun 15-May-16 22:36:04

Jalima, and the navy knickers ? I was sixteen and still had to wear those . Not sure what style is , surely no one style suits all

Deedaa Sun 15-May-16 22:18:18

I always think Christine Lagarde (sp?) of the IMF looks good, business like but not "Power Dressing"

There was a great photo of Helen Mirren a couple of years ago. She had her hair in curlers and was kneeling on the floor pinning up the hem on her sister's dress before they went to a red carpet event. Made you think she was a pretty normal person.

Jalima Sun 15-May-16 22:09:05

Anniebach grin
I am horrified, yes, I was wearing a gymslip at 15!

But - you may have it without knowing!! (style, that is).