Why can't I be smart

We all have our individual style. Some of us follow the norm, (me!), while others have more flare.

I was looking at Linda V Wright's blog yesterday and she is possibly similar to the style that you might like ethel?

www.lindavwright.com

Also, take a look at her on Google images.

That's Not My Age is a good site as well.

thatsnotmyage.com/category/style-at-any-age/

If you need fashion inspiration check out the fabulous forever site and look on fashion streetwise no models just ladies of a certain age out and about showing how stylish everyone can look.

You don't need to look "smart", Petra, but it would do your self esteem a power of good if you made yourself look a bit more attractive and added a few touches of glamour, even if they're a bit eccentric. It's not difficult to have clean, shiny hair and a bit of make-up could do wonders. Big, colourful scarves also add style. And yes. Leggings without holes would be an improvement! Good luck.

You're style is similar to mine. Wear it with pride. If it's confidence you lack, work on that and hopefully you won't give a toss what other people think. If you feel like changing your style, small gradual changes should feel more comfortable than an overhaul.

Mostly positive, friendly comments. Ignore Petra and the couple of negatives. If it makes you feel any better, I don't recall ever cleaning my DMs and why would I throw away a perfectly comfy pair of leggings because of a couple of holes?

*Your style..

Jack Was your post at 11.00 .25 directed at me? If that's a yes, I suggest you read what my opinions are on ' a scruffy dirty look '

For some smart means elegant and self assured for others conventional and boring. For some leggings and doc martins means scruffy for others it's boho chic. They are just labels to satisfy some people's craving to know where they belong. Long live boho grannies !

Etheltbags1 dont worry, thats your style and you are recognised by it.
I have never been "smart", never sure what goes with what, I just wear "usual" clothes, always wished I had my Mums dress sense, she always knew what to wear and what went with it, I didnt inherit that unfortunalely, one thing I always do before I go out, is to make sure I have clean shoes, my Dad always did this, training from the army.
Maybe if you clean your Doc Martens now and then, and as one Gran said maybe not so many holes in things. But just be yourself!I dont know how old you are.

Sorry Petra. No. My post was directed at Ethelbags. I'll read your post asap. Thank you.

You can wear whatever you want and that you feel comfortable in. However you say you just want to be overlooked. Unfortunately people are more likely to look at you if you turn up at a wedding in jeans. Most people are too worried at how they look themselves to worry about what someone else is wearing. The best way not to be noticed (if that is what you want) is to wear similar clothes to everyone else. You are you and you are the best you there is (if that makes sense!)

kittspurr That was really spooky opening the LindaV Wright blog. I've got the camel coat, the red jumper, the white shirt, and the loafers ( not the same ones )
The only difference was that I would never wear trousers with the hem turned up like that and I would have a contrasting scarf/ shawl.
I have to disagree, though, I don't think there's anyone less like ethelbags who would wear a good quality camel coat and expensive loafers.
She has told us before that she doesn't see the point in spending money on good clothes.

I'm not comfy being smart either. But I don't wear Holey stuff or dirty so I feel it's ok. It's what u feel comfy in, but there is a fine line as others have said. Why not get a new outfit of stuff you feel comfy in but if it's new it will look fine if you re out and about.a personal shopper maybe could help if you're honest with them about how u want to look.

Ethel you are not alone, bought a lovely pair of colourful dr martins in a charity shop. I dont match things up and I dont care what people think, been like it all my life. Just be yourself and feel happy.

Ethel, my colourful dr martins dont get cleaned either as they dont tend to show the dirt!

Ethel, smart to you is conventional, that's plainly not what you want to be.
My niece on her wedding day wore cowboy boots hidden under her conventional wedding attire just because...
I say you hold your head up and carry on

How about this Ethelbags1

www.refinery29.com/baddie-winkle

Ethelbags continue wearing what you like but wear leggings with no holes and clean up, if that applies, at least before going out. I abhor the idea that there is a style for 60+ and would avoid the very concept.

Dress as you please but in what makes you feel comfortable and in a style which expresses your personality. Age should not come into it...except that perhaps, our physical shape might preclude clothes that are too revealing( but would that not also be the case if we were younger?).

Perhaps also give you DMs a spit and polish occasionally?
I admire the general look you choose and, with some tidying, it seems to express you perfectly. Doesn't matter that it would not be my choice....or that of many others.

Is smart what most of us who work in an office type job wear ? I have to wear trousers/skirt/ smart dress for work. Mostly its trousers because of all the bending down. I was about to buy more dark work smart trousers last week when I realised I don't have to any more because as I keep mentioning I'm retiring in march (smug emotion) I'm small and round with no neck, skinny legs and hardly any bum I can look reasonably smartish in a very blend into the background and definitely not be noticed sort of way what I can't be and never could no matter what I wear is chic. I'd love to look chic I'm full of envy of those of you who do! I don't care what any of my friends look like I don't think they care what I look like either. One of my worries about retiring is that I'll wonder round all day in my pyjamas

You won't morethan2 ( well, maybe occasionally!). There will be so many new things to explore but you may find that your wardrobe will need to adapt to a more casual look. I prefer the word 'elegant' to 'smart'. You can be elegant and casual, if you wish.

Good luck on your retirement( hate the word-- rather, 'new life' = much nicer).

I've had a lifetime of having to wear so called 'business attire' and I'm now quite happy to wear jeans and a blouse/jumper most days and smarter trousers and a tunic blouse for a night out. I can't remember the last time I wore a dress and heels.

To me, smart means clean and well cared for, whatever the style. Jeans, trousers, shirts and jumpers with trainers, shoes and boots (even hiking) can be as smart or casual as I need nowadays. I am more comfortable in clothes that won't make me stand out but I guess holey clothes and dirty shoes would get me more notice than I want. Stick to what you're comfortable in Ethel but if you want to avoid too much notice, keep your leggings and Doc Martins well looked after. Otherwise you'll get the notice you want to avoid for all the wrong reasons.

I'm not a dressy person, usually a cotton top and trousers, but I do try to look clean and tidy. If I have to go to a wedding, funeral or a party, then I put on a new cotton top, (Bonmarche). Anything else and I feel uncomfortable and overdressed. I don't worry what people think, I'm on a very limited budget, and as long as I feel OK then that's it.

"You must look perfectly happy and relaxed in your clothes which must appear part of you rather than a wardrobe you have donned" — Hardy Amies
I saw this today re an exhibition about him in Dagenham and thought of you.

Ok... so keep the Grunge look for at home & popping to the shops etc., but for social occasions, ditch the holes, keep the bobble hat in your bag.

No one expects matchy- matchy any more, but make a bit of an effort after all they made an effort to invite you so repay their kindness.

If all else fails go & buy a frock you feel happy in, put on your tights ( leave the holes at home) buy yourself a bomber jacket, brush your hair, put on a bit of lippy, foot wear of choice & go & have fun.

As my Mum used to say" No ones looking at you" but they will do if you go looking like a dogs dinner.

So to sum up, tidy up, relax & enjoy yourself.

I have been described as 'a bit of a hippy' more than once but I like bright clothes, long skirts, scarves and fun jewellery. I have just been to the local Indian restaurant for lunch, just wore what I happened to put on this morning and two women commented on how much they loved my knee length fuchsia suede boots and brightly coloured wool coat with fluffy wool collar. People often complement me on my clothes but they aren't often smart, more fun and colourful and nearly all bought from charity shops. My flowery doc martins which I wear with leggings, shortish skirt and shirt are also often commented on. I just wear what I feel happy in and what is appropriate for what I'm doing, eg warm layers for walking on the hills in winter, waterproof if out in the wet. as many have said before me as long as it is clean and you feel happy in it go with it, you don't have to look as if you are part of a fashion shoot.

I like to look smart when I'm out and about but at the same time I feel at home in my gardening or DIY paint splattered gear - I've even gone to the (very local) supermarket or DIY shop in my 'work' clothes. Some people look naturally smart - I see them in town and they seem fully integrated in their smartness. Others look smart but somehow it doesn't seem entirely natural, not a real extension of themselves, ie, they've made a special effort which is not entirely natural to them. If you know what I mean.