Do you want to look "smart"

My underwear is really boring, white or black pants, same for bras except I also have navy and flesh coloured. The absolute must is comfortable and give the right line under clothes and not be visible. I often wear white competition breeches and riding tights, so no VSP required. tbh I think I have "my style" which does get tweaked according to fashion trends but hopefully in an age appropriate way and often mixing cheap (think Lidl skinny jeans) with something more expensive (eg a really beautiful cashmere top in a colour which suits me.) I've recently resurrected several pairs of wide linen trousers, bought 15 years ago, that were lurking in a spare bedroom, but I'm wearing them in a completely different way. tbh I really hate throwing out "good" clothes as I always think they'll come back into fashion. I'm looking for a really good pair of white shorts as my favourite ones, bought over 30 years ago, are only fit for the garden.

I want to be told I look lovely, even though I probably don’t. My DH uses the word smart too and I don’t like it either. It makes me think I am going to an interview! I like an outfit to match and still make an effort with my appearance every day, though no longer have to go to work!

I remember when I was in my 20s, got all glammed up for a posh Naval do; a young Lieutenant who was greeting us said "You look very, um, er, smart".
I didn't know quite what he meant 😁

Did he mean "What a surprise, you scrub up ok"
Or was he going to say "Wow, you look gorgeous" but thought better of it as DH was there?

Today I'm wearing unsmart linen trousers and a very old, long t shirt. But I am clean and blow dried my hair too!

maddyone I have read on more than one occasion that you should never wear white underwear under white clothing.

If I am wearing white jeans/trousers or shirt/t-shirt or even a dress, then I always wear nude/flesh colour matching underwear as it goes with everything.

Marydoll

GrannyGravy13

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

That is me too, GG. I went a stage further, when I was teaching. My colleagues used to check my bra strap to see if it matched my dress. 🤣
I do realise I have a problem. 😉

Here's me thinking everyone knew all bras must match the top. I do typically wear white, black, navy most often. Black knickers, black jeans etc.

I'm not OCD, just practical!

I am seduced by bright colours, which actually suit my colouring and govern what I wear.

At a similar age as me, my mother wore baggy, dowdy elasticated waisted clothing.
Yet I have seen photos of her as a beautiful, stylish woman in 1950's dresses and beautiful shoes.
My very strict Victorian father was much older than her and I wonder if that affected how she dressed.
She just stopped bothering about how she looked..

Matching underwear is a must for me too.

GrannyGravy13

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

Me too. Except in summer because white trousers require white knickers, but with with white trousers I often wear a dark top. I could never wear a black top with anything other than a black bra, but the white trousers require the white knickers and so matching underwear doesn’t work all the time.
In winter, no problem, matching underwear. And I choose it to tone with whatever I’m wearing on top.

Marydoll, GrannyGravy13 I am another one with matching underwear, bra and pants match and then matched to outfit, I thought I was the only one like this.

I also like pretty underwear, not those heavy lacy ones M&S do, but our local supermarket in France does a good line in floral patterned underwear.

The problem, describing the garments you are wearing says little about what you atre actually wearing because, even something simple like jeans T shirt and trainers can be Boho, smart or scruffy depending on which jeans, colour condition, style, ditto T shirt and same again with trainers.

I have always refused to wear clothes that are uncomfortable, whether underwear, outerwear or shoes, but I love colour and those styles that are just that little bit different. As I have said before, the people that matter: DDiL and DGD, think I am stylish, in the Boho tradition, as they are, so that is sufficient for me.

sassysaysso

I've always dressed for comfort rather than appearance so have never aimed to dress smart or even smart casual. I do try to wear clean and fresh clothes though there is from time to time an unnoticed porridge stain on the top I'm wearing. Good luck to those who aim to look smart - you'd probably look on me as a right scruff!

You can look smart/stylish and be comfortable.
If you’re not bothered what you look like, say so: but the above is just not true.

Grandma70s

Marydoll

My husband's stock phrase is, You look fine.

I would rather look stylish than smart!
I prefer not to dress like the proverbial old lady, but that's because I'm shallow and appearance matters! 😉

How does the proverbial old lady dress?

My comment was tongue in cheek.
I am too savvy to fall into the trap of giving a deinition and too fragile to take the inevitable flak. 😉

Marydoll

GrannyGravy13

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

That is me too, GG. I went a stage further, when I was teaching. My colleagues used to check my bra strap to see if it matched my dress. 🤣
I do realise I have a problem. 😉

OMG, I was afraid to admit that my undies must match my outer garments.

It’s extremely reassuring to know that I am not the only one with clothing OCD 🤣🤣🤣

Definitely twins separated at birth.

I gave up smart attire when I retired. Thirty five years of wearing a uniform were quite enough.
These days I go for casual, jeans and jumpers etc. I do have smart trousers and dresses when I need to dress up a bit.

Marydoll

My husband's stock phrase is, You look fine.

I would rather look stylish than smart!
I prefer not to dress like the proverbial old lady, but that's because I'm shallow and appearance matters! 😉

How does the proverbial old lady dress?

GG, I am beginning to wonder if we were twin, separated at birth.

GrannyGravy13

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

Indeed. My undies generally must be cute/sexy/attractive.

Cotton-only knickers in summer - boring white whilst scrubbing dog or GC paddling pool floors. Needs for summer weather!

GrannyGravy13

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

That is me too, GG. I went a stage further, when I was teaching. My colleagues used to check my bra strap to see if it matched my dress. 🤣
I do realise I have a problem. 😉

Also I always must have matching underwear, could never wear mis-matched undies.

Marydoll

My husband's stock phrase is, You look fine.

I would rather look stylish than smart!
I prefer not to dress like the proverbial old lady, but that's because I'm shallow and appearance matters! 😉

I feel the same MaryDoll

I try to keep up with current trends, there is always something I like and suits me.

At 5’2” I stay away from skirts, as they just do not look good, I tend to stick to skinny jeans (all colours) with shirts, T-shirts, and jumpers. If we are going out it’s usually a dress, with either sandals, smart trainers or boots (depending on season and weather)

For years I did a job which required "smart" dressing and, occasionally, formal evening wear. When I left that job, I relished the change to everyday casual. Not scruffy; it all has to be clean and pressed and colour co-ordinated.

After more than a decade of dressing this way, I find I loathe "dressing up" and refuse invitations which involve upholstering myself into formal attire.
This time of year, a crisp summer dress will be fine for most events and anyone who doesn't approve needn't invite me again!

My husband's stock phrase is, You look fine.

I would rather look stylish than smart!
I prefer not to dress like the proverbial old lady, but that's because I'm shallow and appearance matters! 😉

I just aim to look clean and tidy!

Riverwalk I'm wearing everyday clothes that are at least four years old... linen trousers, linen mix jacket, t-shirt and trainers.

Seems smart to me. I wear jeans/trousers, sandals/trainers, a jacket and t-shirt 24/7 except to Church and funerals. Whatever else is smart/pleasant/decent in summer? Perhaps I need to revise my definitions.

If I'm at work, I have to dress in a conservative manner (my role involves time spent at Crown and Magistrates Cts).
At home...comfort all the way.

I do tend to think that instead of looking smart / stylish etc, I'd just rather just be dressed appropriately for whatever I'm doing or for the occasion!

I associate smart with work, which I left seven years ago. MrJ will say ‘that suits you’ or I like that on you’ my daughter ‘I like’, or ‘that colour suits you’, grandchildren ‘cool Grandma’.
All of those will do me.