We may not all be super models, but we can all look and feel good about ourselves.
I never had much confidence in my looks as a teenager – I fretted over my ugly glasses, acne, big ears, knobby knees and much more besides. Yet looking back on photos from my youth, I realise that I was in fact much prettier than I thought I was!
Fast forward several decades years and I am actually happy with my looks, even though there is a birthday looming on the horizon that starts with a “5”!
How on earth can that be? Aren’t we at our best and prettiest as sweet young things?!
Not necessarily! I think it has something to do with what I call “The Serenity Prayer of Style”:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can; and
Wisdom to know the difference.
Accepting the things I cannot change: A lot of the things that used to bug me about my appearance still haven’t changed – oh how I wish I could grow my nails! Others, like my nose and ears, I have grown into. I’m not prepared to go under the knife to change the things I don’t like (especially after my last experience of surgery!); so I have learned to accept them.
Courage to change the things I can: I know that I look and feel my best at a particular weight; so when my clothes start to feel a little snug, I know it’s time to get walking! Having long been unhappy with the colour of my teeth, I leapt at the chance to trial a teeth whitening kit earlier this year.
Wisdom to know the Difference: Hopefully now that I am middle aged, I have a lot more experience and knowledge than I did as a young ‘un – and some wisdom too. I now know that trowelling on the makeup is NOT going to hide bad skin. I’ve learned that being happy with yourself (inside and out) shines through; I may not be a traditional beauty, but I like to think I still look good, especially when there is a smile on my face – and a smile in my heart!
One thing that effects the way I feel – inside and out – is to make sure I wear the right clothes for me, rather than the latest fad. Here are my three secrets for loving what you wear:
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- Make sure you choose clothes that flatter your figure;
- Try to stick to colours that always bring you compliments when you wear them;
- And finally, only have clothes that are comfortable – not only to wear, but also that fit into your lifestyle – and your hip pocket 😉 . (Having a massive credit card debt will only give you frown lines!).
It’s what I call fashion from the real world.
Millers* sent me on a mission to prove that if you look good, you feel good – and vice versa. Here’s what I came home with:
I chose this outfit because:
- As an apple shape, I like to wear clothes that show off my legs but hide my pot belly, and this outfit fills the bill nicely. These black ponte leggings are just the thing to show off my pins! Wearing a shirt as a jacket over a cami (buttoned or unbuttoned, take your pick) is another great trick to disguise a not-so-trim tummy.
- The soft plum colours really enhance my colouring, and give my complexion a certain glow – even if I’m feeling under the weather. No makeup required! (I’m wearing lipstick only in these photos).
- The comfort factor: I live in pants during the cooler months; while the cami helps me stay modest and keep warm. No need to fear any wardrobe malfunctions 😉 ! And, the whole outfit came in at fifty bucks (not including shoes and jewellery).
This shot reminds me of Erin Brockovich: “They’re called boobs, Ed”!
Do you feel you look better now – or as a young ‘un?!
*These items have been gifted to me for editorial consideration, in accordance with my disclosure policy. I’m an affiliate of Millers and stand to earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase via a link on my site.
Love this outfit on you Janet and I love your approach to life. I can honestly say, I don’t think as an adult, I’ve ever been happy with how I look, especially now with the weight gain thanks to thyroid/meds.
I haven’t met you in person, but from the couple of pics I’ve seen you look beautiful just the way you are xxx
I have met Raych aka Mystery Case and you are spot on she is gorgeous, way more than she sees herself and I don’t say these things lightly.
We are going to have to keep on her case (see what I did there?!) and keep telling her so that maybe one day she will believe it!!!
LOL I just started Lite n Easy so that should tell you how happy I am with my appearance at the moment. This looks great though – casual chic!
Thanks Zilla … hubster and I have been thinking about doing Lite n Easy too, but we still have Mr 21 at home and he would probably complain loudly. How are you liking it?!
Helen Mirren said more or less the same thing. I want to be that. I just avoid mirrors most of the time….I am insisting on photos now tho…so it’s a step in the right direction.
I”m finding I like my photos a lot more these days – it’s all about practice and knowing the moves and poses that work best for you 😉
You look fab, I can see why you chose those items! I’m at a bit of a crossroads with my style, I think I may need to talk someone into going shopping with me and give me some guidance! It’s been so long since I bought new clothes. I love this post! #TeamIBOT
Thanks Haidee 🙂 … I think most of us dream of having a personal stylist to guide us, and a bottomless wallet to go with it 😉
You look great- I love the outfit but even more you have a terrific grin and that makes it for me 🙂
I’m a firm believer that your best accessory is a smile 🙂 – so I’m practising what I preach!
Great outfit choice and I love your philosophy! As I’ve grown older I have also started to accept the things I know I cannot change and make the most of what I’ve got!
Thanks Ingrid! Because life’s too short to worry what people think of what we look like. Chances are they barely notice coz they’re too busy worrying what we think of what THEY look like!
You look great Janet.
I’m ‘mostly’ happy with how I look. I feel like three kilos less would make me happier. But wine and chocolate are my not so guilty pleasures and they war with those three kilos, so it may not happen for a while.
I never find anything in Millers that I like. I must go at the wrong time.
Yeah I hear you on the 3 kilos Jess 😉 .
And of course all I could look at in the last photo was your boobs once I read the caption haha. I changed five times before coming this morning. I’m normally really comfortable in the clothes I wear and have a go to style of skinny jeans and printed tees but networking events always make me over think everything. I’m slightly freaking out about Problogger. Was so nice to catch up with you again today.
I hadn’t done the washing for a few days, silly me, so didn’t have much to choose from! Luckily I was prepared for the warm weather – didn’t it get hot?
You look great! You’re correct of course. Comfort and flattering colours are the keys. I think I looked my best in my early forties. I’m well past it now 😉
Nah you’re still pretty good looking for a “woman of a certain age” 😉
I love this outfit Janet. The colours look great on you and it’s always nice to show off a bit of cleavage if you’ve got it 😉 The best thing is that you’re happy in your own skin and it shows 🙂
LOL can you tell I have a bit of fun taking silly selfies!
I love this serenity prayer of style. I feel I have more confidence in what I wear now, definitely mores0 than I did 20 years ago. I’m not a slave to fashion which is one good thing – something everyone really should let go of. Dress for yourself – wear things that flatter you and feel awesome!
It’s nice to know there are some shops out there Kirsty that understand we are not all skinny minnies of 18 …
I love what you’ve chosen … it really suits you and is so smart casual but also looks great for everyday wear. Yes, I feel more confident now I’m over 50 and I like trying out new looks because, well, I can, and I’m not afraid of judgement as I was in my 20’s! My Miller’s outfit is slightly different to yours as you saw in my post yesterday, but we do love Ponte Pants, don’t we!
I wondered what the other bloggers involved in the campaign would choose, I enjoyed Kathy’s post over at 50 Shades of Age today, too!
I love your post and you are so right. I’m 46 and I’ve noticed I’ve become more comfortable with myself in the past 6 months and I’m looking forward to the oncoming years. While I yearn for better for health sake I’m over yearning for the sake of what others think. You look great, love the outfit you chose great colours and you look comfortable.