Or style!
And then I find out that BHS is closing down.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I jest of course as I think Chelsea Girl closed down before I was big enough to shop there. I just latched on to my sister and followed her round while she spent her hard earned fiver from her Saturday job.
As for BHS, may it rest in peace with it’s good friend Woolworths in pic ‘n’ mix heaven.
Not somewhere I’d shop for clothes but the home section was fab.
Anyway, I’m digressing so let’s get to the point.
Fashion through the age ranges.
For the purpose of this blog, I’m not sure whether I should describe myself as 40+ or fifty minus but what I want to talk about is accommodating body changes and style preferences.
Too much salad and Prosecco together with a slowing metabolism and a whip me whop through the 40s is scientifically proven to have an effect on body shape. I have this information from a good source. The mirror.
There is a randomness to these changes – like suddenly acquiring someone else’s boobs, shoulders, arms, back and middle. The whole top section in fact. You don’t see it coming gradually. You just wake up one day and it’s like, well – there. On your body.
I’ve spent my whole life wanting bigger boobs and having been gifted a few cup sizes around mid 40 (yes it shocked me too!), I realise why everyone bemoans them. They make clothes look different. They are uncomfortable and bras itch like mad.
I have walked around my favourite stores only to berate them in the changing room for changing their sizes (and styles). This is a combination of some retailers being a bit stingy with the material and my delusion in not noticing my new top half sooner.
I’m nothing if not persistent but after trying to get something past my shoulders in the tenth shop, hoping the material will give so I can at least move my arms, one can become despondent. The fact that it leaves me sweating buckets (yes that as well, the little bugger) – well what can I say.
Anyone nodding along?
Unlike Alice in Wonderland, when something says “Eat Me” and “Drink Me” – I do not shrink and fall down a rabbit hole. Fall down yes – rabbit hole – definitely not.
More like eat a muffin top and you get one. Smug cow in her blue and white dress. Those jam tarts do come back to haunt you though Alice. Especially the yellow ones that are always left in the box.
Don’t say I haven’t warned you.
I have realised that I have to take some responsibility for my new ‘grown-up’ shape.
There really is not much to be done about it other than the usual but it does mean a different way of looking at clothes. A new way to address the extras.
I shall certainly mourn the old figure.
But moan I will not – nor is this a quest to be on the front page of Vogue, I have always been one of those lucky people that never had to worry about my weight or my plate. It’s more of a nod towards feeling comfortable and changing things up a little bit.
On the body front, I don’t want to have to keep hoiking things up or pulling them down. I want my clothes to stay where I put them. I also want them to shake hands and meet in the middle. Just get along really – not that hard is it!
So it’s about comfy staples – those beautiful Mars Bar gems that you really can work, rest and play in. Simples. So time to find said little numbers.
This I think will be the bit that takes a bit longer. No longer the quick dash round picking up the stinky small sizes and being through the till in five minutes. More I see shopping as being more of a one item thing, it will probably require detail and said item will have a history of helping people like me.
A wise garment.
It will probably have a top end price tag too.
Outwardly I will still be the same me as before but inwardly I will know that it’s OK to have that extra glass of Prosecco and piece of cake because I have space in my wise garments for these eventualities.
Bang on trend but still able to bend.
This shall be my new style guide going forward.
I have a few places in mind but any suggestions would be most welcome if you have been on a similar journey.
Wish me swell.
Nicky
You got bigger boobs, how come? I have to rely on Victoria Secrets for mine!!
And didn’t Chelsea Girl become River Island?
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They just came knocking one day! Yes I think you are right. Different price tag of course!
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“it’s OK to have that extra glass of Prosecco and piece of cake because I have space in my wise garments for these eventualities” – you are totally on my wavelength here! #KCACOLS
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I am taking your word for this and shall continue to drink Prosecco in order to keep said ‘wise garment’ in business! Thanks for commenting.
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Lots of people would kill to get bigger boobs 😃 But I agree with you, it feels good when the bra is off #KCACOLS
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I was that person! What a fool! Not that they are massive mind – just big enough to hinder on occasion!
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haha! I get SO sweaty in changing rooms its a joke! No ones sizes are the same either and thats the biggest headache! My body has changed too (of course) and maybe its me.. maybe I’ve not yet digested the fact my body is not the same, and I keep trying these clothes that are clearly not going to look right or fit lol – I have big boobs as well, and they can make us look much bigger than we actually are, which is just fabulous (not) shopping is no longer my favourite thing to do.. well, except wine shopping! 😉 #kcacols
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You have me in a nutshell here. Do we know each other!? It’s the not realising about the change isn’t it. I’m the same and don’t enjoy it so much. How to change this is my next project! Thanks for commenting.
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well here’s to 40 then haha! I blinking hate bra shopping tbh. such a faff! #KCACOLS
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So do I. I desperately need to do it though. If only someone came to your house to do it that didn’t have extremely expensive products. Now that I would love!
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Haha i have taken to wearing jeggings, leggings and high waisted jeans for comfort! I do wish shops would stop changing the sizing of their clothing – it can be very annoying! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
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I need to get my hands on some high waisted jeans. I thought I had but they keep rolling down and that is not a look I covet! Thanks for commenting.
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Bra shopping is the worst. I realised the other day that I hadn’t bought myself any new underwear in nearly 3 years and was still wearing some of my maternity bras, even though I only breastfeed once a day and at home so do not need by boobs to be accessible.
I went to get fitted at Selfridges. I bought two bras, one of which is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. I have since bought exactly the same bra in black, white, coral, navy and flesh. Sad but true. Pen x #KCACOLS
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You are making me feel ashamed! Tell me about these bras. I’m guessing the fact that they are Selfridge means they were expensive? Just look at you rocking all of the colours! 😉
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I need a complete wardrobe overhaul, my shape and style has changed so much and I need to embrace it! I just wish my new style wasn’t quite so scruffy and unkempt! #KCACOLS
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Likewise. How long should we keep the things we still think may fit? Ooh it breaks my little heart to see some of them go!
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I love this post. There is hope for me yet in the boob area, I just need to wait a few years! I work in retail and I hate to tell you but in Canada at least they have changed their sizes over the years. For example a 10 in one style does not equal a 10 in the next style. So you end up having to try everything on. Bummer! #KCACOLS
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Good boobs come to those who wait!! Same here with the sizing. Everywhere it seems. It’s all the trying on that gets me. Thanks for commenting and sharing.
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Oh I’m all about the comfort. I’m actually sat here head to toe in BHS and I’ve no idea what I’ll do! I don’t try things on any longer, I just pick a size and pray. #KCACOLS
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God you must panicking then Fran. I used to be a picker upper and prayer once. You must get yourself to BHS post haste and grab the lot!! Thanks for commenting.
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I’m 50 minus and hopefully waiting for these big boobs you speak of! And Prosecco is always worth it! #KCACOLS
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Be careful what you wish for! Maybe they came free with a bottle of Prosecco and I just didn’t realise!
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Oh love this, love your writing and the way your blog is put together. As for boobs, I have laboured with mine for c.25 years (am 37) and dream of tiny boobs under a white t shirt #kcacols
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Ah thank you, that’s a kind thing to say. I have the t-shirt you refer to in my archives and I don’t see it making a resurgence! To think it was only a couple of years ago is heartbreaking! Thank you for commenting.
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