So I was thinking the other day, about what makes an outfit antwacky. I’ve definitely done it -aged myself with the way dress. I’m not talking about getting an outfit slightly wrong and making myself look bigger, frumpier or just getting it wrong in a way that means the outfit doesn’t work generally – I’ve done all of these, and loads of other variations. No, I’m talking specifically about dressing in a way that ages me.

Listed are things I think I got wrong and the ways I tried to fix them.

Things I got wrong

1. Helmet Hair

You probably have never done it cos you’re all dead cool, but I’ve defo been guilty of this. I think because my hair doesn’t hold a curl well, so it drops out really quickly. Consequently, over the years I’ve compensated with loads of hairspray. So I switched my style to more blown in the wind, rather than a bouncy blow, so it doesn’t matter as much if it drops and looks a bit messy. I actually tried to find an old pic of my 80s helmet hair – which occupied a different postcode, but I didn’t have any on my phone. Which I’m kinda glad about.

2. Handbags

Carrying a handbag is so 90s. Hands-free is the way to be. Again, I’m totally shit at this, as I’m not prone to travelling light. But I’ve embraced cross body bags a lot more these days and that seems to be doing the trick.

Marks & Spencer Leather Double Zip Cross Body Bag £45

3. Skinny Eyebrows

Big eyebrows are good. I’m not on board with a totally huge scouse brow, but I do think really skinny eyebrows can age you. It can take a while for them to grow back if you’ve been plucking for years – try Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner which is dead spendy, but it does work.

Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner £115

4. Shoes

I think this was the hardest concept for me to get my head around. This is probably a bit of a scouse thing too, but I always thought that if you wore heels, not only would you look taller, you’d look slimmer too. Which is true. But they can make an outfit look really antwacky. I didn’t like throw out all my old shoes, I just mixed things up a bit. A new heel shape, ankle boots, trainers. I went for trainers. Oh and DMs, and kitten heels. Actually, I’m kidding nobody – it was just a good excuse to go shoe shopping.

Veja Esplar metallic-trimmed leather sneakers £90

Things I took on board

1. I did some homework

If you see someone who you think is getting it right, a friend, a woman in the street, 1) tell them they look ace (everyone loves a compliment) 2) ask them where their outfit is from 3) work out what it is that they are doing that you like. Websites of high street labels, Pinterest, Instagram are all great sources of inspiration. Check out what they put with what. Do you like it? Would it work on you?

2. Athleisure (rubbish word though)

I think we’ve all got loads better at athleisure since the pandemic. I’m a big fan of a hoodie. As you well know. Which looks ace when you mix it up with a suit. Also, track pants with a blazer, what’s not to love about that? Me+Em do it best I think, I’ve used this image before, but it’s worth a reminder.

Me+Em Palazzo Trousers £59

3. I found “my” brands

Obviously I’ve got to love the style. But I also thought about whether a brand works for my size and proportions. Most labels cater best for the size and shape that dominates their country of birth. e.g. If you’re tall and rangy Scandi brands like Cos and Ganni will probably fit you well. If you’re smaller, Spanish brands like Zara will probably work well on you. A British pear is very well catered for at John Lewis and LK Bennett. I’m sort of curvy and short, so Boden fits me like a glove. See also Marks and Spencer.

4. I stopped trying too hard

After helmet hair, this is the biggest single thing that makes an outfit look antwacky. Being totally put together can look uptight and it’s definitely ageing. Doing “matchy matchy” accessories is my default setting, but I have a word with myself about it now. The below pic is my inspo now for the matching accessories thing, and I try not to let myself get more matchy than this.

This is the ever brilliant Kat Farmer @doesmybumlook40

Finally.. I try to be open minded

It’s dead easy to dismiss something you’ve never worn as not for you. But refreshing your look, is exactly that – adding in elements that are new. As long as something works with your body shape, frame and colouring, there aren’t any no-gos. It takes me time to decide I like a new trend quite a lot of the time. I was a very late adopter of the pleated skirt, but I bloody love them now. You really need to try them before you say you don’t like them. A lot of these things, cropped trousers, jumpsuits, pleated skirts are perma-trends for a reason. A flash of ankle can be lengthening. A jumpsuit unifies your lines in the same way as a dress, but look more relaxed. And less uptight always looks more modern.