Why can't I be smart

You sound fab to me. Doc Martin's go with everything, and are very fashionable right now.

Just wondering: do you wear makeup? I think everyone looks smarter with it.

I dread having to adopt a particular look too, and feel uncomfortable-always have-in clothes that are not "me".

Would you be brave enough to post a pic?

Have to agree with ninathenanaand I definitely don't mean it in a bad way. I try to look "smart " when I go out but somehow don't manage it. I have a friend who manages to look like a million dollars cos she knows how to put things together, I just don't seem to have the knack

Please don't take this the wrong way. You dress how you want and I admire you for it.
When you say your afraid of looking smart because people will "look at you" A lady of my generation would attract mine and probably others, attention far more, dressed as you describe rather than one dressed in conventionally "smart" clothes as that person would blend in.I don't mean in that in a bad way.

Probably too bleddy old in the tooth to change now I suspect.

You sound like a lovely eccentric dresser to me. I'd go for The Look big time if I were you.

Instead of changing your style, get some 'best' leggings (sans holes) instead of the denim mini skirt, get one with a touch satin or lace (fashionable just now) give your Docs a polish (or buy new ones) and stick a flower ? behind your ear Carmen Miranda style.

Sounds good to me!

I can dress either way and feel comfortable within myself,at home I go for a casual look with jeggings or jeans and loose tops with big scarf and for work it must be trousers and jacket with smart blouse,workwise I have always had to wear smart clothes or Company uniform,first thing I do though is change to comfy clothes as soon as I get home.I've always kept my shoes and boots in good clean order it was drilled into me by my lovely dad who always said you should have nice shiny shoes to start the day

I'm with the scruffs!!
I dont feel like myself when all dolled up and hate having to go anywhere which demands it.
I can not match items and end up looking a mess in smart clothes!!! lol.
I am happiest in my joggers with a t shirt or fleece in the colder weather and my linen trousers and t shirts in the summer.

Smart? What that? Most of the time I live in jeans, a polo shirt and a fleece pullover; jogging bottoms in the house. I have always been a hopeless dresser; I have no real idea what goes with what, so when I go out I keep it very simple with smart trousers and a few favourite tops, but, happily, we don't go out very often these day. I have a battered hat that I wear for fishing, but otherwise hats are a no no. I do keep my shoes clean (a hangover from my Army days). I think jalima has it right; it's all about confidence, being yourself, and making sure that the clothes you wear are in reasonable condition, even if they are an eclectic mix!

My mum decided in the 80s that she looked a bit like Margaret Thatcher so she wore skirts, pussy cat bow blouses and and carried a handbag but it looked wrong and her natural sort of slight scruffiness broke through. I liked her look much more when she wore flares, a blouse and a cardie.

She always accused me of being among other things, a bag lady and a hippie. Now at 70 I think I've developed a style that is comfortable but definitely not smart. Mum and I couldn't really do smart. Someone said the other day that nature had been kind to me but I know that I always look frayed about the edges. I had an auntie who was effortlessly smart but she was tall and that helped. Do your own thing Ethel I'm sure you look great. As Jalima said we don't all want to look like clones just because we're getting on a bit.

You have got to a time in your life Ethel when you can just please yourself. If you want to have the hippy look well so be it.

I like to have the co-ordinated look with similar shades of purple, lilac, or greens (not the veg). I paint my nails a variety of colours from plum to cherry red. I wear different costume jewellery each day. If anyone dislikes my style of dressing I don't give a toss and neither should you.

Enjoy being YOU

ethel, I'm not good at being smart, either. I actually can't seem to manage it! So, at the age of 66, I'm at my happiest wearing leggings or skinny jeans with a long top and boots. These boots can be ankle or otherwise. I do like them to be clean boots....but as I'm not very good at cleaning them, OH does them when he does his (army training) !
Just be yourself, etheltbags. We don't have to toe the line for anyone.

Ethelbags1, leggings over a mini skirt

I never feel what you might call 'smart'.
I need a style fairy to wave her magic wand.

Although I don't have holes in my tights and I do clean my shoes.

I think you have to hold your head up and be more confident ethel - and perhaps clean your boots and wear something without holes which matches if you want to be unobtrusive!

And we don't all want to look like clones just because we're 60+ (or even 70+).