Make time to feel like you.

Style inspiration for women over 35, with comfort and confidence at its heart. My weekly journal connects the outfits with real life, modelling and making time for yourself.

Good style has to
work in real life.

I love putting an outfit together, but I know you need to get through a whole day in it. Here are the looks I like, where I found similar pieces and the little things I check before buying. If seams, waistbands or fabric can make your day harder, those details matter here too.

AI outfit mock-up of Blake in a black trench, cream knit, chocolate tailored trousers and black ankle boots outside an office on a rainy autumn morning
Midweek edit · 8 October 2026

Cold mornings, warm layers.

Dark mornings, rain and a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte on the way to the office. Autumn has definitely arrived.

Cream knit, chocolate trousers, black ankle boots and a long black trench. Easy layers for the cold commute that still look smart when the coat comes off. I like the softer brown with cream, and a work bag with room for the day’s essentials.

Keep the trouser hems clear of puddles and an umbrella in your bag. The trench below is shower-resistant; for a proper downpour, I’d reach for a waterproof coat. A low heel and a grippy sole are worth looking for on wet mornings.

If you’re sensitive to textures, check the knit at your neck and wrists, and try the trousers sitting down. Leave enough room in the coat for a layer underneath without feeling restricted.

On the playlist: “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.

AI styling mock-up using my own photo. These links are for similar pieces, not the exact clothes pictured. Prices and availability may change; check your size and fabric before buying.

AI outfit mock-up of Blake in a black biker jacket, cream jumper, washed-black straight-leg jeans and chunky Chelsea boots on an autumn street
Weekend edit · 3 October 2026

Autumn weekend edit

This is my kind of weekend outfit. A biker jacket, cream jumper, washed-black jeans and chunky boots. Easy to wear, with a bit of an edge.

The jacket gives it some attitude, while the cream knit softens the look. I’ve gone for straight-leg jeans and flat boots for a day wandering around town or meeting friends for coffee.

I’m particular about how clothes feel, too. If you’re sensitive to textures, try the knit against your skin and check the jeans are comfortable when you sit down. You want to enjoy wearing it.

AI outfit mock-up; the links are for similar pieces. Guide prices checked 3 October 2026, including sale options. Prices and availability may change.

AI styling concept: blonde model seated at an office desk in a charcoal blazer, ivory blouse and dark trousers
The autumn office edit · AI styling concept

Charcoal for the office

If you want to look smart without feeling buttoned up, this is where I would start. The charcoal blazer gives the outfit shape, and the ivory blouse softens it. On a day when you want more room around your middle, leave the shirt a little loose over straight trousers.

What I would check: Sit at a desk in it before you decide. Does the waistband dig in? Are the sleeves in your way when you type? I found a pull on M&S trouser as the softer waist option. The wool blazer is pricier, so I would try it over a top you already know feels good.

Pieces I chose · £28–£150 per piece
FatFace charcoal blazer at Next £50 sale
M&S pure wool blazer £150
M&S ivory blouse £38
M&S pull on straight trousers £28
01 / Style

How it actually wears

Cardigans that catch your hair, shirts that give you room on an uncomfortable day, and trousers that sit the way you want them to.

02 / Beauty

Through the working day

Easy hair and beauty ideas that still feel good by the end of a working day.

03 / Work & confidence

Feeling like yourself

What helps me feel like myself at work, even on days when getting dressed takes more thought.

04 / Health & beauty

Blake does both.

Looking good can lift your mood, and feeling cared for can change the way you carry yourself. I see self-care as self-respect: a few thoughtful choices that help you feel comfortable, confident and ready for the day. This is a starting point rather than a prescription. Skin can be unpredictable, so patch-test new products and ask a pharmacist or GP about ongoing irritation.

Makeup that still feels like you

Polished, not covered up

Start with skin prep, use a little at a time and let your own features do some of the work. For more coverage, build it only where you want it.

Clinique Even Better MakeupBuildable medium coverage · natural finish

Makeup SPF is not a substitute for a properly applied separate sunscreen. The NHS advises at least SPF30 and suitable UVA protection, with reapplication as directed.

Prices checked 26 September 2026; sales and stock can change. These are AI outfit ideas, and the pieces listed are similar, not the exact clothes shown. I have not tried them on, so I would always check the fit and fabric for myself. No one has paid me to feature these items.