When did you finally feel comfortable with being yourself? #AgeofComfort with Hotter

Firstly, I am really flattered and excited to have been asked to be involved in the Hotter campaign promoting comfort, not only in our choice of footwear but with who we are.  My focus for my blog has always been about what I am doing, what works for me and sharing that inspiration with my readers.  If I like it, you might too, that is my philosophy and how I choose what I share on Fifty & Fab.  And I love stylish but comfortable feet!  And Hotter are a brand that I feel are getting that right, with 40 fitting and size combinations to give us the perfect fit, as well as upping their design game to create shoes we want to wear.

According to Hotter's research, us self-conscious Brits finally stop worrying about what other people think of them at age 46!  Hotter want to inspire women to get comfortable with their new campaign.  When you feel comfortable,  you can achieve anything!  What would you say to your younger self?

This post is part of a paid partnership with Hotter.

Wearing my Dart trainers from Hotter and enjoying garden time with Bonnie!

Hotter asked me ... at what point in my life I reached my #AgeOfComfort?

I don't remember ever having real confidence.  I am shy, but not painfully shy, I wasn't one of the cool kids at school, but I wasn't uncool either.  I did well in my career, but I didn't excel.  I was happy to work hard and aspire to more, but I have never had a burning ambition to take over the world!  I spent my teens and twenties trying to feel comfortable in my style decisions but never quite got there and when I look back now, I cringe at how frumpy I looked!  I look younger and happier in myself in my 50's than I ever did in my 20's ... then I spent my 30's raising my children and money was pretty tight as I gave up work to be at home full time.  In my 40's I slowly started to get it all a bit more.  Instagram came along to inspire us.  And I personally had a bit more disposable income to treat myself.  Plus, I had a daughter, and it was having Emily that inspired me to grow my very short (very easy) hair long and it has stayed that way for 20+ years now.  It is much more feminine and softer on my features (but more time-consuming).  As I was approaching 50 and unbeknown to me, peri menopausal, I felt fat, unfit and fed up.  On a skiing holiday I couldn't keep up and my son told me I needed to sort myself out!  Harsh from a 17-year-old maybe but he had a point!

So I signed up to The Body Coach SSS Plan, lost a stone, got fitter and started my blog.

And my blog has given me much more confidence.  My 50's are so different.  I have finally found the confidence to be who I am.  

I buy the beautiful lingerie, I wear the bikini, I get dressed up every day, I work out, I walk and have lots of friends and I love spending time with my daughter.  London is a big passion, inspired by my mum being a Londoner.  I am no longer nervous about the underground or driving places.  I get out, take a brave pill and walk into a room of strangers at a blogger event.  I've even posted pictures of me in my underwear on social media!  I have never felt more comfortable with who I am at age 54!

I remember being at a beautiful autumn wedding at Hever Castle about 6 years ago.  I was wearing a dress my husband had bought for me when we went to Venice to celebrate our 25th anniversary, a black velvet coat and black stilettos.  It was still pre-blog days.  I had always worn heels when I went out as that felt right, it felt like the only way to dress up when wearing a dress was to add heels.  And being petite, I am 5 ft 2 I thought I needed to add some height.  Well, I was so damn uncomfortable!!!  In the evening I took my shoes off under the table and when we were called outside to see the fireworks, I had to put them back on and I literally couldn't walk, my feet were so sore.

I made a decision not to wear heels ever again!  I wear heeled boots and I wear wedges but never a stiletto court shoe.  But I needed that confidence to make the decision and the fact that shoe styles have become much more universal, a flat shoe is no longer frumpy or reserved for the older generation.  We can literally wear what we damn well please!  Anything goes.

And what a choice we have!  Hotter is one of the brands that is evolving and welcoming a younger customer with new styles and innovative comfort.

This is my age of comfort.

Dart from Hotter in White Multi

The Hotter shoes I am wearing for this post are the Dart in White Multi, they are a modern lightweight trainer shoe made from leather and suede.   I love the chunky platform style sole and the grey suede detailing to break up the white.  They are super soft and feel so comfortable with a padded collar to support your ankle and of course the lace-up means you can adjust to suit your desired fit.

Trainers are the Dart from Hotter, dress is part of the Ghost collaboration at M&S (now sold out) and my hat is from Creative Dezigns.

I am so happy that we can now embrace a dressed up or dressed down look every day with our dresses.  They no longer have to be saved for a special occasion.  Twenty, or even ten years ago, I would never have dreamt of wearing a 'posh frock' with trainers!!!  But this Ghost X M&S collaboration dress will work for both casual and going 'out out'.  In fact I already have a dressed up occasion in mind (our friend is the Mayor elect for Cheltenham and we are invited to his inauguration ceremony).  But I know that this outfit will get lots of wear this summer.  My hat is from Creative DeZigns.

My gorgeous summer hat is fully packable and crushable and is from Creative DeZigns.

Hotter have been creating comfortable footwear from over 60 years and their fitting experts are only a telephone call away, or you can visit one of their stores for a 3D foot scan courtesy of Hotter Footprint.  And all their shoes come in whole and half sizes, plus the choice of slim, standard wide and extra wide fitting.  And at the end of May Hotter are launching their new app which will allow users to try on a pair of shoes virtually!

That is why I was so happy to be involved in their 'Get the perfect fit. Get comfortable' campaign.  I won't be suffering for the sake of glamour again, I can wear a dress and trainers and not compromise on my style.

Outfit details as above.

I am so delighted with my new photos, I recently had a photoshoot, booked with Perfocal, and although I was a bit worried the sun hadn't made a proper appearance, the results from my photographer Chris were brilliant.  

Tell me in the comments below, at what age did you feel comfortable with yourself and why, what would you say to your younger self?

Love from
Michelle xx
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Disclaimer: this is post is part of a paid partnership with Hotter.  I was gifted the shoes for the purpose of my post.  All words and opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

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