25-30

When you turn 30, you start to think about how you've changed, not only personally, but in your looks and style too.
I recently went back through the archives of Facebook and found some pictures of either my birthday night out since my 25th birthday or a time pretty close to it.

25
Oh dear! I was trying to grow out a bowl cut and look like I've got a bit of a mushroom head!
I loved this dress at the time I bought it. I used to want my outfits to get me noticed in either a bad or a good way. I favoured body con dresses that showed off every curve. The 30 year old me would definitely feel way too self conscious to wear something like this now.

26
This leather dress has been dubbed my porn star dress but again at the time I loved it. I wanted to be noticed. I'd just come back from a weeks holiday in Ibiza so had a bit of tan. Again, this dress is something I'd feel way to self conscious to wear now but I felt great in it at the time. It's one of those dresses that I couldn't throw away because of the memories. It was probably not the best idea to wear a pleather dress to London's sweatiest club though in hindsight.

27
This was taken at V Festival so I guess it's OK to go a little flamboyant at a festival. I think this is when Jessie J was my style inspiration. Everything had to be a garishly printed along with those big tacky earrings! I also had a full fringe which isn't in view, pinned back due to greasy festival hair (EWWWW).

28
I'd calmed down with the way I dressed here. My hair was longer, I was growing out the fringe. I didn't want to be as try-hard anymore. I think in the previous years, I was dressing to try to be someone I wasn't, trying to exude an outer confidence that I didn't always feel inside. I'd also had a really crappy year at a job I no longer enjoyed and my weight dropped. Probably the slimmest I've been in my adult life.

29
Although I don't wear them as often, I still can't resist a colourful print and where better to indulge than on holiday. This was taken on our last night in Lisbon last year to go out for dinner. I love jumpsuits. They're perfect for when you want to dress up but don't want to bare all. It's coming with me on holiday again this weekend.

30
My 30th birthday night out outfit. It's not the most original of outfits, but it suits me and I felt confident and comfortable. I wasn't trying to pull it over my stomach or checking that my bum was hanging out. I'm a lot more sure of my style and what looks good on me. I don't try and dress to get the attention of others. I don't need to have all my flesh on show. My hair might be a little bit boring but at least I don't have a mushroom head anymore!!!

Roll on the next five years.