Sharon Whitchurch, a 53-year-old mother of two from Burntwood, Staffordshire, has transformed her daily routine by donning her best outfits every day, embracing the motto that life is too short to save fancy dresses for special occasions.
For years, Sharon felt uninspired in her “comfy” wardrobe, but now her closet boasts a stunning collection of gowns worth £8,000.
She wears her £90 dresses, complete with petticoats, heels, and accessories, even to her office job and daily errands, never feeling happier or more confident.
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The shift began in her mid-40s when Sharon grew tired of feeling frumpy. She recounted to What’s The Jam how seeing a friend in a beautiful dress at a party sparked a change.
“I realized nothing was stopping me, so I bought a similar dress. The moment I put it on, I felt different. The dress was so pretty, I swished down the stairs and felt amazing,”
she said. Previously, she often wore jeans and a plain blouse, which made her feel drab. “My clothing was comfortable, but I felt drab. I have a mum tum, but these dresses cover it perfectly. I feel like a lady. I often add a belt and instantly have a waist. The dresses are very flattering,” Sharon explained.
Sharon’s collection has grown to include dresses worth around £4,500 and shoes from Ruby Shoo worth £2,500. Her favorite brands include Hell Bunny, Lady Vintage London, Dolly and Dotty, and Collectif.
She praises their quality and sustainability, noting that some dresses are five or six years old and still in great condition. Sharon is also a savvy shopper, finding preloved dresses on Vinted and snagging bargains in sales.
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To complement her vintage-inspired dresses, Sharon wears £40 petticoats and owns 16 colorful underskirts to give her outfits extra flair.
Her job as a link worker at a GP surgery, where she connects patients to non-medical services, allows her to accessorize with brooches and earrings.
Occasionally, she pairs her dresses with Converse or sandals, but she prefers heels, saying they change how she carries herself.
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Despite owning a lonely pair of jeans for the rare football match, Sharon insists on dressing up even for a quick supermarket trip. “I like to look and feel feminine. My outfits make me feel confident, they hide my lumps and bumps, and I feel happy.
Women should wear whatever makes them happy,” she emphasized. Sharon often receives compliments from strangers, especially at work where patients say her dresses brighten their day.
Although she has faced some negativity, mostly from other women, she chooses to ignore it. “I don’t care what other people think. My dresses make me happy, it’s that simple,” she stated.
Sharon’s wardrobe, with almost 100 dresses, is carefully curated with a strict rota to ensure all outfits are worn. If she skips a dress more than twice, she sells it, often through dress and shoe groups she is part of. This community ensures her dresses find new homes where they will be loved.
Sharon admits she can’t resist a bargain and jokes about converting her daughter’s old bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe now that she’s moved out.
Sharon and her husband Paul have been married for 30 years. While he enjoys golf, she indulges in her love for dresses. When they have a special occasion, Sharon adds red lipstick and a matching bag to her ensemble.
Asked why she dresses up so much, she simply says, “Because I want to and I can, so why not?
Everybody should wear their best clothes all the time. You never know what tomorrow might bring, so wear the dress.”
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