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To think it’s really hard to be fashionable when you live rurally…?

34 replies

LastMile · 23/02/2025 22:31

As title really.

I’ve never thought of myself as unfashionable before and can look ‘trendy’ (eurgh, hate that word) on a night out etc, but in terms of day to day wear, I’ve come to realise that I don’t really have anything ‘fashionable’ to wear as I live in skinny jeans as these go under wellies well and look good under wellies, whereas baggy legged jeans just look ridiculous and bulge all out to the sides.

I WFH so not much point in dressing up for work and then I walk the dog across muddy fields/ footpaths on my lunch break each day which means, again that ideally I need to be in wellies and suitable trousers for that.

My weekends during the day now tend to be spent at local farms/ children’s attractions etc and I just feel like, especially during winter, baggier style jeans and trainers are just a a bit impractical and would get filthy within 5 mins.

I do have a couple of pairs of mom/ boyfriend jeans that I wear in the Spring and Summer, but even then, I struggle to find tops that go with them so that the overall effect isn’t making me look huge when I’m not.

Am I alone in this? I’ve just been on the ‘what are you buying this spring’ thread in style and beauty and people are linking all sorts of ‘trendy’ looking things, some of it lovely, but I just think, where would I wear any of it? Where do these women wear any of it?! I’m wondering if it’s just because I live rurally, surrounded by mud or if other country bumpkin women on here manage to still be ‘fashionable’ day to day?!

OP posts:
PickAChew · 23/02/2025 23:01

It's not even living rurally. I live in a small northern city with cobbled streets in the city centre. The footpaths, locally, are muddy for half the year. I own coats that aren't waterproof and/or windproof and they rarely get worn. If anyone turns up in town wearing shoes that aren't at least sensible, everyone stops and stares, waiting for the inevitable stumble.

DorothyStorm · 23/02/2025 22:58

Im semi rural. Live in an affluent village.What I find is people dress for the job theyre getting done, and dress classically, rather than trendy. So walking the dogs will be done in walking boots and walking gear. Exercising in exercise gear. Horses go past, riders in riding gear. We moved here is a spring and it was months before we saw anyone wear jeans during the day.

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 23/02/2025 22:52

I agree, but I don't care. 😆 I don't want or need to be 'fashionable.' I prefer comfort. And living in the sticks, going for lots of walks, and doing several outdoor activities, I won't be wearing stilettos and stockings and a short skirt!

SkaneTos · 23/02/2025 22:50

I live rurally.
It's hard for me to be fashionable... beacuse I am very unfashionable!

I would like to dress better, I guess, but it's difficult for me to get it right, so I mostly dress in comfortable and practical clothes. (I'm on quite a tight budget, too). But I have rural friends that dress nicer than me! Nicer jackets/coats, nicer sweaters, practical but still trendy shoes, etc.

I think I would be unfashionable in a city too.

I do get what you're saying, though, OP.

Wildflowers99 · 23/02/2025 22:48

I was thinking this earlier! I live in long sleeve black tops, the same pair of jeans or thick black leggings, black rubber boots and a massive black raincoat (not even a cool duvet type). 2 small kids and any time outdoors is park, beach, woods or farm.

I feel like insta fashion is very much geared toward ‘brunch’ type events and i don’t do that so…

Mielikki · 23/02/2025 22:46

‘Twas ever thus. We used to walk to the station in wellies carrying our skechers, then change shoes and stuff the wellies behind a tree to (if we remembered) pick them up on the way home. If you think that straight leg jeans look daft tucked into wellies just try it with full on flared combats.

Lovelysummerdays · 23/02/2025 22:43

Absolutely agree. I do think knitwear can make the difference. I have a cashmere jumper in a perfect shade of red, slap on a red lip and you look much better put together. Layers, nice scarves etc. It’s pissing it down though so have just walked the dog in a dry robe looking like a bag lady. Sunny Scoyy to land so that happens a lot.

Kindnesscostsnothingtryit · 23/02/2025 22:33

I could have written this! Live rurally, WFH and need appropriate clothes to walk my dog at lunch too!! Have no suggestions but following.

NottsNora · 23/02/2025 22:33

It’s the mid that stops me buying anything nice.

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