To ask how some people making looking so normal so good?

[Upsetbetty]

I’m genuinely baffled, yesterday at work one of the women came in and I was blown away as I am most days. It was Friday so she was dressed a bit more casual. She only had on a pair of mom jeans, and a plain crewneck jumper, but it was to put togetherness that I couldn’t get over. Underneath her jumper, she had a long white sleeve top and the neck of the top could JUST be seen popping up from her jumper, she rolled up her jumper sleeves so you could see the white sleeves underneath, she had a pair of Adidas sambas on. It just looked so perfectly put together and thought out yet so simple at the same time. If I tried to emulate that I would look scruffy!! Just how does she do it? Anyone have any insight? I asked her and she told me where she got said items but I supppse it’s the fit that worked so well.

😁

My sister's like that, just looks fabulous in anything. I do think it's partially the quality of the clothes. She spends money on good quality. However she often gives me things after she's done with them and they do not look the same on me ... so, it's not just quality 😂

You don't need to be tall but I do think it's partly about body proportions. I'm not talking about weight but how your body is put together. Having longer legs versus torso helps I think.

I also think hair makes a BIG difference. For me I have fine hair that will never look 'perfectly undone' in a bun. If I want it to be up, it has to be properly put up or it looks like I've just woken up.

Finally knowing how to dress yourself makes a difference. For your shape, face, colouring, style, personality. Perhaps you wouldn't look the same as her in that outfit, but there will be an outfit that allows you to achieve a similar 'put together but relaxed' look. As you observed yourself, the key is often in the fine details.

Yes, it's a little technique that stylists call 'the red thread'. Doesn't have to be red, just that your outfit has hints of one particular colour running through out, to make it look cohesive. So if you're wearing a simple grey jumper and your black jeans are 7/8th then you wear grey argyle socks and maybe carry a Tweedy fabric handbag that's grey etc.

Also look up 'the theory of thirds' if you want to know how to correctly proportion your outfit.

Always follow Coco Chanel's advice regarding jewellery - put on the jewellery you want to wear, then always remove one piece of it. Less is more.

I'm lucky as I'm above average height, slender with narrow hips and long legs, so I can really rock this uber simple, boyish style. But I absolutely cannot do dressed up glamour and just look like I'm in drag.

I iron everything. Seriously. Everything looks better, more finished, and hangs better. I also wear light camisoles under some tops, and half slips under skirts. This has the same impact as a lining, and helps the fabric to hang well. Marks do great cooltech slips and camis, but I buy cotton for the summer.
I agree that dressing for your body shape is the key, and surprisingly difficult to get right. It's all about the proportions.
So true about white clothes! Wash them separately and you can get those sachets that brighten them, if necessary.

Nature fabrics, colours that suit you, iron clothes. Find a good dressmaker/alterations person - some times a shirt or blouse might look better a few cm’s shorter, a pair of trousers hemmed to the perfect length, etc, etc.

Start off with a limited range of colours that work well together, then you can add clothes in other colours. Jeans and a crisp white shirt always look well but make sure it’s a fit/length that suits you. Don’t buy too expensive a white shirt as they will always go a little yellow after a while. The fit and fabric is more important than the cost for a white shirt.

Proportions matter no matter what size you are. Go for a more fitted top with a wide leg trouser. A more relaxed fit will work with a slimmer trouser.

You have laid out the basics here - clean lines. Have less clothes and make sure the ones you buy work for you. You can end up in a bit of a " uniform" but if it is a great one who cares? If you do indulge in a fashion moment /trend then don't spend too much on it . Hair is a crucial part of life!

Ah yes, the unicorn t-shirt!

I went to Hamilton at the theatre recently. I’m a big fan and wanted some merch so got a black t-shirt that has “Awesome! Wow!” across the front in quite loud hot pink and yellow. My plan was to use it for sleeping as I don’t really like clothing with writing.

My god but it’s the nicest fit of a t-shirt I’ve ever had. It just sits perfectly on me. I really want a plain version and would happily buy a dozen mixed across plain black and plain white. I’ve tried to find “blanks” of the brand online but no joy. It’s so maddening.

I think it’s about knowing what suits your shape, rather than being fashionable, is the secret stylish women have. Also, as you get older you’re (hopefully!) much less bothered about what people think and being comfortable in your clothes and your own skin.

Such an interesting thread. I also think these people generally also fall into a couple of different areas as well. They aren’t always the most beautiful but they have a calm confidence in themselves (and posture as someone else mentioned). I have an American friend who does this. She is tall and slim and pretty but somehow she becomes extraordinary because she has this aura of confidence and rocks the ‘half tucked in half not’ elegant casual with ease and always turns heads.

The other camp of people seem to be those that generally are very organised and just have their stuff together. And it shows in what they wear and how they present themselves. They make an effort through the things that have been spoken about here; considering outfits, keeping whites white, ironing / starching, keeping their hair/skin etc good. They are the people who tend to be organised and considered in life and not messy and erratic!

Im more in the messy and erratic club. On the other hand, my DH is super organised, cares for himself down to making sure nails are neat etc, always smells nice, hangs clothes up straight away and won’t just shove them in to the corner lol. He just takes ‘pride’ in his appearance in a different way. I think it works for men as well as women x

I've just watched this.

You can tell that's some very expensive gear she's got there - the beautiful heavyweight knitwear and coats hang so well!

At first sight the jumper, jeans, trainers and coat combo looks casual but it's oh so sophisticated really and just wouldn't look half as stylish with cheaper fabrics.

She also has beautiful skin, thick long hair and flawless make-up... I'm very envious

i was in Manchester recently and M&S had put together a whole section from across all their brands that ‘fitted’ together, it looked great. I was ⏰ watching as my car park stay was running out but it looked like the sort of thing I need!

It really is a dark art. Thinking of people I know, the stylish ones don't have anything in common. They are different heights, shapes and sizes but they are just good at clothes. They know what suits them. One wears cool retro looking stuff. Another is neutral, smart classics. Another wears lots of bright colourful things from vinted. One is always in active gym wear. I suppose the thing they all have is their own defined 'look'. I have other friends who look neat and tidy but not stylish.

Probably she planned her outfit the night before, tried it on in the mirror, chose shoes that complimented.

Honestly it's not difficult to dress well, just needs a bit of care and time. Once you know what suits you, what goes well, you can create a capsule wardrobe for work.

@LadyBracknellsHandbagg as you get older? Weird take on it. I don't dress for others . I dress for myself and am definitely older.

I find the ones who dress well also have cool stylish homes too!

Also, don't think about "fashion", think about looks that suit you and you'll find your own style and confidence.

What’s her posture like? I bet it’s perfect. That’s very important.

Little details matter eg I have just ordered brand new laces for my trainers. Cleaned a couple of pairs of trainers yesterday. Anything too far gone in the bin. 😂 Saw a woman out at lunch last Sunday - she was noticeable by her outfit looking so bad : a silk floral dress and a big dirty ugly pair of trainers on. It costs nothing to be clean as my Mum used to say.

What an odd response! Why are you taking offence?! Good for you that you have the confidence, but a lot of women don’t have that when they’re younger, and a really positive part of getting older is that you become more at ease with yourself, I know I have, as have a lot of my friends.

Maybe the clothes are expensive, well made and fit properly. I’m another one who could never manage the immaculate look, despite trying and being tallish and slim (when younger). It’s been an unobtainable goal of mine to look well turned out ever since I can remember, but it just never happened.

Can you post a link to her Next combo? I live in navy jumpers and have an array of long sleeved white t-shirts to wear underneath for exactly this look but the t-shirt always ends up disappearing 😵‍💫 (I will try the back to front trick too, but would like to see what your colleague bought!)

Bravo, you described it so perfectly, I feel the same because am not tall and thin.

I'm not offended but I am entitled to comment on your thread.

The only people I know who look amazing in simple clothes are very attractive. Great hair, nice body shape, and don't need their outfit to do any work for them. I think because they look so great anyway, they kind of trick you into thinking their style is great. Like the way we eventually believe we like some very weird and ugly styles when we are shown them repeatedly on beautiful models.