To ask you what the unwritten style rules are?

[uglylikethis]

I am, largely, a very unstylish person. I pick comfort over everything.

I would love to look a little more put together and fashionable day to day. What are the unwritten style rules i’m missing out on?

I’d fit an 18 from M&S

Honestly you need to experiment and try different things, some things might not look good on the hanger but actually they look good when you put them on. Fashion is for all sizes. Don’t be afraid to layer things, mix fabrics, colours, a belt can make a big difference but try different types of belts. I can’t tell you what will suit you, the only rule I have is that I must feel confident in my outfit. I love clothes and putting outfits together and if I feel good in it then I know it’s right. If I put something on and I’m hesitating I’ll change.

Vinted and eBay are fab to pick up quality clothes at low prices if you don’t want to buy new, cheap things don’t last and well made items will always look better. For inspiration you could try instagram, plenty of people on there post outfit ideas.

One thing from the horror days of Trinny and Susannah that stuck with me is
'If you wear baggy clothes you look baggy'
It's so true. Fit is everything.

I would pick a style of shop for your age that you like eg. white company / Fatface / mint velvet and take a look on their website how they style their models. Tip: avoid Zara unless you want to spend a long time trying stuff on and feeling even fatter!

using statement scarves and fitted jackets can uplift any outfit. I usually wear low/mid-range cost clothing and invest more in some decent accessories

Have a look on Instagram for fashion type accounts that you like the look of, who share your body shape, then search their hashtags…Have a look at ‘dopamine dressing’ for example, and look to see the shapes and styles of clothes that people wear and then search your own clothes to see if you can recreate with what you already own.

there are some good accounts too which focus on styling rather than just wearing…the difference that tucking a top in can make is huge, and you can see side by side the difference.

good hair style and clean and tidy everything.

I think looking stylish is rocking YOUR look. Find your own style and wear it with confidence.

'Honestly you need to experiment and try different things, some things might not look good on the hanger but actually they look good when you put them on'

This is great advice. Doing the leg work really pays off. If you can, get into the shops and try things on. Take at least 2 sizes into the fitting room with you. Take photos of yourself wearing items that you like. If something is right for you, it should immediately feel good - no sucking in or pulling down or 'maybe if I just....'.

It takes time and energy but it's worth it

Dress like someone loves you.

(And that someone... IS you)

Some of this is some of the worst advice I’ve ever seen. for your age … How the fuck am I supposed to know what is ‘for my age’? I’m in my mid-sixties - I buy clothes I like and feel good in. Maybe other mid-sixties women would like other things?

I did say this thread should be on S&B.

🤷‍♀️

Classic shapes and styles. Not tight fitting things- everything looks more expensive when there is ‘more fabric’ - don’t be afraid to buy a size bigger than you really need!

Avoid prints if you’re not either confident in your style / suited to a more bohemian look.
details like embroidery or beading looks much more polished than printed fabrics if you do like pattern.

do wear:

• cotton & linen,
• plain, neutral colours like cream, black, beige, browns, greens, navy.
• simple jewellery in one colour - gold or silver
• neat nails and hair

controversial but everyone and I mean everyone, looks better with a tan. Try a moisturizer with a gradual tanner in it, apply the same way you would any other moisturiser. Wash hands after applying! Even if you have a cheap outfit or whatever, it looks way better with some colour. There is no one who a tan does not suit!

this thread makes me want a clear out and a bit of a wardrobe refresh! Xo

I wouldn’t call them ‘rules’, it’s just how I always do things, but these work for me..
dress for my body shape as it is, don’t wear things that don’t flatter my hour glass shape;
wear colours that suit me, so if a colour drains me, even if I like it as a colour, I don’t wear it as it won’t look good (lilac I’m looking at you!);
change my bag to suit my outfit, nothing ruins a look more than shoving on the same old, black handbag as it ‘goes with everything’ (it doesn’t);
details matter, always have toe nails done properly if I’m wearing sandals for example.

eg. 'for my age' I wouldn't shop in Hollister or Topshop

But I may very well buy something from (even the current iteration of) Topshop. And would decline to be dressed in Fatface, even if I were dead.

Utterly rubbish rule, I’m afraid!

calm down love, we're all entitled to our opinions

Do you follow any social media accounts of someone whose style you admire? I find that really helpful.

My personal rules:

• I've had colour analysis and I (largely) stick to my colour palette - it also means things go together in my wardrobe.
• Always natural fabrics, never manmade.
• Don't let things look tired or worn, either repair or replace (seeing many pull out their summer wardrobe that's been coming out for 20 years isn't a great look). And update if fashions have changed.
• When buying something, work out how it fits into your current wardrobe, can you fit in into 3 outfits minimum?
• A good haircut, and take care of your hair, nails & skin.
• Don't be afraid of loud colours and patterns, IF you wear them with confidence.

Dress for your body shape, instead of what’s in fashion now. When you’re comfortable in an outfit you automatically look more confident.
My nails and hair always look good because I invest time and effort into them.
I wear minimal jewellery.
I don’t wear anything that would be classed as designer as it would look awful on me.
Follow women on socials to get some ideas. There are lots of very classy women in all shapes and sizes.
And the idea about Vinted and eBay is good. Try new or pre loved things and see how you feel in them.

I think wear the colours that suit you rather than the colours you like. Bright, clear strong colours look well on me but for years my wardrobe was filled with pale colours as I like them.

I wear good bases like tailor black trousers so things go easily with them

A decent bra. Doesn’t matter what it looks like, but one that fits perfectly and hoiks the boobs up and together to make you look more narrow and accentuate the waist. A black and a nude one. And decent, well chosen accessories. I always admire people who accessorise well, though I’m too lazy to follow my own advice in that.

I’m a stylish dresser.
My rules (for me):
No T-shirts ever, or T-shirt material.
Natural fibres only, unless it’s a dramatic print. Then I forgive all.
Prints are good if they are bold all over. No ditsy florals.
No heels.
No long nails.
Block colours are fine, including black, grey, red.
No skinny trousers. Wide legged or straight legged only.
A belt can do wonders with an outfit.
No shorts.
Nothing tight.
Work out what colours suit you.
I tend to buy second hand.

I’m off for a bra fitting at some point! I just need to work up the confidence to go

This is true. Most of my clothes are from zara, mango etc and Toast. I'm mid 50s and definitely consider FatFace too old for me/my body shape/my style.
You have to find colours and styles that suit you OP and go from there independent of what the shop is and who the target market is.

I am also “unstylish” to the crowd you are trying to appeal to, OP. I firmly believe in dopamine dressing, for me that’s bold colours, bright prints, funky leggings and big hoodies. I’m 37. I dress like I’m still at uni in my 20s. But it makes ME happy and that’s what matters, not anyone else. So don’t worry about it, OP. Live freely and in comfort.

Everybody is going to have their own style that they prefer. So: these things work for me, but may not be your preference...

Really good quality accessories (jewellery, handbags, belts, etc). These can last for a veryy long time and it's worth spending money on them. They make all outfits look much better. I have very nice, fairly plain gold jewellery, which I can (and normally do) wear every day with everything. It was expensive, but the price per wear is miniscule now. Once you've got it, you've got it for life. Junk jewellery rarely looks good imo.

Clothes which have a deliberate shape and structure. Not things that just hang there (like most T shirts do, for example). A good, structured coat or jacket (in particular) will make everything else you're wearing look 100% better, and in the UK you can wear coats and jackets the majority of the year.

I tend to avoid black, especially for coats, handbags, belts and shoes. It can often look basic and cheap. It's not a hard and fast rule for me, but it's generally better to go for a different neutral colour. (I have an olive-green handbag with tan straps which is currently my favourite and goes with a surprising number of things).

I could not disagree with you more 😄

To each their own though x

Have you had your colour analysis done op.
That’s a good place to start.

No idea where id even start!

I’ve got a couple of dresses arriving from H&M today. Hoping they’re nice!