Boden wants to know how has your style changed over the years? Win £100 to spend on your summer wardrobe

[EllieSmumsnet]

Chances are, your wardrobe looks pretty different to how it did ten (or even two) years ago. Maybe you've found your go-to look and stuck with it. Maybe you’ve reinvented your style more times than you can count! It’s fascinating to see what sticks, what gets left behind, and what unexpectedly comes back around.

As part of a collaboration with Boden, we’re shining a light on confidence-boosting clothing - the pieces that spark joy, feel great to wear, and are designed to help every woman feel her best, whatever the stage, size, or season.

Are there styles that used to feel like “you” but just don’t land the same anymore? Or trends you swore off and now love again? Do you have any pieces you reach for time and time again? We’d love to hear how your style has changed (or stayed true) over the years.

Share your style journey below for a chance to win one of two £100 Boden gift cards. Plus, spot something from Boden that sums up your style? Drop the link in your post.

My 30's when confidence was at it's highest, wrinkles and sagging boobs were not a thought.

Love this - navy is slimming and timeless and can be paired with other colour palettes in your wardrobe
https://www.boden.com/products/smocked-trim-maxi-dress-navy

20's before children and my saggy middle - and 2 stone weight gain.

Love this cute and comfy denim dress, with a tie waist and not too fitted

https://www.boden.com/products/imo-denim-short-dress-mid-vintage-denim

This is a tough question to answer.. my 20s fashion reflected my lifestyle back then - Doctor Martins, Leather Jackets - quit grungy - quit skint. Whereas in my 30s, I prefer to dial it down a notch and express my personality through staple pieces (as opposed to going overboard on the trends!). Fashion is funny thing and I've always used it to express myself and my personality. Now in my 30s, I don't go to as many gigs and my interests have changed - my wardrobe reflects this. I can afford nice luxury holidays, days out etc, but of course still love the occasional music event.

In light of the holidays I have coming up, I absolutely LOVE the Boden bikini set (something I could wear to the beach but also to a groovy festival) and the matching yellow flared trousers are very very cool (still a bit punky too).

https://www.boden.com/products/ios-v-panel-bikini-top-pink-rose-foliage-trail

https://www.boden.com/products/classic-bikini-bottoms-pink?variant=42579340722385

https://www.boden.com/products/wide-crop-linen-trousers-summers-sun-yellow?variant=42556567093457

I’m 35 now and honestly feel more confident in myself now than I ever did in my teens or twenties. I was always a bit chubby growing up and carried that insecurity for years. Looking back, I wish I’d given myself more grace.

In my uni days, I was all about leotards and bodycon skirts, full indie girl vibes 😅. Then came my Carrie Bradshaw SATC phase in my 20s, with more colour and bold pieces. Somewhere after that, I slid into black corporate chic, probably influenced by work and body changes (preg & postpartum). Then came the leggings-and-a-top era of motherhood.

It’s only recently that I’ve chucked the leggings and started feeling confident in myself again. I’m losing a bit of weight (thanks to mj), I’m wearing more colour, trying new things, and rediscovering joy in clothes (tad cheesy I know).

So what would I pick from boden today? Prob not great for the heatwave but bloody love this shacket:

www.boden.com/products/embroidered-utility-jacket-woodland-green

I think 30's when I had my career underway - and it was pencil skirt suits and kitten heels, to now WFH in my - well anything, not having to wear to impress, but to wear to feel myself - I love bodycon dresses, and boyfriend jeans and blouses, with some sandals or trainers.
I spotted this pretty blouse which I could wear for the office under my black suit, or with jeans or white shorts for holidays

https://www.boden.com/products/sienna-cotton-shirt-ivory-tennis

I loved my 20s - I could wear anything and I'd feel confident, not so much nowadays.
My go to look is a fit and flare dress, or jeggings and long floaty blouse over a t-shirt
Love this dress which will cover my mum tum and highlight my legs which remain the best and slim for now.
https://www.boden.com/products/naomi-short-sleeve-dress-blue-abstract-swirl

This is pretty much my style https://www.boden.com/products/imo-denim-short-dress-mid-vintage-denim?intid=D6_WW_NEWIN_CB1_1 in that I probably have about 3 similar dresses!! I dress for comfort tbh, i am disabled and just need my life to be as easy as possible!

I have loved every decade of my evolution - in my 20s and 30's had very little money for clothes - shopped on ebay and charity shops - which was Ok, but now in my 40's I can afford my own clothes and have my own style and body confidence - I have not got the best figure, but have good skin and hair, and have been always healthy in my eating.
this would sum up my 40s style, pretty, hippy, floaty and comfy

https://www.boden.com/products/maya-kimono-jersey-maxi-dress-pink-rose-foliage-trail

In my 30's I have my career, my children are past the toddler stage and I have time to myself, and 'some' disposable' income. I love this dress - and the fact that it has a petite fitting - which are hard to find when you are 5 foot 2.
Love long dresses, feminine clothes, but equally am happy on shorts and a t shirt at home at the weekends

https://www.boden.com/products/aria-broderie-trim-midi-dress-harbour-blue

I have always been confident in my style. I think part of it was not having much money growing up so having to be more creative. I always loved clothes and fashion but also I've been confident enough to not follow the herd. The only time I feel I lost me way was after having my first son, I feel like I was too exhausted to think about what I was wearing and I breast fed so had to dress more practically. Once my youngest turned 3 I began to feel myself again. I think my style hadn't really changed a lot I've always dressed sort of slightly alternative, boho, indie. I don't believe there's an age we're you have to stop wearing a certain item. I'll ever not short denim cut offs in the summer!
This cut work detail dress is something that's sums up my style https://www.boden.com/products/cutwork-detail-short-dress-black
Quite laid back, effortless. I'd style is with layered necklaces and some gladiator sandals.

Love black to accessorise with colour - for summer and winter, my inner goth loves this
https://www.boden.com/products/cutwork-detail-short-dress-black?_pos=48&_fid=706842f77&_ss=c

It's cute, I can wear with my coloured accessories, love a headscarf, and in winter with a pair of coloured tights this will look lovely.

My 20’s was probably when I had the highest body confidence but least style, my 30s I developed a signature look which I think really suited me and stood the test of time. Unfortunately my 40s are proving tricky to navigate with weight gain and loss of confident but I do find that a good mid to maxi length shirt dress fivers a multitude of sins and occasions like this one:
www.boden.com/products/clara-cotton-shirt-dress-multi-painted-village

This sums up my style, https://www.boden.com/products/cutwork-detail-short-dress-woodland-green

Disguises my lack of boobs and not to revealing on the stomach.

I feel more inclined to hide my body now than when I was younger. more self conscious of it being so uneven in shape.

I might be quite stereotypical!

When I was young I thought nothing of wearing very short skirts, cropped tops etc, and whilst everyone should wear what feels right for them, I’m a lot more conservative in my dress these days.

Currently I really like a wide leg trouser. I have some similar to the attached (which I also love!) but in a linen mix.

https://www.boden.com/products/wide-flare-trousers-navy

I’m more likely to be in lightweight trousers and a short sleeved top in the summer now as it genuinely seems to keep me cooler.

I do like dresses too but would favour a midi length, often with either sandals or trainers, or boots in the winter.

https://www.boden.com/products/ellie-flutter-maxi-tea-dress-kingfisher-blue-foliage-trail

I love dresses! I barely have any trousers in my wardrobe now.
Ive just turned 50, am post menopausal and about a stone heavier than I’d ideally like to be but I’m happy! I’ve embraced this stage of my life, kids are older and I’ve got a new job so am facing new challenges!
This dress from Boden is on my wish list, it’s colourful and can be dressed up or down. I have to wear a uniform for work so being able to come home and change into something feminine and pretty is a real joy!
So glad to have found my style after years of following fashion that doesn’t suit me. It’s now a dress every time! Only problem I have now if fitting them all in my wardrobe !

In my 30s and fully embracing the (3 years 😅) postpartum life. I used to dress mostly in black in my 20s - partly thinking I was really chic and mysterious and partly cos I just felt slimmest / most confident like that as a fluctuating size 12-18.

Currently a size 12 and my style has completely changed as I’ve embraced dopamine dressing with ALL the colours. I def feel like I’m enjoying dressing myself more than ever.

https://www.boden.com/products/embroidered-item-jacket-multi-embroidery

I love Boden and this jacket is def a bit of me I’d say!

Looking back, I was most body confident in my 20s as an ex-gymnast and a to-die-for flat stomach! In my 30s I struggled with post-baby baby image and my body changing and struggling to accept this. I to my 40s, ironically, I’ve found my style again! Lost some weight, much healthier diet and attitude to fitness (for health rather than for weight loss or maintenance).
My most recent outfit from Boden was based on the styling they had already done on the website - a white trouser, sea green top combination. This outfit makes me feel like a million bucks and my go to for either a smart casual day at work or dressed up for an evening out. They also pair well with other items from the range.

https://www.boden.com/products/cutwork-notch-neck-top-deep-sea-green

https://www.boden.com/products/primrose-patch-pocket-trousers-white

I love that I’m confident in both my fashion choices and new/old body shape and Boden styles really help me get the look and feel I’m going for!

Oh I love those white trousers - great cut! They look amazing on you 👏

So pleased with my recent boden deliver the quality is amazing staple peices made to last 💗
https://www.boden.com/products/button-dungaree-set-coconutmilk-multi-jungle
https://www.boden.com/products/smocked-trim-maxi-dress-fuchsia

My next prchase will be this gorgeous dress to wear on my upcoming 37th birthday
www.boden.com/products/maya-kimono-jersey-maxi-dress-multi-paradise-parrot

I found confidence in my style in my late 20s and early 30s when I transitioned from wearing black trousers and monochromatic outfits, thinking it would be slimming (spoiler alert: it wasn't! 🤦‍♀️). I discovered my confidence in wearing colourful dresses over leggings, and over the years, I've developed a taste for bright colours and quirky prints. Fast-forward to nearly 37, with a 11-year age gap between my youngest and middle, and I'm all about dresses - especially midi and maxi dresses with pockets, which are perfect for summer. Unfortunately, many of my previous wardrobe pieces aren't breastfeeding-friendly, and I've been hesitant to buy new ones, thinking they'll just get stained. However, I was thrilled to find this smocked trim maxi dress from Boden's new collection, which is perfect for easy, on-the-go style www.boden.com/products/smocked-trim-maxi-dress-fuchsia

I loved Boden's 2003 catalogue. I got married in a pair of Boden beaded slingback kitten heels and adored all the knitwear.
I live this style of dress
Imogen Collared Jersey Dress-Navy | Boden EU https://share.google/LVQ5S9yBqazvhCfn7

In my 20s and 30s I was young and slim and had a natural confidence which meant I didn’t really think about what I was wearing. I lived in jeans, was always casual and comfortable and felt happy in my own skin.

Turning 40 was a milestone I wasn’t expecting to bother me but I suddenly felt old and unsure of myself. I tried a complete image overhaul, but never felt my clothes were quite right for me. Everything was either too young or too mumsy. I put on weight and got stuck in baggy jumpers and leggings.

Now approaching 50 I have been wearing dresses for the last year as I try and lose the weight. In my mind I want to adopt a boho hippy floaty look but it isn’t quite coming together yet. I still feel old and mumsy.

I adore this dress:

https://www.boden.com/products/cutwork-detail-short-dress-black

I found my style after the kids grew up, and am now in my 50s. I always buy Boden because I love colour. I try never to buy black. I have green, yellow, orange, navy, cream and multi coloured.
I know what shapes suit me now, wider trousers and shirts, classic loafers, and great cashmere.
I'd love to be skinny, but I'm comfortable in my skin at 50 odd, and I prefer to buy expensive as I know I'll keep wearing the item, as I never buy fashion trends.
The latest buy from boden was the knitted navy cardigan with cream trim. Everybody loves it but the sizes sold out so quickly!

My "style" (inverted commas because style might be a strong term) has varied a lot!

What has stuck throughout is the odd alt / gothy bits mixed with a love of bright colours. In the 90s that would likely have included bright purple cargo pants or super wide legged cords that dragged on the floor and soaked up water.

In the 00s more black skinny jeans but bright cardigans and big stripey jumpers.

Nowadays I flounce about in dresses, either brighter than the sun or all in black. No in-between. I get more compliments now on my clothes than I ever have and care much less what anyone else thinks.

I would wear this fabulous parrot dress (which i actually saw on another thread - with someone saying how much they would not want to wear it - but I'm pretty sure I'd look great)

https://www.boden.com/products/maya-kimono-jersey-maxi-dress-multi-paradise-parrot

I think the main change for me has been I have stopped wearing heels.
Partly due to a health condition but mainly because post pandemic they both seemed so silly. I could manage even very stressful meetings sat at home with slippers on my feet so the idea that I needed killer heels for confidence fell away.

But that has also meant a shift to different outfits looking good with flats. And a new quest for flats that are comfortable but still make me happy to look at.

I've also shifted from ever wearing smart suit jackets to things like smart cardigan/jackets and other types of work wear.

Home style I don't think has changed much at all, I think I have always had a sense of what I like /dislike.