If my ideal outfit is stripy top, jeans and Converse, what else should I wear?

[Scootergrrrl]

It's a uniform, and an outfit which I feel most comfortable in. But what else should I wear? I automatically gravitate towards stripes and dark jeans in shops but I already have plenty of them. But with a toddler in tow, it's difficult to spend ages browsing and I'm clueless about what else I might like. Please help (or tell me it's ok to wear the same thing every day because I'm too clueless to know what else to choose )

How about simple tunics with boatneck tops? You know, like artists are traditionally meant to wear.

I bet you'd look great in knee length denim skirts - all shapes - coupled with your stripes and Converse. Makes for a nice but slight change?

I've decided that that's going to be my 'thing'. I will be very daring and wear linen trousers in the summer. If I'm feeling reckless I'll go for spots.

I have far too many clothes, most of them I don't bother wearing.

I too like the converse, jeans and stripet top combo. You can really change it up by wearing one of those big statement necklaces with the stripey top and maybe a fitted blazer too.

Thank you for the advice so far - especially coco
Am also big on Internet shopping so any links for stuff I can just buy on the advice of people online who I've never met would be ideal. Ta very much

I'm also a big fan of stripes.
I have a pair of turquoise skinny jeans for a spring change
I also pair with a denim skirt for a change
I wear striped top under a linen tunic top I bought that has shorter sleeves.
If I'm very daring I branch out into spots!!

Ideas from Gap here

I like the stripy tops on that Gap link

Baseball style top
Checky shirt
Casual statement scarf

Lets be honest. You wear the yawn uniform of the yum-mum. She who has a clue but no time to think. Which I wear all the time too. But the reason we wear it is that it is timeless, classy and SO SO SO flattering.. looks polished and covers a multitude of sins.
I wear jeans cos I have a varicose vein that needs covering and whilst my thighs and arse would be ok in a skirt, my calves are bit chunky. I wear stripey tops as they make me look crisp, even when I am feeling non-crisp. And they slim the waist and disguise the boob sag. And the white and dark blue combo is perfect for my winter colouring. Whatever your problem bits, be honest and then pick similar polished "classic but young" looks to suit you.

But if you want to branch out without.. try

1. denim or cord skirt, straight and knee length or shorter and A line, either with stripey top or with plain top and fitted cardi and nice necklace. Tights and boots or bare legs and wedges. Think Alexa Chung or Kate Moss.
2. Ballerina pumps, fitted chinos/cigarette pants, neat plain top, or striped top ans scarf. Think AUdrey Hepburn.
3. knee length jersey shift dress, leggings, wedges. Think Helena Christenson/ Danny Minogue.
4. skinny jeans, silky shell top, knitted blazer or biker shape, wedge boots or ankle boots.Think pre-preg Sienna Miller.

Check out Isabel Marant or my wardrobe/pret a porter sites for inspiration. Or try Does my bum look 40 in this. Or WIT blogs.

HTH

I quite like this sort of look hush, in particular the blazers and hareem trousers :)

Ohhh this is me too. I like the look of that stuff in hush, although not sure how flattering it will be on the large of thigh.

This is me too!
I always end up in my converse because I have difficult feet. I love the look of ballet flats but can't wear them for long or to walk far. I'm a SAHM so I'm on my feet all day.
I bought a nice short mac recently and that makes me feel a bit smarter. I have "invested" in nice leather bag and nice sunglasses (fat lot of use in this weather!) I also wear scarves quite often.
But essentially I am always in the same two pairs of straight leg jeans and my converse.
Summer is easier because I have sandals I like and I can wear skirts and dresses a bit.
Winter is ok because I can wear boots with dresses or jeggings.

I really think this mid-season weather is the most tricky - and footwear seems to be an issue for a lot of people on MN. It's the holy grail to find comfortable shoes that aren't frumpy.

I was thinking of branching out into capris or chinos this summer but I'm concerned about showing my ankles. I'm slim but big-boned IYSWIM. I have worn wide leg (LONG) linen trousers for years in the summer but they were really slated last summer on S&B and I decided it was time to abandon them. Perhaps I shouldn't be so easily influenced!

Anyone else got any ideas?

I quite like skinny bootcut trouser or jeans shape with wedges,used to do alot of wide leg linens and fitted cardigan type scenarios,do still like that as I like the 30's/40's vibe so may add bright lipstick this year to add wartime chic look!
I don't suit converse with skinnies as only 5ft 3 with chunky ish thighs so prefer a bit of height to balance me out,or at least a ballet pump so bit of flesh showing IFYSWIM.
I always add statement necklace or scarf and thin ish cardigan,jersey or linen or fine cotton.Looking out for good jacket as prob more up to date but have loads of cardigans so must wear!

What about some fine knits in pastel colours (very now- fair few spotted in topshop), chinos (really great alternative to jeans and you can find them in all colours in all shops) and a blazer?
I saw some bright green turn up capri style trousers in dorothy perkins recently (if you're feeling brave), looked nice for summer....

Replacing the Converse with wedges and adding a blazer or biker jacket over the top would be an instant update. But really I'm only repeating what others have said, so that I remember to read this thread again later!

Oh and scarves - H&M are great for cheap scarves to brighten up a boring top and jeans combo.

Watching with interest - I bought 4 stripy tops in one go at GAP last week. I've never seen a stripy top that I haven't wanted to buy .

Can anyone help with 2 specific things relevant to this look/updating this look -

1. Are coloured skinny jeans less flattering than the plain dark blue type, and if so which ones are the least unflattering in terms of colour? Quite fancy the turquoise shade or a nice pea green, but slightly concerned about looking massive... Am chunky of thigh but quite tall and waist is slimish.

1. Where can I get a nice spring/summer jacket (preferably navy) - to go with the stripy tops and skinnies?

Thanks!

OP, I also wear the exact same uniform you do, so am glad you started this thread so I can get some ideas.

I have recently ingratiated a pair of black leggings into my wardrobe with I wear with (go figure) a longer striped top and a long grey cardi with flip flops. I love navy, purple, grey and of course white and black.

I like white linen trousers, would you consider those?
How about these in white with some stripes for you or if that is too nautical for you, this berry stripe vest?

my husband would leave me if i wore the Converse, jeans and bretons uniform. he caught me eyeing up some dreadful tartan conversey things once and told me that. :)

basically i don't dislike the uniform, but i steer well away and although i have a love hate relationship with jeans, i've been feeding and napping babies and toddlerS in slings for four years and do have a couple of pairs as separates are more useful and yes, i'd rather not get playgroup crud on dry clean only trousers

i wear cos stuff, vintage (missoni, kenzo etc) and ethnic stuff, lots of cashmere sweaters, equipmenty silk shirts, high waist shorts and opaques, leather pencil skirts, mohair knits, splendid t shirts

shoes are ballet flats, demeulemeester bikers, brothel creepers, a couple of shoe boots, some vintage python mid-heels, and some 40s ghillie shoes.

coats, some mad fur ones, a leather jacket and a burberry trench.

basically, if it's on a mum blog, i'll on principle avoid it just because.

I have this jacket which goes well with all my stripy tops.

i'd ditch the ubiquitous breton in favour of fine gauge knitwear in deep, neutrally, jewelly tones, keep the jeans and wear different flats (sebagos? penny loafers, churchs?)

and avoid big necklaces and all that thin voluminous scarf business. too gussied up and a bit gok wan really

or go back to how coco chanel wore bretons, with wide leg dark pants and no jewellery.

emsyj-you have to be more careful with cut with your coloured jeans than you might with your regular blue denim skinnies as they can be less flattering.It seems the lighter (your pastel ones) the jean the less chance of being flattering unless they are very good quality ones.
I have some grass green ones from Zara which I love and which because still a bit darker are as wearable as regular skinnies.I also have some pastel yellow ones from Forever 21 but they are a tad more difficult to pull off.(They are also extemely long for some reason, as if fashioned for a giant :) )

op-I lived in those cheap vest dresses from H and M last summer, worn layered with a vest underneath and with a cardy/leggings underneath when it was chilly...Had them in about 10 colours and could change it up by switiching the vest colour iyswim-might be a good way to start ditching the breton..or what about those plain maxi t-shirt dresses that are everywhere-easy way to start wearing dresses if you are unsure, plus you can still wear your converse and you can get them in stipes too.Denim jacket over the top and your off..

Oooh I like that one dexter!

Thought as much TheGreatScootini - will keep a beady eye out for greens, but may have to abandon the idea of the turquoise (unless I spontaneously lose half a stone...)

It's weird that this is being described as a 'uniform' as I don't know anyone else IRL who dresses like this and is obsessed with stripy tops - I thought I had invented nautique chic!