Until this past year I always struggled loads with style & what to wear - I knew what I liked but not how to put it together, and I always felt like I got it a bit wrong, especially at parties etc.
Things that have really helped me are:
- Realising that just because I like something, doesn't mean it suits me. e.g. I love large patterned floral, chintzy tea dress type things but I am 5"2 and they make me look like Delores Umbridge, not like the gorgeous English rose I imagine in my head.
- Trying on EVERYTHING - I have big hips and for years hid them in baggy clothes, 50's style flared skirts and skater dresses. Have now discovered that pencil skirts look much better and make me look thinner, they also look more pulled together for work.
- Getting a range of nice tops/tees/blouses which work with both skinny jeans at the weekend and tucked into a pencil skirt for work. This makes me feel like I have a coherent "look".
- Mentally create "outfits" for different contexts, so I'm not standing in my undercrackers weeping at 7.30am feeling like I have nothing to wear - I know that x goes well with y, what shoes/bag/accessories go with the outfit and it's so much easier to get dressed.
- Work out a Good "basic face" of make up which takes 5 mins - for me this is moisturiser, foundation, concealer and lip balm, also having eyebrows threaded regularly makes the whole lot look better.
- getting a good jacket (I actually have a couple of blazers & a biker), some nice scarves, 2 x skinny jeans (1 black and 1 indigo) which can be mixed and matched with the tops I already mentioned = instant easy outfits which make me feel put together with no effort.
more tips for a style newbie, please! especially on winter layering without looking like a bag lady...