Dramatic-classics: what do you wear at the weekend?

[vitaminC]

I hate dressing down. It's just "not me". I feel uncomfortable and frumpy in casual clothes, but look out of place if I'm constantly overdressed.

How do you get around this? What is your casual version of dramatic classic? Please share your ideas with me, as my entire weekend wardrobe seems to revolve around neutral top + skirt + opaque tights with a bright cardigan, or neutral top + cardigan + tights with a bright or patterned skirt!

I can't wear skinny jeans, as I'm the wrong shape (very hourglass, long body with short legs), so that's out. And wider trousers/jeans don't work with boots, which are essential here in winter... So what else do people with this style profile wear at this time of year? Hit me with your suggestions, please, friends

I'm a natural classic, but need to beware of lazy dressing, so aim for dramatic flourishes with casual wear (iyswim).

A look I really like at weekend and non-working days is a slim-line jumper dress over brightly coloured skinnies/jeggings (because there's no bum on show, I feel comfortable in brighter colours) plus ankle/knee boots (depending on prevailing weather conditions). I then add a statement necklace or well-tied scarf, various accessories (ring and/or bracelet) and, with basic makeup am good to go. The accessories stop it being too casual a look, but it also looks reasonably smart if circumstances require it.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, it does help. I need to start looking around for dramatic flourishes on casual clothes (other than cardigans - I have dozens of those!), don't I?

I try to stay away from the long tunic over trousers look because I feel it makes my legs look even shorter and dumpier, although I probably notice this a lot more than anyone else does.

I could buy a couple of jersey dresses and wear them with boots and a scarf. That would definitely work! Thank you

I'm romantic classic but the same applies. Cannot do casual/scruffy at all.
Wondering if you've tried jersey tube skirts with biker boots type look? Slouch sweater and biker jacket on the top half.
Or just a casual jersey dress with flat boots. One of your many cardis on top?

Jersey tube skirts with boots is my standard look. And I have almost as many pairs of boots as cardigans!

I definitely need to invest in some casual dresses. Off to poke around the web now for ideas...

Can someone please enlighten me re romantic classic, classic classic, dramatic classic - what does it all mean please?

read this

And if you want to know what your personal style is, you take the quiz at the end and it should tell you. I scored pretty equally on both the dramatic and classic styles, but most people have a main style and a secondary one.

Thank you so much for this thread.
I've been mystified about the style definitions for a while but intrigued and have considered a style analysis day after being amazed and transformed by having my colours 'done' a few years ago.

After reading your thread and doing a bit of googling I'm undoubtedly a dramatic classic.
Sadly I live in jeans and a variety of mostly unsuitable tops ( I wear a uniform for work) so am no help in answering your question but I will watch with interest and aim to transform my wardrobe very soon.

ah thanks, I'm a classic classic

I really like dresses with a long cardi (but nice, not floppy and depressing White Stuff-type clothes!). I recently bought a lovely green jersey dress from Hobbs - could easily be worn with a blazer to be smart, but I'm wearing it with a knee length White company merino cardi, knee or ankle boots and a cross body bag. Easy, comfy but not slob by, and a still have an element of 'glam' without feeling stupidly overdressed. I don't think I've worn a pair of jeans for 30 years, if not longer - totally not me!

Thank you for that link. I didn't even realise that I had a style but I do and I now have an idea about how I can develop it. So much better than the usual threads on s&B which go on about how French women dress better or are these boots mumsy? Thanks you.

Not been diagnosed formally but suspect I am a classic with dramatic leanings.

I hate the feeling of looking scruffy and tend to live in layers at this time of the year - long sleeved t shirts/bretons with plain jumpers or cardigans, skinny jeans or cord/moleskin skirts. Also have a couple of day dresses that can be worn with long sleeved tops. Lots of scarves. Long boots or ankle boots. Strong lipsticks and nail polishes.

I also have a couple of blazers that I wear when out and about (if not too cold).

Pinterest is one of my best friends - I get so many ideas on how to put together an outfit.

I try and steer clear of Fat Face, White Stuff and similar shops. Their clothes are too floppy, muted and lack structure.

Good shops for classic casual wear include the Gap, Boden and Uniqlo. Have recently discovered Mint Velvet and Hush.

I have never been styled,analysed or diagnosed but I hate the basic jeans and top look.
I have to add layers,jewellery,scarf.
I like soft comfortable clothes though,so have loads of jersey dresses and drapey cardigans!
I do wear jeans,but hate scruffy torn bits or fading.

I think it helps to think of your style type in terms of buzz words, decide what they are for you then when buying something ask yourself if they fit those words. As a romantic classic I'm looking for timeless classic but need a soft edge to my outfits, usually in my accessories or the fabrics I buy. Dramatic classics need a bit of an edgey look with angles, strong geometry in any patterns, pointy shoes etc. almost like a toughness?? Hope that makes some sense!

Interesting comments.

When I think of the outfits I feel most comfortable in (and wear time and again when I want to be 'smart') they all fit the DC bill.
The jeans I live in are dark indigo and black, not ripped or scruffy!

I'd so love to pursue my Dramatic Classic discovery and start to steer my wardrobe in that direction. Think I'm naturally drawn to the right items but need to put some outfits together and find some skirts and dresses.
My major difficulty is an obsession with flat and comfortable shoes, I need to be able to walk far and fast in all weathers and have wide feet so don't do pointy.
I'm a pear shape (very large saddlebag area) so have always gone for A line skirts and empire line dresses but wonder now if there may be a better option that's a bit more structured. I'm on a mission to lose weight and get fit before my 40th in April so that will help shape-wise.

I wonder whether a Style day with HoC or a personal stylist would still be a good idea to steer me in the right direction.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, I'm not helping your weekend outfit planning am I, perhaps should start my own needy DC thread

If I'm not in jeans (which look quite dramatic on me, can't explain why, probably cos am quite tall) I usually wear a short dress, opaques and classic ankle boots/flats. Has the advantage that it can be quite an evening-y dress, which satisfies the drama queen within.

LakeFlyPie I am increasingly on a one-pear-shaped-woman mission to get other pears to wear structured shapes on the bottom half!

I know the classic advice, but empire lines just skip over my slim middle bit (which is not actually that slim, but most things look slim alongside my hips...) and turns me into a column. And I don't fool anybody in an A-line, it looks like a tent on me. I wear a lot of close-fitting, structured dresses, or if separates I do skinnyish jeans (only with boots though, look like a parsnip with flats) or pencil skirts and put all the emphasis on the top half - a tucked-in shirt with skirts or a close-fitting top with jeans.

And DP insists after protracted questioning that I do not look like a tractor like this.

I hear you MadBusLady.

I always struggle with the shoes / boots though; my body and mind are dramatic classic but my feet think they're natural.

Makes me more of a tank than a tractor I fear.

Need to go and do some more research hours gawping at Pinterest

Ooh very interesting. Just done the test and I think I am creative classic. My style has been somewhat hampered recently by pregnancy ( which was workable). But really struggling with post pregnancy body/ nursing clothes.
My usual put together style has been challenged to the enth degree! Can't really do dresses whilst nursing. :-(
But for weekend wear how about skinnie jeans/ leggings a fab pair of boots, simple well cut jumper/top and statement jewelry or statement scarf. Also like a good jumper dress with leggings/ thick thick coloured tights ( which I can't do at mo) I am doing a lot of pram walking I am enjoying getting back into fabulous hats. Loving berets at the mo.

Try googling or searching on pinterest Michelle Dockery - I think she rocks the dramatic classic style really well.

Wow, this thread really took off over the weekend!

nkf I didn't do a "French women are so chic" thread, because I'm already a chic French woman

I've looked at lots of dresses online and am considering ordering a couple from James Lakeland, which look like they'd be great for my version of casual!

I've also started adding clothes and making outfits at GoChicOrGoHome and even made a few sets on Polyvore whilst procrastinating from revising!

And finally, I think I've figured out what makes a casual outfit look smart - it's all in the accessories! Cheap statement jewellery just looks cheap to me, but a smart gold (plated) chain or bracelet can set off an outfit, with a stylish watch.

I've also invested in two (expensive but hopefully good value in cost-per-wear) patent leather belts - one black, one taupe which should dress up most outfits.

Keep the suggestions coming, please, as I've really enjoyed reading all your posts on this thread