Confidence to dress differently

[MadameLeBean]

I used to think I was quite a confident person even had a pixie crop at one point, sexy dresses, etc but I've recently realised my attempts to look "classic" don't render an average looking English girl into phoebe philo, but rather just make me look a bit frumpy and boring!

I sold lots of my cool clothes on eBay, leather jackets, DM biker boots, and threw out my washed out ripped skinny jeans and regret it now!

I now have a "uniform" of cashmere jumpers and blue jeans and have shoulder length brown straight hair. I am a size 6-8 but look quite chubby stocky as I have thick legs and a big bum and 30D boobs although my waist is small.

Any ideas how I can revive my style?! I think I may want to cut my hair short again but will get a fringe first because I need to lose some weight before the pixie looks good again. But what about clothes? I just feel so boring!

(I mean off duty clothes in general - my work outfits are generally suits/shift dresses and I'm sorted in that dept)

Back then I was in a studio/office in Covent Garden and I'd shop in the high st stores around me. No underlying thought I'd just buy what was out and new. I'd get rid of it quickly too. I look back and think my wardrobe looked unhappy, probably because I felt constrained at work.

It really pisses me off when people on MN say if you're size 6, you can't be a few pounds overweight. I am 5'1 and a size 6, though creeping towards an 8. I have a very thorough (takes 3 hours) annual medical test every year - it's an insurance requirement for my job. Last year, it said, at age 41, I am very fit, if there were 100 people my age, I would be the 98th to have a heart attack. But it also, said my body fat had crept up in the last year and to watch my weight as my ideal was 51-53kg, and I was at 54. I am currently at 55, I can see it in my face, so yes, I could do with losing a few pounds, it's not a judgment on anyone else who isn't a size 6/8. Jeez.

Sorry for jumping on my soapbox on your thread OP. I have changed my style over the last 18 months by trying colours I wouldn't have tried (brighter), new brands but also I have looked at Pinterest a lot and been inspired to try new things, some of who have been great (and a real surprise) and others have looked hideous and gone straight back! Although I have a different style to Amber (I really am a classic dresser) I agree with her posts.

I can corroborate what you and the OP say Novice. I'm 50kg which is the right weight for me (about 7 stone 12). At 55kg (which is around 8 stone 9) I would look quite chubby, albeit a size 8, and wouldn't be able to fit into all my clothes.

OP I would just take pleasure in building up your wardrobe again. Get another biker jacket, and some nice dresses etc...

Thanks novice and twinkle.I am avg height at 5'5" and look good at 54-57kg where I am a 6 but still curvy. Currently I'm 57-60kg and size 8 (10 probably if it weren't for vanity sizing!) which really shows and I feel chubby.

I used to have a bit of a problem addiction with clothes shopping but 3 years of living with sensible DP have meant Ive become very careful to buy items that are "classics" and only very occasionally shop - I don't impulse buy. If I like something I write it on my wish list then think about it for weeks or months / until I can afford or justify it.
The downside of this is that I do not buy anything frivolous or just because I love it. Rather it needs to go with as much stuff as possible and be part of a carefully considered wardrobe, this is making my wardrobe boring!

Need to find a balance - I don't want to go back to spending sprees on unsuitable things that don't last, but want to branch out a bit from "safe".

OP - I still wholeheartedly agree with spending on quality classics but the need to be your classics.

As an example I invested in an equipment silk shirt. So far, so classic, except mine isn't a sensible navy or cream one, it is the signature shape but has little zebras running across it. It is beautifully made and I know I will keep and love it forever. Likewise I invest in shoes, but rather than something sensible I high glitter Jimmy Choos high tops which I wear all the time. Obviously everyone needs basics but I do tend to really invest in the things that make my heart sing, and it is leading to a happy (if eclectic) wardrobe.

Buy not high.

noviceoftheday fair comment and apologies, op if I was one of those jumping to conclusions.

Back to the discussion: I agree with Amber that the secret is to find your own personal version of 'classic'. In fact it sounds as if you do know what you like but just don't trust your own judgment any more? Apologies if that's yet more cod psychology!

Amber you are a font of wisdom on this thread - love the idea of finding what your own personal classic items are. Think mine are decent jeans in a mid blue with distressing, with a low rise. I've had a variation on them since I was 20 and then I can add whatever but feel 'me'.

I like 'life's too short to pretend to be Parisian' too - please get some tees knocked up and flog them on your blog

OP I would add to the wise words already posted - make sure you truly love anything you buy. It might not be as out there or as expensive as you might ideally want, but you need to feel like it's going to be your 'new favourite' item before it deserves a place in your wardrobe. And I don't think you necessarily need to get your colours analysed, but I'm sure you know what colours make you look amazing so seek out a couple of tops in good fabrics and shapes in those colours. They will feel 'you' - I realised tomato red makes me look ace and bought a cami from Topshop and a cowl neck top from H and M and they are my fave 'going out' bits just because they make me look deceptively young and awake.

When I had my colours done, my consultant told me I was definitely dramatic in style, she encouraged me to go for, be brave and I'd feel like me and she was right. Classic clothing is so very dull and grown up looking on me, being given permission to avoid the classic and wear quirky clothes again was very liberating.

Right, I'm taking a jeans detox. Today at work I feel lovely in a navy tweed pencil skirt, a bright purple cashmere jumper and grey sledge heels. I am tanned from holiday and wearing tiny pearl earrings

Need to see if I can make the skirt / dress / heels thing work at weekend. Perhaps day dress with wedges? How does one wear skirts casually?

Your figure sounds a bit hour glass. Have you seen modern family ? The character Gloria has a wardrobe to die for that would prob suit your figure. But it is glam
I have large breasts like you and the French chic look is hard to pull off if you don't hand tiny tiny boobs.

I like dresses with brogues for a casual look or with ankle boots.

OP some great advise on here. I would add that 'dressing up' is a habit and especially after having babies it's really easy to get into the habit of dressing more casually. I am also slowly realising that I don't need lots of clothes. 5/6 work outfits, 2/3 weekend outfits, 1/2 going out outfits is what I need. That way you can also justify spending a bit more on really nice things as you will wear them all the time.