struggle with everyday normal clothes

[Ruralninja]

I have a wardrobe of clothes for a life I don't lead! Wonderful going out clothes, some really lovely dresses, sharp work clothes. Really, really drab awful everyday clothes, particularly tops. I REALLY struggle with this. What are you top 5 or so go-to tops / everyday/ weekend clothes? I'm very busty, reasonably slimish and look best in plain colours.

Just me then!

I'm quite dull
I have blue jeans and a couple of pairs of black jeans (flared/wide leg/bootcut rather than skinny)
I go for longline tops, so have a brown knitted top from la redoute, black hankerchief hem top, a couple of long polo necks (red, purple) and a selection of v-neck jumpers in colours that suit me. And several scarves and a couple of nice jackets.

I am exactly the same. I am drawn to buying nice clothes between to struggle with everyday staples. So I have a wardrobe full of clothes which I deem too dressy for my everyday life. Actually I think that the answer is to wear the nice clothes. Why not, they only end up lurking in your wardrobe unborn otherwise.

Wear them!!!!!

F2f.

• seem to struggle
• unworn.

Nooooo Tizwailer, a skinny rib polo neck for someone who's very busty!? Not unless you really fancy the (young) Barbara Windsor look. I'm busty and wouldn't touch polo necks with a bargepole, they're so unflattering to big boobs.

Sorry OP, I can't think of anything useful to suggest - my wardrobe needs a complete overhaul now I'm working from home and I also struggle a bit with stylish casual clothes (although actually it has more to do with the fact that I've been on a strict budget recently so no money). I'm quite liking Oasis for casual tops at the moment, Warehouse can be good too.

This time of year mostly long sleeved cotton tops worn under merino or cashmere jumpers and cardis. The tops are mostly H&M in plain colours and Boden or Seasalt bretons. I'm size 10/12 with 32G bust. I also like H&M L.O.G.G department, White Stuff and GAP for everyday tops and knitwear.

I wear a lot of t shirts from threadless. The shape of them is just amazing, plus you get to support the artists who design them. Some of the designs are naff but there's also some great ones.

thanks peeps, glad to know I'm not alone in my everyday fashion tundra! I will look at Threadless. Like the idea of Bretons too - they can be boxy so just need to find the right shape I think

For everyday with skinny jeans: I have several loose fitting shirts (prefer them with roll up sleeves), stripey fitted stretch cotton tops, and many slouchy knits.

agree, Warehouse/oasis do some nice casual stylish tops (mostly synthetic though). House of Fraser and JL good for ideas and a place to start.

I have to ask - have you been measured for a bra recently? When you're busty it will make a huge difference to how your clothes look on you if you wear the right bra.

Maybe worth looking at classic style boards on pinterest?

Life's too short to not wear your lovely clothes everyday who else is going to make use of them. I used to volunteer in a hospice charity shop and the number of unworn or new lovely outfits that had hardly been worn always struck me as so sad. So go for it and adapt if you need to, accessories make the difference to how dressy it will look

Agree with bawabod I still have a wardrobe of lovely vintage clothes that I was saving for all these mythical occasions that never happened. Now they don't fit or suit me any more. Wear them.

Have you tried jackets? Not heavy outdooor ones, but things like lightweight blazers? Made of (eg) jersey or fine wool or even pretty tweed. You can often find really nice ones in charity shops - and sales in posh places like Brora can be good, too. Fitted jackets suit a curvy figure, and they sort of pull an outfit together and go well with jeans and a shaped tee-shirt or thin sweater underneath.

I have this problem too. The blazer idea is good but my main problem is inside the house wear.

I've been living in jeggings and jumpers all winter. The house is too cold even with heating on to wear anything else.

Cardigans when it's a bit warmer?

I have taken my own advice today and am wearing a Mint velvet biker cardigan. I feel great.

I've just finished breastfeeding and I'm wonky of nork which doesn't help! my dressy clothes really are very dressy and I spend a fair bit of time outdoors sorting animals out etc! I think what I really want is pretty non-mumsy tops to go over jeans or jeggings

Have a look at zara and massimo dutti they have some nice tops that you can wear with jeans. Zara also have some nice blazers that are not too expensive and can dress up jeans if you are going out in the evening. H and M sometimes have some nice things but you have to hunt.

I struggle with this too. I'm a 12-14, but all tits and arse. Most of the 'with it' tops are very boxy, and make me look massive, but if I wear something very fitted I look a bit tarty. It's hard to find something in between.

Joules jersey tunics are nice for every day wear over leggings, skinnys. Fat Face have pretty tops. I look at the style of Hush but buy similar from H&M or Gap.

I'm the same! Very hourglassy so look better in stuff that's fitted and am yet to find a pair of trousers (other than gym bottoms) that fit/suit me - haven't owned jeans since I was 14!

I've decided that I'll always be a little 'overdressed' so I just alter how I accessorise. For example I have this dress in a few colours which if I don't want to be too dressy I throw on a cardigan and boots (or layer a long sleeved thermal t-shirt underneath if it's chilly!), I wear as is or with a smarter cardigan to work and then with heels for a night out. My other 'casual' staple is a black or stripy jersey skirt with a fitted jumper or top like this or this - but I'm a bit of a magpie so once I've added jewellery I still end up looking like I'm going out!

My gran was always dressy though and she's one of my style icons so I'm quite happy being dressy - least it means if I was out and about and got a sudden invite somewhere exciting I probably wouldn't have to go home and change!