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Original poster

Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!

26 replies

overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 20:28

Ok, I have a small amount of money to spend, and DP and I both agree that what I need are some more interesting clothes for wearing out and wearing casually when not at work, as I am in a rut of samey samey.

At work my look is chinos or cigarette trousers, pencil skirts and either plain or striped shirts, out of work I usually end up in jeans with rather boring plain or striped tops or checked shirts, tucked in with a chunky leather belt. I do suit this but I think I could make it a little more interesting, instead of always blending in to the back ground.

I am 5 foot 7, slim (size 6 to 8 in most shops), 35, long hair, barely any make up, glasses, huge wide feet so tend to stick to boring shoes like converse when not at work.

I would just really like a few more statement things, or braver things. I have finally reached an age and maturity that has given me confidence in myself and after hating my body in my teens and twenties now realise I'm not so bad, I'm confident in myself and my skin and that self confidence means I could pull off things I have traditionally stayed away from. But I don't know what?!

Any ideas or pictures or style you suggest?

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 20:31

Have just discovered Uniqlo from a link on another thread so might find something there!

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moanybollocks · 27/05/2015 20:32

There is nothing wrong with being 'samey' if it's a good look you wear well.

Sounds like you like quite plain stuff, apart from the cheques

I'd look in Cos. They've got some lovely colours for spring, and the cut is often a bit more interesting and sometimes a bit masculine which might appeal if you like Converse and jeans (rather than heeled boots and skirts if you know what I mean).

moanybollocks · 27/05/2015 20:37

For eg I love this casual dress which would look great on your figure and you could keep the converse www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Contrast_jersey_dress/46881-13609601.1#c-85350

Another www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Contrast_striped_dress/46881-24524599.1#c-85346

Top, dress up or down www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Tops/Printed_crepe_top/46885-28276676.1#c-22755

And this www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Tops/Printed_poplin_top/46885-22539799.1#c-22755

yes, I love Cos! Am sure others will have other suggestions Smile

hettie · 27/05/2015 20:39

Have you tried style blogs for inspiration, susiesoso or frugality? Also pinterest? Then maybe you can build a sense of your own style? I would guess, other stories might be a shop worth looking at too?

BlueEyedWonder · 27/05/2015 20:45

What about a shirt style dress? Gap have some good ones.

flux500 · 27/05/2015 20:45

I would avoid the jeans all together and buy some dresses. Sounds like you would look good in lots of things and if you go for a shorter dress (maybe floral?) these look good with converse too and are all very relaxed but feminine and sexy too.

I also got a really nice dress from top shop that is jersey with thin straps, quote showy around the chest but midi length looks great with casual shoes or even little ankle boots

Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 20:58

Wow, never heard of Cos before so thank you moaney, I especially like the t shirts! Yes I don't mind my style, it does work for me but I think is just a bit boring, in that I could jazz it up a little!

I would like to wear more dresses casually (wear them for work) I like my work style but have just neglected my out of work style too much.

Hettie I haven't tried blogs, thanks for that! Practically live on pinterest so will look there for more inspiration.

BlueEyed a shirt dress might be nice, I find Gap too big for me most of the time. I didn't mention that my calves are huge, massive things compared to the rest of my legs, so a bit out of proportion, so some dresses look silly like skater style (I cannot get skinny jeans on due to my calves being too big, I wear demi curve straight cut levis) flux I will look in Topshop tomorrow!

Very exciting!

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flux500 · 27/05/2015 21:10

topshop dress

There is this one too which I tried on
dress

Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 21:11

flux that is what I would like, relaxed, feminine and sexy too! Grin

Maybe too much to ask for.

I want to look like this

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 21:14

I like both those dresses flux, thanks! Especially the first one, how long is it?

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 21:16

is this too shapeless?

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 27/05/2015 21:24

love this look

What do people think of shorts? Am I too old?

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flux500 · 27/05/2015 22:19

Overmy of course you can look like them :)

I wish I was one of those naturally outdoorsy beautiful women who look amazing with a sloppy t shirt and a tan!

35 is not too old for shorts :)

The dress on me and I am about the same height as you, one inch taller, is below the knee by a few inches. It sits in the narrower bit under my knee. Very flattering and the pockets are nice to put your hands in lol

Original poster
overmydeadbody · 28/05/2015 08:20

Thank you Flux!

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ChishandFips33 · 28/05/2015 08:40

This might be 'out' now (I'm not a fashion follower but tend to wear what suits) but a stretch tube skirt worn short might be a look you'd like - can be done casual like this

Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!
ChishandFips33 · 28/05/2015 08:43

Or this take on your jeans look

Harem/cuffed trousers seem to be around a lot too - some are more tailored than others and have some great patterns which could make a statement - TkMaxx have a few in and they have some tees in similar to the first pick you linked to (tho that shop is hit/miss!)

Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!
Original poster
overmydeadbody · 28/05/2015 08:48

ChishandFish that's a good idea actually, I have steered clear of harem pants in the past and of patterned trousers, because I am a wus, but I am going into town today to try to find some clothes and will give a range of trousers a try! Have seen some patterned ones in Oasis that look nice too.

I have no clue what shoes to wear with harem pants or those trousers in the link (which I love). I might look for some sandals that work on my plate feet, I would love to wear sandals.

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 28/05/2015 08:49

It's the whole look isn't it, right handbag, right amount of accessories, sunnies, good hair, all pulled together well.

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hanbrooks · 28/05/2015 11:06

One thing I find that can help with revamping your wardrobe is a scarf. I'm a huge fan of scarves and I find that you can put them with most outfits and it changes the look completely, for example you can wear a plain top with a pretty scarf and that's what people focus on! I get so many compliments on my scarves, I've bought them from quite a few different places, but my favourite website is www.scarfroom.co.uk, they have so many to choose from and they're really reasonably priced! :)

Original poster
overmydeadbody · 28/05/2015 16:07

hanbrooks I always forget to wear my scarves, so thanks for reminding me! I do find they make me feel a bit strangled after a while, with the scarf and the long hair, so end up having to take them off!

I walked around town for hours today, tried on oads of stuff, but wasn't very successful and finding anythgin very different or unique. What is it with all the crop tops?! I can't wear them Shock

I came away with a lovely but simple outfit: this navy and white skirt, this grey top which actually looks nice tucked into the skirt, and these coral loafers. I am going to war that outfit with a long three strand gold and bead necklace so I think it will work nicely.

The shoes are a change for me so I feel I have been brave! Grin I tried on loads of sandals but alas none of them work for my feet.

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ChishandFips33 · 28/05/2015 20:54

Those are bargains! Have you tried Matalan? (Don't look online though! Stuff looks better in the shop...some is still mumsy though!)
I like their £3 vest tops to go under jackets/kimonos /layering and this t shirt is a stronger coral colour than in the pic - it fits and feels great - similar in style to your h&m one
Kimonos are good for making a statement if the pattern's right. I have the £8 floral one and have loads of compliments (more when I say how much! The price helped me feel brave enough to do it)
Agree about scarves and costume jewellery too.

Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!
Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!
Help me spend £100 on some new outfits to revamp my wardrobe please!
ChishandFips33 · 28/05/2015 20:55

Some of Matalan's dress shorts are nice too - the floral ones are floaty and drape well
I need to get out further than retail parks!!

NinkyNonkers · 28/05/2015 20:59

I am bigger than you, but stick to quite a minimal wardrobe. A couple of maxi skirts Are my latest discovery, I tend to stick to the same colour palette though to try to make putting stuff together easier.

Original poster
overmydeadbody · 29/05/2015 08:05

ChishandFips I had not even thought of Kimonos, there are a lot of them in the shops at the mo and all the young girls I saw in town seemed to be wearing them with lacey white tops underneath (that or little crop tops with high waisted jeans!)

NikyNonkers I have a real aversion to maxi skirts or anything else full length after growing up in oppressive Saudi Arabia where women were all forced o wear full length all the time, to me it still makes me think of the oppression of women (which I know is silly as wearing a maxi dress here is a choice, not something forced on you, but it has made me not want to wear them!Blush). I do think they look amazing on other women though and they would hide my huge calves! Might try.

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Original poster
overmydeadbody · 29/05/2015 08:24

NickyNonkers I stick to a similar colour palette too, especially for work, so I can mix and match whatever is clean and ironed! Grin

I sometimes wonder if another splash of colour would be good though. The other day I popped on my DS's orange hoodie as I was cold and then had three skype conversations, and everyone commented that the colour suited me, or I looked good. Made me think.

No Matalan anywhere near me sadly.

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