Do you have any 'Style Rules'?

[WilburIsSomePig]

These days I generally believe that you should wear what the hell you like but I can clearly remember thinks from my youth that were an absolute no no.

My mum was horrified when I went out in a coat with my skirt hanging down a couple of inches from the bottom. (This was the 80's).

I would never have worn red and green together, whereas now I have a pair of bottle green trousers that I like with a dark red jumper and hope that I don't look too much like an extra from Elf.

Do you have any particular 'rules' that you stick to?

Floisme - super helpful! Off to browse. Thanks

I am 49 and have only just got my first pair of tan boots.

Tan/brown boots being the boots of the devil - at least this has been tattooed on my brain all my life. This is despite me liking them on other people - but for myself they have been very difficult.

They still flummox me a little.

Also double denim - don't do it.

Only wear sportswear if actually doing sport.

On a night out, it's acceptable to show either leg OR cleavage, but never both.

Floisme Thanks for the tip about the jersey skirts. Am off to look at Mint Velvet at the weekend

I am porky, short and large of nork, with a round face and broad shoulders. In order not to look like a Weeble:

• Clothes that skim the form rather than baggy clothes, as the latter make me look bigger.
• A decent bra makes a huge difference to your silhouette.
• If you have lumps and bumps then good quality and heavy fabrics are a must. Cheap flimsy lycra and jersey can be horrendously unflattering.
• I don't wear skirts above the knee as it isn't flattering.
• Likewise polo and crew neck tops and jumpers - I need a scoop or v-neck to avoid the matronly mono-boob look!
• Don't wear white on top and black on the bottom to an event as otherwise you will look like a waitress (my Mother's style advice, which has always stuck with me!).
• I tend to avoid black against my face as it is very draining and doesn't suit me. I go for greys (not pale as they don't suit me), navy, purple/heather, teal and dark green instead.

-No glitter in my face (unless it's Halloween or maybe New Year's Eve)
-cleavage or legs
-tights make everything better
-scarves, turtle necks, anything against your face must be a colour that genuinely suits you
-blowdried hair makes everything look better
-dark or medium brown and black shouldn't be worn together.(some exceptions in the case of leather if it's clearly deliberate)
-fur should be inherited
-I love a blunt fringe. But it makes me look girly and too young (not necessarily genuinely young, more in the way of looking infantilised. If that makes sense...?)
-if I wear glasses I need some makeup
-never wear flip flops
-Only wear sandals if it's incredibly hot
-anything high waisted is brilliant (skinnies, wide leg, straight leg, skater skirt, pencil skirt. Just needs to be high waisted...)

Oh, and get clothes tailored to genuinely fit. I need somebody to take them in on the waist.

I don't wear anything with slogans or conspicuous branding.really dislike that
No gym wear anywhere other than gym.gym gear outside thats a look for the gymbunny mums
No fake tan.no filled in eyebrows.no fake nails.i don't like trashy makeup

Those of you with a waist - where do you shop?? Most of the stuff out there is so 'BOXY' - and no... I don't want to look like a 50s starlet, thank you

My rules are:

Keep to my House of Colour palette
No polo necks (although when its really cold I have a cashmere one)
No skinnies (parsnip legs spring to mind)
Try try try and find stuff that gives me a waist
Wear clothes that drape well - have discovered Cupro
Navy and charcoal are my friends for neutrals
Make up - primer, mascara and lipstick
Hair highlighted

No brights with black
No puffed or capped sleeves
The coat shorter than hemline thing
No bare legs or arms at work

While i get the thing about only buying things that 'go' with other things in your wardrobe, once you are confident about knowing your colouring and style, you can pick up single items because, if they fit with your style and colour palette, they will absolutely go with 'everything' you already have.

I like to minimise the effort required to put together my clothes. I delight in the knowledge that, even ifi got dressed in the dark, my clothes will fit together. Bliss.

I won't wear cheap shoes
I only wear thongs
I only wear balcony bras
I won't wear round toe shoes
I won't wear ballet flats
I won't mix metals
I increasingly hate to wear opaque tights
Absolutely x a million if i do wear opaque tights the shoes must be black

I don't wear white next to my face, I'm quite a warm skin toned blonde, but it washes me out. I can wear cream, though.

I'm a 34G with narrow shoulders, and can easily look like a buxom, 17th century serving wench in the wrong top. So, have to stick to boat necks or v-necks, and nothing too plunging else men can't look me in the eye.

I pay a lot for quality hi-lites, because I want a neutral, ash blonde. If you go cheap you just end up with yellow hair.

I don't buy many clothes, but when I do I prefer to go expensive. If you pay cheap, you pay twice...I've just bought a beautiful loose sweater and some leggings from The White Company (no change out of £180) but they are perfect and I know I'll be wearing them in 5 years time.

Even though lots of people tell me I look good in 'colours' I am just not comfortable in them and my wardrobe is almost exclusively grey/black/navy/silver. I wear a lot of pale grey, accessorised with chunky silver jewellery.

I either get my boobs out, or my legs...never both. Ick.

If you are going to bare your feet then For. The. Love. Of. God get a damned pedicure. Cannot believe the hideous monstrosities that some people have, and blithely expose them to all and sundry.

If I wore it the first time it was in fashion I can't wear it when it's fashionable again.

@ishouldcocoa

I don't shop in one particular place for waist-friendly clothes, but I find that most places have the odd item that I have to sift to find.

I like Pepperberry if it's plain enough, French Connection and Gap for tops and t-shirts, and I buy a lot from Asos and send back the bits that would only look good on someone younger and slimmer than I. I've had some cracking dresses from there if you filter out the sequins and weird cut-outs!

Hobbs is good too, and I like Farhi knitwear over Uniqlo basic tops if it's on sale/eBay at the right price.

Never Cos, and never H&M - I just don't think they fit my shape.

Only wear dresses - gave up with trousers and jeans after years of feeling rubbish in them
No black
Try to stick to autumnish shades
No bows, ruffles, lace etc
Knee length or preferably longer
Shoes have to fit - cannot be doing with painful feet (something my younger self put up with)
Blusher and eyebrow pencil now necessary along with other remedial makeup
Nothing that needs dry cleaning
If it works and there is more than one colour that suits - buy it!

Tight top loose bottoms or loose top tight bottoms NEVER both loose or both tight.

No wide leg cropped trousers

No white or very pale trousers unless 80 degrees or on holiday.

No extremely high or totally flat footwear

Usually two colours - black + colour, tan + white, grey + white/black

No plastic anything - shoes, bags, belts, jewellery

Bracelet or necklace not both unless black tie

These are all instinctive to me. I don't even think about them. I'm sure there are more.

MaQueen

'I either get my boobs out, or my legs...never both. Ick.

If you are going to bare your feet then For. The. Love. Of. God get a damned pedicure. Cannot believe the hideous monstrosities that some people have, and blithely expose them to all and sundry.'

God yes. Totally agree with these.

Also in the summer, tanned moisturised legs and in the winter good quality opaques (black, Falke - last years) with black shoes.

Polished shoes that don't need re-heeling - hate scuffed worn out shoes.

No animal prints on clothing after the age of 45, never buy a white handbag as no matter how much you spend it will always look cheap, ditto white shoes/ sandals.
The right bra under certain clothes and a bra that fits properly.
Keep bras for no more than 18 months when their support has gone, hand wash bras and tights.
No black tights with light coloured shoes. Handbag and shoes to compliment each other. Always have a good quality winter coat and ensure its cleaned regularly. Keep a lint roller or clothes brush handy, always polish your shoes and clean your handbag.
Clevage has its place and it's not at work nor is exposing a lot of leg in the workplace.
Dress for the occassion not for yourself.
Just because something is fashionable doesn't mean it will suit you also do you really want to wear the same as everyone else.
Above all ensure whatever you wear is clean, pressed and fits.

Thanks SusanT I will check out some of those you mentioned.

I get the Uniqulo tops already, but some waist friendly knitwear would be great. I do have a few Pepperberry things, too. I'll revisit their website.

I never thought of ASOS but then I'm rather middle aged...!

The trick to Asos is to completely ignore the model wearing the clothes, and imagine them 3 sizes bigger and on yourself.

It takes practice!

Colours must co-ordinate, even socks. Actually, especially socks; even when no-one is even going to see your socks. Don't know why, but I just always have done this and to not do so would. just. be. wrong.

Mine is just keep making an effort !!!

I can't wear red as I tend to go red in the face when hot/embarrassed etc. No tight fitting tops and no tops that aren't long enough to cover tum/bum/hips. No crossover tops as cleavage too low and no tops with sweetheart neckline as the shape doesn't suite. No slogans or pictures on t-shirts. lastly no leggings for me as they make my bum and thighs look like a bag rice pudding

just thought - never wear a dark bra under a light shirt or a patterned bra that shows through the fabric and never wear white knickers under white trousers - it needs to be flesh coloured Bridget Jones 'big girl pants'

No pink, yellow, orange, florals, busy patterns, frills, flounces or peplums, no smock tops.

Jeans and trousers must have narrow ankles, even straight leg ones.

No long boots with knee length skirts or any skirt that leaves a gap between hem and top of boot.

No brown trousers or skirts with green tops, I don't want to look like a tree.