Help - I have no sense of my own style!

[kitkat321]

As above really! I'm crap at buying clothes that a) suit my shape and b) I actually feel comfortable wearing.

I'm too easily infuenced by what my friends wear and end up buying clothes that would suit them perfectly but when I wear then they don't fit right/feel right.

If I was given £5000 to spend tomorrow on clothes I still couldn't come up with a decent wardrobe.

Problem is I don't have that sort of money to spend on clothes so a personal shopper isn't really an option.

I think I'm more of a casual person - I hate wearing heals but at almost 5'8 I can get away with that. I do like converse shoes but find that they don't match the nice tops I keep buying. I'm a size 14 on the bottom at the moment (aiming to lose a bit/tone up a little) and a 12 on top with small boobs - and I am a bit long in the body a so a lot of tops come up short on me which I hate - I need to be able to lift my arms up to a reasonable height without flashing my belly at people!

I've also noticed that my old clothing haunts - new look, H&M all seem to cater for the much younger age group now - either that or I'm just getting a bit old and fuddy duddy - (I'm 35 btw).

So, any suggestions of either styles that might suit my figure or place to look where I might find some nice cool but casual clothes - particularly where tops don't come up too short (like the nice one I just bought from next :( )

TIA

Get decent basics - a good pair of jeans, a nice dress, good quality t-shirts, a smartish jacket.

Then add a bit of individuality with your accessories?

Or, look at the bigger picture. Whose style do you admire? What are your favourite colours, historical eras, flowers, music, building styles, etc? This can give you an idea of the 'type' you are, and what is likely to suit you and your lifestyle.

Or even look at a few pics of yourself over the years. Try to look objectively. What do you look best in?

I have a long body, and I find layering a vest or camisole under tops helps bridge the gap.

And converse go with everything. I like wearing mine with smart trousers to scruff up my look a bit.

Thanks both - with regards to the people and styles I admire - I think part of the issue is that many of these styles look good on people other than me.

There is a lovely skirt in Oliver Bonas that I walk past every day -

www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/mia-pleated-skirt-45016#selection=size:10__172

I love it but I know that if I wore that it would emphasize my hips and make me look even larger than I am - in fact I bought a similarish skirt in back and white and have never worn it for that reason.

Re the basics - definitely a good plan. I'd rather have a couple of things I like wearing and wear often than waste more money on things that never see the light of day. I have a wardrobe full of clothes but end up going back to the same old stuff as I don't feel comfortable enough to pull some of it if - there isn't even anything that extreme or out there either.

As a fellow long bod, can you recommend anywhere that does t-shirts at a decent length? When think are a bit short it makes me look awful as it's excacerbated by my lower body being that bit bigger - I do have a relatively slim waste - used to be tiny before I had a baby but my bum and hips are larger so it's trying to get the right balance.

I find Gap the best for long tshirts.

Hush also do some good longline layering tops and vests.

Also the Topshop Tall range.

Good grief woman - didn't you get the memo that bottom-heavy is the only way to be?! Well no, whatever shape you're blessed with is the best shape for you! But as a classic pear myself, I've come to terms with it over the years, and nowadays I wouldn't have it any other way! Admittedly, it's tricky to get stuff to fit, so I'd recommend getting handy with the sewing machine, or finding someone local who does alterations. I think my big mistake used to be trying to balance out my hips with volume on top. You really want to show off that waist rather than make your top half look bigger than it is. I almost always tuck my tops in now, mostly wear fairly close-fitting tops, and aim for high-waisted trousers or skirts, to draw the eye to narrowest point. Avoid anything empire-line, or tops falling to hip height.

H and M are great for plain long line t shirts and vests for layering if that helps.

Although Alibongo is totally right about tucked in actually making waist line the focal point! (If feeling less brave, go for the half tuck where you tuck in front, always looks nice with a white shirt)

Thanks for the tips.

Going to have a bit of a wardrobe clear out and chuck everything I haven't worn in a while in a suitcase and put it in the loft.

Will leave myself some basics/things that I do like/will wear and then gradually add to it - my issue is I binge shop rather than just gradually adding to my wardrobe which is probably why I end up with a load of stuff I don't like.

Good idea- be brutal- if you haven't worn in last 6 months get rid (that should allow for hot weather clothing too). I did that recently and had no idea how much crap I had in the deepest darkest recesses of my wardrobe. Felt really nice having an organised space too!

And you're right about gradually building up- treat yourself to a few new bits you love not a load of compromise items that are just ok.

Love that description- compromise items - that's exactly what a lot of them are!

Hapy sorting/shopping!

Find out what you don't like.