What is fashionable for a 33 year old?

[1wokeuplikethis]

I don't even know any more. I don't read magazines or follow fashioney bloggers. I don't buy new clothes EVER so don't wander the shops noticing the latest trends and I don't go out-out much (ever). These are ways that I used to follow fashion. But 2 young kids and 3 years in maternity shite has put paid to that now.

I am fuckity fed up with my clothes. Nothing is newer than 5 years old apart from some high rise skinny jeans that I luffs. My flat shoes are 2 years old. All of my tops are sleeveless & I would prefer sleeves, and they hang at the bust because I have small boobs. I also have a belly, which can also be seen when wearing said sleeveless tops and bending down. I'm losing weight, lost a stone in the last 2 months and have about another to go and my birthday is coming up and my husband has offered to buy me some new clothes, but up to about £100 so I can't buy any 'staples' if you like.

What is a good modern look at the moment? What sort of tops/shoes particularly? And where to get them from? Most of my stuff is from bloody new look. Please help. I'm dowdy, unfashionable and....gapey.

This is my style...

I'm of a similar age and I don't really follow trends. Eg this summer has been all about cold shoulder but not that great for my shape so I've steered clear. I only buy stuff that I can wear an ongoing basis so if bright orange is in, I wouldn't buy into that as orange doesn't suit me but if black was in season I'd buy bits because I know I'd wear them in the future.
My wardrobe consists of lots of jeans, t-shirts, some skirts, jumpers, some summery dresses, some heavier dresses to be paired with tights, lots of boots and lots of coats/jackets.

New Look is fine for some stuff, Topshop, River Island, H&M for bits and pieces.

I agree with user . On a limited budget I'd go for really good, flattering classic basics rather than trying to follow bloggers?

One pair of jeans you love, tops that are cut just right (if you've been out of shopping for a few years, Primark is the best place for basic cut tops - £3 each ) primark sales are good as well, I got some very nice jumpers for £2 there

Also, have a look in charity shops for bigger items like coats and dresses and bags.

I think for £100 I’d buy 3 or 4 tops from Uniqlo (7.90 for a t shirt and 9.90 for a ¾ sleeve top).
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-supima-cotton-crew-neck-34-sleeve-t-shirt-400144.html?dwvar_400144_color=COL78&dwvar_400144_size=SMA001&cgid=IDw-t-shirts1651

With the remaining money I’d trawl ASOS and get another pair of skinnies (Ridley are nice), a nice shirt to wear open over other tops (I wear various plain and printed), and then I’d go to H&M for a plain versatile jersey dress.

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0433252004.html

Sorry, meant to add I'm 32 and I go for a wintrier version of this blogger's style. Very simple!

www.un-fancy.com/

Follow The Spike on wordpress. She's just done a good capsule wardrobe blog series.

For this Autumn/Winter, red is going to be the main colour. Another big colour will be a 40's/50's powdery/Air Force blue type shade of blue.

Tweed and checks, and 80's style tailoring with boxy shape, wide leg trousers and shoulder pads are also going to be in.

Looking at your style, you could easily update it for the new season with a red blazer - vintage or high street. River Island have a lovely one, but I can't remember the price. EBay or charity shops would be great places to get a great vintage one.

Go to Primark or Uniqlo and buy some basic long sleeve tops in the 'in' colours and wear with your jeans.

You could then add some tweed or check by way of a skirt or jacket or dress, or through accessories, such as a scarf or bag.

Early 30s here and also feel like I've lost my way. I tend to buy cheap stuff from New Look, Tesco and Next and once I've found something I like I buy a more expensive version of it.

I've got some great skinny trousers from Next which I can wear with Superga's or heels. A basic 3/4 breton top from Joules (and lots of different breton tops from Tesco), lots of skinny t-shirts and a few blazers - I find New Look blazers are great actually. Quite casual so good for every day.

I posted earlier, but forgot to mention my favourite magazine.

I buy Hello Fashion Monthly, and it's always on sale for the bargain price of £1. I assumed it'd be full of celebrity shite as it is a branch of 'Hello,' but it isn't (they feature obviously, but less than in most magazines nowadays). The Sept/Oct edition is currently on sale, and is full of the new trends in fashion, hair and beauty. Sadly, most of the items featured are out of my price range, but I find the magazine really useful, and I then know what colours and styles to look out for in the high street shops, on EBay and in charity shops, as well as in Boots for make up.

Thanks for the replies, I've got a couple of weeks to have a look before my bday and decide what would look nice.

Contemplated just setting fire to my wardrobe today. Or should I say war-drab. Feel so drab. Frumpy. Crumpled. Boring. Think I need my colours doing too...black (90% of my wardrab) really washes me out.

Going to buy that hello mag & look for more affordable options of what I like the look of. And like the idea of a red blazer!

Also who the fuck wears 'scuba'? Is this a material people readily buy and wear other than on the beach? Seriously? Already feel like a whale without that shit.

Hi op, that's great you're going to buy the Hello Fashion magazine. I've pasted the link below for the River Island red blazer.

www.riverisland.com/p/red-tie-cuff-blazer-706154

It's £60, which I think is quite expensive, but you could definitely get similar elsewhere for cheaper. I can imagine Dorothy Perkins getting some in soon - I often find their tailored pieces good, and cheaper than many other places. If you sign up for their emails, you'll get bombarded, but they do send 20% off offers nearly every day!

I know what you mean about scuba fabric. I don't like the feel of it, and I like the look of me in it even less! Vile, nasty stuff.

Similar, but cheaper red blazer from Miss Selfridge - £39.00.

m.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/red-ruched-sleeve-blazer-6784067?geoip=noredirect&cmpid=ppc_pla_UK_ip&utm_medium=cpc&istCompanyId=ef628c1f-3888-4f51-9f35-cff6febf8eb3&istItemId=xlqqawapap&istBid=tztx&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqsWU04_z1QIVkcmyCh0ZXA1eEAQYBCABEgJ8IfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have been going through a jeans crisis and ended up buying several pairs cheaply on eBay to decide what I thought of them, have decided on Tommy Hilfiger Sophie and come sales will buy a new pair to be my goto for a few years. You could try eBay to test a few things. Preferably out of general spending money not the birthday cash if that's doable.

Thanks Argeles, they are vibrant! Don't know if I have the pizzaz to pull those off I am certainly sticking a red blazer on my list of things to try on!

Op you would find kondoing your wardrobe quite helpful I think

I don't think either of those red blazers are smart enough to jazz up a 30 something outfit. They are a little floaty baggy kimono and unless someone has it all together right they just look either teen or grandma.

Ah, I know how you feel. I opened my cupboard some time near the beginning of the year and thought, oh, for fuck's sake. So much tat, so few things that went together.

Someone upthread suggested a thorough Kondo-ing of the wardrobe - this is what I did, it changed everything. There is no point owning clothes you don't love or that make you feel frumpy. Chuck them all on the bed, then pick each piece up, examine it and ask yourself if you really love it. If you don't, it goes to charity or the bin. You may end up with very few clothes, but hey, at least they'll be your favourites.

Then you can start to add in pieces to build your wardrobe up again, working on the principle that you'll only buy stuff you love, not just because it's there/cheap/in season. The On The Spike capsules, Unfancy and Be More With Less blogs are good places to start. Uniqlo, COS (particularly in the sales), ASOS for basics, eBay for the occasional designer or statement piece.

If I had £100 to spend, I would probably try to get a good blazer from Reiss or Cos or similar in the sale: it will last years, suits your style (from pic above) and goes with/smartens up so many things.

You never know until you try op. I'm sure there will lots more arriving in the shops soon, including more traditional tailored styles with buttons and a bit of shoulder padding action!