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30 and stuck in a style rut

1 reply

auldlangsyne · 15/12/2017 20:35

I'll be turning 30 just after Christmas and don't want to start the next decade in as much of a style rut as I've ended this one! I seem to be stuck in the pattern of recycling the same two pairs of jeans and three tatty old jumpers which is particularly perplexing when I would describe myself as someone who actually really enjoys fashion and experimenting with different styles. I think half the problem is I walk the dog every day which involves throwing on the nearest comfy, warm clothing I have to hand and then it feels like too much of an effort to change into anything nicer afterwards. I often look at some of my nicer clothes and think to myself "why would I waste wearing something so nice on such an average day?" Of course with that logic nothing ever gets worn...I caught sight of myself in the mirror the other day and couldn't believe the frumpy plain Jane before me!

When it comes to work (I work three days a week) I again have about 3-4 smart-but-not-stylish outfits I wear on repeat. I'm a decent height, size 8, get my hair regularly cut and coloured and wear relatively flattering make-up every day (foundation, bronzer/highlight, mascara and lipstick) so I feel like it shouldn't be as hard as it is to look halfway pulled together yet I feel like such a slob with no sense of personal style or direction. 20 year old me would be so disappointed!

Can anyone recommend some wardrobe staples for me that are relatively comfy to wear but will make me look put together both at home and at work? They don't have to be suitable for both scenarios as my work does have to be relatively smart, so recommendations for each category would be wonderful. Style-wise I like Baukjen, Hush, Great Plains etc. I love a nice fitted mid-calf pencil skirt with a low cut tee tucked in, ankle boots and a blazer...

Can anyone recommend some new brands or items of clothing I could use to build a capsule wardrobe before I lose the battle with dowdy??

OP posts:
RitaPanda · 15/12/2017 20:51

OP I am in the same position and have just started a thread about needing to wear all my nice clothes rather than the same scruffy outfits day in day out:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3112949-I-need-to-start-wearing-my-clothes-anyone-else-How-best-to-plan-what-the-wear

Similar to you, I often do sports so wear sports kit then come home and shower and can't be bothered to put anything nice on and just slob around in joggers and a hoodie.

I'm also size 8 and I think ok looking so it should not be too hard to look decent but I feel like a scruffy slob.

In my 20s I used to plan my outfits, matching accessories etc, but that has gone out the window as I have so little time these days (work long hours with long commute).

I buy quite a lot on ebay (brands like Whistles, Reiss, Baujken, sometimes Hobbs for work). Goal is to not spend more than £10 an item, on the basis that I can experiment and if I end up not liking the item I can sell it on for as much as I paid, or not feeling too bad if it ends up in the charity bag.

One thing that helps me stop feeling too frumpy is always wearing great shoes - I love killer heels. I wear flats or trainers for the commute but keep a couple of pairs of great shoes at work and feel like that really makes a dress look funky, whereas the same dress might look quite frumpy with flats. Appreciate not everyone can wear heels though.

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