How to look less 'safe'?

[geekchicplainjane]

I realised recently that my style is very 'safe'. I have long dark brown hair (had highlights once about a decade ago but never coloured it since then!)

My work wardrobe is full of Kate Middleton-esque dresses, my casual wardrobe is tunics leggings and boots, I rarely paint my nails except with clear polish, I wear minimal 'tasteful' makeup and jewellery every day...

It has occurred to me that style-wise...I might be quite boring.

I'm only 31 and feel my youth is passing me by!! How can I shake things up a bit...but not too much? I'm a mum of two with a sensible job so can't go and get blue hair, or something. Anyone had a similar realisation and what did you do about it??

Following!

(Sorry I can't help!)

Paint your nails and toes. Get some colourful shoes or accessories.

Don't wear tunics and leggings. Buy some more fashionable shapes of trousers (cropped widelegged if you dare) and don't dress like an unfashionable Mum at the weekend. Look at some blogs and get some ideas or look at what other people are wearing and think about what you like and why.

How old are your kids? I think it's fairly natural to stop worrying about fashion for a bit when your LOs are small then you wake up a few years later and think 'Shit, I'm completely unfashionable now'. Spend some time and money on yourself and it won't take long to get back on track.

Invest in some wicked coats & jackets that way you can keep everything else in your look the same but a few different statement coats can really help you feel great when you're out & about. Also means a safe style underneath looks planned. Same can be said for awesome shoes/hats/bags etc.

Safe is underrated. Sounds like you are there with the 'looking expensive' thing so many go for on here? I am going more safe this year (expensive pieces but less of them) however i come from the scruffy camp.

Have a look at that thread where people say what they're wearing - it's so interesting.

Which way do you want to go? Glam, vintage, rock chick, boho etc? If you can work that out then you’ll have a good start I think.

Dump the leggings and wear trousers!

Following as I also feel safe and boring. Not classic/ looking expensive as per above comment; no matter what I always manage to look dull.

Maybe try and change things up at weekends to begin with. You could trying wearing a bolder lipstick for example.

Buy a leather jacket and high heeled black boots?

Ditching leggings is the single best thing anyone can do, style-wise.

Pinterest is helpful to get ideas and inspiration.

Leggings and tunics. Please no.

I longer length tops and leggings and often get told I’m “edgy” for whatever that means

My hairs brown and messy, tbf I usually wear ripped/ distressed leggings. Biker boots or trainers. Brown meather jacket (although it’s parka weather at present). Usually minimal silver jewellery.

Leggings are awesome.

Maybe some funky accessories like a bag, shoes, jewellery or something for your hair.

When there are threads where people fancy trying something new, I always suggest doing a big ASOS order and having a play around with different things at home. Free delivery and returns, and loads of different brands.

However, I also think you need to feel comfortable with your style, or you look uncomfortable. I would look and feel completely awkward in the clothes you describe. Could you try making some really subtle changes (casual dress and tights instead of leggings, bolder lipstick, that type of thing) and see how you feel? Baby steps?

@HoneyDragon yes, they are 👌🏻

Thanks for all the replies!

DC are 1 and 4, so I can still use them as an excuse for my style failings for at least another couple of years I think

The thing is that sometimes I do break out of my 'uniform', e.g. I might wear a dress and tights at the weekend and I still look really kind of...prim? It's just almost inherent for me, I would never wear anything too short, too low cut, too brash, would never wear clashing colours or patterns etc.

Actually the PP is right that I do tick most of the boxes on the 'how to look expensive' threads but I don't think I have the confidence to carry it off so rather than looking classy I just look dull!

I think the idea to change small things at a time is good. I'm going to buy a bright lipstick tomorrow and actually wear it...baby steps.

I have to agree the leggings and tunic look is very dated... Get some great jeans instead and don't wear them with tunics!

I work in a professional office environment and I have to say very few women now wear the classic "matching jacket and skirt" or "office shift dress"...

I'd get some fierce ankle boots, get a slightly shorter blunter haircut and yes, paint your nails a colour you'd normally avoid. Maybe a grey - still chic and 'safe' but slightly edgy. See how you get on with that to start with.

Try charity shops.

I found I was more likely to try new styles/colours because I was only paying £3/£4 for a skirt/jumper - some things took a bit to get used to/for them to feel 'me'

I now have a variety of styles/colours that I've discovered I like/suit me that I would never have found as I'd never pay full price to take a chance something

I would just pick one thing that you really, really like but would never normally wear. It could be cropped trousers, a lipstick, nail colour, jewellery - it really doesn't matter as long as it's out of your comfort zone. Buy it and wear it. You can build up e.g. start just wearing it in the house then the school run and then to work.

That's what I did. Most of the time nobody turned a hair but I'd also get some nice comments. And yes, very occasionally someone would say something sarcy. I remember the first time it happened thinking, 'Is that it? Is that the worst you can do?' Never looked back.

I tend to play it safe as well OP.

I love these suggestions. Have just realised that I always get a compliment or two whenever I wear my edgy looking ankle boots, or my charity shop jumper dress (too long to be a tunic), or when I occasionally paint my nails a bright red.

It’s not really about the compliments though, but about suiting a ‘safe with a bit of an edge’ look more than a purely classic look.

I second the charity shop recommendation. You can try out lots of different styles very cheaply. I did this (and still do this) very regularly and absolutely LOVE it. Some of the things I wear that get the most positive comments have come from charity shops. Fashion should be FUN! Being very serious about it ages you instantly I feel.