How can I update my look?

[Ruby789]

I look best in dresses, specifically block colours in bright primary colours done (jewel winter). Shapes that pretend to have a waist, or allow me to add one (a-line, sundress, tea, slip, wrap, sheath). Hem line is best 3 inches above the knee (maxi, midi, on the knee make me look short and dumpy). Fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, velvet, thin knit, cotton, polyester (but not not linen, corduroy, tweed, chunky knit). Nothing loose or baggy nor clingy. Jewellery is ideally small and dainty, can wear bigger earrings in the evening and long necklaces are better than short ones. Make-up is generally like Alison Brie, but with a bright lip. Hair is trying to be like the Duchess of Cambridge but darker and no highlights (and I can’t get that shine and bounce). I wear cardigans (left open) with everything, but look much slimmer in a fitted collarless blazer (feel self-consciously too formal?). I do wear jeans and a top on weekends, typically with a silk cami or a slim knit jumper and I don’t look overdressed next to someone in a basic t-shirt. Odd as it sounds I make casual clothes look like pyjamas so have to dress everything up a bit. I’m rectangular/8 shape, biggest on the high hip.

I wanted to simplify everything and stop buying things that don’t suit me. And I’ve succeeded, but now have a new problem. I look so samey and a bit 90’s. I think because of the block primary colours and man-made fabrics, but they honestly do suit me best. I glow in electric blue, I wilt in cornflower blue.

I’m closest in style to Jess Day from New Girl (without glasses), mixed with Paige Matthews (Charmed).

How can I update this look?

With spring around the corner, my patterned dresses will start to enter my dress rotation again. Can you tell me how you'd style dresses like these to be a bit more chic?

Dress A (yellow). I usually pair with a black faux leather biker jacket (collarless, central zip) or a pale denim jacket, black lace up shoe boots, black bag. Any make-up or hair.

Dress B (blue). With the same black jacket above, and usually nude shoes in the day (from trainer to wedge depending on what I'm doing), or oxblood patent style stiletto's in the evening, black bag. Always a red lip and hair in textured waves (closer to dragged through hedge)

Thanks. I know most of you will say it's hopeless as they are the opposite of chic, but I love them.

I love them too I think that sounds miles hipper than anything I wear 😉 I love a mad print

They're rather cute - the yellow in particular!

Bearing in mind that I'm decades older than you, I'd probably be aiming for something like these cowboy boots to wear with it. With bare legs. Other people would look gorgeous in roughed up, mostly white trainers - I just look unconvincing in anything 'sporty'.

And then maybe a slouchy cord jacket or coat in any colour that called out irresistibly to me.

Bani Yeah, I'm not shy with the colours/prints - except beige, caramel, oatmeal, brown, orange. Just look ill in those.

So the clothes themselves aren't awful, as long as I accessorise properly? I definitely have quantity over quality.

GeorgeTheBleeder thank you. Would never have thought about boots like that, or anything slouchy. I will go have a play about in the shops when it's warm enough to wear it. Always wearing it the same way is the old me, so thanks for the different ideas.

Bare legs with tan suede ankle boots or tan leather studded clog shoes.

Dark denim shrunken denim jacket, tied round my waist when not wearing.

Proper leather jacket not collarless.

Denim shirt worn over the top.

Messy bun (getting shit done) or waves.

Or a top knot at the front of your hair with the rest down.

Maybe a fine gold necklace and some tasselly/fun earrings

Atalune Thank you, so many options :)

Dress A I think black coat, bag and shoes are a bit too matchy matchy. Keep the jacket (or upgrade to real leather), wear with white trainers or tan sandals (or the cowboy boots suggested above) then a contrasty bag, white maybe? Or grey? Or tan? Probably straw actually for another texture.

Same for the blue dress really. Neutral jacket: black leather, blue denim or khaki military style. Different colour of shoes that are either neutral or acknowledges the colours in the dress, I'd wear red trainers or blue sandals with the blue dress. Straw bag.

Round straw bag would be nice. Etsy is a good place or Hush, Zara.

Thanks CountFosco and *Atalune. Straw for the win! Vaguely remember seeing something on one of my many shopping trips that would fit the bill. I'll try to find it. Thanks for the other ideas too, lots to work with.

Avoid leather as much as possible, and collars now that I think of it. But i'll give collars a chance :)

I’m same height, and sounds similar build op. Sympathies with midriff issues! You really don’t need to lose a stone though. I’m quite slight so not carrying weight in bones, arms, bust etc and I’m pretty skinny when at 52 kg (I need to convert from stones) I’d look instead at Pilates for posture etc (huge diff for a tummy) and strength for bottom, shoulders and arms to balance the frame.

Thanks timeisnotaline, yes, I'll definitely give pilates a go. I've been meaning to for years .....

Got any outfit updates for us op?

Not much so far. I returned the topshop blouse as it was a bit loose in the bust and the next size down was too tight. I did get the topshop orson jeans, and they're great.

I'm wearing more jeans and shirt combinations with different accessories. I haven't got it right so far, not one single compliment. I got a compliment on a new (to me) dress, so I do expect comments when I get it right.

I am trying to find the right things to make something similar to these three outfits. I have a long polka dot maxi skirt (off-white and black), and i'm looking for the right sort of jumper. I have a shirt, skirt etc.... for the second look. But my coats are not working with it, too classic. And the third looks like I can buy the cardigan with free shipping. Just not sure as it's a definite style departure and sending it back might be tricky. Is it even nice?

I also tried on a few jumpsuits! So far cropped ones are a no, full length ones i'm really not sure about. But was good to try. And I like the jewelry in COS.

I noticed it had been mentioned but & other stories arket and the premium stuff in H&M are probably the most important mid range stores for your age group at the min. I feel your pain though as I’m finding dressing my 5ft 12 top 14 bottom daughter so difficult as there’s a massive difference between what suits her and what’s suitable for her age as she’s only 16. I’ve started to follow an instagrammer Hannah Gale just because she’s a similar shape to my daughter and fashion concious so seeing what she wears helps me massively

Oh and I saw a lady on the tube whose style I liked. She had green fitted trousers, a slim fit knitted jumper in mustard, a black wool coat, a green suede shopper with a tiny bit of patterned silk tied on with blue and orange in it, and flat lace up black boots. She looked chic and effortless and that tiny piece of silk on her bag made such a difference. I'm keen to try that look but with different colours.

I know I'm trying to break out of what suits me, but I keep returning the stuff that doesn't suit my colouring, so there has to be a way to do both. Perhaps charcoal trousers and bag, with lavender or pastel blue top?

God you like the jeans!

Chicwish- that cardigan is great- get it.

Lilac might be a good bet with you maxi skirt? You can get a nice fine gauge knit in lilac- try asos?

God?? Glad!

Thanks Notonaschoolnight, I remember being a teenager and finding my body shape such a challenge compared to my friends, (queue Kookai and Jane Norman flashbacks - the horror). Hopefully, your daughter will find her style and it'll all get easier from there. Had a brief scan of Hannah, could work for me too so I'll follow too.

Thanks Wardrobedramas, i'll take a look.

Atalune I purchased the cardigan in lavender (which will work with most of my clothes)! There were other things I liked on there so will see what the quality is like, and what I get charged to receive it and decide if I should risk buying more. Once the oversize trend is over (sooner the better), it can be a cozy house cardi. I have another lilac jumper, so will try that tonight with the maxi skirt. If it works i'll hit asos for a more appropriate knit.

Oh and, i'm looking for knitwear like this:
www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/knitwear/product.lace-knit-short-sleeve-jumper-white.0628339002.html#image-gallery

In white, pale blue, mint green. If you spot any when out and about give me a shout.

Hi OP, I've been following this thread with interest. Can't remember is anyone has recommended the instagrammer 40notfrumpy? I am 39 and love her style- very inspirational! A couple of weeks ago she posted an olive/sage green biker jacket from Zara (I think) which looked amazing. It got me wondering about alternative colour biker jackets, or perhaps suede, for myself. I have been wearing my black one for over a decade! Also, I second the person who said you should wear biker jackets with collars. I don't know for sure without seeing you, but I feel like the collarless ones are maybe slightly more twee / polite?

I was wondering about the style of dresses you wear. It sounds like they are often fairly structured in terms of the cut, midi flare and so on? I was wondering if you have tried the more 'free' flowing longer dresses that seem to be about? Eg this one from &otherstories www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.asymmetric-floral-midi-dress-floral.0736462001.html. Don't know if this could work on you but perhaps this type of cut would add more of a current edge?
Another (brave) choice would be wearing dresses, eg cami dresses or shirt dresses over a roll neck at this time of year...
goo.gl/images/XQjVX3

Shoes-wise, have you considered switching your classic burgundy heels with square toed block heels, both in terms of 'court' shoes, ankle boots and strappy heels?
www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/ankle-boots/product.square-toe-leather-boots-black.0744352001.html

www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,322/3475660033

www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/heeled-sandals/product.strappy-square-toe-heeled-sandals-light-yellow.0734417001.html

Also if you're on the shorter side, can you wear platform heeled trainers with midi dresses or maxi skirts?

goo.gl/images/9PnAkf

goo.gl/images/6mmTmQ

goo.gl/images/2c4G49

I keep imagining you as Kate Middleton as that's what you said, so forgive me if these are unhelpful suggestions! Xx

Thanks for taking the time to give me such a detailed response bangkokshoes. I love everything Kate's ever worn, and I try to copy her in a very very very much budget way, but with shorter hemlines. I also don't have her figure or beauty, but that doesn't stop me.

It's interesting what you said about the collarless thing being more twee / polite. You are right, I hadn't seen it that way. Though that's not why I favour them, I just look so much slimmer without fussy details (like the example pic). I do have a proper biker style jacket (i.e. with a collar and everything) in a gorgeous berry colour. It's a tiny bit big for me sadly, but that doesn't seem to matter these days. I'll get it out and try it with a few things. Though I suspect that it being in the pink family drags it right back to feminine softness and misses the point!

Love all of the shoes, thank you. Will look out for similar non-leather versions. I have just treated myself to these river island ones, which are a lot less 'soft' in style so hopefully, you all approve. If I can walk in them, I'll keep them.

Midi (and maxi) just make me look really short a squat. Chunky shoes just make that worse. Sorry, I thank you for making the suggestion though. I genuinely did try it out recently and I just can't pull that look off. I do have 1 midi skirt though, so I'll keep trying it, perhaps with the new black heels, and see if I can make it work. It's lovely on everyone else but me, there must be a way I can wear it.

I wish you could all come shopping with me!

Posted too soon ....

Yes to dresses over a roll neck - I'll happily try that. &OtherStories have some fabulous midi dresses, but none look right on me sadly. Will investigate if they have petite midi's, that might help.

Diet is going well. 1.5 lbs off this week.