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Style and beauty

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What style rules do you go by??

145 replies

happytobemrsg · 13/06/2019 12:27

For example, I was reading a thread the other day about what coverup to wear with a tea dress. Quite a few posters said you should balance a feminine dress with a more masculine leather jacket to stop it looking too twee. I hadn’t thought about that before but now I get it.

I don’t have any rules but looking for more inspiration here!

OP posts:
wellhonestly · 13/06/2019 12:38

Baggy trousers, close-fitting top half, and vice versa. Anything else makes me look like a walking marquee.

Never wearing matching earrings, necklace and bracelet together. Two out of three only.

Avoiding polyester on my top half ... it’s ok on the bottom half though.

Pinkyyy · 13/06/2019 12:44

I don't think I actually have any rules. Perhaps never have a visible knicker line, if that counts.

Viviene · 13/06/2019 12:57

No man - made fibers for me. The only time I bought a polyester T-shirt was when I was drunk Blush

swissmilk · 13/06/2019 23:04

Never to buy anything from Next. Grin

Justmuddlingalong · 13/06/2019 23:09

If it needs specialist cleaning or will be a bugger to iron, don't buy it. You'll wear it once and leave it at the bottom of the laundry basket for eternity.

paddington34 · 13/06/2019 23:11

Legs or boobs never both.

Tavannach · 14/06/2019 00:06

Legs or boobs never both.

That's mine too. Sometimes neither.

RonaldMcDonald · 14/06/2019 00:21

Buy the best jackets you can possibly afford

OldAndWornOut · 14/06/2019 00:23

Will it need ironing?
Does it make me look fat? (ter)
Is the waistband stretchy?

chardonm · 14/06/2019 01:05

Not more than three colours in one outfit

Fatkins · 14/06/2019 04:35

No pure white / cream or mainly white / cream dresses at weddings.

I am busty and on the tall side and I think I have some of my own 'rules' for dressing for my height and shape. Like, no short skirts without tights (I just look wrong in them, but weirdly, can wear shorts without tights). No very high heels, especially not thin heels like stilettos - I look and feel like I'm going to go over on my arse any moment. My height and top heaviness are against me! Boobs or legs or arms, but never any of them together.

Not too "matchy, matchy" with accessories, or I feel as if I'm trying to look like the queen.

Pinkarsedfly · 14/06/2019 04:40

I never wear black trousers and a brightly coloured top.

That’s a hangover from the Trinny and Susannah days.

Pinkarsedfly · 14/06/2019 04:41

Oh, and no black shoes/boots with blue denim - unless they’re DMs.

HundredMilesAnHour · 14/06/2019 09:35

No to matching shoes and bag. A big NO. Matchy match is VERY dated. Only acceptable if you're over 80 and on a cruise.

Play on volume carefully - if wearing boyfriend jeans wear a fitted top/T-shirt, if wearing leggings wear a loose-fitting top, etc. The only time I break this rule is in the gym when everything is skintight (so it doesn't get caught in equipment etc).

No to heels if you can't walk well in them (nothing worse than a woman who looks like she's walking - badly - on stilts). Actually I steer clear of heels for anything other than black tie. Flats/trainers is a much more modern look.

Legs out or cleavage out but never both. I always go for legs as I think cleavage looks a bit too tacky.

Don't wear gold and silver jewellery together. Pick one and go with it. And don't go OTT. Statement earrings OR statement necklace etc but not both.

Edit your look. Don't over-accessorise. Pick one or two good pieces (scarf, necklace, earrings, sunglasses etc) and make that your focal point for your outfit.

Don't be afraid of colour. Just make sure if flatters your skintone and colouring. I avoid pastels as they wash me out. Strong colours work best for me.

Think about texture. I have to like how something feels against my skin to be comfortable. But also, you can dress head to toe in the same colour but mix the look up by using different textured fabrics.

Don't be a slave to fashion. Some people just slavishly follow what's 'in' regardless of whether it suits them or whether it flatters them. Buy what you actually LIKE and what actually that flatters you. For example, the current fashion for long frilly dresses is one I avoid. I think they look hideous (even on models) and I know they will look horrendous on me as I'm tall and slim but very gym-honed. A flash of biceps from under a frilly sleeve is not a good look. Wink

Polish your shoes before leaving home. I can't stand scuffed or dirty shoes. Attention to detail counts. Which reminds me...polish your jewellery too and it will look so much better.

Milliy · 14/06/2019 10:47

HundredMilesanhour like your list. One thing though, silver and gold jewellery together is now a thing. I would never have worn it but I'm starting to like the look of it

ChiaraMontague · 14/06/2019 12:56

A quite new one for me: buying jeans that suit my shape regardless of current trends. I think jeans that fit and enhance my shape look 100x better than a fashionable fit that look fabulous on instagram and awful on me!

badguys · 14/06/2019 12:57

Don't wear bright colours with black. It looks cheap. Stick to grey or neutrals.

RitmoRatmo · 14/06/2019 13:01
  1. Buy everything from Decathlon or running shop.
  2. Scrape bits of food off front before wearing.
  3. Errrrm... nope, that’s it.
HappyEverIftar · 14/06/2019 13:17

Beige or nude tones do not suit red heads (have learnt this). I cringed a bit at the royal wedding when I saw Beatrice in a beige-y coat. Did nothing for her. (Sorry B)

V neck tops/dresses for big boobs.

If you want a bit of height, wedge heels at garden parties or anywhere with grass, stilettos will sink into the ground, which is annoying!

I'm an apple, so avoid in-built elasticated waistbands on dresses/jumpsuits etc.

MrsMoastyToasty · 14/06/2019 13:22

Comfy well fitting underwear.
Knickers that are made of 100% cotton.
Clothes that are the right size, rather than being a slave to the size printed on the label.
Shoes that fit and are appropriate for the job in hand.

happybunny007 · 14/06/2019 13:58

No bright colours with black (another one who watched Trinny and Susannah here!)

Black knee high boots always need black opaques underneath.

If they do it in navy, buy it in navy.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 14/06/2019 14:25

Rules, OK:

  1. If it's clean and not too crumpled, it's good for the day ahead
  2. Footwear is DMs, Converse or similar
3 Lingerie must, absolutely MUST, be a matching set. At all times (gym excepted).

That's it, I think Smile

BenWillbondsPants · 14/06/2019 14:36

Another vote for no bright colours with black trousers

Comfortable underwear is essential

No matching bag and shoes

I only match earrings with a bracelet or necklace with bracelet. Never earrings and necklace.

Sunglasses. Always

Don't buy something that doesn't suit you just because it's fashionable. (I'm looking at you jumpsuit)

Don't go for a block hair colour, no one's hair is exactly the same colour all over.

A stylish winter coat will make the best of any outfit

I love gold and silver together, but not too much of it.

Fatkins · 14/06/2019 14:57

I actually prefer my brogues etc a little scuffed. I don't go for the polished look at all though.

WhiteLightTrainWreck · 14/06/2019 14:58

If I'm wearing leggings, unless in the gym baggy top that covers my bum, especially when bending down. Same with skinny jeans.
No more than one ring on my hand (exception of wedding band and engagement ring)
Bag and shoes never match
If it requires ironing or dry cleaners, I'm not buying.
If wearing a patterned top or bottoms make sure that the other items of clothing are block colour.
Never show bra straps, or make sure they are the same colour as my top if unavoidable.
Lingerie must match at all times.
Demin jackets go with EVERYTHING.

I think that's it? I didn't realise I had so many rules, I thought I was a carefree chuck it on person 😳