Weekend wardrobe help please!

[Ypsilanti]

I am stuck in a rut and I need your sage advice.

I really struggle with casual outfits. I have my weekday work wardrobe nailed (smart tailored separates; classics with some on trend items mixed in) but I am all at sea on weekends. I just think I look better (and feel more like me) in a pair of tailored trousers or a midi skirt and heels. My weekends generally consist of lunch or a drink in the pub with friends, and the occasional gig/exhibition/theatre trip, so I need more casual outfits. Summer isn’t so bad as I can wear a dress and converse, but autumn/winter is a headache. I have all manner of jeans, knitwear, blazer, boots/trainers etc combos but I feel I look a mess, and none of it hangs together in the way my A/W weekday wardrobe does.

I’m in desperate need of a restyle and am hoping you can give me some pointers to items/looks that might work for me. I’m 39, 5’4,size 10 athletic build (not much in way of boobs/hips), and shop mostly in COS, with some Warehouse, Whistles, JL, (whispers) Boden (for classics) and Uniqlo thrown in. I have curly hair and suit block colours - certainly do better keeping patterns away from my face. No frills or florals please!

Sounds like you just look and feel better in a slightly more formal style, and there's nothing wrong with that. Nor do your clothes and your weekend activities sound wildly incompatible - it's not as if you're trying to toddler-chase in a balldress.

If you like tailored trousers and midi skirts, why not wear them at weekends but choose slightly different colours, cuts and fabrics that don't scream "workwear"? Ballet pumps, brogues or smart trainers instead of heels. Leather jacket or casual blazer instead of formal jacket. You don't have to live in ripped jeans, shapeless T-shirts and hoodies if that's just not you. If you post a few examples of your preferred weekday looks it might be possible to suggest an equivalent weekend look?

Yes, that’s definitely it - I’m quite happy to be a bit more formal, but I don’t seem to be able to adjust it to casual environments.

I am very into my COS tapered trousers at the moment, which I wear with a neutral-coloured shirt/sleeveless top/jumper (e.g. I have these from a previous season in a plum colour - www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/trousers/product.dropped-crotch-trousers-with-pleats-green.0799566003.html). This sort of shape really suits me too - www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.shaped-a-line-cotton-silk-dress-blue.0758636004.html

I wear a lot of wool a-line skirts of varying lengths, or a leather pencil skirt, both of which I’d wear with ankle boots (and again generally with a neutral top - seeing a pattern...?🙄).

Two recent purchases are this warehouse dress - tinyurl.com/y4vsbyec and this fake leather skirt (which looks less cheap in the flesh) - www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0800573001.html

Messed up that first COS link - it’s these: www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/trousers/product.dropped-crotch-trousers-with-pleats-green.0799566003.html

I would happily wear the items you linked for pub lunch/drinks and general weekend activities. Probably with my battered leather jacket.

Is it the footwear that makes it feel too formal to you? Maybe you need a winter sneaker option (converse feel like a summer shoe to me) or a pair of flat boots to dress them down a bit?

You have a fabulous style! I love everything on your links.

I look like a bag lady at weekends (dog walking, village life where a heeled shoe would make the parish newsletter) but would dress like you if I could.

I think PP is right about shoes. Your basics are lovely, and you coy,d get some fancy knee length boots - Dune have some good ones at the moment. Have a bit of fun with bags and shoes.

Or get a dog and embrace mud.

Have a look at this thread

Can you wear midi dresses with black tights and boots? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/3697494-can-you-wear-midi-dresses-with-black-tights-and-boots

Some great pictures/styles here that I will be pinching.

I am similar and really struggle with weekend stuff. I bought a dress from m&s yesterday. Can never get links to work but black, midi length, tencel fabric. Fitted at the waist so makes me look very hourglass.

A bit Cos like but with a bit more shape (which I need as short and curvy - get swamped easily).

There is a green ditzy print version too but the black looks a bit chic-er. Can see it easily with trainers and boots, possibly even a smarter shoe. Easy to stick a biker jacket over or even something under. And has a v neck!!!!!!

https://www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+trousers/c4lbm/slim+leg+boy+workwear+jeans.htm?searchref=%2fresultssolr.aspx%3fsrchhkeywords%3dJeans%26keywords%3dJeans%26seoterm%3dJeans%26&clr=c4lbmindigo

These Toast jeans are awesome! Still jeans but a bit more tailored and really flattering on