Do you have a 'style' ( and do you like it?)

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I've always felt a bit insecure about finding a 'style' and guess I've flipflopped between different looks ( being a bit of a sheep, if I'm honest). Now I'm 41 and care a lot less about what's considered in, sexy or stylish and am starting to like what I'm wearing.

I now wear brighter colours because I've realised that, while I might not look insouicantly Parisian, they do suit me better than tan and greige. I've just got my hair chopped because, while it might not be conventionally stylish and sexy, I think it's interesting and easy. Other than that, I like Boden dresses ( not the loud ones) with fiats, knee length boots with skinnies and skirts and cosy jumpers and nice tops that hide my bottom. I've discovered that wearing jackets feels smart and chic. And I'm now brave enough to wear lipstick. Not sure this melds into a 'style' but I finally feel that what suits me and what I feel happy in are broadly aligned and that feels nice 🙂

Please share you style ( or eclectic melange of styles)....

Finally, in my 40s, yes. I like midi skirts and wide-leg trousers, boxy tops, wide necks and French tucks (which I did before I knew they were A Thing, just because I have a waist and tops look better on me if they go in at the middle) and lots of jumpsuits. I shop in Cos and Arket and Toast (when I can afford it) and various Scandi brands. I'm tall and pear-shaped with a large frame (regardless of whether I'm a size 10 or a 14), and these are the brands that make clothes to suit me.

It's liberating not making myself feel bad by trying to force something that's on trend to suit me when it never will (ditsy florals and satin slip skirts were not my friends in the 90s and they're not now).

I spent years feeling crap about my body and making endless mistakes with clothes. I think I'll always be a high street shopper at heart, but take so much pleasure now in knowing what's right for me, makes me feel comfortable and pulled-together. It's been one of the best things about this decade for me.

Yes, I’ve found what suits me and I’m much more confident wearing slightly edgier things than when I was younger, it’s very liberating.

I was quite punky/ goth when I was a you g teenager, then new romantic but absolutely skint through my twenties and dressed like a skint conservative politician for a while which I hated but was broke and had a handful of clothes, I had to borrow stuff for dates or occasions. Now I have loads and love it and enjoy giving a nod to my younger self with dramatic make up and nails (on occasions) big statement jewellery, the odd studded item. Nothing to OTT just a nod. I like a bit of fake fur, a lot of black and statement boots.

Often just in jeans and jumper though, but much better put together these days.

In these posts I always recommend Annuschka Rees’ book The Curated Closet - it’s such a practical, detailed guide to putting a wardrobe together.

My style is feminine and vintage. I like using outfit formulas and basing my outfits around them. These are;
Work
Statement A line maxi skirt and slim fitting jersey top
Tailored dress and blazer or
Skinny trousers and pretty blouse

Weekend
Pinafore dress with a top - depending on the weather a t shirt, Breton or roll neck
A line mini and top as above
Skinny jeans, Breton or slim fitting top and scarf

I love pretty accessories, jewellery, scarves, even sometimes lacy gloves, ribbons and bows for vintage details

I know what I like and feel fairly sure when I buy something I’ll like it over time. I do like chatting about style and this keeps me from making mistakes too.

It’s hard to describe but it’s a small window mostly defined by what not too buy (not too frilly, flouncy, dramatic etc) and is good fibre and good colour. I have to wear it rather than the style wear me so not too OTT

I'm in my grove at the moment, fashion is right up my street currently.
I have a 'good figure' slim but curvy, but I hate 'sexy' clothes - I'm a nineties grunger at heart.
I suit the colours that I are the shop too.
I am constantly on eBay sourcing interesting/quality clothes, if I don't like them or they don't fit I just put them back on eBay.
I have so many lovely things this way, I think I only buy 2 or 3 things in the high street new a year now, mostly jeans or trousers as I think you have to try these on to get a good fit.

The most important thing I have come to know is that all things must pass: so even Toast and Arket are massively subject to trends, and even they, with their higher price point, will date.

Once I got over that, I began to dress accordingly.

Another important factor, I began to dress how I ‘felt’ as opposed to how I projected an image upon myself.
This has been liberating, and does not mean frumpy either. It means I have the freedom to wear what I feel right in without too much criticism and judgement.

This isn’t meant to sound as pretentious as it does written down. I just think it’s really worth consideration.

And with all that said, I am a country girl at heart, so dubarry’s And jeans and a good jacket (tweed or a decent weatherproof) are very ‘me’ even though sometimes I feel I ought to go a bit more cosmopolitan.

I just roll with it.

Joan Collins the Dynasty years works for me.

I definitely think as I've got older and had kids, I am more comfortable and confident wearing what I want and worrying less about fashion. I've got a lot better at choosing pieces that suit me and fit in with the rest of my clothes. I definitely choose pieces for quality and how long they will last now rather than following fashion.

I like to wear things that I can wear between work and home. Blouses, tops and jumpers that can be worn with jeans, smart trousers and skirts. I like dresses that can be dressed up for work with heels and a jacket or knee high boots and a cardigan at the weekend.

soola as a child, I genuinely believed that the adult me would dress like Sue Ellen. With a touch of Lady Di. I'm still rather keen on cobalt blue.

It's interesting to read how much finding a style seems linked to being comfortable in one's own skin more generally. And several people seem to have become bolder with he years.

I've learned to trust myself more. If something isn't my 'thing' but it feels good, I'll give it a go. I bought a vintage style dress at a festival this summer. It's a bicycle-themed print. It would never have been on my clothes shopping just but I've worn it loads this summer.

my style is 'frump', and I'm 'comfortable' with it

I buy several colours of the same tee shirt, shirt, boy friend cardigan, (usually esprit) and several pairs of the same tregging/jegging black,olive,blue, (uniqlo) I have same ankle boots in brown and black, brogues in tan and black, and trainers in grey and olive, a navy regular length peacoat and a navy shorter length peacoat, a ski jacket in black, and a grey janelle for the winter- pretty much a comfortable uniform that doesn;t set the fashion world on fire but is easy,modest and safe.

And i'm ok with it.

@Runneryogi The Curated Closet is indeed very good, and I also like Anna Murphy's How Not to Wear Black (this is when the penny dropped for me as to why I can't wear tiny florals).

@Musicforsnorks you are right of course about all the shops being subject to tends, it's the business model! Though Cos and Toast etc. pieces are some of the longest-lasting and most-worn in my wardrobe. I'm not averse to the odd trend, like being au courant just in a way that suits me.

Old goth who is now embracing bright prints. I usually wear a patterned dress over leggings with boots, and a leopard coat in the winter. I have pillarbox red hair. Also like printed leggings with long tops and loose trousers with vests. I feel very comfortable with this look. I buy nearly everything off eBay and I love combing through the listings for stuff that jumps out at me. Size 18 and I’m 46 if that’s relevant.

I'm a tall size 14/16 and always in very bright colours, natural make up, comfortable rather than teetering in heels. Im happy in who i am. Jeans with leather jackets, boucle jackets or sexy, ditsy dresses. I've realised darker colours look naff on me so donated all of that. I now have a smaller wardrobe of lovely things that enhance my look, a large amount from eBay. I follow a few darker women on Instagram for ideas and I love fashion and pages like this!!!

I’ve always had a bit of a preppy style. It’s evolved since I turned 30 though because I’m starting to look too old for mini skirts and they art definitely not work appropriate which is where I spend most of my time.

Nowadays I’m a little more casual, I love a maxi with an oversized jumper and white trainers. I live in East London so my usual preppy style does look quite out of place here.

Yes! Best be described as a bit of a beatnik, esp for work. But everything I own works for both work and leisure (except for jeans) so it's very easy getting dressed in the mornings. It's a lot of black with some white/grey/camel but it works for me.
Black A line skirts or dresses for work with brogues or ankle boots with a small heel.
Black straight leg trousers with black thin knit and brogues or ballet flats for work.
Blue skinny jeans and crew neck long sleeve t shirt or breton stripe and converse; or black jeans and thin knit and flat boots; or casual dress and converse in summer, or flat boots in winter for weekend.

My work wardrobe and weekend wardrobe bleed into each other quite a lot. My style is lots of natural fibers (linen and cotton in the summer, and wool/cashmere etc. in the winter) and slightly hippy/boho/retro. Lots of flowy skirts and folk prints/embroidery in the summer and lots of corduroy, co-ords, and layered knitwear in tonal shades in the winter. I'm 34 and I love my style. I'm thrilled to be able to buy well-made, unusual pieces in quality fabrics.

Mine is very plain with a tiny bit of rock chic.
I don't wear any prints, brights, pastels, anything embellished, no scarves, statement necklaces, nothing baggy or flared.
The odd tasteful skull and a few studs are allowed.
Materials I like are metallic, leather, cotton, denim, cashmere.
I like everything to fit perfectly
Favourite pieces are biker jacket, boots, fitted thin jumpers and t-shirts, mini skirts, leather leggings, denim dresses.
I have long blonde hair and always wear a bit of make-up up but no jewelry.

Having counted my Yaks I have ten pairs so I think I have found my style. With boots and mud thrown in.

I'm enjoying hearing about what people think their style is- either intentional or accidental!

I'd always avoided mixing my work and hone clothes. But yesterday wore a 'work' dress (navy Boden ottoman) with knee boots, a denim jacket and a scarf and really liked the outcome. I'm going to try to get a bit braver with my combinations.

Yes I do I suppose it's a bit boring but it works for me.
In the winter I like nice jumpers so cashmere but also some h and m
Jeans or a skinny jogger
Trainers, I have a thing for trainers and spend a lot on them but price per wear it's not too bad!!
If not trainers some kind of chunky boot, just bought some grensons which I love
Coats- oversized puffa, vintage biker or a parka with a huge fur hood.

The more colourful the better

Ive been wearing a uniform when Ive been working and despite OH saying black and white is sexy it is so not me

I call it... 3 year old has raided their wardrobe look

I wear quite different things summer and winter - but my Autumn /Winter style which I'm just moving back into my closet is

Jumper or jersey dress, just above knee, opaque tights and either flat knee length boots, brogues/trainers or heeled ankle boots.

Skinny jeans with bum covering jumper , ankle boots

Leggings with slightly longer jumper or tunic , flat knee length boots

This is what I wear to work, meeting friends, out anywhere with family (I don't do posh nights out)

I can also be found sitting round the house, walking dog or at the supermarket in tracksuit bottoms and a hoody.

Colourwise, bottom half always black, top half something which suits my colouring and unfortunately I can't wear a lot of the Autumn colours around this year.

Pockets and boots and more pockets. Did I mention pockets?

What a brilliant thread op! I find it fascinating, (and for some reason I can't seem to say that, without it sounding sarcastic 😂 - it definitely isn't. I genuinely find this really interesting).

Reading this and thinking about it, I think I'm one of those people who likes to believe I do not follow fashion and that I have my own personal style. However, I definitely think I subconsciously take on current trends etc.

So, I don't work in an office anymore and I wear a lot of casual clothes.

I try to keep a minimalist / sort of capsule wardrobe, (with back up clothes in storage).

At the moment, I tend to wear a lot of jeans of various shapes and skirts with tops half tucked in, a blazer or an aran knit cardi and clumpy, flatform trainers, white plimsolls, DM boots or brogues.

I have two pinafore dresses, which I wear over various tops and I have a few short -> midi-length dresses, which I wear with tights and cardis in winter, also with DM boots, brogues etc.

I usually wear pearl earrings and a chunky, gold necklace and gold rimmed glasses.

So, in summary, I think I'm most comfortable in a 'grown up, grungy, casual look', but I think that's everywhere just now, so I'm questioning whether that is MY style or me subconsciously following trends...

But, I have to say that looking classic / put together / expensive has never really appealed to me. I'd rather look and feel comfortable, and I aspire to look 'cool' and a bit different. That's what I like seeing in other people and makes me think "oh I like their style".

Much more so, than say, a beautifully cut suit / tailored dress and killer heels. Although I can appreciate that too, I would just never seek to emulate it, (and I probably couldn't achieve it anyway. Not without constantly tugging at my skirt and shuffling around in heels anyway)!