How to look trendy

[Samb79]

I’ve just turned 40. I thought I’d hate it but in fact I’m quite excited about finally being me and doing stuff I’ve always wanted to do!
However, I’m in a rut with clothes and have zero style. I buy cheap because I’m skint for the most part, and I buy generic really.

How do I begin to develop a style? Where do I look?

I definitely have the Damn mindset some items of clothing like biker jackets remind me of ‘it’ handbags they have a shelf life of being fashionable, they’re so prominent when they’re the ‘thing’ to wear that they stand out a mile when they’re no longer fashionable, but I’d still get my wear by relegating the jacket, the spotty Zara dress or whatever it is to by day to day casual wardrobe

I'd just like to look 'Mum Trendy' You've opened up another can of worms with that phrase, this should be fun!
Yes, probably! No offence intended.
I'm actually 50 and would just like to be as put together as the young mums I see around town. I just need to write a list of basics and get shopping, I think. I don't need to look unique, just put together.

I never could understand the zara dress following.

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with my wardrobe and it’s mainly because I’ve excepted buying for the life I have I’m not a London based 40+ career woman with a social life, on a good salary with an instagram account wearing on trend clothes on the daily and getting lots of wear out of them.

Instead I’m a sahm/carer as eldest has a lifetime disability, I live in NE and have a v small life, so with that in mind I own nothing particularly fashionable if you opened my wardrobe you’d probably find it boring as everything is grey, black, navy, camel and khaki no patterns apart from checks and stripes

All there is is straight/wide leg jeans and trousers
Wool or cashmere crew necks and polo necks
Cotton T-shirts and shirts
Blazers Wool Coats and trenches
Leather Trainers and flat shoes
I’m a size 14
I feel smart when I’m wearing these things and most importantly I’ll get my wear out of them nothing will ever be discarded as unfashionable. As I have v little income that’s important to me

Most have something thats unique to them something that makes themstand out be it the jewellery or the handbag something that makes them special.
One if my colleagues loved cats she had all these little brooches and bits .
She just stood out infact I looked forward to seeing her little items .

I’ve recently subscribed to a YouTube channel by someone called KarenBritChick. She has a series called What Everyone Is Wearing In New York. She stops people who’s outfits stand out to her and asks them about their look and where they got things from and why they like the item. She stops all ages, sizes, men, women. I find it fascinating to see what people have chosen to put together and it’s given me so many ideas. I’m nearly 60 and in a major skinny jeans, sweater rut but am now trying things I’d not have thought of.

It’s also so lovely to see how the people she stops just blossom when she tells them she loves what they’re wearing.

My personal opinion is no one can really tell you how to be stylish, you need to chose clothes you are comfortable and confident in, that are your own style

As a basis I would start with a good base. The list early on the thread is a good starting point then build up peices you like from there. I would say everything basic you buy make sure it's well fitting, I try and buy slightly more interesting basics as well.

Then add your individual peices into a basic outfit. So you are never wearing just a plain boring outfit, everything has something interesting in it. Everything has additional details but you look put together.

I always wear some jewellery as well.

If you watch any of the series ive mentioned style is about how you put a look together - it’s not just about buying things that are of the moment and looking trendy I don’t think. Many of the clothes people are wearing are thrifted and little touches such as changing the colour of laces in a pair of boots or how they combine pieces of jewellery really make a look individual.

In my 40's I fell in to the joules brigade look. My daughter was horrified and begged me to find myself again but I was lost.

It wasn't until recently (see the current goddess thread on here) that I rediscovered myself again. I'm mid 50's now and I don't own nor ever will a biker jacket so I started with basics in better but not high end quality and then add accessories or a bold lip as a statement. I bought,
A really decent winter coat in a flattering cut and colour but not mainstream.
A fun faux fur coat.
Faux leather bottoms, both skirts and trousers.
A selection of blouses that actually suit me rather than trendy.
Some sock boots.
Leather trainers.
Skinny jeans that fit and flatter, I look like a sack of shit in any other style of jeans.
Some basic, easy to wear jumpers only in flattering styles and colours.
A couple of dresses that are worn with the above footwear.
A couple of basic T's in plain colours.
Some fun jewellery, just cheap stuff.
A couple of handbags to change the look up.

None of it is uber trendy but it's all in styles and colours that flatter me and yes I've been complimented and told it's made me look much happier and younger.

I appreciate it will take others more time to get the items and I'm very fortunate but I'm not opposed to going in to charity shops to find what I'm looking for. I'm not intending to buy anything else for a long while now because I'm happy to have found a style that suits my age but is neither frumpy or trendy.

Also reading that back it doesn't appear particularly helpful 😂

I’m 49 and have recently started exploring vintage clothes. I’ve just bought a 1960s coat from EBay ( not expensive). I think being individual is the essence of style; mixing classic stuff with whatever makes you feel happy and confident.