Late 20s and in a style rut. Anybody else?

[Grinandbionic]

When I was younger, my style was fairly studenty/quirky librarian. Vintage dresses and bonkers hair. You know. Fine at the time, but not me now.

I work in education, I have had a baby, put on a bit of weight, and now I'm stuck. I feel far too young for Boden and Fat Face, but too old and fat for the millenial's old faithful, H&M.

I have never been high maintenance, and need to feel comfortable/ wear thing that will withstand baby onslaught, but at the same time I'd like to look put together for work.

I really have no idea what I should be wearing, or where to buy clothes. Anyone else?

Me! I have two toddlers and I'm actually dreading them starting school as I have no idea how to dress these days

Mid twenties ish and similar! I don't know if I even have a style anymore. I want a new wardrobe and but also want to do a no spend/ minimal spend 2020 so I'm conflicted. I want to be seen as stylish.

I'm in my mid twenties and feel much the same way, I got far too dependent on jeans and a t-shirt for a while but nowadays wrap dresses and jumpsuits are a godsend. You've essentially got a whole outfit in one go!

www.asos.com/boohoo/boohoo-midi-wrap-dress-in-mixed-polka-dot-print/prd/13131283?clr=&colourWayId=16470202&SearchQuery=wrap%20dress
www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-knitted-wrap-dress-with-volume-sleeve/prd/14063870?clr=&colourWayId=16588687&SearchQuery=wrap%20dress
www.asos.com/noisy-may-petite/noisy-may-petite-denim-mom-dungarees/prd/12971931?clr=&colourWayId=16525491&SearchQuery=&cid=7618

I also realised watching re-runs of Friends that Rachel's look is pretty on trend these days and very easy to recreate... It helps if you can find someone who's style you like and think would work for you. Make it your own but it's good to get ideas.

Following!

Interesting that you say that gold20, my 15 year old niece is into Friends in a big way and she loves Rachael’s style. I can’t even remember what sort of clothes she wore. I’ll have to watch it sometime!

I love wrap dresses, but they look awful on me for some reason. I'm an inverted triangle with big boobs.

Must have a look at Rachel again - god, everything comes round!

@Grinandbionic Have you thought about tea dresses? They tend to be more fitted on the top and flare out under the bust, making them perfect for balancing out a top heavy figure. Women with your body type tend to have really good legs so I would make the most of them!

www.asos.com/miss-selfridge/miss-selfridge-mini-tea-dress-with-button-through-in-heart-print/prd/13695138?clr=&colourWayId=16558242&SearchQuery=tea%20dress
www.asos.com/miss-selfridge/miss-selfridge-swing-tea-dress-with-ruffle-hem-in-black-floral-print/prd/13981705?clr=&colourWayId=16582203&SearchQuery=tea%20dress
www.asos.com/allsaints/allsaints-avery-floral-mini-tea-dress/prd/13167848?clr=&colourWayId=16531930&SearchQuery=tea%20dress
www.asos.com/miss-selfridge/miss-selfridge-mini-tea-dress-in-black/prd/13537514?clr=&colourWayId=16484380&SearchQuery=tea%20dress
www.asos.com/allsaints/allsaints-kota-leopard-print-mini-tea-dress/prd/12742258?clr=&colourWayId=16416295&SearchQuery=tea%20dress

For the record, I'm not telling everyone to dress like Rachel, but I'm trying to say look to TV, movies, even women in your every day life for inspo- it's everywhere. She has some good layering inspo though...

Me! 28, one toddler, and retraining into a more professional field so going to need a whole new work wardrobe soon as currently wear jeans and jumpers to work.

What are 20 somethings wearing to the office these days? Full on suited and booted seems to be out of fashion now unless in a highly corporate role.

I'm hour glass bit too hourglass with chunky thighs and only 5"4 so have trouble with length of things not making me look swamped.

Yep, me. I’m living in leggings and jumpers at the moment with a few work outfits on rotation that are getting tatty fast. I really struggle finding clothes that I like that - what I really want is lots of good quality basics that I can mix and match and will last ages but I don’t know where to start!

My usual favourite shops are Mango, Warehouse and Oasis though.

I wear black jeans in the office Normally with a nice blouse but it’s harder in the winter because my office is so damn cold I’ve been wearing jumpers which don’t look great!

You are definitely not too old for H&M, or for anywhere

What are 20 somethings wearing to the office these days? Full on suited and booted seems to be out of fashion now unless in a highly corporate role

My office is in the City but I would describe the dress code as relaxed, but not jeans & trainers. We employ lots of 20 something women & currently things that are popular are:

• skirts (various lengths) or dresses with opaque tights and ankle boots
• ankle boots are very popular, tend to have stacked or block heels (as opposed to stiletto)
• flat chunky boots or Chelsea boots
• cigarette pants style trousers with chunky flat loafers
• quite a few roll necks tucked into skirts at the moment

Rarely see anyone suited and booted tbh. Even the lawyers and bankers (women) are more casual than they were 15 years ago when I started my career. A dress with a complementary jacket seems to be a popular look now.

When I started my career office wear was tailored dress or suit with shirt, flesh colour tights and high heels. I never really see this look these days, especially not on younger women.

Thanks @KiteflyingKat. When I was younger I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, I just knew I wanted a job that meant I got to wear tailored dresses, pencil skirts, and heels

My job now is very much jeans and trainers and by the sounds of it when I do move into an office job I won't be wearing those kinds of outfits.

I've got a meeting with a recruitment consultant in an hour and I've got on navy cigarette pants, navy block heels, a mustard jumper and statement necklace on. Hopefully that's smart enough but still on trend for the office.

I love the trusty Midi length skirt or dress and polo neck or high neck jumper (Hide the tum).

I have found a load of surprising brands through influencers lately, Mistral is a brand I have found. I had seen them on the highstreet but thought it looked too old for me but their new season is actually really lovely.

Loads of lovely prints and midlength skirts and dresses, it really surprised me a few I think are lovely :)

Tumbling flowers skirt - www.mistral-online.com/skirts-c414/long-tumbling-flowers-skirt-p32128

Tumbling flowers dress - www.mistral-online.com/dresses-c451/woven-tumbling-flowers-printed-dress-p32129

Coffee Yolanda Skirt - www.mistral-online.com/skirts-c414/woven-printed-coffee-yolanda-long-skirt-p32232

They don't do black (boo) but probably buy a cheaper back polo neck or jumper from Primark to pair with them

I'm going to give the midi skirt a go. I'm only 5"4 though so worried they'll look too long/swap me.

@MushroomTree I am 4ft10 and I still wear midi skirts :) Obviously, they are a little longer but I find that if I wear a heel it's usually alright

@NeonCasual I'm going to try some on and give them a chance. I've always assumed I'm too short. Maxi dresses don't work for me at all because I look swamped.