Easy to copy style ideas for a very uninspired woman

[Lovemedo345]

Hello I am hoping for some help. I always feel too embarrassed to ask this of my friends in real life which is silly really but never mind. I am 39, turning 40 this year, and feel I have never really managed to get on top of everyday outfits which suit me / make the best of myself. I struggle to know what looks good, find it hard to spend money on myself and have a Mish mash wardrobe. I'm 5,6 reasonably slim with 2 young kids. Cycle a lot, quite active and end up often getting muddy from taking kids out and about at wkends. Work part time in office for which I have developed a kind of vaguely smartish uniform. But daily clothes I find such an effort. Don't have much money for any new clothes, maybe could spend £50 a month? I am attracted to bright colours and have lots of eye catching leggings but don't think they go with anything else I own and just feel a mess! Can you please advise of blog or place to look where I can visually see different stsndardoutfits and then just click through somewhere and buy them; ideally online somewhere like asos? Don't have Instagram... Thanks so much

There was a thread recently on here about Emanuelle Alt she is the editor of French Vogue, she has a simple but chic look, it is basically:
Black/ dark blue skinny jeans
Straight leg distressed jeans
Black faux/leather biker jacket
White shirts
Silk camisoles
Breton striped tops
Navy or black blazers
Ankle boots
Black pumps
Silver bohemian jewellery

It is quite a rock chick look.
You might be able to get away with bright leggings if you style them with plain coloured tops and biker or blazer jackets.
I’m sure others will be along with good advice.

You don’t necessarily need Instagram but do you have Pinterest? I find it useful for outfit ideas.

Are there any celebrities, designers or labels whose style ‘fits’ yours? If so you could start putting together Pinterest boards to get your eye in.

I would advise getting a few fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Hello! Fashion, etc and look at the high fashion stuff. It’s particularly good to get the catwalk report issues but any will do. Go through and see what you like and dislike. There is no pressure as you’re unlikely to be buying any of it! Then when you look at clothes you might buy you have a clearer idea of what’s what. If you like bright colours you might like Missoni, for example, or Miu Miu (off top of my head). Use these ideas as a springboard.

Sounds like you have a nice figure, a decent budget, and a good idea of what you like - you just lack confidence.

For websites take a look at Uniqlo which is great for basics and does a lot of bright colours.

Good luck

I suggest you sign up to the & Other Stories newsletter. At the bottom of the page. You’ll be seeing new items and outfits almost every day - so you’ll soon get into the swing of things.

Although their styling is excellent the clothes do sometimes reflect their comparatively modest prices. But you can always absorb their ideas and then shop elsewhere.

I’d also suggest saving to buy one decent item (maybe on sale from slightly higher price brands) every two or three months rather than buying lots of £50 items.

It sounds like you might need more basics to go with what you already own

You have a great figure by the sounds of it and it is hard to navigate creating a new look for yourself! It sounds like you are happy in active wear (hate that phrase!). I'm not sure what you mean by 'eye catching leggings' but I personally wouldn't consider those stylish daily wear unless I was going to the gym. Could you up your leggings game by getting something from Sweaty Betty (side note - I have a referral code if you want) or H&M?

For daily wear, are you comfortable in jeans? I agree with the above post that you probably need to re-think your basics. Uniqlo is good for that, in particular the Ines de la Fressange range (cool Parisian ex-model). Try signing up to Sheer Luxe - they send out a daily email about latest buys from the High St etc.

You say you don't have Instagram - why not? I agree that Pinterest is good but I tend to use Insta more these days as I like to see clothes on people who are the same shape as me. If you prefer blog posts via email, then try Susie SoSo, Little Spree and Style Guile.

Also Yvonne (YStyleIreland) is fab - love her on Insta but she has a Facebook page too. She recently did a video on creating a capsule wardrobe. www.facebook.com/YStyleIreland/

Also, does having small children always equate to getting covered in mud? I have 8 year old and 3 year old boys and I'm definitely not covered in mud on a weekend (although admittedly I get muddy from outdoor bootcamp!). You just need to look for clothes that are durable and easily washable e.g. a good coat (I hesitate to say Seasalt as I think they can be frumpy but they do good quality waterproof coats), a decent pair of jeans (see Kat Farmer Does My Bum Look 40's recent try on in M&S on Insta) and a good pair of ankle boots.

How about having a look at what Fearne Cotton wears? I would guess a lot of her clothes are gifted but she wears a lot of bright colours and has young kids so may be a starting point for inspiration.

Who What Wear is also quite interesting for seeing what is around or what celebrities are wearing
www.whowhatwear.co.uk/

Thank you all, lots to be getting on with! I have checked out the different websites and people mentioned and bought myself some ankle boots to try. And I really like fearne cotton's clothes so thanks for that; would never have considered looking at her. Think I probably will embrace that I like colourful stuff but just tone it down a bit to be smarter now and then. Thanks again to