How did you choose your style?

[SantaMonicaPier]

I'm in my forties now and have always chosen clothes I like. As a result i have all kinds of clothes in different styles, some of which are 20 years old, and am not necessarily wearing clothes which look great or represent how I'd like to dress. I'd be interested to know if anyone had consciously chosen a style and how you selected this, did you use a personal shopper or stylist? Or figure out what looks good on your own?

I am terrible for being sucked into looks that don't suit my lifestyle. I buy something, waft around in front of the mirror in it, imaging all the scenarios I would wear it. But those scenarios never materialise, or I just feel that bit too self conscious in it, so it gets left, and ends up on eBay a few months later! I wonder whether I should have played dressing up more when I was a child because that's kind of what it feels like!

Instagram is terrible for fuelling this imaginary lifestyle. I don't need those lovely floaty dresses or pretty shoes because they don't suit my job and I don't go to those kind of dinner parties or smart bars. I play a lot of sport so wear a lot of gym gear, have a job that requires practical clothes, have dogs, have a social group that never dresses up, and live in a place where anything goes so no one stands out.

In short I think I'm saying break your actual, real life, day down. Spend money on items that suit those activities and that you spend the majority of time wearing, rather than what looks lovely on a model on social media.

I dress how I like , some days I wear combats trousers and a vest , some days I wear a fitted dress .. I don't think you need to pick one thing and stick to it .. fashion/ style is so personal..
I learnt very early on what shapes suit me and I stick to those guidelines .

I took everything off a sale rail in my size even if I didn't like it and tried it on. Colours , styles and material. I just gave it a go.

There were some real surprises. Some things looked good on me that I wouldn't have even looked at before.

You have to be in a good mood, your hair looking nice, bit of makeup if you wear it and decent underwear so you get the best of yourself when trying the clothes on.

I now wear better clothes for me rather than clothes I'd like to wear.

Lockdown has led to a staple outfit of tie dye leggings and a kimono 😆
I've actually spent a lot of time this week working out what I've got that will go with my new tie-dye leggings! Long black wafty shirt is the answer. Might also need to buy another hoody from Bamboo.
Lockdown has invited me to even more wardrobe musings than usual. I've put on weight, so need extra wafty, and my roots are very grey - am growing it out so that changes things too. I wouldn't normally wear leggings or hoodies during the day, but needed some new clothes to cheer me up after a very drawn out case of Covid19.

Body shape is the key
Learned I had to show my waist off
Petite hourglass
If my waist couldn't be seen I looked wider
Good underwear.
Proportions -given I am only 5ft 3 .
Better in colour not pattern.
I adore clothes but finally aged 52 I know what I look good in.
Regular wardrobe edits
Dont buy unless I can imagine at least three things I will wear with it
Also if buying separates eg trousers always but the top you need to wear with them if you don't already have one
Otherwise you never will and end up not wearing the initial purchase.
Dont limit yourself to certain shops
I still have a wander through Topshop for example but won't rule out M & S either.
Vintage
Ebay -I often search for well worn but perfect fit favourites and replace with an ebay purchase that has been rarely worn
Use dressmaker to copy things you already have but love in different colour.
Boden copies dress shapes in different fabrics every season so if you find a shape that flatters you can try another colour or shape.
Finally if it makes you fel good wear it....ponders dungarees...