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Help! Style issues!

7 replies

coronafashionista · 16/06/2020 13:41

I'm early 40s and lucky enough to have quite a good disposable income for clothes each month. Around £200-£300. I buy all the time. I've pinpointed my colours so no longer make colour mistakes I think and have stopped buying for a fantasy life I don't have. I've also got better at returning clothes too. I am a size 14 and dress to cover myself but would love to look stylish but I don't feel I do. What can I do/should I be doing that I'm not?

OP posts:
AnaViaSalamanca · 16/06/2020 15:44

I would look at some style blogs/books/pinterest and rather than spending a per month amount, why don't you create a list of things that you really like and budget for them? Go for really well-made clothes and shoes with good material!

I am sure someone would come along and tell you to buy a capsule wardrobe, but I am a maximalist and can't live with limited choices so can't recommend that approach :)

Nikeybikey · 17/06/2020 14:17

I agree with everything that Ana said. Especially the maximalist bit :). What do your currently wear now? That'll be helpful so advice can be tailored to you

coronafashionista · 17/06/2020 14:28

I live in jeans. I'm still in skinny jeggings as i can't seem to shake this look! I'm currently carrying extra weight around my middle so wearing tops that hide (try to!) hide this.
I'm buying hush, white stuff, sometimes uniqlo, occasional joules and fat face, sometimes baukjen...

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Swiftier · 17/06/2020 14:50

I was going to say what @AnaViaSalamanca said. Have a look at Pinterest and Instagram and save things you like - I would just initially go through and save loads/take loads of screenshots (don’t be too picky, just things that look nice to you). Then go back through and you might find you’ve chosen a few similar looks, are drawn to certain things. Then you can work out what you might already have and what you might need.

I did this when I realised I had lots of fairly cheap clothes and wanted to have less but better quality stuff that I really liked. I wouldn’t say I have a minimalist wardrobe but I really like everything in my wardrobe now. I have a budget of £300ish a month and like @Ana said I use a list - I put things I want on the list and if they stay for a few weeks then I’ll buy them and keep them if I really like them. I’ll plan ahead a bit - I know I’ll get a new coat this winter which will probably be a couple of months budget.

coronafashionista · 17/06/2020 19:59

I try and keep a list and 'work up' to buying key pieces but I have trouble identifying what those pieces are, or, when I do get them, the thrill of the chase proves more exciting than the purchase itself which always feels like a big anti climax!

OP posts:
mrslebon · 17/06/2020 23:21

Try following some people whose style you like on Insta to get ideas. Erica Davies, BackoftheWardrobe, Finlay Fox, Susie So So for starters.

Swiftier · 18/06/2020 00:46

@coronafashionista so it’s just finding the right things to invest in - definitely worth spending time working out what your style is and what suits you, what you enjoy wearing.

So as an example. I went through a similar process - I’d looked at my clothes and what I enjoyed wearing, what I got compliments on/felt good in. And also looked through pictures (can be easier to tell what looks nice!) From there I pretty much identified what colours, styles suited. I found brands I liked and did those types of clothes. For me, its often high waisted slim jeans with a jumper in winter or blouse in summer - quite basic as a uniform but the jumper or blouse will always be interesting - either a great colour, big shoulders, or frilly, or patterned - fun to wear and I get compliments on what I’m wearing quite often. I also have some summery outfits for when it’s too hot for jeans, mostly dresses, but not too many. Most of my money goes on jeans and tops as these are worn about 10 months of the year.

Once I knew what I liked, I identified stuff I wanted to buy - mostly stuff I really loved although some good quality plain underwear, vests etc too. I also got some good pairs of shoes/boots - previously had basic high street ones so invested in a couple of boots, couple of work shoes and casual shoes over a period of a few months. And same for bags - I only have a couple I really use but I like them.

I don’t really have a capsule wardrobe as I like a variety and change my style a bit day to day, but I only buy things of decent quality that I really like and will keep.

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