Style rut... Love casual country chic practicality but I don't know how to pull it off

[Starzinhereyes]

I'm looking to do a revamp on myself, lockdown has been brutal for me, I've lost all interest in style & beauty... I want to look smart on the school run instead of black leggings & hoodies everyday... I like the casual country style look (Kate & Pippa do this v well)... I'm 40, a size 10 (but intoned) & need to start taking care of myself.
The new look needs to be practical as I walk my two dogs twice /three times daily & walk to the schools with the dc.
Please give me ideas as to what to buy & where to look. Regatta? Next? Boden?
A few of the school mums carry this look off so well & look so smart, comfortable & polished..

Next, Boden, Sezane are all good. I wear the same kind of aesthetic. I wear ankle grazer slim jeans from Next or M&S, gingham or striped shirts from J Crew, Gap etc, Barbour jacket (waxed or utility). I stick to black, white, blue and navy except for the odd khaki green or berry jumper. I wear Joules chelsea boots, Sorel rain boots or Timberland lovely tan leather boots or Sea Salt sandals. Everything goes with everything so I can Chuck on anything and I feel put together. Happy shopping!

Great thanks so much, I love that look as it looks smart, wearable & it's practical. What type of footwear do you wear in the summer?

I wear as Stella when I'm trying to be smarter.

A gilet , a fitted one, is great for those chilly but not quite needing a jumper early morning where you'll just need the shirt sleeves later. I have a lovely one from Joules, longer length fits to just on the top of the hips but has poppers to pull in the back waist, so looks immensely slimming. If you need extra warmth a co-ordinating scarf just finishes the look off.

In summer I tend to add stone colour slim cotton trousers or longer length almost to knee shorts, and red or navy leather loafers or deck shoes also look good.

Thanks for the tips Ariela, I'm going to start googling now!

@Cheeryblossom1

Great thanks so much, I love that look as it looks smart, wearable & it's practical. What type of footwear do you wear in the summer?

In the summer I wear tan Salt-Water or Mint Velvet sandals, leopard ballet flats from Dune (some people don’t like ballet flats anymore but I have been buying and replacing the same ones for 10 years and will until I’m 90, I think they’re timeless!)