What to wear when modern clothes look like the wardrobe department of 1995 Grange Hill

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I hate most of my clothes.

I want a refresh. I don't want to spend thousands and thousands. I don't want to buy 'classic pieces' because that's generally code for boring and frumpy.

I want funky, fashionable clothes but I also don't want to look like an extra from Byker Grove/Grange Hill/The Queen's Nose in 1995. But the shops are filled to the brim with shit rehashed 90s garbage at the moment.

I'm also at a weird age. I'm 35. But I look younger. My hair's a bit crap at the moment (shoulder length, stretched roots) but I gave myself a shaved undercut to spice it up a bit

I look a dick in fashionable clothes (as in following the latest trends) because I'm a fully grown adult and can't get away with pretending otherwise.
But I feel boring in sensible, classic clothes.

I tend to wear skinny jeans, French tucked T-shirts, over-sized jumpers, white pumps, hoodies, chunky casual ankle boots, jumpsuits. I have a very casual style but I need some oomph. Maybe even just a couple of items to sex things up a bit. But what? And where to get them from?

HELP!

Etam?

I'd recommend having a browse through charity shops for the following reasons:

• they will give you inspiration - what you like, don't like. If you find yourself disappointed because a particular item is in the wrong size (for example), then you know that something about it speaks to you, and you can go on a treasure hunt online for similar items.

-they aren't filled with current trends or classic stuff - rather a mish mash of everything. You might find yourself drawn to styles you didn't know existed. -low cost - so you can experiment without losing a fortune -you can find some real gems. Some of my favourite items have come from charity shops. Have fun with it and explore :-).

Do you know what you want to buy/need? Cos that might give others an idea of what shops to recommend (eg some are good for jeans, some for dresses etc).

I personally like these brands and look there for new and scout out second hand items: Sézane, Kooples, Maje, Sandro, Kitri, Bellerose. For dresses Realisation Par, Rixo.

Liberty, Net A Porter and Outnet are my favourite bigger stores.

And I follow a lot of small independent brands that do particular things well. Hiut and Nudie for jeans, Genevieve Sweeney, Knotty Ones for jumpers, etc etc.

There’s loads of stuff out there that is fashionable and stylish without being too fashionable IYSWIM.

I’ve found lots of brands I like by searching online, following Instagrammers whose style I like, reading style blogs and so on.

You’re talking about my wardrobe and I’m about the same age as you. I completely agree. I’m just not inspired by anything at the minute and stuff that made me feel really good just makes me feel really flat.
Sorry I can’t help but following for more ideas..

Also following.

Since WFH I’ve been living in sweatshirts anyway…

TK maxx, eBay and charity shops

Oh god yes. When I wear this stuff it doesn't look like I'm up to date - it looks like I haven't updated my wardrobe since I was playing computer games that came on 4 CD-ROMs. Except now I'm also fatter and greyer!

I went to TK Maxx yesterday and it was like browsing a charity shop 15 years ago, when these clothes were going out of style and getting chucked out by the bagful. Everything was cropped, shrunk, ribbed, chenille, pleather, or huge and baggy making me look like I'm wearing a tent.

I'm 35 & totally agree. Today's fashion I already wore...when I was about 10! It looks terrible on someone in their 20s, even worse on 30s. I find hobbs is good for jumpers, oasis have some good bits, & mango for jeans. I've also been trying to refresh my wardrobe and pretty much given up. It feel like I have to give in to byker grove or dress more like my mum!

Clean cut jeans that fit well, no rips/deliberate stains/fades/studs etc. Chelsea boots are timeless and comfortable - a decent leather pair will last years. Top - a nice, well fitting T-shirt can be jazzed up with a blazer, leather jacket, kimono style wrap over the top Etc. Keep the basics well fitting and good quality & then use accessories to jazz up/personalise the outfit more

@AbandonedCharacter

Etam?

Oh how I miss Tammy Girl.

Bought my first thong in there, must have been about 11…

Couple of different ways to approach this: firstly 35 is still young - in my book anyway. It's how you feel that's important. You'll never be"too old" to try a different look if you're feeling stuck in a rut, stylewise, but if you love what you wear (and I think that's non negotiable) and you dress to enhance your shape you don't have to go in the opposite direction just add different accessories and tweak a few shapes.
I do agree with you about the 90's and the early noughties trend though; the old adage of not wearing something if you wore it the first time is a good one.
But there's plenty of other options.
You need to know the answer to two fundamental questions:
1, Do you know what you like in terms of clothes, style, colour?
and
2, Do you know what suits you and flatters your shape and colouring? Again I mean style, colour and clothes that fit your lifestyle?
You could of course go down the path of having your colours matched and/the professional shopper service you get in department stores.
Equally, you could do both things yourself. You'll need a full length mirror in a good light and a Pinterest account!😁
If you are really struggling, choose someone you really admire style wise - either famous or in real life, and really break down what it is that you like about the way they dress? Do they always look "put together?" Do they look very comfortable or stand out or very French or rich or like they are going to a business meeting or like an off duty model - whatever it is? If they are a similar body shape to you, Eve if the proportions are different but you're both top heavy or straight up and down or petite. If your "style crush" is completely different you will need to keep looking for someone who does have similar physical characteristics. That's why I suggest using Pinterest, it's a really useful tool.
Then you need to work out what your budget is and how many complete outfits you need right now.
Accessories are vital and can not only completely change an outfit but can also be a great way to try something new. So, if for example, a leopard print dress is something you quite fancy but are wary of - a scarf is a good way to try the print close to your face and is much less of a commitment.
Finally, as I am sure you already know, the style and beauty mnetters are all really helpful and gorgeous people who are great at specifics and a mine of information when it comes to locating items. So, if you say I want an outfit to go and meet my friends for lunch, wander round the local gallery and then get a drink etc they'll be able to suggest lots of options. You just need to figure out the direction you want to try first!
Honestly love stuff like this, so I'd be happy to help - and I promise not to waffle on like I have here! 😁 X

@StylishMummy

Clean cut jeans that fit well, no rips/deliberate stains/fades/studs etc. Chelsea boots are timeless and comfortable - a decent leather pair will last years. Top - a nice, well fitting T-shirt can be jazzed up with a blazer, leather jacket, kimono style wrap over the top Etc. Keep the basics well fitting and good quality & then use accessories to jazz up/personalise the outfit more

I love these suggestions as they give me the opportunity to give a nod to the current trends without going full 90s (again ).

@Mummytomylittlegirl me too! 🍑

I agree, I bought some girlfriend jeans and look like I am on my French exhange only am now middle aged.

The 90s trend makes me old and anyway I mainly want to dress like the main character of whatever boxset I am watching. Currently, The Killing.

Ha @Bobmonkfish I'm currently googling to see where I can get the boots that the main detective lady in Vigil is wearing...

Oh yes, I'd definitely like her wardrobe too this week!

Although she seems to have left her pyjamas at home!

I teach university students and I find it refreshing to see the current looks on them as they look like me in the 90s - but I really don’t want to wear the same look myself! Currently everything seems to be made of polyester and either looks like an 80 year old’s wardrobe for touring on The Love Boat, or trying to flog bits of raggedy viscose to me for £200 that look identical to the skirts I used to buy from the market for £10 in 1995. (Yes, Whistles, I am looking at you…)

Thanks so much, lovely ladies.

I'm so pleased everyone agrees that modern 90s shit is, well, shit.

I also teach university students and I'm astounded at what they wear. It all looks like charity shop hauls from 2002. Me and DP call it 'dinner lady chic'

Anyway, to some questions:
No, I don't know what style I like and I don't have a style crush (does my neighour count!?!?!?)
I mean I see women wearing clothes who look fabulous but I know it's not for me (see Anne and Kate in Working Moms for example). I think I like casual stuff like jeans and T-shirt but when it looks that little bit better, more oomphy than jeans and T-shirt. I don't know how to get the oomph!

I'm 5'5, size 8, slim, athletic-type body, quite big boobs. I've been told loads that I can wear anything and pull it off. But if anything is absolutely shit and I think I look a twat then that's no good is it?!

I don't want to spend loads (definitely not Net-a-Porter type prices). I guess I'd normally spend £20-£30 on jeans, £20 on a nice jumper. I'm cheap. Sorry! I know I might need to up my budget but, again, it was to be worth it.

I don't know what I need right now, just some nicer clothes. I guess a handful of nice tops (not just plain T-shirts but nothing too dressy either, I like shirts but I've got quite a few and I only wear them for work, and I'm rarely in the office).

Etam?! Shitting hell, I didn't even know they were still around. I miss Tammy. Etam used to be upstairs in Tammy and I always felt so grown up going up there to buy stuff (rather than getting it from Tammy).

I'll definitely check out Etam just for old times sake

I'm having a wardrobe sort out in the coming couple of weeks. My aim is to clear space so I can buy in some oomphy stuff.

I'll try on some outfits and post the pics to show you my kinda "style", if you can call it that.

Yes, it’s quite hard to picture what you’re after

I’m probably no help as I love the 90s revival and bought myself some baggy carpenter jeans which I love

I think the poster suggesting Etam was joking ........

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

Yes, it’s quite hard to picture what you’re after

I’m probably no help as I love the 90s revival and bought myself some baggy carpenter jeans which I love

Therein lies my issue... I don't have a picture of what I'm after either

I just had to Google carpenter jeans which brings me to another point. Why are models on clothes website incapable of standing up straight, facing the bastard camera so I can actually see the clothes. They always seem to be at an angle or squatting on the floor or peering over their massive knee which is shoved right into the camera. I can't bloody see what I'm buying if they look like they're practising yoga!

@shinynewapple21

I think the poster suggesting Etam was joking ........

I was joking too but I actually had a look and I quite like some of their stuff