I want to be stylish - where do I start?

[BurnedToast]

The big 5-0 is fast approaching. Perimenopause is underway.
I'm fat and frumpy. I eat alot of crap.
The DCs are almost grown up.

I want to have a change of direction ready for this next phase of my life.

I've started a new diet/way of eating from today.

Adding in more movent in my day (hard when you work at home).

Wardrobe - I want a capsule wardrobe of chic matching clothes. I never seem to get it right , but to be honest , I feel I need to lose weight first as clothes don't hang well on me (apple shape).

I'm going to use the intervening time to plan this new wardrobe.

I currently live in jeans, but I want that change. I'm thinking of base colours of beige, black, white , cream, grey and navy.

I like the par back simple look with a touch of rock chick . That's how I see it all in my head.

I want to start buying investment clothes, rather than cheap tat. The plan is to look second hand first and then buy if needed.

Natural fibres where possible .

Any tips on where to look for inspiration ? Where to shop? How to plan?

I live a fairly simple life , work full time at home with 1 day in the office , but smart casual. No need for little black dresses or suits.

Can you think of someone who’s style that you admire or has the kind of look that you are going for?

I would start with hair, coat, shoes, and bag before outfits. Then accessories, then clothes!

Great idea. Thank you.

Have a look at this website
theconceptwardrobe.com/7-style-essences/what-are-style-essences
Really interesting approach to finding a style that suits you as opposed to looking at body shape.

I’d also suggest, along with the neutral base colours you’re thinking of above, try to find 2-3 “colours” that really suit you that you can add to the black or beige staples (tops/scarves/jewellery). Go looking at the warm/cool summer/winter approach. I used that to update my wardrobe about a year ago and found that my beloved navy and black were really not doing much for me whereas a dusty pink or warm olive “lights up” my features in a very unexpected way. I couldn’t believe how regularly I got compliments on my clothing and general “look” when wearing colours that worked with my skin/hair/eye colour. It’s a real confidence booster!

Good luck! It’s lots of fun having a life makeover. Feels like you’re taking back control of your own narrative

Sounds like you favour the Emmanuelle Alt look?

I think you would like Isabel Marant and Zadig & Voltaire, both expensive but worth a trawl on ebay. Also, you can get some good things for this look form Hush, American Vintage and even H&M, especially their studio and premium ranges, if you are selective.

As I've got older I've found that when basics are good quality and well-cut, they can be stylish and make you feel great even if you are in just jeans and a t-shirt - and they last longer. I have an Isabel Marant striped linen vest which I got in a sale - it is lovely, goes with everything, feels fantastic, looks flattering in some mysterious way I don't understand as it's just a vest. So I agree it's worth buying quality when you find something you like.

The other thing I have that gives me this chic feeling is a tailored mustard coat from Hobbs (again from a sale) which works well with jeans, t-shirt and boots. I like that combination of nice basics and something a bit "statement" IYSWIM.

Then inject bits of rock chick with floaty scarves, stud earrings, make up, cool shades etc.

I'm doing the same as you at the moment. I've made a list of the things I actually do in my life and my ideal kinds of outfit for those things (eg baby classes, pub lunch). Then I've searched Pinterest for outfit ideas and made a board, then once I had lots of photos pinned it was quite obvious what I wanted my style to be and what I needed to buy to get there. So now I've got a list of things to buy but not got as far as actually going shopping yet

I do the Pinterest boards, as a pp said. I think you can almost have a uniform of basics to wear underneath shirt dresses, coats, long cardigans and jackets. I tend to buy plain unpatterned clothes but I do buy pieces in bright colours as well as neutrals. Pinterest also helps you to really see the looks you like, I tend to pin very similar outfits - it's also great for seeing things you've already got in your wardrobe and different ways to wear them.

I would narrow down your base colour palette by trying to work out what suits you, as a pp says - warmer creams and beiges or cold whites, for example? Most people look better in one or the other. The reduced palette will also help with building a flexible capsule, then you can inject some colour with some stand out pieces.

Camille Cotin in Call my agent has quite a rock chick look but maybe smarter than what you’re imagining.

You might like Sandro too.

Have a look at this website
theconceptwardrobe.com/7-style-essences/what-are-style-essences
Really interesting approach to finding a style that suits you as opposed to looking at body shape.

This was so enlightening! Now I understand why some things look mysteriously "off" on me even though I like them. My eye is already there but my understanding of it all was lacking. Thanks so much for sharing.