How do you dress? What is your 'style'?

[beatrixpotterspencil]

I've often been confused about my own, and wonder how common this is.

Lived in a place with harsh weather for many years and lived in hiking leggings and north face, base layers, waterproofs, etc. Never had to think much about it but to be honest I din't like the 'style' of it. I hate tight clothes and most of it was clingy and blockish looking because it was more practical than pretty, iyswim?

In recent years I have moved, and live somewhere less demanding. I can dress how I like now. But finding what I want is often tricky. I love skirts, natural fibres, wool knits, but still wear my docs as I do adore boots.

But I sometimes get it really wrong, and I wonder if my clothes suit me (DP and friends always compliment my stuff but surely they would haha!). I don't like run of the mill so don't do jeans or leggings, and feel comfy and happy in skirts/dresses/tights and a lovely, long tweed coat.....but I don't really know what truly suits me. How can I tell?
I am very slim, decent hair (blond) and average height, so people might simply say I can wear what I like but it don't think such 'attributes' mean much at the end of the day. I am confident enough but just bizarrely confused, i think.
I am torn between thinking I ought to just wear practical (leggings and a nice top, boring anorak) things that don't excite me but just do their job - and wanting things that I love but often get wrong (online shopping, uuurgh).

Every few years I scrap my style and try something else, but always go back. I certainly can overthink it, which is mostly enjoyable, but often irritating.

How do you people feel about your 'style', and what is it that determines how you dress? Is it mostly for practical reasons or do you have particular interest in certain types of stuff?
Are you happy with how you dress, and how would you describe it?

Apologies for long, whiny, first world problem type post!

wrt having different styles, i honestly dont have the real estate (furniture) to store a lot of clothes. I do prefer to make sure most things can work with each other to a point, so that I need to buy less.

When i was younger i had an exploding wardrobe of many styles and always felt i had nothing to wear. So i think it depends on our personal interest and if you have the talent to put great things together in many ways.
I do think some of my colour choices are boring though, but i love them. I prefer muted, dark stuff in winter, dark checks, charcoal jumper, dark green skirt, occasionally brightened up with light grey or cream.

My friend told me she always wondered why I don't capitalise on colours that would make me 'dazzle' (she wasnt criticising me, we were having our annual deep style chat!) like certain bright blues, lilac, etc, but I prefer everything to work hard and have less, so i think that can push you into a sort of minimalist, boring-colours fugue state

I think I have a particular style. I'm drawn to the same shapes/colours. I quite like the japanese and scandi styles. More minimal but slightly edgy. I tend to wear oversized a lot and think I pull it off despite being petite. I wear lots of midi dresses, tights and DMs or trainers depending on the weather. I also tend to wear ankle grazers or culottes, never actually full length. In hot weather I wear menorcan sandals as I hate having my feet out. I usually stay away from prints however do quite like florals. But I'm particular about the pattern. Colours are usually understated. Navy, khaki, blush. I do quite like shades of browns too; champagne, mocha etc. they suit me. In summer I tend to wear slightly lighter colours but in the same sort of style. I also tend to wear more feminine flowy clothes in the summer. I hate garish prints and colours on me. I also avoid pastels. My jewellery is usually silver and understated.

I agree that you don’t have to dress more girly with your features @beatrixpotterspencil. I see other women with delicate features who look great in more edgy styles. It’s all about what looks and feels right for you. Personally I look like I’m playing dress up if I go for something too edgy, or glamorous. But maybe that is in part me projecting because that isn’t my personality iyswim. So I look at it and don’t feel as though the inside and outside match.

Mid thirties here (although dh keeps saying I need to change that to late thirties!). I have finally found what I like. Straight jeans/trousers and good quality loose jumpers. Shirt or midi dresses (preferably a shirt dress). Docs and ankle boots, high tops in winter. Simple slip on skate shoes or sandals in summer. It's nothing ground breaking but I have found colours and shapes that suit me and I feel good. I spent all my 20s not really knowing what to wear and now I enjoy wearing the clothes I do.

@Essexlioness your style sounds ingenue. That suits me too.

I find styling myself so hard now. Two kids, a lockdown, out of twenties and a new job which doesn’t involve a uniform has really thrown all my old ‘go to’ outfits which are now too tight but also feel too young, too dressy for pottering with the kids and just don’t suit my new shape.

I tend to go for ‘mum’ jeans or skinny jeans, a jumper french tucked in, trainers and hair and make up casually done as my comfortable go to. I used to wear dresses with jumpers over all the time but don’t seem to as much since having kids. I wish I could afford a stylist or to do stitch fix as I feel very much in a rut but don’t know how to get out. I think I’m also often distracted by how old and tired I look 😂

I try to stick to plain colours and avoid patterns. So mostly I'm wearing trousers or skirt in one colour and top in a different one, sometimes with a jacket for work.
I know which colours suit me (jade, turquoise, lime, copper, red) and mostly wear those for tops with more boring colours for trousers / skirts (black, navy, brown).

I think patterns date quicker and are more memorable so harder to wear over and over again so that's one reason I avoid them.

I have a few flowery dresses / skirts for the summer but mostly just wear jeans away from work.

I'm 50, OP.

I think I've just gradually got an idea of what suits me and what doesn't - after years of bad buys - plus the things I like and things I don't like.

For example, I hate 'jewel' colours (on me - not on other people). Also hate trousers, particularly all jeans, and trainers. Not a fan of clumpy footwear, but it looks ridiculous on me as I'm generally slightly built. I won't buy anything that has artificial fibre in it. I don't possess an anorak or leggings.

Staples are cashmere jumpers (often from charity shops or ebay), silk blouses (ditto), cord or wool skirts (A line or pencil), and kitten heels. Not exactly exciting, but it suits me. I tend to go for blues, lilacs, dusky pink etc - they just seem to suit me (blonde, fair, blue eyes). I avoid yellow, orange, brown, mustard, green etc - my school uniform was a combination of these colours. Red doesn't suit me. I avoid animal print like the Plague.

I like knee-length boots and have lots of pairs of them. It can be hard to find ones for slim calves because they quite often look like wellies, so I grab them when I find them.

I very rarely pay full price for anything!

Re coats: I'm on my second Seasalt one. Very waterproof while also pretty stylish.
At this time of year I generally wear boots with a skirt or dress and the coat on top. So only a small bit of tighted leg is actually exposed.

I like 'tighted leg' !

I wear mainly classic style but with small added details for more interest. The kind of thing I go for will be fairly plain but have a rocky, punky or luxury edge. Quirky buttons or cuffs etc.
I really like a good fit- nothing baggy. I wear a lot of dresses, skirts, jumpers, t-shirts, shirts, boots, jackets. Nothing loungey or leisure wear, no cardies or hoodies or trainers, nothing preppy or too girly.
Mostly dark or muted colours, barely any patterns or anything too fussy, but not boring either.
Nice fabrics including leather, wool, silk, cotton.

I have a very feminine style

I only wear sweaty Betty, Hush and Scamp & Dude. Ozeeegos, Jordan's or Nike air max trainers - never ever shoes. Sometimes grensens and sometimes acne pistol boots. I don't own shoes

I wear a Bird + Wolf camo jacket in warmer weather and a sweaty Betty long quilted coat in winter.

Always hair extensions, acrylic nails and make up.

So I'm a mixture really. I'd feel like an idiot in a dress or something from Toast. I just like trendy, sports luxe wear I suppose which is funny as I'm not at all sporty

Oh and I'm 50. But I don't feel 'grown up' enough to wear a wool skirt or a silk blouse. I'd honestly feel so weird and adult.

@timoteigirl, just googled and yes that is exactly it! Thank you 😊

I have different “uniforms” at different times of year.

Right now I am in high-waisted tapered jeans (balloon/barrel leg) or cords with slightly cropped knits. I mean on the waist, not flashing my tummy. I have a lot of mohair and alpaca jumpers and cardigans. I tend to wear this lot with trainers or DM monkey boots.

For going out at this time of year, an a-line leather mini-ish skirt with a fine knit jumper, or a short dress.

In summer I wear midi dresses, or midi skirts with tucked in t-shirts.

I absolutely always wear red lipstick, and have quite a sharp haircut (bob with a fringe). In winter I have various faux fur coats, collected up over the years.

I’m a lecturer in a creative subject. I think I probably look like what I do.

ooh love all of these contributions, thanks ladies (and gents, whatever).

Have been told recently that i would suit jewel tones, although never, ever dabbled..It is interesting to see how others perceive us.

A friend told me, after a deep discussion about colours and clothes, that her mother used to say to her 'you never make the most of yourself'.
She then said she thought that of me - not to criticise, but to compliment me. She wonders why i don't have more confidence to experiment and explore.
People tell me i walk with a stoop, like i am ashamed of myself. I didnt know this. I have this fantasy that i am strident and full of power, haha!

I am delicate and a bit fae-like. Sounds wanky but it is true. I sometimes dress to emphasise this but dream of something more robust! I am drawn to earthy tones, luxurious textiles, have a very British feel for clothes (reflecting the landscape, the stormy colours, green, grey, etc - similarly to how Indian culture celebrate wild and beautiful bright colours).
I have no idea if the earthy UK thing even suits me, but i am very celtic/germanic looking.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses

I have different “uniforms” at different times of year.

Right now I am in high-waisted tapered jeans (balloon/barrel leg) or cords with slightly cropped knits. I mean on the waist, not flashing my tummy. I have a lot of mohair and alpaca jumpers and cardigans. I tend to wear this lot with trainers or DM monkey boots.

For going out at this time of year, an a-line leather mini-ish skirt with a fine knit jumper, or a short dress.

In summer I wear midi dresses, or midi skirts with tucked in t-shirts.

I absolutely always wear red lipstick, and have quite a sharp haircut (bob with a fringe). In winter I have various faux fur coats, collected up over the years.

I’m a lecturer in a creative subject. I think I probably look like what I do.

I saw lucia from 'mapp and lucia' after your description! I too am in a creative career, although i couldnt ever dream of a neat bob, my hair is wild, frizzy and wavy long.

I love the sound of your style!

Here is Lucia!

A great way to reset your posture, if you think you might stoop - whenever you walk, tuck a thumb into your waistband and look at the sky instead of the floor.
Sounds trite but it’s quietly genius.

im gonna try this :)

Definitely quite noticeable for being colourful and a bit quirky. Maybe a bit timeless in the sense that I don't follow trends and don't dress "young" as such, but also might wear some things that might be perceived as childish like cute, retro style prints (my dress today had a retro gingerbread print all over for example).

I wear a lot of bold prints in general. My usual outfit consist either of a printed skater shape dress or a printed top and a pinafore dress, Snag tights and a cardi or jacket over it, with flat casual shoes (I wear exclusively "barefoot" shoes i.e. totally flat and wide like Vivo Barefoot). Love big scarves in autumn/winter time and usually knee length coats. Tend to wear natural fibres, mostly cotton and wool.

I love that people notice my clothes but sometimes feel awkward about it especially in a work context because I guess I'd rather be thought of as having a sharp mind than a good wardrobe 😬 Obviously it's possible to have both...

My style is Danish architect. My main colours are navy and grey, black doesn’t suit me.

Shapes are minimalist / scandi / Japanese. Wide leg cropped trousers with boots / leather trainer style shoes. Tops In natural fabrics and interesting shapes in blues, grey, burgundy, green and sometimes purple.

No prints or patterns, nothing body con or fitted, nothing shiny, sexy or revealing . Rarely pastel colours. Never same colours.

I wear one piece ( at a time ) of interesting jewellery , usually a necklace. I would like to wear bigger and bolder earrings but I can’t because I have a small face and head.

I have lots of jackets and coats, some in brighter colours like magenta, red or bottle green but mostly in navy.

I rarely wear jeans as I find wide legged ones are stiff and I like clothes with movement. Skinny jeans are not my style and tapered don’t suit my Apple body shape.

I never wear t shirts as they are disaster for my body shape. The crew neck makes my big boobs look even bigger and the short sleeves but right across my body at boob level . I prefer tops with 3/4 length sleeves, long sleeve or sleeveless ( in summer obv ).

I have a few winter dresses which are trapeze shape in wool. In hot weather ( very rare where I live ) I wear midi or long dresses in plain colours and platform sandals.

I do own a few skirts but I find that I rarely wear them. I’m not sure why. The one I wear most is long pleated asymmetric in olive green, which works with all my navy.

I never wear buttoned shirts as I have big boobs and they never fit.

I’m late 50s so I only wear one “ younger “ item in each outfit and everything else is classic.

Eg a hoodie, white trainers, rucksack or brightly coloured leather bag, white trainers , anything denim, anything brightly coloured .

I love a preppy look but can’t quite carry it off as my bust is far too big. Bizarrely despite this I can look a bit masculine as I have a strong jaw.

I need to tread a careful balance between wanting to wear (and look) plain, simple and elegant but actually needing some sparkle and character. I wear a lot of colour, never black. I don’t want to be one of those middle aged women who wear slightly wacky clothes but I can’t pull of the architect aesthetic so it may be my destiny. Places like Cos make me look dreadful. Once three friends put on my cardigan, scarf and sunglasses as a joke and they all looked OTT but on me it looked quite normal.

I also like to tread a line between stylish and comfortable. I’m the smart casual queen. My winter coat is, IMO, warm, waterproof and stylish. I won’t buy stuff that isn’t practical, eg no high heels or high maintenance coats as I know I won’t wear them and I don’t have the space. I buy in the same colour palette, very often blues, greens, oranges and beige/camel so I tend to find everything goes together, although I do find some tops look better with some trousers, due to their length. I don’t wear skirts and dresses.

I have what I consider a very difficult figure to dress (large bust, long back, short legs, extreme inverted triangle). I also get swamped easily with fabric. Despite being slim I can’t pull just anything off. People don’t tend to notice all this because of the effort I go to in disguising it. It does mean I stick with a very specific uniform. But I rarely wear the same outfit as I wear endless permutations of my uniform. I don’t really have clothes for specific activities, all my clothes are suitable for nearly all occasions (except very formal when I have two dresses covering any of those, both suitable for summer and winter).

I think as I get older I am making better choices and like all my wardrobe and accessories - there always seems to a new combination or suitable outfit for the occasion. When I was younger all I considered was ‘does this look nice?’, now I’m more ‘does this actually fit with everything else I’ve got?’. I also keep things longer and tend to find I like my own stuff better than things I try on, but that’s another story to do with fashions being so strange at the moment. I’d be devastated if I lost all my clothes.

My advice:
Have a go at getting your partner or friends to pick stuff for you. Sometimes others can see what suits you more than you can yourself.

DH buys many of my clothes.

My style is practical, I try to walk wherever I can, cycle if it’s too far to walk and only drive if it’s too far to cycle. However, according to others, I do somehow manage to look stylish! So practical doesn’t have to mean boring and I absolutely avoid ‘fun’ clothing so no Seasalt, Boden, Joules, White Stuff.

My style is neutral and natural.