What should I buy now to make me look a bit more modern?

[WoodSageandSeasalt]

I’m in a bit of a rut style-wise and with Spring hopefully approaching and lots of new clothes in the shops I feel like I need a bit of a makeover.

I mainly wear jeans or coated jeggings with sweatshirts or jumpers and trainers or boots. My style is casual, maybe with a slight edge - I really like the Mint Velvet relaxed glamour type look.

I’m 5’2 and curvy, boobs and bum and currently too much tummy. I haven’t got loads to spend so ideas of budget friendly places to try would be great - not asking much!

@JMAngel1

The square toe padded mules of which you speak were originally shown by Bottega Veneta are quite a few seasons ago, maybe even pre-pandemic. Hardly modern, although given their ubiquity on the high street and among instagrammers, it is easy to think they are.

I also looked at the silverkat but I am not seeing anything outstanding there - it's just bog standard stuff that people wear. Much of that look can be bought at M and S. It's like many fashion threads where you see people posting what they wear - yeah it's jeans and a jumper.. but you stand in a weird way that makes it more cool? What makes things "modern"? It's all so strange - take the fads that we have seen recently - New Balance the number one accessory of old men in the USA, the Teva sandals brought off outdoors and worn as fashionable but somehow they are suddenly the desired thing. Much fashion is dictated by what is available to buy eg chelsea boots are big and clunky as opposed to the much more refined ones I gave to the charity shop recently. @WoodSageandSeasalt I know what you mean as I have been wanting to buy some shirts/blouses for months but can't see anything I like. Like you I have been living in jeans and sweaters all winter with a variety of coats depending on the weather. Cropped wide leg trousers ? Pah - there's no way I am being a fashion victim and wearing things that don't flatter. I aim for good quality shoes, boots and handbag and a couple of great coats. Suggestions where to look? How about something like this from M and S?

@ChickenStripper - that's a nice look. I would never wear beige, but I like the layering and silhouette, I'd like it in a stronger colour.

[quote Maireas]@ChickenStripper - that's a nice look. I would never wear beige, but I like the layering and silhouette, I'd like it in a stronger colour. [/quote]
There are lots out there in various stores - I'm just trying to think Spring like on this day with tree bits rattling over my roof!

True! 😉

In addition to Matches - which I thought was a good tip from CountryCousin - I find H&M a useful guide to how cat walk trends are being translated and styled at the cheaper end of the high street: the displays, what's being paired with what, the dominant colours, all useful whether you normally shop there or not. I like to physically walk round - much easier to navigate than their website or social media, plus if a trend has made it into our modest local branch then that's a pretty reliable sign it's going to be here for a while. And you can try on and see what works and what doesn't.

Zara ought to work the same way but always it's such a bloody tip and the changing room queues are so long that I can't be bothered with it any more.

Popsy for dresses
Ganni
Kitri
Cream clunky ankle boots
7/8 faux leather leggings M and S
Pure ....for cashmere knitwear

That beige outfit is hideous.

@BigFatBloomers

Link to the Silver Kat on instagram www.instagram.com/thesilverkat/

I think you might like her style

Oh I love her! How would you name her style ? A nod to 90’s grunge? Thank you!

I know @CountryCousin has been mocked on here but I do know what she means completely.

I just shop on ebay all the time and look for the designers I like but when I had very little money and felt stuck in a rut with young children I used to look at websites full of very desirable clothes that I couldn't afford, and then find cheap equivalents on ebay to put together in the same way. It was fun and got me out of wearing jeans and saggy t-shirts.

And probably a lot of people will disagree but, going through the same sort of rut with young children who didn't sleep and feeling deeply unstylish I decided I was going to stop wearing jeans - mainly because skinny came into fashion and I really dislike them. My daughters are 18 and 15 now and I have stuck to this and am very happy that I have.

It has made me branch out - I mainly wear dresses and sometimes tailored trousers in different shapes. I love clothes and get huge amounts of pleasure from them

Nearly everything I own is from charity shops, so many great bargains. Some brand new with tags as lots get donated by J Lewis etc. I live on the outskirts of London so I just go to all my local ones. If I do shop high street mango and Zara are always good.

Yes, you'll definitely look more modern in Gucci...

www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/pr/women/ready-to-wear-for-women/pants-and-shorts-for-women/the-hacker-project-maxi-gg-pantaleggings-p-677043Z8AUB2255

[quote RobertaFirmino]Yes, you'll definitely look more modern in Gucci...

www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/pr/women/ready-to-wear-for-women/pants-and-shorts-for-women/the-hacker-project-maxi-gg-pantaleggings-p-677043Z8AUB2255[/quote]
What a crock of shite 😂😂😂

Personally I prefer these

www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/pr/women/ready-to-wear-for-women/pants-and-shorts-for-women/silk-organza-with-feathers-pants-p-675972Z8AVH3271

[quote ChickenStripper]Personally I prefer these

www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/pr/women/ready-to-wear-for-women/pants-and-shorts-for-women/silk-organza-with-feathers-pants-p-675972Z8AVH3271[/quote]
How practical! Simply perfect for the school run and then a quick dash into Waitrose!

My biggest leap out of my rut was to accept skirts into my life
It really did totally change my look and they are so easy to style. I am short (5ft) and always found trousers and jeans etc such a bloody mammoth task to get right.

Zara tartan mini skirt with a black body suit, chunky cropped cardi, thick tights and boots, colourful earrings and stacked bracelets is my current vibe