Help me find my style!

[coffeethroughmyveins]

Bit of background for you all: 36, mum to a 2.5 yo DD, WFH part time for a charity, non-working days am being a mum and generally spending at playgrounds/soft play! Size 12ish - have put on weight since having DD + lockdowns, not very active but trying to get into running + yoga again.

So my issue is that I just don't know what suits me anymore! Or what to wear to feel good about myself. I don't particularly have to be smart for work, and I have a definite mum-tum so try to avoid anything too tight around the waist (so lots of leggings + joggers!) but it's just leaving me feeling like I just look crappy most of the time.

I'd love to start dressing a bit more smartly/cool (god how old do I sound?!) so would love some advice on what kind of things I could be wearing or any brands that people recommend.

I'm not hugely girly-girly and pre baby I lived in skinnies and a t shirt but feel like that doesn't really suit me any more plus skinnies aren't really the most comfortable when lugging a toddler around!

TIA for any help from a tired and scruffy mum!

What height are you and what in your wardrobe do you still enjoy wearing? Do you have any style icons / people whose style you’d like to emulate or borrow from?

I’ve really enjoyed using vinted to buy from a wider range of brands and find things I’d not usually stuble across. The ‘like’ function shares photos of your likes in one place and becomes a lazy version of a pinterest board which is often suggested here as a means to find your style.

@1frenchfoodie I'm about 5'9. I still do love wearing my skinny jeans although don't always find them comfy (possibly need to find some that fit better!) then have lots of striped and plain colour t-shirts, shabby well loved cosy jumpers, a few patterned blouses/shirts from when I used to go to the office, and some loose t-shirt style/shift dresses.

I bought a couple of pairs of 'mom' jeans last year which I think look good cropped in warmer weather with my superga trainers. But no idea if they're flattering or how to wear them in the winter!

I actually really like Vinted too as trying to buy less new things to do my bit for the planet, as well as save some money. So a good idea to look at some different things on there. Any brands to look out for?

I’m not sure you need to focus too much on individual brands or how helpful that will be before you figure out what is missing in your wardrobe (or look).

That said I like Bimba y lola for basics with a twist, (Urban outfiters stocked) ‘staring at stars’ for some interesting geometric patterns and - for me - H&M because I think they are more eclectic than similar high street price points. Scotch & Soda have some interesting pieces too from quirky print t-shirts to jumpers with pattern or texture that are a bit mor charcterful than the (excellent) monotone staples at Uniqlo.

But as somebody that shops mainly at Vinted I actually prefer to identify wardrobe gaps + colours I like and and search on that basis to see what items and brands jump out. ‘Liking’ items may pinpoint some favourite brands though I’ve not found that so far - my favourites go from Chloé through Vans, H&M, Hobbs and tens of others.

We have a similar bio! I’ve had good results from a stitch fix type box
, mine was from estilistas. There’s a Facebook group\ website called style me happy that definitely gets people out of styling ruts through doing analyses of what colours and styles would suit you and pretty affordable.

Do you have a stylish friend who you can take on a shopping trip with you? I find this works well, since a friend knows you and what you tend to like, understands your lifestyle, and can push you towards trying on new things and tell you honestly how they look.