I don't even know what I like anymore. Help.

[whatwouldAnnaDelveydo]

It's been so long that I've wearing "anything that's cheap enough" that I don't even know what I like anymore. Can you lovely people help me find my style, or at least point me in the direction of one?

I'm 43, size 10, 1,64m (5.3ft?), 61kg (does it mean 134 pounds?). White, straight brown hair. For the last 12 years I've been wearing whatever is simple, very cheap and easy to put together.

Single mum of two, no family around, changing careers, leaving an abusive marriage (moved countries for that). So, no money and no time to think about clothes.

However, I got a job now (after years and years doing freelance work or joing jobs for free) and I have a tiny amount to spend in clothes. Also, even though I wfh, I'll need to go to meetings from time to time.

I like loud patterns and very simple shapes. Sometimes I combine different patterns and I like clashing colours. I like vintage, don't like "trends". Usually like skirts, dresses, ruffles, embroideries, etc. (I know I said I like simple shapes... I guess it's like "simple shape with stuff applied to it", if it makes any sense)
Usually buy second hand stuff or shop in very cheap shops, like H&M, Zara or C&A (or supermarkets and Primark). I like Uniqlo, but there is none in the European country I live.

I like dresses, or used to. In the last year I've bought things that I don't like anymore. I tried to think how I would dress if I had an infinite budget and... I have no idea. I don't know what shoes I like (bad knees, so it has to have a supportive sole), what kind of dress or skirt I'd buy.
Right now I just walk around feeling like a mish mash of ill-fitting stuff.

Tried to think of celebrities whose style I like. Could only think of Chimamanda Adichie. Or Iris Apfel. (and Anna Delvey in the TV series, as the user name indicates). Not an easy style to pull with an H&M budget...

Thanks a lot for any help!

I just found out there is/was an Iris Apfel x H&M collection (but not available in Europe). That's a coincidence, I promise I didn't know that...

I'm very impressed with Oasis on line at the moment, some very good discounts too. I've ordered a few dresses today, lots have 30% off and there's definitely lots of loud patterns....

I like Collectif for vintage and they often have deals, but I don't know if they do your country

I know these that I've ordered are more occasion, but there's some work style ones too

It sounds like you might like Monki.

Sorry I couldn't come back earlier. Thank you very much for the suggestions!

I like the Oasis dresses but I don't love the prints...
Had never heard of Monki and Collectif, really like the dresses and skirts there! And both deliver where I live, which is great! The "outlet" bit of Collectif is specially tempting :)

If anyone has more suggestions, I'd love to hear!

For inspiration can I recommend the YouTuber KarenBritChick’s series, what everyone is wearing in New York. I’ve got so many ideas from the people she stops to interview. Many combine vintage and designer clothes and accessories with basics from Uniqlo, Zara etc and amazing accessories. it’s more about the way they put things together though that gives me so many ideas. There are some incredible looks embracing bold patterns and shapes down to really pared back. I’m in my 60s and have got jumpsuits from Lucy & Yak, dungarees from Run and Fly and Kit and Kaboodle. I get lots of basics from Uniqlo, Muji (both online) and whatever takes my fancy in charity shops and on EBay. I agree with Monki. I stopped a woman who was wearing a long quilted white coat with simple line drawn faces in black all over it. I thought it was going to be from some ££££ designer and she said it was from monki. It was stunning.

Sorry I’ve just noticed you don’t have Uniqlo. Do you have Esprit?

@Pifflewiffle
I loooove Karen Brit Chick.

Feel very old that Iris Apfel has her own range - I still think if her as a tween in This is 40!

@JMAngel1 you are thinking of Iris Apatow I think?

instagram.com/iris.apfel?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

@Pifflewiffle i have the dress of that coat but in black with white!

JMAngel1. I didn’t know there was a dress of that face coat. I bet it looks amazing . I was totally expecting the woman to tell me her coat was a limited edition from some designer I’d probably never heard of. When she said it was from Monki I was gobsmacked. I love Karen Brit Chicks channel. I do think she has an insane amount of stuff but she I really has a real gift for styling things in an original way. Her NY series is so well done too. I’ve seen so many what people are wearing in Paris, London etc etc but for me she does it the best.

Thanks for the recommendation! It looks like I have lots of places to find inspiration now.
Yesterday I bought a couple of things from El Corte Ingles sales, inspired by the posts here. I know no one recommended them, but I hope I like them :)

Monki will be next. Can anyone share a pic of the coat? :)

I assume you're in Spain if you're shopping in El Corte Inglés. Have you tried Bimba y Lola if you like loud prints? I often pick up a couple of things there in the sales (totally overpriced if not). It's better if you can try stuff on though as the sizing is a bit bonkers. Our local El Corte has a concession of Compañía Fsntastica which also sounds like it might be up your street. companiafantastica.com/es/
I also shop online at Zalando as they have loads of different brands (including Monki) and I find their delivery and returns really easy. And depending on whereabouts you are, I find I'm also shopping a lot more in small, independent shops as there's just so much polyester crap on the High Street nowadays.

Hi notasgreen I'm in Portugal. I never understood what's about Bimba and Lola. I see it EVERYWHERE. And all types of people, with all types of styles and budgets, all of them wearing it. Is it any good?

I'm going to have a look at Zalando, thanks!