Can't decide, advice on clothes please

[Soffana]

Gudrun Sjoden www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb

Ugly or quirky?

I like it but I can't trust my own taste...

Some really nice stuff there but some of it really quite...quirky.
Almost anything can look good/alluring on a model, but the proof is in the making of the pudding; picture you, walking around in it. That approach has saved me some expensive mistakes.

Some of the pieces look fun but I'm not a colourful prints sort of person

It's not ugly, imo, but it is a specific look, Lagenlook in fact!

The specific items will look very different if worn on their own with more traditional items. If you choose one colour palette, blacks and greys for example, then it will look different to the advertised look. And as the PP has said, if you are not model shaped then the way the clothes hang will be different.

Most of it looks like things you'd buy on holiday as locally made, very specific look, not for me.

Thank you for your advice. I think as you say it will look good if you don't take on the whole look, but only a few items combined with more discreet clothes.

I'm a big fan of their shoes.
The clothes are generally nice but in small amounts- the models look great but I think I'd look bonkers.

I think you'd have to complete the look to make it look quirky rather than frumpy

Interesting! Are the shoes comfy?

I love it all so its quirky to me. but does she not know how to do up a cardigan?

Don’t like at all.

@Soffana yes I find them really comfortable and good quality.

I've several pairs of shoes & boots over the years.

The clothes aren't flattering on a middle aged woman tbh. Which I am. I sent back.

I love the look of the models in the catalogues but I'm far too shy and self conscious to adopt the look myself. I have got about half a dozen items, tops, coloured tights, a jumper, a scarf, that I've bought over the years. They're very good quality and last well. The colours and prints are lovely. I have one pair of shoes that I bought in a sale, which are beautiful. Almost too beautiful, I'm so scared of spoiling them I've hardly worn them!

My seventy something mum dragged me into the shop in Covent Garden, she likes it, I do not.

Just be very honest with yourself when you try them on!

Thank you for all your advice! I think the trick will be how you use them.

It's White Stuff meets Monsoon meets Sahara.

I think it would risk looking very frumpy on me, but I'm not willowy thin or tall.

Thanks for the thread OP. Most of it I dislike as too boxy, too wide but too short in legs and sleeves. A bit one-size-fits-all, except it doesn't. Reminds me of pics I saw in a magazine once of native Mongolian people in traditional clothing. The socks look warm though and I've just bought the Mei Lin jacket. It will go with lots of things from elsewhere that I already have and it's A-line, which is a shape I know suits me even when a little oversized. I'm hoping it'll take the outfits I already have, which possibly have a bit of an age-limited lifespan, and upgrade them into timeless outfits that I can still imagine wearing as a wizened and white haired old woman.

*Mei Lan

I had a gorgeous purple coat from their years ago, really warm, beautiful colour and pattern. Every single time I wore it to a National Trust place women of a certain age would compliment me about it, so it has a niche appeal. The prints and colours can be a bit much, I think they work really well as towels, rugs etc.

They have some lovely prints and their dresses have pockets, which works for me.
But I think you ( I) have to work at not looking like a mad catlady art teacher, which I would if I copied their styling. I couldn't wear 5 different layers at once and still look sane. I do buy from them, but I try to simplify the look, just wear the dresses with trainers or sandals or DMs, not pink and orange striped leggings or spotty socks and half mast trousers! And no long petticoat hanging out the bottom!

It immediately reminded me of India Knight’s In Your Prime, chapter 2, What to Wear- how to avoid whacky (aka Art teacher with cats) and how to avoid Hampstead Lady. I do like some of the plain hats, gloves and would cross over the style desert for the wool boot socks. However, if you like it and enjoy wearing it, go ahead, I wear plenty of things others may not like.

I taught art and Dt for 28 years. I dressed in Cos. I wouldn’t been seen dead in the stuff on here, l preferred a minimalist look.

l had several lovely female colleagues. All of them were Uber stylish, and none of them wore this horrible over patterned stuff.

I think it's quirky. I think you still need to wear it with confidence, I don't think you have to be willowy and thin to get away with it as so much depends on your body shape and how you carry yourself. Try it and post headless pics if you need a second opinion. You can trust MNers not to hold back.
You don't have to wear it head to toe, just an item or two to dip your toe. They do neutrals, too. If you want to go for the whole thing, you have to own it.

The one thing I don't like about them is their return policy. It's either £10 using their UPS courier or you sent back for a refund at your own peril. Their website doesn't show the garment properly as it's often buried with million other layers and photos are not from all angles. It's also not cheap but natural fabrics and unique style come at a cost.