Need new wardrobe, am difficult, a bit clueless. Help? Photos included!

[Lheuredubebe]

I'm very tired of not feeling good in my clothes, so I've decided that I need better ones that actually suit my body type and style. But I'm difficult!

I've looked up a bunch of info, know what I need, but not where to start or to find all of this!

I'm 27, around a size 8 ish, I'm petite (5'2), I have slim legs, carry weight on top (tummy and arms).

• I like soft clothes that I'm comfortable in (I wfh, life is very casual, have no time for restrictive jeans).
• Colours I like are muted naturals, so beige, brown, khaki, black.
• On top I need v-necks, nothing long, nothing too tight on my arms.
• On bottom I need high waisted, long, bootcut.
• I need things that highlight my waist.

Outfits I own, like and feel very good in:

• Black skirt (high-waisted, skater), black top, long cardigan, black tights, black tall boots.
• Long sleeve v-neck dresses that come down to mid-thigh max with tights and boots.

I guess my style is a bit boho/folk-style, casual, a bit like the Tumblr "It-girls" with their messy buns, granny cardigans long socks and skater skirts/dresses that look a bit unkempt but cute. May be a very niche way of describing it, so I've added some photos from my Pinterest that explain the style better.

I'm sick of waking up, looking in my wardrobe and feeling overwhelmed. I've got rid of 4 bin bags (so far) of clothes I haven't worn in years, but I'm still stuck. Basically, I want to look good, be comfortable and not cry every time I get dressed!

If anyone can help/point me in the right direction/give advice, I will love you forever and ever and ever and ever and ever.

You might like Free People? Very boho cute, in a comfy slouchy way

i love the stuff I have from them, might come up a bit big for you though, but you could order XS

I have printed dresses and cardigan from & Other Stories, very similar to the picture on the top right. They usually have the same styles but change up the colour/prints. American Eagle do a lot of boho dresses and slouchy cardigans, just like the picture on the left.

For trousers/bottoms, I'm the same height and m&s has the widest range in short length trousers.

For soft, comfy and warm winter tops you might want to try merino wool, there are lots of different styles and colours but really depends on your budget.

Uniqlo are good for some of the basics and their fit is quite relaxed/oversized so would be comfortable.

Thank you! I love Free People but they're very expensive, way above my budget, so I rely on Vinted and haven't found anything good recently, unfortunately.

Haven't ever looked on American Eagle though, so will have a look and also at m&s for trousers, didn't think of that either, thanks! I'll give &other stories another go, I had a look a couple of years ago and didn't like anything on there, but that was two years ago.

I find trousers the most difficult, I haven't bought any in years.

You know, you may want to start with what pieces you need to get first, then add pieces that start with them and construct a few outfits.
I start with shoes and outerwear I need to have on and build from there.
For example, from what I’ve gathered from the photos, you probably would enjoy a faux fur jacket and pair that with boots that are hight enough to wear with the mini dresses. I’d throw in some fringe, a leather fringe bag for example. All earth tones, maybe brown. Suede Leather jacket, can also be with a fringe. Yeah, can see it working with the style, those 4 pieces is what I’d recommend to get.
How does that sound?

Try Toonzshop. And Google Japnese Mori Girl images. Both night be a bit too scruffy for you but if you mix with more conventional items you'd have what you're looking for.

So I would write 2 lists here- one of “silhouettes” you like e.g. the dress one is clearly a favourite for you. I have one that includes bootcut jeans + blouse for example.

Then a list of “staple” items that would work for you and that you should always have- so boots- what height/colour? More than one pair in a different colour? Denim- style + shade.

Buy the basics that get you the right silhouettes you need then work on filling out the rest with items in your preferred boho style.

So my “silhouettes” list is:
Knee dress with boots (winter) + flats (summer)
bootcut jeans with either flats/heeled boots + blouse
Midi skirt with jumper or fitted T
Mini skirt with jumper or fitted T
”Mom” jeans with fitted T or jumpers

This translates to items I need to have in my wardrobe
Dresses- knee length + midi
Boots- one pair ankle, one knee high
Jeans- bootcut + Mom
Fitted T shirt(s)
Blouses
Knitwear- jumper + cardigan

i then think about what my personal style is and where I can add it in.
so jeans I think are fairly standard so I would chose my shade and fit and just buy something classic- same with boots- I would invest a bit more with the intention I wanted stuff to last.
then my opportunity to add in my personal style comes with the other items- so for me dresses are always floral/print, as are blouses. I wear a lot of pink/cream/neutral as it works for me.
Then for things like knitwear/fitted Ts- again, I’m back to going for classic styles/quality and will pick shades that got with my style/other choices.
I do always say I should always have a black and a white jumper, cardigan + fitted T so that I can go with all outfits and I always try to have something Breton too!

i generally find that if I buy stuff outside of this set of silhouettes it doesn’t get worn. So before I add a new one to this list, I might try on lots of stuff and work out how it works for me- so at the moment working on one for flared jeans and chunky knitwear but as an hourglass, throwing a baggy jumper over is not the way!

You are very slim and the style you seem to like doesn't feel massively unusual to me so I would think it's not too difficult. But what might be a good idea is to try using a service like stitch fix or lookiero to get a couple of basics to start with? DH just got his first box as he needed desperately to upgrade his wardrobe and he was very happy to receive items that fit and look better than anything we can get on our very limited high street.

Having said that, I'd be looking at FatFace and WhiteStuff. eg a dress like this or trousers like this

Or maybe a jumpsuit.

Thank you all so much, some very good tips here. I didn't get any emails to say anyone had answered, so sorry about that!

Will have a look at the recommended websites and @user1471548941 your post is super helpful, I think it's exactly what I need to do. I wake up and have a great outfit in mind, put it on, and hate it! Think it's definitely something to do with owning the wrong silhouettes, so it's something to think about.