What's your 'lifestyle' (clothing wise)?

[TheMatisseStories]

You know how people say 'dress for your lifestyle', which is of course very sensible, what is yours and how do you go about it?

I've never been great at this to be honest and would love some pointers!

I wfh and am in a creative field, not wealthy but not struggling either. Am currently single and have one adult child who lives overseas. My hobbies are painting and yoga, with some walking thrown in. So this leaves me kind of wide open in a way, with too much choice. Anything fancy feels unnecessary, so I tend to go with walking/yoga outfits a lot (hiking leggings, fleece, lol) or loose-ish jeans/trousers with a decent jumper.
I also use a rucksack almost daily, as it's just so practical..

I love dresses and skirts and beautiful bags but the prices seem extortionate, especially for the synthetic, thin frocks and I just can't see when I'd wear them. I have 2 for special occasions and that seems like enough.

In my fantasy life I have a lot of gorgeous dresses that only exist in my imagination, with lovely suede lace up boots that are not a great idea when living in a rainy place. I would also have arse length hair but it is a nightmare to deal with in real life, and goes straggly when mid length.

Do your personal tastes match your lifestyle, or do you end up with a ton of stuff in your wardrobe that you rarely find opportunity to wear?

I love clothes and have a very full wardrobe but hardly get the opportunity to wear most of them.
I have a similar lifestyle to you. Over the years I've tried to dress in dresses and lovely trousers but they don't suit ny daily tasks. I've given up now and spend more on my active wear. So really good leggings from sweaty Betty and Lululemon and lovely hoodies and yoga tops, so I look as good as I can in clothes that work for my lifestyle too.

Ha!
I also do yoga & walk.
In my head I wear lovely dresses/skirts & flattering trousers and my mid back length hair is glossy and floaty with body and shine.

In reality, the overpriced dresses stay in the wardrobe because they crease if I sit in them or they make me sweat or look like I’m trying to hard. Also I’m usually too cold to not wear jeans, socks & trainers and flattering trousers don’t exist because I’m too tall for regular length and I have no bum.

I seem to dress ‘bag lady’ in jeans & jumpers and my hair is ‘dragged through a hedge backwards’ regardless of whether I’ve spent 2 hours in the hairdressers or 2 mins on it at home. The times I’ve spent money on clothes only for them to hang in the wardrobe unworn for several months before ending up in the charity shop!

I'm the same. I see beautifully cut and tailored clothes that I would love to wear but I work in healthcare, need comfy practical clothes on my day off and I am always carting my boys to football, scouts etc. not a very glamorous life unfortunately.

You have to book some city trips and nights out so you can go shopping

I'm a florist so 4/5 days a week I'm dressed very practically in jeans/ thermals/ T-shirts and jumpers/ sweatshirts that I don't mind getting dirty and covered in bleach or ripped. This time of year I live in a huge padded coat with gloves, scarf and hat as well so it doesn't really matter what's underneath as I never take it off!

The other 3 or so days I dress in smarter jeans/ trousers or cuffed joggers with blouses, t shirts etc. heeled boots, leather jacket. A bit rock chick. I hate not being able to walk comfortably though so I'm more often in flat boots or trainers.

My secret weapon is a white shirt. I wear them pretty much every day. They work with everything. And it makes it look like I made an effort (for myself).
I have a few jumpers, couple of pairs of boyfriend jeans, they all look so much better with a white shirt poking through.

Cos dresses. Amazing!!!! Literally, just slip one on.

The other discovery I made now that I’m approaching 50 😂 is that the mad bag ladies have a method to their madness. So. I have

a bag for work (badge, lunch, pens, paracetamol, snacks, diary).

a bag for walking the dog (treats, poo bags, headphones, wipes)

a bag for the gym (bra, vest, leggings, socks, towel, shower gel, shoes, water bottle, snacks)

a bag for swimming (fresh set of underwear, swimming costumes, flip flops, shower gel and shampoo, body cream, towel etc)

a bag for Pilates (mat, trousers, yoga bra, top, socks and long sleeve jersey)

a bag for running (bra, T-shirt, leggings, hi viz, head torch, socks and shoes)

a bag for going into town. It’s got a proper purse in it, and lipstick, and solid perfume.

4 make up bags. One for gym, one for swimming, one for work and one in the car. They have tinted moisturiser (Olay bb cream), blusher, lip balm, a file, eye liner, mascara, deo roll on and wet wipes. And a sachet of Sandrena 😂😂

The bags get turned around every time I use them. Plastic bags for dirty/wet stuff.

This whole paraphernalia allows me to actually wear suede boots and dresses and hobo leather bags and cashmere jumpers and coats every day, because I figured I’m only in the pool/walk the dog/running etc for an hour. Leaving the wellies outside the door was a revelation, made it so much harder to just slip them on and go. Got into waterproofing my boots regularly, a good suede brush is amazing.

Jewellery, I only wear a chunky silver necklace, diamond stud earrings and silver bangles, I have a jewellery pouch in every bag to get rid of them when I need to.

HTH.

When not in the office I wear a lot of black sport leggings and hiking boots or trainers. Normally with big cropped jumpers/sweaters and either a big long puffa or a fur coat. Normally everything is in shades of black, dark brown or navy.
I do a lot of exercise and walk a lot so it does actually suit my lifestyle. It doesn’t sound like a great combination, but I think I look kind of cool. Not me but photos are kind of the look I achieve.

If I am going anywhere like a cafe I normally put a pair of black wide leg jeans over the top of the leggings, to upgrade to a non sporty look.

In the summer I tend to wear either wide leg jeans and a top (tucked in) or black ribbed dresses.

I am a Sahm I wear skirts or dresses most of the time. I’ve had comments at toddler groups as to why I’m dressed up but it’s who I am. I wear leggings for yoga or as loungewear in the evenings. But otherwise I don’t really do casual. I live very rurally. Lots of mud but still wear my Irregular Choice boots when I can.

I love the photo's, those looks seem quite smart to me, it's a very Scandi look which is always attractive, I think!

From these replies, I get the impression how we approach dressing has changed quite a bit, too. The expectation to conform to a certain sartorial standard/formality seems to have lessened in recent years, especially outside of the workplace (and often within it). It's interesting to note that this new informality doesn't have to mean sloppy or badly dressed, either. Just different, and perhaps more comfortably?

I have always been a bag lady and never understood one-bag people, because I don't want to carry everything I take to work when I'm going for a meal/to the shop, and I don't want to take all my DS4's snacks/Hot Wheels/inhaler/spare pants to work. I couldn't be bothered sorting out one bag every time I left the house!

I work in a casual office - nice jumper, jeans, boots. I dress similarly on days off with DS, in less nice jumpers. I have 4 or 5 midi dresses in an attempt to be a dress kinda woman but honestly I can only do it once a month without feeling overdressed.

My main issue is events that crop up outside my regular life. I'd currently struggle for a funeral or a job interview, for example. Why do I have about 17 breton tops and not one pair of tailored trousers?

@TheMatisseStories

I am slightly in awe of your bag organisation skills. I feel I need to up my game.

Sorry, that was to @BuddhaAtSea !

Working mum of a two year old.

Due to a more relaxed working environment, I don’t have as much separation of work and home clothes as I used to.

Lots of wide leg or Mom style trousers, with a Breton or cropped jumper. Trainers or short ankle boots.

Wfh is very much thermals, joggers and a fleece at the moment though!

I teach, so I can be as sharp as I want really. I have a tendency to over, rather than underdress. My work wardrobe is varied, but veers toward Katherinehepburn with a dash of madmen Joan. My weekend tends to be Ramones inspired, or DIY dictated.
Going out is either full on marilyn or rock chick. I would like more events requiring posh dresses.
Gym and running stuff is leggings and t-shirt in winter, shorts and vest in summer.

I used to love COS but can't for the life of me work out when I'd wear such items now. I can't see myself trudging through a field, waiting for a train or even having a pub lunch in a lovely structured pair of trousers.

I look like an arse in joggers. They look v. cosy so wish I didn't!

@TheMatisseStories look, something like this, I have a couple of pairs , they work with shirts and oversized jumpers www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/trousers/product.relaxed-joggers-blue.0721226009.html

I love this one too
www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.oversized-alpaca-blend-jumper-dress-grey.1131672001.html

This I am wearing on Saturday www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.longline-knitted-dress-black.0996230010.html#gallery-product-2

@LadyOfTheCanyon 😂, I learnt the hard way

Do your personal tastes match your lifestyle,

No. If I dressed for my lifestyle I'd be in leggings, vest and hoodie with trainers and puffer coat. I exercise and have no reason to wear anything else.

or do you end up with a ton of stuff in your wardrobe that you rarely find opportunity to wear

No, because I wear it regardless. Life is too short not to look however you want to look. I like to look fairly smart and I prefer fitted clothes. I spend most of my time pottering around at home or sitting at a desk. You can do those activities wearing almost anything. I don't care if others aren't dressed as smartly as me, they're not me.

I've read things where people are saying things like they can't lounge around comfortably wearing jeans so they remove them the minute they get home and I think it makes no sense, unless you're wearing a size too small so it cuts in when you're sitting down. Or they can't wear dresses because they sit on the floor with DC sometimes. If their DC crawl across those floors they can't be so disgustingly filthy that mum's bare legs touching the carpet is abhorrent, surely?

I don't understand the whole race to the bottom mentality with how relaxed can you dress for an occasion and get away with it. If everyone wore what they wanted instead of getting involved with competitive underdressing nobody would ever feel overdressed wearing something not completely basic and casual anyway.

Wear whatever you want OP. You can either spend your life dreaming or you can live it.

Interesting question! I work in a creative sector but don't work from home so much anymore.

I have many meetings & in any day that could be with an artist or a CEO or an architect or a client so I need to be dressed in a way that makes me feel confident & not aware of my clothes.

Day to day I wear things like wide legged cropped trousers with flat leather boots, a cashmere roll neck jumper in burgundy or bottle green. Or a blouse & fitted jacket.

I also wear tailored slim leg tapered trousers with Chelsea boots & might wear a relaxed corduroy jacket etc

I wear a nice coat every day & a leather bag. Only flat shoes in work.

I don't wear dresses to work v often as it's cold there & not the right environment.

I do have a separate wardrobe for non work events & I like to dress similarly but in a more elevated way so silk blouse, velvet jacket, heeled boots etc

At home I wear nice joggers & sweatshirt & would wear that to supermarket etc

I currently don't own any leggings or jeans at all.

I love the ME+EM look & have always veered towards that even before I came across them.

I work part time in social care and spend my spare time volunteering in my local food bank.
Both roles require sensible/practical warm clothing, which I absolutely do not own or ever wear.

I love dressing up, have zero concept of dressing for the weather and definitely never save anything for best.
My outdoorsy friends despair when I arrive for a country walk etc 😂

I used to dress very sharply for work, suit or dress and heels but now I barely fit in those clothes so bought a couple of dresses for the office and rotate. The rest of the time I can only describe my style as wfh grunge. I keep saying I want to make more effort as I look awful on the school run but when I'm in a massive coat it doesn't seem to feel worth it! I use a poncho over my holey jumpers for calls and it's been eye opening how long my clothes will last functionally when not bothered about appearance which is great but I look a mess lol.

I work in an office and am senior and have to look smart to comply with our workwear policy, so I tend to wear brogues/loafers with tailored trousers and a shirt or shell top and tailored jacket in a different colour to my trousers, or, a cashmere jumper. I sometimes wear Chelsea boots with the trousers. Occasionally, I’ll wear a plain coloured midi-dress with black opaque tights and Flat black boots, with a jacket for meetings.

Summer is a challenge so I tend to stick to midi-length linen dresses in black/ navy/ off-white, with loafers or if it’s boiling, sandals.

It wouldn’t look right if I turned up in leggings and a hoody while my male colleagues were all in suits and ties.

I would however wear that at the weekend or in my leisure time.

@TheMatisseStories excellent thread. Definitely echo what a pp says about multiple organised bags.

@LadyAstor what do you wear on your legs with midi dresses in the summer? Sheer tights always feel odd to me and bare legs inappropriate.

@TheDead our styles sound very similar, where do you get your trousers from? I'm struggling to find decent quality trousers these days. I also live the Me+Em look but when I tried it in the flesh the sizing didn't look great on an hourglass. I like the look of a couple of things from Wyse but put off by the fact the owner is so tiny, makes me wonder how it'll fit on an hourglass.

Life is too short to not wear the things you want to wear.

I could go to work in leggings and a hoodie and trainers, and many people I work with do, but I don't.

I also try and buy 1 to 2 (depending on what it is and the price) handmade things a year from places like The People Shop and House of Flint, so I cans build up a collection of things that I love and can be worn forever. I buy good wool jumpers and cardigans from charity shops and thrift shops and am eventually building up a collection of those too. I also wear good wool socks.

If I had more money I'd dress like @thevitamindproject on Instagram but I don't, so I do my own take on it within my budget.

I'm also a bag lady, but I do have a pouch that goes from bag to bag (for daytime anyway, evenings I don't need it) that has staples in like lip balm, hand sanitiser, hand cream, paracetamol, clean pants (you never know), plasters etc.

Wear what you want to wear, who cares if it "fits".

I'm with you. I love clothes and putting outfits together and wear whatever I want. I may WFH and live a country lifestyle now but that doesn't stop me wearing the clothes I love. I'm not interested in practicality or saving things 'for best'.

I'm a student nurse. Outside of uni I have spaniels, shoot, do gundog training and walk. I spend 99% of my life in shirt/jeans/gilet and boots! 😂

I wear leg make-up (Dior, MAC, etc..) to even out the tone and give them a polished look.