Help me define my style based on what I've just bought!

[Brieandbeetroot]

So I'm trying to dress, well, better! Stuff that looks nice, suits my shape, just generally make more of an effort.

I'm 34, 5'8", size 8 on top, size 10 on bottom, pear shape.

Here are links to stuff I've just bought. Any thoughts on whether it works for someone my shape/height and what I should be looking for to build my style? I suit warm, bright colours.

leather ankle boots

wrap top

bootcut jeans

wrap dress

midi dress

navy top

tan ankle boots

wide leg trousers

Thank you!

Oh and for dresses, there's a thread on this board about the jeans equivalent of a dress- as in, something easy to wear and wash. Good for some inspo!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4792702-anyone-recently-seen-everyday-dresses-answering-to-this-description

This is going to sound really harsh - sorry - but I would return it all. Two pairs of near identical shoes and boots along side a lot of meh.

Find a local stylist and let them take you shopping.

It’s @ mycapsulewadrobe

Sorry I should have read full post. get some flat strappy sandals as alternative to trainers.

If you're unsure what sort of things you're now comfortable and feel confident in I'd arrange a day to go shopping and try lots on, it's much better than buying online for seeing what you actually like and what suits you. I wouldn't bother with trends, from the clothes you've said you own and like I'd say you have a classic taste- nought wrong with that but doesn't need to be dated and/or boring!

From how you've described your shape I'd imagine cigarette style trousers would actually be flattering, and classic knits etc can't go wrong. If you have a friend you trust to be honest I'd take them along and get feedback from them!

I found Stitchfix quite fun and kept two items from my first box.

Here's my discount link (I get credit if it's used) https://www.stitchfix.co.uk/invite/bm2ppshrpf?sod=a&som=c&g=w and if you have AmEx, they sometimes offer cashback. My two items were only £42. I'd suggest doing the daily style file for a couple of weeks before ordering.

I don’t know if people will agree with me or not, but I finally got into biker boots last year after a lot of years of playing it safe with plainer ones. They work with dresses and trousers. These are the ones I have. They are very comfy and the ankles have a sort of expansion thing in them. Maybe worth stashing away for the autumn, as quite timeless.

https://www.johnlewis.com/geox-d-hora-c-chunky-wide-fit-leather-biker-boots-black/p6377719?size=6&s_ppc=2dx92700069723213768_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwo7iiBhAEEiwAsIxQEW1UiYMSsYtaE-j_LUKrEUMhmsCKWQxHisSbuP6XRdI97Ppzxfk5MhoCQ1cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I would start with your current wardrobe - pick 10 items you absolutely love and know you look and feel great in.

Work out why (cut, colour, fabric etc) and replicate.

Buy it, try it and if it's less than 109% right, send it back.

That should say 100%...

So I thought this may help, this is me in a pair of high waist crop linen trousers that I've had and hardly wear as I think they don't flatter, and a t shirt I like the colour of but is short in the body so can only wear with high waist. Apologies for the terrible pic, have had to put a wall mirror on a step and stand back and zoom in to get my whole body in 😂 same top but with a pair of high waist belted shorts.

I love that you are choosing colour OP.

So many people just wear drab colours and neutrals which I personally find very dull. Black and white can be fun but generally it's all so boring to me.

In my city probably over 80% don't wear colour so I'm in the minority I guess.

As an alternative to jeans I just bought some green dungarees from Free People. Green clothes seem to be everywhere this season and it's a colour that suits me so I've been shopping!

The dress is a cotton Broderie one from M&S.

@Minimalme I find it much easier to dress for winter than summer as I feel more comfortable in heavier fabrics, and can't resist a great jumper!
Maybe I can try to work out what I love about my favourite winter items and look for spring/summer equivalents.

I have form for buying more things I don't need as it's my comfort zone (I have a lot of jumpers) and then realising day in day out I don't have any useable shoes - still have about 20 pairs of heels for going out bought +5 years ago.

I find layering difficult which is a pain as in the UK it feels like the temp is so different morning to evening in spring especially that it would be a useful skill to develop!

I really like that dress @Blip, and that green is a good green for me. I saw a similar white on Zara yesterday too. I like broderie, feels like it adds feminity without being too frilly.

I've always found dungarees a challenge as I'm an odd shape/proportions, and too tall to fit well into the regular length stuff, too short to fit into the tall ranges.

Both look great. And you’re going to hate this. You are not a pear shape. Not even close.

sandals. https://espadrille.co.uk/product-category/italian-sandals/

With dungarees you roll up the bottoms so getting the exact right length isn't so much of an issue. Maybe try different cuts? I love wearing dungarees but not all shapes work on me.

If finding the right length is tricky for you in general though I recommend getting a tailor to take things up an inch or two. There are loads of shops that do alterations in my city now. My dd does this a lot and also sometimes just cuts denim shorter with scissors and leaves it as a raw edge.

That green though is EVERYWHERE at the moment so a good time to buy!
I have a couple of new T-shirts and a jacket too 😆

@JenWillsiam what shape would you say I am? I don't want to get sucked into restricting myself based on it, but have literally spent my whole life trying to dress for that shape and I feel like it's held me back so would love to be able to view myself differently! Some gorgeous sandals on that link, thank you!

@Blip sorry, I should have said I find they're often to too short in the body rather than the leg, it's why I steer clear of jumpsuits usually even though I like them. But you're right, I do need to try on lots of the same type of item and determine what features and brands do work for me. I can't remember the last time I tried on clothes on a physical shop... Definitely pre-pandemic!

I would say square. Book in with a stylist for sure.

The crop trousers are too short on you, that’s why you feel they don’t flatter. They need to be an inch or two lower but the concept is nice, you just need the ‘tall’ version. A belt with a shiny buckle or in a different colour would break everything up more and be more interesting. And you need jewellery. Maybe a gold pendant or a couple of necklaces. That sorts out the t shirt neckline. A half tuck of your T-shirt or jumper is most modern. You have a great figure and you are young. The world is your oyster.

I think it's all very grown up. Fine for a professional job but what do you wear at weekends with your toddler?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as I was in a similar place when I stopped working altogether and most of my wardrobe became redundant. I’ve evolved a kind of uniform now.

In the winter it’s Hush Amie joggers - I like the ankle zips and the shape’s more streamlined than most. They look good with jumpers and boots. Gabor make good quality flat leather boots in biker and DM type styles. I’m on my seventh pair of Ash virgin high top trainers which are supremely comfortable and go with everything. I also love a dress over leggings with boots and have several oversized dresses in sweatshirt fabric.

For summer it’s all about linen trousers. I buy mine from M&S and roll them. Then add a tshirt or a loose top or dress. I’ve got chunky sandals and three pairs of Birkenstocks in different colours.

I wear a limited palette - everything is black, white, grey or blue so everything goes with everything else.

I think the suggestion of going shopping, grabbing everything you like and trying it on, forgetting all the “rules” is an excellent one. You will get there, it’s a question of finding your own style, it won’t happen overnight.

You look great in T-shirts - I think concentrate on getting more interesting on the lower half. Longer cut for the trousers IMO and maybe longer skirts in a feminine style, like a pleated one in a bright colour - https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/skirts/product.elasticated-pleated-midi-skirt-yellow.1164149001.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwo7iiBhAEEiwAsIxQEepDKpXByaHjqVtrsoYrxGNlw6j4_nWcksQxFRzuv4-2yM5oXXDT0xoCeUkQAvD_BwE

If you google body shape calculator that should help. It helped me to realise that I'm an hourglass and why pear things didn't suit me.

I’d say your style is quite Kate Middleton and I personally don’t think there’s any problem with that except she needs lots of formal clothes and it sounds like you don’t.

It’s not easy with very young kids though…I definitely felt I lost my sense of style when mine were still toddlers!

I think you have quite a classic style, nothing wrong with that, just try and go for a more modern shape with it. Chinos are a good casual option but try a wider shape. I've attached a few ideas, they'd all look good with trainers or Birkenstock sandals if you don't like the chunky trend. I'd tuck in with a belt to define your waist and a denim jacket for warmth. Not cutting edge but up to date and suitable for your lifestyle!

Think about the meeting point between how you like to dress and how you need to dress for your outdoorsy lifestyle with young kids so you avoid a wardrobe of occasion clothes that don’t get worn. For example I love a silk shirt or dress but find dark dense pattern is more forgiving than a pale, plain one. I am always crouching/crawling around so midi skirts/dresses work better than mini or maxi. I’m outside a lot so build an outfit around great jackets/coats/overshirts in bold shades (avoiding ruining nice outfits with shapeless cardigans). In winter I wear jeans a lot so I invest in those.

I found it helpful to identify a few key brands that suited me as it helped me build a wardrobe that went together. Don’t buy anything without an idea of what you would wear it with (ideally that you already own), it won’t get worn.