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!

@ScribblingPixie I love that skirt but wasn't sure if the 34 would be too small and the 36 is sold out, does Cos tend to come up big/small or average?

Thank you all of you who've suggested outfit styles, ways to shop and add to my existing wardrobe, I really appreciate all of it and this thread has really opened my eyes to not pigeon holeing myself based on perceived rules or shape and embracing the things I enjoy about clothing.

@LeeMiller and others you are right about trying to retain a sense of self while trying to merge it with the demands of my actual life.

It probably doesn't come across but I genuinely love clothes and really like to look good but I've lost my way over the past few years so it's nice to get a variety of opinions and suggestions.

I will continue to update when I find some stuff and might post some more outfit pictures if anyone fancies critiquing and helping me build my wardrobe!

I might join the what are you wearing today thread too when I get a full length mirror 😂

Today we went out to an NT place and I wore dark jeans, copper metallic sandals, berry coloured t shirt from the photos earlier, hammered copper necklace and a tan relaxed fit blazer with the sleeves pushed up. It also reminded me that I do actually feel the cold until it gets really quite warm so something to factor in.

I love the wide leg trousers and suspect they will look fab on your frame ( I'm jealous because I'm short and hourglass and theyd look awful) but I don't think a wrap top or dress is right for you. I love the navy top and think you should go more clingy like that; or if you feel a bit pear shaped a blouse or top with a ruffled shoulder, or peter pan collar of some sort to balance you out. More quirky and fun too.

I've found Cos clothing to be true to size, veering towards generous rather than tight - sorry to suggest something that's sold out.

No not at all @ScribblingPixie was nice to know that something I'd seen/thought of was on the right lines. Also nice to see a skirt like that with a zip closure, I find them much more flattering than the pull on elasticated ones as I find they tend to cut in.

Is the navy top the silky one from Zara @ladygindiva? Thank you, I am excited about those trousers, I had a pair of green wool wide leg trousers that never really worked because they were quite low rise, these look to be much higher which I think is better for me, even if sometimes I think it over accentuates my bum!

Yes the Zara top. And high waist is good, don't worry, big bums are totally on trend!

Perhaps. I found that it made me look at some things that I would not have considered, and now find myself wearing all the time. My brief was work clothes to bring me up to date a bit more after lockdown and they absolutely delivered.

Although a cheaper brand I think Apricot do some very flattering summer dresses and casual tops. I would wear this with trainers and a denim jacket when out with the kids.

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/brush-dot-midi-dress/Am971-Mustard.html

Hi. I totally understand where you are coming from. It’s hard to be fashionable and know what works after having a baby and secondly being in your 30s. It feels like a bit of a no man’s land of attire! I would say that the best advice I can give is try a few new styles. I think flattering but fairly safe brands for you could be fat face and joules as they have a lot of casual clothes that can be dressed up. You may want to try a vintage style as this is quite fashionable but you can also make it your own - so Joanie or popsy clothing have a nice variety of styles - also a brand called hell bunny has lovely blouses. Your figure sounds lovely btw -8-10 and pear shape

Can I offer a different opinion as someone who is not extremely into fashion - I'm just a normal person and not much older (36).... Everything you bought is fine. I wouldn't wear any of it really, but that's because my style is much more casual (jeans, jumpers, trainers etc) and I'm much shorter. But that's just me, like I said I wouldn't say I was "stylish", but i don't particularly worry about it.

Yes, the style is more "mature" for someone in their 30s, but that doesn't mean aging. Plenty of people dress more grown up than me but I think "oh wow, how grown up are they compared to me in my kiddy-clothing?". Are these pieces for work or for everyday? They strike me as a bit like office-wear? But again, I go back to my previous comment about my style being much more casual, probably linked to my not-officey job.

I wouldn't listen to those in their 60s saying they wouldn't wear any of it. Isn't that the point? Who in their 30s aims to wear something someone in their 60s would wear? How many times has your mum or mother in law pulled a face or made a comment about a piece of clothing that is "in"? As fashion comes round, older people can think that current items are dated because it's something they wore at a similar age. Think - all the 90s/00s fashion coming back round, I can't get my head out of boot cut jeans being dated 😅

I really like those trousers! I could never wear them because of my height/shape, but they work on you. Not with that top though. You need something with a bit of colour with them I think

Sorry, that wasn't clear at all. This was to the pictures you posted on the previous page with the black cropped trousers 🤦🏼‍♀️

That’s really nice, there are a few good everyday dresses on that site.

@Brieandbeetroot

you say "sadly I do not have the glossy athletic look of Kate Middleton so definitely don't think that should be my goal! '

Surely that's the whole point of a thread like this - the look you have atm isn't a look you like and you are casting around for a new one. Sure you don't have the glossy, athletic look yet, but that doesn't mean it isn't achievable! And as someone 152cm tall and a similar dress size I find it hard to believe you could ever look dumpy. I don't think I do and I'm 7 inches shorter than you!

I had never considered J Crew before but after seeing those boots I had a bit of a breakfast spree and am eagerly awaiting a bumper delivery.

Good luck with finding a new look. Break out of your comfort zone. You might surprise yourself.

@FeelingwearyFeeelingsmall you're right of course, I think partly what I was trying to say was that I don't necessarily want to align myself with a certain look, I want my own look! Otherwise I end up feeling like I'm in a costume and I think it's also how my wardrobe ends up a bit disjointed, as it becomes a selection of "looks" rather than a mix of pieces that I can wear to feel good in a variety of scenarios.

I am keeping the boots from Crew, the chocolate brown leather ones. They look nice, feel comfortable and will be really useful when autumn rolls around again. I like buying out of season stuff in the sale, get better quality for a bargain!

Am also happy to report that the Karen Millen wide leg trousers arrived and fit like a glove and look amazing! I'm looking forward to trying them on with some things I have already and seeing where there are gaps. But I think I will be able to get a lot of wear out of them.

I like that mustard dress @WonderingWanda, I sometimes have a problem with shirt dresses as I find the bottom button tends to ping off if I'm not careful when I stretch/lunge but I really like it as a style.

I sent back all the DP stuff except the navy knit ruched shoulder top as that fit really well and will be a good transitional item under a blazer or alone when the weather warms a bit.

@Koalasparkles thank you re the trousers. I realised when I put them on that they are a bit too big now and so they keep falling off my waist but they confirmed that high waist works well for me and does not amplify my bum as much as I expected. And I think you're right too, sometimes it's fine to just look "nice and normal". Not every outfit needs to be photo worthy.

I sent back the red Mango dress from JL, partly because it was missing a button already but it just looked a bit "meh" despite the colour.

I have ordered a pair of culottes from French Connection which I think I can wear for work or nicer family days out and a pair of tan sandals as I went through my summer shoes and realised I'd worn most of my sandals to death.

culottes

sandals

I think the culottes will work well with some of the fitted t shirts I've got in teal, mustard, bottle green etc. And I think I'm going to buy the silky navy draped top from Zara, which I could wear with the culottes for work.

@Emzbee I really like some of the 50s style knits and blouses etc but I find the dresses and skirts end up looking a bit like I'm wearing fancy dress. But I think incorporating some vintage inspired separates could be fun!

Jeans are still my issue. I'm wearing the bootcut ones but I don't love them. I am hoping that with finding some new trouser and skirt styles I can eventually phase out jeans altogether. That feels quite radical!

Haven't RTFT but my first thought was I'm not sure how you would build an outfit from those items. That's where you need to start...

And would these work as go with lots of stuff trainers? I liked them months ago when they had a bright red pair but the navy would be versatile, more so for me than black, or white which would just get filthy.

https://www.jonesbootmaker.com/products/padova-leather-lace-up-trainers-padova-320-235?variant=40080002777151

They’re really nice and, being leather, will be very easy to keep clean.

This comes from a kind place but this is all very drab and boring, something I’d tell my mum in her 60s off for wearing. You’re a young women in her 30s have some fun with fashion! That said it’s your body and how you dress is entirely up to you but as you’ve asked for advice I’d suggest looking around a bit more. Maybe go on Instagram and follow some style influencers around your age etc for some inspiration!

This style of jeans based on your photos?

@Fluff11 any suggestions of particular items?

@Blossomtoes thanks, I like that they don't look like trainers for exercising.

@ScribblingPixie they do look interesting, more like trouser styles I like so definitely worth a try.

Not sure of your budget, OP, but this is brilliant:
https://houseofcolour.com/style
Expensive but they literally work out what suits you, from shape of jeans, necklines, styles of jackets etc.

Just popping on to say this is my style (more than a few people have pointed out the similarity to Kate Middleton, plus I have long dark hair which either helps or hinders depending on whether you like the comparison). I'm 33, been wearing this sort of thing since my early 20s. I feel like it's very me, which I love, plus it's comfortable and smart. I call it "Miss Honey chic" :) It doesn't break any style boundaries whatsover but idc. Those boots are similar to what I live in all winter and are versatile. I think it's better to look neat, safe and feel pretty than be a tragic victim of trying to follow fashion, which people can spot from a mile away.

I'm in my 30s and can't say that I get the mumsnet obsession with androgynous sacks sold by the likes of Cos.

I also don't think that there's anything wrong with classic styles and dressing 'safe'. Attempting to be 'edgy' can come across a bit tragic and try hard after a certain age if you're not careful.

I think it's more about choosing clothes that suit your lifestyle. The wrap dress is a lovely colour, but looks quite low cut and formal, so you need to think about where you would wear it.

Buy some black comfy trainers, and wear them when you need to walk farther. Your feet will thank you.
Invest in some some decent stud earrings, they always great .