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!

As a part-time working mum I decided to invest in basics this year. What about some basics like a white t-shirt and some jeans which you can fold a bit at the bottom, i find a toned down mom kind of jean (bare with me nothing horrid and baggy) looks very flattering on most women with trainers especially for women with a bigger hip bum area who struggle with straight jeans.
Then a leather jacket on top. Henley tops like those at everlane for something long sleeved and comfortable or a fine-knit jumper.
Try trainers with a slightly thicker sole, so much more flattering imo than the completely flat ones like the stan smiths which end up almost curving in and also much better for bootcut or wide leg trousers for some height. I bought these ugg dinale in an off-white but vejas are also nice.
I also bought a waterproof smart navy waxed jacket from hobbs which is smart enough to wear with my work clothes this year but okay for outdoors with dd too. Also, a classic beige mac from Sezane. Do check out the models on the Sezane website just for inspo if it is more than what you are willing to spend.
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1158172002.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0892RPG6S?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_3PVA1NWKW3XTY5SQ2M0S
https://www.sezane.com/en/product/scott-trench-coat/navy#size-12

Relaxed, comfortable, practical, professional. I think you can wear almost anything at your shape and height. Perhaps get in a few more shorter or more colourful items for summer.

https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/textured-orange-v-neck-mini-dress-358256

https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/linen-blend-pink-casual-blazer-350857#selection.color=2005

I've also been using Stitch Fix for the last couple of years. The stylist gets to know your style but in my experience has managed to suggest a few nice items that I wouldn't have tried on myself.

there is a DAnish stylist that has a toddler called Signe her youtube is sort of minimalist capsule wardrobe classic casual called Use less
try M &S wide leg jeans rather than bootcut they're £35 a coloured t shirt say orange as you like it then white sneaker type trainers rather than running shoe trainers and a jacket
if you prefer the smarter side of casual as your style just go with it, you can look after a toddler without wearing leggings or joggers but you do need to be able to get up and down off floor and the knees wear playing on floor I would skip the white t shirts and tops with a toddler though

I've already posted upthread but this has been on my mind for a few days so I'm back!

I think maybe part of the problem is trying to 'define' your style. I'm not sure why my style is (although I do love colour). What I do know is that I have a wardrobe full of clothes I love and getting dressed and choosing what to wear is a pleasure, as well as functional and comfortable. I feel stylish and on trend without looking like mutton dressed as lamb.

Someone suggested the John Lewis personal stylist service which over the years has been fantastic in helping me try new things and get out of a rut. However I know that you can't get there easily.

The other thing that helps me is an online styling service called Stitch Fix. It can be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I return an entire delivery without making a single purchase but other times they will include items I would never have even glanced at but trying them on at home has been a revelation in terms of fit or colour or shape. For instance I hadn't worn a jumpsuit since I was 10 but when I tried on one sent by StitchFix I was amazed at how well it suited me. Knowing that encouraged me to try on more when I was out and about and they now form a staple part of my summer wardrobe.

Have a look at their website. If you are interested PM me and I'll send you a £15 discount link.

Get a Pinterest board and then get following people you resonate with on insta.

A biker jacket always adds a bit of 'edge' to an outfit, it doesn't have to be leather

I think you should book a stylist or personal shopper somewhere. What you've bought looks a bit random to me, like it doesn't all belong to the same person.

Oh OP, I feel your pain - I worked in fashion and was going in to the office everyday pre-pandemic so was always putting the effort in, wearing nice heeled boots, looking a bit smarter… then WFH started, then I got pregnant, then I left the fashion industry and started to WFH permanently and now I’m pregnant again and through those three years, I’ve struggled with my style as my lifestyle has TOTALLY changed. It’s hard! Like lots of PPs have said, get on Pinterest, spend hours on there pinning looks you like AND that are practical for your lifestyle and identify the things that pop up again and again.

also, I follow a stylist on Instagram who is currently doing her top tips on how to create your capsule wardrobe and I think you might find that super useful. Her handle is sam.preston__ and you’ll need to
go on her feed, find the posts with text and start from the oldest one (there are four in total at the mo but it’s an ongoing series).

I’m slightly older than you (35) and a similar build and find that I love straight leg slightly cropped jeans with trainers (Veja / Adidas Sambas / Converse are my go to at the moment), a jumper, a trench coat (or oversized wool coat) and a cross body bag for day-to-day, for feeling a bit put together but still comfortable enough to chase after the toddler. When it warms up I like a midi dress with trainers. I’m not one for print or colour (I wear a lot of black and neutrals) so any specific suggestions I have probably won’t be to your taste but definitely have a look at Pinterest, find people whose style you like on Instagram, build a moodboard of what you like and go from there.

good luck!!

Have a look on Zara maybe. They have some great basics if you don’t want to be too ‘on trend’ but the silhouettes may be more modern. Or wear the things you’ve bought if you like them, but wear the wrap dress with a leather jacket and those suede block heel boots you listed. A leather jacket or slightly oversized plain blazer would bring some of those pieces a bit more up to date without too much fuss.

I am 33, 5’9”, 8-10 on top and 10 on bottom. I tend to stick to good pairs of jeans, I like the topshop premium range and if you’re pear shaped / hourglass like me then they also do an hourglass jeans range which fits like a dream. Then I wear simple vests, tees, long sleeves, usually plain colours. Top it off with leather jacket, oversized blazer or cropped jacket. Boots in winter, sandals in summer. Something comfortable like converse all year round. I don’t wear jewellery but I do have a few statement bags (not designer, just nice/fun).

All a bit random really.

All the outfits you have chosen are smart/going out clothes. None of them are casual wear.
Have a look at M&S, The White Company or Next for more casual looks OP

I would not wear these except for wide leg trousers and I’m in my 60s with a daughter the same age. An good haircut works wonders and updates my favourite classic outfits which seem to be very boring but I add a twist with a colour clash, accessory or texture in the fabric.
when you put clothes on, look in the mirror and ask yourself am I looking at the clothes or your face. If it’s your face then I tend to think that’s the right outfit because I feel happy. Being a working mum with a toddler now is incredibly challenging, I just want to say you are doing a great job.

Really sorry OP, but that wrap dress is very frumpy…anything “wrap” reminds me of the Trinny & Susannah advice of yore (you may be too young to remember those two!!) You’re young, tall and slim - don’t play it safe.

I don’t see how any of these are ‘dated’. You do you and tell fast fashion to do one.

Also I would not recommend for anyone to wear that kind of orange on top unless they have very very dark skin.

As a whole the items all feel quite autumnal tho? And from the shops I take it you don’t live in Australia. I’d try more fresher colours. Maybe a flower print or an abstract print if you’re not into flowers.

Generally a good print can bring fun and interest to an otherwise classic or boring piece.