Are these ok?

[Rosti1981]

Like many other posters I've seen recently, I feel like I've lost my sense of style (if I ever had it!). I've just bought the following things but I'm a bit arrrrgh am I getting this right, are they too safe / boring, will they go together? I would ideally send some back as well as I can't actually afford all this!

I'm 10-12 (12 jacket/structured tops as I think I have broad shoulders, 10-12 waist). Fairly toned but tummy a bit wobbly/prone to bloat. 5'7. Shape probably quite rectangular/up and down, not that much boob going on.

Lifestyle is wfh most of the time, office 1 day per week (try to dress a bit smarter on those days - Hobbs dresses or just some plain black trousers and a top), quite active (walk/cycle a lot locally and also go to the gym), have 9 and 12 year olds so beyond toddler/baby sick phase. Like to be outdoors/camping etc. Colouring is classic summer I think.

These are the things I've got - are they ok / is it overly safe/boring? / how would you style (and have I got everything I need here without buying yet more stuff?!). Have sort of collected together the things that I'm hoping fit together and hoping this is a reasonable wardrobe for spring/summer.

These navy chinos
A white/silver lace Mint Velvet top from Vinted
This jacket, will go back unless I absolutely love it because it is so £££
Silver/teal belt
With a silver necklace, possibly this though I am also looking at necklaces I own already including turquoise/blue ones

Khaki zip top (I can't see that much green in this, it's more a dark grey)
Grey sparkle tshirt
These black wide trousers
These black espadrilles with heels

White/pink trainers
White short t-shirt from Hush to be worn with a green pleated midi skirt I bought in Spain for next to nothing. Could do with a different belt as it has a ribbon tie which hangs weirdly.
With Hobbs light blue denim jacket from last year
Green dress from Hush
Pink sandals
I also already have some pink trainers (like these ones)

And a couple of jumpers - this one and a stripy grey/white one with nice zipped wrist sleeve (Mint Velvet) from Vinted, white M&S jumper from charity shop. To be worn with jeans (have M&S Lily Bootcut, could possibly get a different cut but not sure what... I like bootcut as 90s girl at heart, but then don't wear with boots which I think is a no no!)

Also have some cream/navy vest tops from last summer and hippy/harem cotton trousers (Thought I think) which I will pull out for this year as well.

Am I channelling boring/safe, children's TV presenter inanity, or mix-and-match-that-will-never-work??

Looking safe: fine. Actively the opposite of what the OP asked for, though. So maybe this isn't... about you?

Most of what you have there is indeed ‘ok’ - and I agree, very ‘safe’. And there’s nothing wrong with that for those who like that. I find everything there is pretty innocuous, so arguably a bit devoid of personality - only my opinion. You can however inject personality into most things with great jewellery and great shoes! I personally don’t like MV, or Hobbs - not good value I don’t think. I do like Me&Em for work stuff, it’s a bit hit and miss but I got a cracking suit there recently. I generally shop at All Saints (I do love that jacket - well I would, I have one of theirs very similar), Whistles, Jigsaw, The Kooples, and Wolf and Badger.

She didn't actually say that. She said she had put some items together as possibles and wondered if they were too safe or boring. People agreed but they were her first choice.

She wears Hobbs. I've never worn Hobbs as they look boring, same as L K Bennett.

I took issue with your ageist comments implying that all women in their late 50s or 60 who wear MV are bleached blonde with heavy eyeliner and wear off the shoulder tops. It is possible to have perfectly 'safe' grey and navy jumper and T shirt from MV and not have that hair or eyeliner, you know.

As it happens whenever I'm in MV having a browse, everyone buying looks 20-30 years younger than me.

The clothes are all fine but you could wear much more interesting things especially as you are tall and slim. I like the suede jacket.

It's a bit hard to suggest alternatives as you haven't said much about what looks you actually like, only what you don't like. Best advice I got from a stylist (when in a similar slump) was to think about what you wore pre kids and find a way to bring that into your new wardrobe- trust the young you rather than trying to reinvent yourself.

If you post some pictures of looks you like people might be able to suggest places to try.

Yep, I really like those. I like shell jewellery - I've just favourited something similar on Etsy, but much cheaper. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1119723676/handmade-silver-seashell-pendant?click_key=468488934ddd50f3519ec68a3dd4e6a41356a611%3A1119723676&click_sum=156d77a2&ref=shop_home_active_5&frs=1

I might treat myself for holidays.

My issue is that I have always struggled with style and defining what looks good, even pre children. Entering the world of work and DINKY salaries I liked Hobbs and Jigsaw as professional and smart, but in my personal life I always wanted to look nice but never really knew how (would have some successes and nice things, but more by chance than design). I can tell looking back at me that I basically didn't really know how to dress, and I never felt pretty or beautiful so almost like I didn't want to look too try hard (kind of why would I deserve to have beautiful things when I was so plain looking).

I love turquoise, teal, blues, greens and also quite like purples (and I do like a black even though my colouring probably doesn't suit it, hence now trying dark grey instead). I like red too. I like chunky boots and dresses. I like dresses on or above the knee, or full length, and cut wise I like fit and flare or skater style. Bit of a stretch and structure but not full body con. I struggle more with trousers and indeed with skirts, basically working out what fits together ok (dresses are a lot easier for that!). As I'm getting older I feel more comfortable about the idea of trying to look nice, I'm not a beauty but I can still look nice. I also like interesting but subtle details like silver buttons on a sleeve, a lace trim, or a slightly flared cut to a sleeve.

Fabric wise I like natural fibres best, but can tolerate some synthetics, I'm fussy though and anything that clings or is itchy is an immediate no (including most real wool actually). Enjoying browsing some of the suggestions from this thread.

And I know this is probably ridiculous but I struggle with trousers and tops and knowing whether to tuck them in or not!
Tucking them in seems to look funny on me (makes me look puffy) but not tucked looks scruffy. Looking at that rectangular body style guide above I wonder if I am over thinking that because of being a rectangle. It seems to look odd either way on me a lot of the time!

I've found Who What Wear an absolutely brilliant website for ideas- might be worth a look. They review things in the shops and make suggestions for how to put it together, and also show the items on the writer not just on a model.

Would you wear something like this? https://www.thereformation.com/products/jayde-high-rise-denim-midi-skirt/1310914NAH.html?utm_source=25ZRSXYPVYg&utm_medium=10&utm_campaign=LinkShare&sid=LS298X102&ranMID=40090&ranEAID=1921634&ranSiteID=25ZRSXYPVYg-yz6RshKLDe.Yf.vHXohVeA Hard to go wrong in terms of what top to wear with it, anything from a vest to a polo neck. Loads of denim midis around at the moment.

I'm 42 and the only thing I would wear from that list is the all saints jacket and maybe the zip top.

If you want navy chinos, have a look at Primark Edit - I've just bought a pair of them, much more modern shape than the Hush ones and much cheaper. In fact I would have a look in Primark generally - yes it's cheap but that means you can try some new looks without costing the earth.

Love the Who What Wear suggestion.

I don't much like midi length though maybe I need to try again. It's certainly popular, I just feel frumpy in it (which is why I'm happier with shorter or longer). I know I may be in the minority there, it's just always been a length I struggle with

Though I like that one, on that model. I just feel it accentuates my rectangular ness quite a lot!

I’m a rectangle shape too OP and I am generally better in certain shapes and cuts. V neck tops seem to suit me better, and anything with a nipped in waist or belt for adding the illusion of curves. Peplum tops are good, as are belted jackets and coats. Anything high neck or boxy looks bad on me. I would say work out what shapes, cuts and colours work for your shape first, before thinking about being trendy… also I find it’s helpful to find a few celebs whose street style I like and get ideas from them…

Oh and I also can’t do the midi length either! I need to do on or above the knee. I personally think finding what really suits you is much more important than keeping up with trends.

Try gathering all the excess fabric at the back, twisting it and tucking in. It looks less puffy.

You are a similar height and shape as me.
I love the structure of Cos clothing and they won't break the bank.

Got to laugh. I wore that exact same skirt in 1980.

It's true we should never throw out clothes- they always come back in the end!

I've ordered some other things to try (my credit card hates me) especially while there are some BH deals on.

Couple of Monsoon things:
this quilted jacket
this blouse

Couple of &Other Stories things:
pintuck jeans
couple of plain (pale blue / beige) tank tops
this bag
this dress to try which I fear may be similar to my usual style, but I don't have any summer dresses right now so not sure I care!

The green Cos jumpsuit!

The dotty trainers I had ordered will go back when they arrive and I will get some plainer Converse or similar. I will probably also return the Hush dress as on reflection not loving it, but will try for style/cut.

I am on the look out for high waisted jeans, flared or wide, with pockets on the front... like these (but I think I'm a 38 not a 36 european size) or these (definitely none of my size available). I will probably try M&S if all else fails as the one near to me has a wide selection and then I can try.

I got these girlfriend jeans as well in grey because they were cheap, I like the colour and I wanted to try.

Jeans online are a nightmare tbh and I should probably just stop - if none of them fit I'm not pursuing jeans online any more.

Oh and I also went through my wardrobe sorting out the 4+ year old Seasalt Breton stripe tops for charity, the M&S horror and some other things that I don't wear any more. And dug out old summer clothes in storage I had forgotten about which made me calm down about everything new needing to match because I actually have a few staples already!

Ooh I'm excited for you, @Rosti1981! I'm in the market for a nice quilted collarless kimono type jacket - there are some lovely ones on Etsy (thanks, Wears My Money!) but the really nice ones are a bit out of my price range.

Love that blue crochet bag you've linked to, and the green jumpsuit. The dress is pretty too.

Also on the lookout for the perfect wide leg crop jeans - best of luck.

It’s not exactly the style you said, but my friend has these Me & Em wide legged jeans, and they look incredible on. I can’t afford them otherwise I’d buy them in a heartbeat!

I like the jumper haha, it's young and fun, I'd wear it with a leather jacket (the one you've bought maybe if the colours match) , or leather trousers/skirt personally but I think it could look good depending on your colouring.

I'm not a fan of the espadrilles, I think they're a bit old fashioned looking.
The pink sandals, trousers, necklace and khaki top are all lovely.

This comment is unbelievably patronising. An “ opinion” from someone who has a strong sense of their own style and believes that then gives them authority to be very disparaging about other peoples choices.
I would agree that Mint Velvet is a bit safe and uses a lot of synthetic fabrics. But like most brands there are some things that are awful and some things that are much nicer. The clothes are noticeably better made that supermarkets brands.
I am 60 ( and have bleached hair) . I would look ridiculous if I tried to be too edgy . I buy from mint velvet but there’s lots I dislike . I dont need anyone’s permission to continue wearing it @TheNachtzehrer and the comment that older women who still dye their hair and buy some of their clothes in a particular shop are a homogenous and frumpy group is simplistic and insulting
I see many suggestions for outfits posted on Style and Beauty that I personally think are hideous. ( That green jumpsuit from Cos is one) But that just makes me think that everyone has different tastes - not that I am the arbitrator of all decisions of what is deemed stylish or not .

Following with interest! Love love love the biker jacket OP

I love those! I don't think I can afford them either though (maybe if I return a LOT of the other things that haven't arrived yet!). Love the cut though, and the pockets.

Two jackets are here, I like this black/grey one best (don't think I flagged in original thread) but I am also conscious this might not be the best purchase in May as it's quite hot.

I really like the powder blue/grey one as well but I think it may be harder to match with the rest of my wardrobe (it is between shades and short of wearing it with total black it is trickier). Though it sort of depends on the fat face grey jeans too, which I got delivered to shop so will need to get next time I'm commuting.

Still deliberating on the jacket front anyway...

White Stuff Trainers also here and going straight back as really don't like them, and the pink sandals from Schuh don't fit and I don't think I like them enough to try the size down.