New tops for every day / work!

[Bunnichick]

I am in a bit of a style rut. I like simple clothes but I seem to wear a combination of skinny jeans and plain tops, commonly black cotton long sleeved top worn black skinny jeans, navy blue top with navy jeans and trainers or boots.

I now want some new clothes!

I like long sleeved but will wear short sleeves. I like skinny jeans but I think bootcut may be more flattering? I love chelsea boots or ankle boots with a heel.

I like simple, comfortable clothes but I wold like to look a bit more put together.

I'm about 5'4, size 10, big boobs, tum not as flat as it was after 2 children...

I buy the plain tops from Next and I used to like Gap, less so since they went online only but I will have a look there.

Any recommendations? Should I go for something like Stitchfix?

Also I would do dresses as an alternative:

Can you venture into stripes? They seem the safest of patterns if you are used to solids. When you say tops, do you mean long-sleeve t-shirts or blouses?

If blouses, then look for an updated shape or fabric. Broderie is on trend this year. This one looks like seersucker, with tonal stripes.
https://www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-textured-stripe-shirt-pink/p110432570

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-alice-broderie-shirt-ecru/p109920294

Stripes possibly!

blouses might work - my thing really but I have big boobs so anything with buttons can be a bit unflattering unless baggy

I've never had stitch fix myself but watched a few YouTube videos. From what I can see the brands they have are on the pricey side and tbh the clothes didn't seem like anything great.

I quite like Uniqlo for basics. For blouses I like Oliver Bonas and Oasis

If you have the time and the inclination head to the upmarket charity shops and the not so upmarket ones and see what they have on offer.

I would recommend Mango and H&M for tops and blouses.

Uniqlo was made for you. Lots of variation on a theme, so everything would be interchangeable. And many times cooler and more contemporary looking than the places you mention.

(Not clear if you’re interested in spending more than that?)

To be fair your outfits sounds pretty put together already. Maybe add some accessories to change things up a bit. A large bangle, necklace or scarf, hair accessory.

You could also put together a serviceable work uniform at Community Clothing. Small variety of tops and some lovely, simple trousers.

If you already have a put together 'uniform' one way to make that a bit more exciting is to wear different coloured trainers or Chelsea boots. I wear a lot of light coloured shoes, like tan, beige, even pale pink, and suede. They are not as practical as black for walking the dog or going to the playpark, but other than that a pair of tan boots, cowboy or small heel (if that's still in which perhaps it is not) if you don't fancy flat, or with a chunky sole, seems to make your outfit look intentional and breaks up the all black or the all navy.

Silly me, I see you put 'tops' in the title so weren't looking for general fashion advice! I find it easier to style a plainer outfit then add say a cross-body bag and a cool pair of tan shoes than find different tops, but that's not what you asked!

Stitch Fix are good. I think only once I've not bought anything, and then my mum bought one of the items off me anyway. I've ended up with a few nice bags/clothes so have changed the frequency to come less often now.

Oliver Bonas clothes are a bit more interesting than Next & Gap, IMO and their jewellery is also good.

I do Stitch fix and love it. Takes a few goes to get it right, and you have to do the style quizzes regularly but It's got me out of my rut and has made me try things I probably wouldn't have picked up in a shop. It's great to try stuff on at home and with other items of clothing or shoes.
You can set the max amount you are prepared to pay for items. I have always kept at least 1 item (normally 3 or 4) and I definitely wear my stitch fix clothes more than the things that were already in my wardrobe. Some of it's a bit dodgy but most of it's pretty good quality. I've had some lovely jeans and tops... my spending limit is set quite low !!
Give it a go ! It's easy to cancel and you can do it monthly, bi monthly, quarterly. You get your £10 knocked off anything you buy. ( I don't work for them btw :) )

@Catspyjamas17 it's the times when its actually cheaper to keep all 5 things and get the discount than send one thing back.. i always keep and then sell that 1 item.

It's so easy to send the clothes back and it would do my head in to keep even one item I don't want, and I don't have time to sell things. If I like everything I tend to pick the two best items as I don't want to spend £200+ tbh. I'm not doing it very often now.

@Highdaysandholidays1 happy for the general fashion advice too but it's more clothes that I'm lacking

@Catspyjamas17 I'm tempted to try stitch fix

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Have a shufti on the New Look site - I've done a filter for long sleeved tops.