I don't know what to wear ---ever!

[mauvish]

Like it says. I am totally lacking in any idea of what might look good on me and I'm in a real fashion rut, so any ideas might be nice.

I'm early 60s so dread looking like mutton-dressed-as-lamb. Good legs but I think minis are out now (see above!) BMI about 22-23, C-D cup, skinny bum and hips, tend to be apple shaped and bloat quite easily. Wide swimmer's shoulders (so anything that accentuates them makes me look like a pro wrestler). My colouring suits blues, greens, mauve, orange, dark grey, even the dreaded yellow! But I disappear in muted tones and I don't like pink.

I'm retired and live in casual clothes. I never wear heels (not sure I could if I wanted to due to previous ankle surgery). But I am sooooooo bored with jeans and T shirts.

A lot of my clothes are quite old as my size/shape is the same as it was many years ago (!). And with not working, I don't want to spend much money on "quality classics" -- I'd just like to have a smallish trendy wardrobe. I always like to feel fabric before I buy so vastly prefer real shops to online ones. Not keen on tight clothes.

I think I look like a frumpy middle aged woman who hasn't got a clue and I'd like to look nicer! What might you suggest?

I have those same trousers in the fine, soft cord material in navy. I wore them yesterday with a stripy short sleeve jumper- similar to this but round neck and slightly longer sleeves
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141771132?istCompanyId=07cf3c1d-7207-477f-aab0-212732e114dd&istFeedId=03391e81-6312-4095-9322-96087f0115ae&istItemId=rmxqpptil&istBid=t&cmpid=cpc&src=Google&med=Shopping&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17468682663&utm_term=tuc141771132&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=140532481111&utm_custom2=825-875-8916&gclid=CjwKCAjwx_eiBhBGEiwA15gLN5__zu2tjHsKMiBbtME8eEnD5B5jdcnT_WyD-7nmDBzyXOhtVYMFBhoC1W4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
And metallic silver trainers

It didn't feel like a GREAT outfit, but I felt nicely enough put together. I'm long torso-ed and the jumper I have finishes at my waist.

I think you do need to tuck tops in to feel put together, so maybe you need to look at layers for over the top to help you feel comfortable with that, and maybe look at your shoe options? If you only want to wear trousers for 85% of the year, that's absolutely fine, but you're not likely to feel smart with trousers/ jeans and a loose top- you need to figure out where you want the focus to be and buy some clothes that accentuate that. Could be boobs, waist, legs, but you need to choose something really.

The op asked for ideas to help her get out of a fashion rut (her words). When people throw ideas around there are bound to be some that aren't to everyone's taste or budget.

Anyway given that the op doesn't even like the joggers, this is starting to feel like a derail and I think I'm out. I hope you get some ideas op and good luck.

You sound like you have a great figure and could wear pretty much anything. I like the monki trousers, you just need something a bit more fitted on top, maybe with a thin knit cardigan if you're conscious of your middle.

Some of the posts in this thread are really horrible and a bit snooty.

😂😂😂😂

Morning all. I seem to have eaten and slept clothes since posting yesterday!

Yes, I'm retired; I have a reasonable pension but I'm not in designer-clothes category. It can be nice to look though! I'd be prepared to spend money on something really special, that I really needed, for a special occasion, but none of those are coming up at the moment. I'm really looking at high street prices, and as we all know there's not a lot of high street left; but if I travel a bit I can get to most well known shops.

Not a fan of the massively oversized look tbh. I think it can end up looking like the clothes attacking the wearer! Also I'm old enough to think that many recent styles look very old fashioned as I remember older female relatives wearing them when I was little! I need to move past that feeling!

Anyway, this morning I have done a massive wardrobe clear out and got a charity shop pile, and I'm going to try to sell a couple of good things that I no longer like on Vinted or similar. I also saw a pair of wide leg charcoal pleated trousers in a local shop yesterday (think pleats please but missing the 0 off the end of the price tag!) and got those, immediately many of my tops look nicer with those than they do with jeans. And clearing out the wardrobe always feels positive.

Oh, I also found a sage coloured silk blazer that I'd forgotten I had (it must be at least 20 years old!) the shape is a bit odd if buttoned up but it looks good loose.

But can I find my Monki white T shirt, as per the start of this thread? Nope. It's disappeared. (I did however find a pintucked white cotton blouse that fits me better now than when I bought it - never worn it much because it was a bit tight but I've lost some weight) so I guess that's a win :)

I was going to suggest wideleg trousers from M and S/Uniqlo/Mango/ Stradivarius with a fitted teeshirt from Cos not Co, but when I saw people suggesting £500 dresses I ran away. But now that you have said your budget is highstreet... 😉. That's my uniform these days. Comfy and can be dressed up and down.

I also think you should look at Massimo Dutti. They still have a few shops left and some lovely clothes if you search.

And fucking ugly.

Oh! I have an answer to a question posed above!

what do I like/would I like to wear/look like etc?

well, I covet an awful lot of stuff on this website:
https://www.nancymac.co.uk/

GOK when I'd actually get to wear it though 😕

It's not my style @mauvish, but there's nothing on Nancy Mac that I wouldn't wear every day if it was.

So why not do that? Why not wear it every day?

Why isn't every day a Nancy Mac day?

Go to Sainsbury’s or any other big retailer and try on as many items and combinations as you want until you find a good look that you feel comfortable in. If the fabric is good, buy, or look elsewhere for similar. Charity shop or throw out your old clothes. Get a good haircut and a manicure/pedicure. Shoe styles are probably more sensible than they’ve been for decades, and they’re cheap, so buy some new trainers and sandals. I just got some trainers in Office (own brand) that were reduced from £45 to £20. They’re great.
Supermarket clothes quality is often as good as those that cost £££ more and they know how to keep up with the curve fashion wise while toning down extreme looks. You will appear contemporary and stylish.
Some of my nicest things have come from George at Asda, for example wide-legged heavy linen trousers still going strong after five years.

This kind of top would look good with those Monki trousers. Mand S do a few similar. Search for 'knitted top.' It gives a good shape with loose trousers because it's fitted but you don't get lumps from tucking in. Some are less flattering thin rib material but some are very flattering because the material is a bit thicker and hangs well

It seems to be getting to a point on S&B where you can’t comment unless you blindly agree with a handful of posters and have a very large clothing budget.

The whole point of posting pics and links is to share ideas. Can’t we all just treat them accordingly and stop looking at the price?

@notwavingbutdrowning1

the price is relevant though for most of us

🤷‍♀️ i still think those joggers are way overpriced. I don’t care how they’re made

Great, let’s just screw the environment, not encourage UK production, and condemn thousands in other countries to labour away in sweatshops then.

@mauvish If the Nancy Mac dresses are the thing you love, how about you start with a sale one and wear it to a nice dinner and to the pub with maybe a leather jacket or other casual jacket. That way you get to see if it suits your lifestyle enough to get a couple more.

the price is relevant though for most of us

My post literally suggested you use them as inspiration rather than buy them.

Most people who are asking for ideas tend to want things they could actually buy. The £500 dresses are rarely going to be useful in that case. Then again the ‘Try on everything in Sainsbury’s’ suggestions are equally unhelpful imo, since most things there are just total plastic shite except for the very occasional cotton blouse or dress.

Go to Sainsbury’s or any other big retailer and try on as many items and combinations as you want until you find a good look that you feel comfortable in. If the fabric is good, buy, or look elsewhere for similar

Is what I said. The quality of materials in supermarkets and cheaper chains is generally no worse than in more prestigious retailers, and sometimes better, especially in cotton or linen. Polyester tat abounds in some “quality” stores, generally with a mind boggling price tag attached.
Trying on lots of combinations will help establish what suits and what doesn’t.

I have to agree that quite often paying more doesn't mean better quality. I have found more cotton and linen in Uniqlo and M and S than in posher stores.

I'm laughing my arse off at the hick green joggers for £60!! And the associated snobby comments.

OP I like your monki trousers and the outfit suggestion from @Iknowthis1 is perfect in my opinion.

I know you're on a pension but I think the best way to look current on a budget is footwear. Could you afford to buy a nice pair of chunky sandals? I'd recommend tan as they go with light and dark colours.

@notwavingbutdrowning1

imo they are a horrible unflattering colour and style, hence why I think they are overpriced

Haven't read all the replies and I'm no style queen, but with wide legged trousers I think they need to be longer than those you showed us AND paired with a fitted top in a colour that contrasts or matches well. I avoid white generally as it is so stark and doesn't blend with anything well, unless you want a very vibrant look. That t shirt doesn't do the model any favours. The round neck and short length make it very little girlish. I prefer wider necklines or a v neck as they have more interest (though being fairly flat chested I can't get away with a low v cut).

My general rule with trousers is that tighter ones look fine with a looser top, wider ones better with a tighter top and average ones better with slightly loose or tighter top.

Dresses - don't do these much and my legs are skinny, not in a good way. Overall those I prefer just above the knee or calf / ankle length. Midi length always looks wrong to me on anyone and screams frumpy. Could be just me though.

Wide leg trousers full length) in a good fabric. M&S have loads. Wear with a FITTED t shirt (not too long) in Summer and FITTED polo necks in Winter. Pair with a silk blouse (possibly with a tie neck) for evenings. A tweed / boucle blazer or cropped jacket from Zara over the top of any of them if you want to look more formal or be warmer.

Then never think about it again.

Not if most of it is badly made, garish and unflattering, it won’t. It would just be thoroughly disheartening imo.

TBF though, I feel the same way these days with a trying on session in places like Whistles too. Most of it is as bad as the supermarkets, you’re right.