Personal stylist - autumn, winter and Xmas edition

[frillseeking]

I thought I'd do a Xmas edition of the styling threads I've done before for anyone who is interested 🎄👠

Many thanks!

@regularmumnotacoolmum Capsule wardrobes come up a lot/ items you can wear to work and at weekends. Here's a few ideas and just an example to show how you can style things to work for the office and the weekend

@frillseeking was this meant for me? If so, thank you. They’re the kind of things I like.

@GeorgeMichaelWasHere that was in reply to another poster but I've attached similar. Mango is a really good place to look for plus size

What a great thread, thanks for doing this @frillseeking!

Any suggestions for a blue dress to wear to my daughter's baby gender reveal party, it's an afternoon in November. (I don't suit pink).

I'm 45, petite, 5 2, size 8-10 with a slight tummy. 30F bust, Blonde, blue eyed colouring.

I prefer a V neck, or off the shoulder style, and don't suit high necks or big puffy sleeves, but would like a bit of a sleeve, or 3/4 sleeve. Mini or maxi is fine, not sure about midi though. I love sweater dresses, but sometimes get stuck on which shoes to wear, I often prefer boots.

I usually default to black, there's so many gorgeous green dresses around at the moment, but not much blue! I like this style, but not sure about the colour and open to suggestions! Also what shoes would you wear with it?

@Blinkityblonk knee highs are always a good option for this time of year as they're easy to wear with jeans or leggings to smarten up your look and great to wear with dresses and skirts. I have a few dresses and skirts that I can carry on wearing through winter when paired back with long boots so I find them a good go to at this time of year. For wearability, I'd go for something like this Me & Em shape which is a classic style that never really goes out of fashion. Fashion wise, the western style is going strong and the wider leg kitten heel style. As you can see, the outfits are very simple and made up of basics you would probably already have in your wardrobe but when you add the boots, they bring the look up to date.

@blackdressy I love this Reiss dress, it's so simple and chic, I was actually going to suggest it to the lady going on a date but she wanted a style with a full skirt. You're right, there aren't many blue dresses around at the moment as it's not a colour that's massively on trend for A/W so I think you have found the best of the bunch. I did find this Boden dress as an option but I prefer the one you've already found. I would wear with long boots. I'd go for a tan or brown colour to soften the look, black would look too harsh against the blue. Personally, I'd go for something like these burgundy boots

Thanks @frillseeking! I love the idea of burgundy boots

Seems the blue dress is sold out though! What do you think of this one?

You’ve probably done this so apologies. Am looking for new jeans. Am mid fifties but young, size 12 5foot 4 with an apple shape. Can you suggest the best style and brand? Thanks

@frillseeking thanks so much, I love the tweedy jacket look with the boots. Great ideas!

@frillseeking Thank you so much for doing this!

I have ordered the M&S foil printed knee length dress, as it just had the right amount of sparkle for me! I have chunky calves and tend to keep my legs hidden away and if I ever wear anything knee length, I would usually wear opaque tights and ankle boots. I'm guessing opaque tights wouldn't look right with this dress, what would you recommend? Thanks

@Badsisters here are some jumper ideas. Avoid anything too chunky (which is tricky!) as this will add bulk. An open neck or v neck is the easiest neckline to wear for a bigger bust- a roll neck can make you look all boob. A wrap tie can be very flattering, especially with a vest underneath. Also a zip neck style to draw the attention upwards to the shoulders and also so you can adjust to your bust. Most of the styles have a hem band which works to bring back definition to your shape. I know you said you feel like hiding in a black bin bag but you do want to flatter your curves rather than hide them.

@Loopzy it's really lovely isn't it, I saw it in store last week and it looked just as nice as online. It's quite sheer and floaty so it could possibly work with an opaque right without being too 'blocky' if you know what I mean. Would you consider something like a 15 dernier?

@blackdressy I do really like that style, I'm just not sure if it's veering into workwear territory. Have you seen the Freya style? I know you said you prefer something v necked but I wondered if it could work. I also came across this Pretty Lavish dress. I really the crossover detail

@frillseeking Thank you...yes, I would wear 15 denier, please could you link something suitable? I had been put off wearing lower denier tights, as my friend mentioned someone wearing them the other week who looked 'frumpy and old fashioned'🙄I'm in my 50's and just feel I have lost confidence in knowing what to wear and comments like my friends don't help me and I end up declining invites, as I don't know what to wear.

@Loopzy don't let a throw away comment put you off. Anything can look frumpy and old fashioned, it's really about how you feel in the outfit and how you style it. The M&S tights are very good but if you wanted to splurge, Wolford are 👌🏻 a quick look at some of the high end party dresses on Net A Porter and lots of them are styled with tights

@frillseeking Thank you so much, that's very kind of you. I'm looking forward to wearing the dress now, I hope it fits!

@Loopzy thanks for posting the link, that dress looks perfect for me!

This is an amazing thread! You're so good at finding things - you should do this full time! Also it's been so helpful so thanks so much for taking the time to do it.

I have a couple of things to ask if it's not too cheeky:

1. I'm looking for a black mini dress (shorter the better, ideally with long sleeves and not chiffon-y / floaty) to wear with knee length black suede heeled boots to a party in December - maybe something embellished? No preference re neckline, budget ideally under £300

1. Can I get your opinion on these two suits? I love the look of the silver one but not sure if it real life it will just look ridiculous?! Both are from mint velvet.

@way2serious I really recommend the Levi's ribcage, they are super flattering on and a real go to. M&S are also hot on denim and I'd suggest the Lily and the Harper. It's just frustrating that they don't show their jeans on different shaped bodies so you can see how they look on different sizes.

@nopeasplease thank you so much. This is what I do, I've been in the industry for many years now one way or another (buying/selling/styling/editorial) and do styling for clients I've worked with for a long time as well as taking on new people through word of mouth. I would like to diversify a bit and I love the fast pace of a Q&A or shopping challenge so I may start an Instagram style account, it just seems like there are lots out there already but who knows. I like doing these threads every now and then because I get different requests and look in different places to what my clients might want.

Anyway! I've attached 3 dress ideas. Even though the Revolve dress isn't embellished, the neckline is stunning and I think this would look smoking hot with knee highs. The Odd Muse dress would look super cute with a little velvet bow as it's quite a flirty, romantic style and the Rixo dress is a gorgeous party number. Just depends on what look you're after. Self portrait also do lots of mini dresses like this but I've already mentioned them a few times here. If it's more of a bodycon type look you're after, I would also suggest having a look at Ruched and Ready.

I love the silver suit, I think it's gorgeous. Black is obviously more classic but the silver just has the wow factor. You could also wear the blazer with jeans or with a skirt to get more wear out of it. I've been wearing my silver separates back with a stripe tshirt and blazer or bomber jacket to style them up differently so you could definitely wear as a suit and separately

These are gorgeous! I just ordered the odd muse dress and the revolve one, both are pre order only at the moment so hopefully they will come in time! I'll keep looking for a back up just in case though.

Thanks as well for the tips re the suit - I hadn't thought about wearing them as separates so that makes it seem like a much more sensible purchase now!

Xx

@frillseeking Thank you so much. Those suggestions are really helpful.

@way2serious I'd also suggest trying the zara mom jeans. If you can find a fairly rigid pair of jeans that fit well, this is the most flattering for tummies as it will hold you in. Jeggings or anything super stretchy just tend to highlight lumps and bumps

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread OP, it's fab. I have actually tried a personal shopping session before at John Lewis but I left feeling really disappointed to be honest. I would like suggestions and to look at things I might not normally choose but I felt it just wasn't me and really off the mark. I certainly wouldn't wear any of the clothes in real life. I'll send you a DM if that's ok as I've loved so many of the things you've suggested here and would like to book a session