Don’t know how to dress anymore. Please help.

[CopperLion]

I have no idea how to dress anymore. I had a hard time during the pandemic, but now that I am in a better place and want to get back out there I have lost all confidence in how I look or how to dress. I am also now early 40s which seemed to happen in a flash! Can any S&B-ers help with ideas?

I am a tall (5’11) hourglass but currently overweight by about 2 stone. I like my upper body but carry the extra weight on my lower half, a bit like an overweight Kelly Brook shape only it looks way better on her! I don’t like my big thighs at all. I have blue eyes and red hair, so am a ‘warm spring’ if you are into colour analysis stuff.

I mainly wfh but go into London or travel to meet clients a few times a month. I am also restoring my social life after a hard few years and need things to wear for an evening out and also casual things. I find casual the hardest because I don’t look good in jeans (thighs).

I also feel totally out of touch with fashion now. I like to look classic and stylish and to wear natural fabrics. I am always fascinated by the threads on here that talk about looking polished, elegant, ‘expensive’, etc., but don’t always pull it off! I have a decent budget (Jigsaw type prices) but would prefer to spend on fewer good quality things than lots of cheaper items.

Can anyone recommend any ideas or brands? Especially for chic office wear. I have no idea how people dress at work anymore and seem to keep getting it wrong!

I bought a few things from The Outnet. They were still very expensive and I considered them investment pieces. They have variously shrunk, faded and/or bobbled after a handful of wears. I followed all the care instructions. The Outnet is difficult to return/complain to so I have just swallowed it but it was a painful experience!

@LaChienneDesFromages you are right, I should go to the actual shops and try things on. I always order online these days and probably don’t explore enough because of it. That and the personal stylist could help me to consider more ideas.

Thanks for all the advice here. I think what I am going to do is have a good cull of all my old clothes over the Christmas holidays, then start over in January (when the sales are on!). In the meantime I will explore some different looks following the ideas here / magazines and book a couple of days for window shopping and the JL personal stylist in Jan.

I can’t spot who it was that mentioned confidence, but thank you for bringing it up. I think my confidence has dropped due to the pandemic and so much time spent alone, so I am going I keep working on this as well. Obviously it matters more than clothes.

Thanks so much everyone

Copper Lion, if your long boots are flat you can still possibly wear them under your wide leg trousers. Will have the extra benefit of keeping your lower legs warm too.