Help no style

[thismummydrinksgin]

Ok, I'm 41 years old. Dress casually mainly but haven't really bought much since covid. Live in leggings (with pockets) and jumpers. Like a dress in the summer but desperately need a load of new clothes - casual and perhaps a nice going out bits. Just don't know where to go for them, used to shop at Next but it's not doing it for me anymore - went in the other day and nothing appealed to me. Budget is high street, would splash out a bit more for some staple pieces as tend to wear the same things over.

Which shops?

I'm a size 12/14, broad shoulders, thick waist. Stuck
In skinny jeans and feel really unstylish. Just don't know where to start,

Perhaps you could go to a shop that has a personal shopper service. Though they do tend to be more expensive stores like Fenwick. John Lewis, etc. and it depends on what you like.

I'm not into high street stores. I go for quirky/boho/alternative with a bit of luck thrown in, so I can't help.

You can download apps to try clothes on virtually with an uploaded photo of yourself. That may help.

I also have a Pintrest board called "What Do I Wear," where I save ideas
too.

Accessories can change an outfit completely, too. Think scarves, jewellery, etc.

If you prefer to go in a physical shop, have you someone you can take with you.

That's just a load of my thoughts. Hope they help.

Above should say "a bit of punk," not "a bit of luck"

Thank you for your reply. I might try to get to a personal stylist - feel like that's what I need. Although unsociable me prefers the idea of the app!! I'm not fussed about being fashionable but would like to start wearing things that suit and not the same old things! Thanks. X

@thithismummydrinksgin 🤣 Oh, I'm the same about being unsociable, hence why most of my shopping is done online. Though I do have a good "reason" 😉

I do know what I like and not so it does help. My style has changed subtly over the years as I've got older, and what I want doesn't really exist in the highstreet, so I'm covered.

I don't know where you are but if you have Selfridges near you that's another option.

It sounds like you want a capsule, timeless, classic wardrobe to me

Happy shopping 🛍

Why not have a look at

Community Clothing
Uniqlo

for basics. And then add some things from maybe

Cos
& Other Stories
Massimo Dutti

for variety. After that it really depends how much you want to spend, and which aspects of your style you want to develop.

Plumo
Free People
Collagerie

All have options for colourful, individual style.

A personal shopper would be a good idea but maybe look online and see if any stylists have ideas and do a Pinterest board. Who would you like to look like? Film/tv/pop star?

@keffie12 please please tell me where you shop. I aspire to be quirky/boho/alternative but don't think I hit the mark and I hate clothes shopping. I would love a go to shop for a bohemian alternative look.

@thismummydrinksgin I'm also nearly 40 size 12/14 broad shoulders and a generous middle. It's tricky because at the moment wide leg trousers are in which in theory would be good to balance out the shoulders but they often look ridiculous on me because of my generous tummy!

Also high waisted trousers are in which are a nice change from leggings which sometimes can work as long as the waist is high enough to cover the tummy, like these shape:

https://lucyandyak.com/products/dana-mom-jeans-organic-denim-light-wash-blue

What about swing and shift dresses? Either for evening wear or casual to go over leggings.

@laalaland I used to use 95% Joe Browns. However, they have gone to flowery and mainstream for me.

I use Hells Bunny and Wicked Dragon. Links below. Etsy also does some good punk, goth, boho too. Just search it on their Web page. I still do use Joe Browns, but I don't get much from there anymore.

I like to roam eBay and Vinted looking for the old styles second hand still in decent condition. Not much around though now

Hells Bunny mixes, punk, goth, boho, and vintage. Wicked Dragon is boho.

I'm still touring around with clothing as I won't do mutton dressed as lamb. It's harder as you get older yo do punk. Boho is not so bad.

My badass punk outfit is flared autumn tartan trousers, a pale pink thin long jumper with a short sleeve blouse that has a safety pin, print allover it. Having flaming copper hair, it looks good. I don't do the original makeup look now, though.

That's my rebel days. I mostly mix it with mainly boho

www.hellbunny.com

www.wickeddragon.co.uk/

Thank you - everything I read says wide trousers to balance me out but they make me look much bigger than I am. Kept thinking maybe I should try wide leg again but I should trust myself 😂

Ohh like those jeans 🤩 think the fact they taper slimmer would help balance me as I keep being told I need to do 🤭

Now that's a good question!! Need a bit of time to think....

I've just posted a new thread only to see yours which is so similar to mine I thought i could have written it myself!

Brilliant thank you, not heard of some of these so will definitely take a look x

Let me know if you find the answer!! 😂