Artsy clothing brands?

[Artsystuff]

I'm starting my PGCE in Art and Design later this year, I'm in my late 30s which I'm super conscious about. I honestly live like a bag lady at home with my kids in leggings and my husbands T-shirts. If I head out I'm usually wearing Joules Breton tops and jeans or leggings.

I have zero fashion sense but oh I have always wanted to be put together but also artsy...I like Gudrun Sjoden for artsy clothes but I don't think I'd be brave enough for too much colour and I don't like things too baggy as I think it just makes me look even bigger.

I'm stuck between loving smart looking casual wear like I love Joules stuff but I don't know any other brands besides that and seasalt that I like, and want something more arty. I can never find a nice fuzzy colourful cardigan or the right coat that still seems smart, that I could wear over black even. I honestly haven't a clue. I'm a size 16/18 with but trying hard to shift the weight before I start. I would so so so appreciate some links to anything you could recommend!!

Budget allowing, I'd look at something like Carrier Company for a subdued arty look, it's very workwear inspired.

For something more affordable, Weekday, quality isn't as great and you'll have to sift a bit to get the right bits. Monki used to be good too at a similar price point but they seem to be shifting styles a bit so I'm on the fence about recommending them atm.

Community Clothing might also have some things of interest and sits in between the previous suggestions, budget wise, but you'd have to work a bit more at styling to make them interesting but they might just have the elusive coat or similar.

Free people

Odd molly

Heritage clothing

Joanie clothing

Sugarhill brighton

Liberty

My art teacher friend wears Toast, LF Markey, Lucy & Yak but has also got some fab items from Tu at Sainsbury's, M&S and Monki! So I think it's more having a keen eye than buying any particular brand.

I would start with what colours suit you, and what kind of patterns and shapes you like.

Then you can narrow it down.

Agree with @Garlicnaan , I like Free People but not their prices so I look at their website, see the kind of thing I like. Eg I love a long hooded cardigan and saw on Free People (knit not sweatshirt) with pockets so just googled for that and found a price I was happy with.
TKMaxx is good for browsing.

I like a browse on Wolfe and Badger for designers sometimes and then if I find people I like I might have a look on vinted to see what is available.

I often think a couple of good pieces, a lovely coat you feel happy in maybe and some accessories a nice bag, belt, earrings, big versatile scarf can make a huge difference between feeling like you are wearing clothes and wearing an outfit.

Well I was going to suggest Gudrun Sjoden who you mentioned You don't have to go the whole hog with the seven layers of clashing colours, just pick 6!! No honestly, I might do one or two and mix it with Tu to help the budget. If you look at the item descriptions there's usually an idea about how baggy they are

There are selling groups on Facebook- "UK gudrun Sjoden et al preloved market " also has other brands that fit the look: "gudrun sjoden only UK buy and sell" is what it says.

How about something like a short kimono from one hundred stars? I know you want to avoid baggy so maybe not a longer one (although I think one would look great thrown over some nice black trousers and a top). Even a belted kimono would look lovely.

scampanddude.com/products/chunky-rib-cardigan-pale-peach-with-black-zebra-lightning-bolt-print# or something like this cardigan from scamp and dude if you want a cardigan? They have some lovely bright blue / pink ones but I've linked this for if you prefer more muted? They also sell a variety of bright scarves for if you wanted to add a bit of colour.

www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/midnight-botanica-blazer/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adgroupid=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn7mwBhCiARIsAGoxjaKRur6BNkzHWGx1wbdJtxoAd9pulgYgI3MAOtzgH8Zkw0-x5B245qUaAsM6EALw_wcB or a blazer if you want more smart? I quite like this one.

I really love a statement necklace and I quite often wear tatty devine www.tattydevine.com/ but I realise that's not to everyone's taste! As with many things I like!

I would start with what colours suit you, and what kind of patterns and shapes you like.

I agree with this 👆Define a look first and then work out how to achieve it. Get ideas from Pinterest.

E.g. last year I went mad for gingham in all colours. Got most of it on Vinted with nothing over a tenner, a couple of dresses (cotton/linen mix) for £2.
Mixed it in with my existing stuff, supermarket basics and charity shop finds. I don't think there's any one single shop that ticks every box these days.

Look at small brands like Roake and Beyond Nine.

I love Lucy and yak - wear their clothes all the time and the company has great ethics!

www.desigual.com/en_GB/23WWJF092000M.html?&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=googleads.g.doubleclick.net&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn7mwBhCiARIsAGoxjaKhOoNHSwWx-qmJolSGqEviIparzkcCHXwAIwFTvEXc9uNLjp1hXL4aAvSQEALw_wcB

I'd forgotten about desigual, I used to have a nice coat of theirs. They might have some bits that would fit the bill.

Ahh honestly thankyou so much to each of you. That's soo kind of you to go to the trouble of having a search for some individual pieces too <3 I honestly love all these suggestions and links. Even Tu I forgot sometimes they do some lovely artsy patterns and colours. I love pinks and olives but I definitely want the cardigan from desigual! I do suit black best up top so the pops of colour would be great with an interesting scarf or bag. Thanks so much

Also (not being a killjoy) you will need to adhere to the School's dress policy - some can be very rigid

Absolutely! Thanks, must start looking to see if any of the schools I might be going to have them publicly available. I have several weeks at the uni first so thinking of that first, I should have said that part but pieces that could swing for both would be great!

Nomads's

For fancy leggings, to wear with a black or other plain coloured top, have a look at Llama - online. You might feel less like a bag lady around your children. Their leggings are super soft, stretchy and some are very unusual. I get so many compliments when I wear them.

I would start by thinking about it another way. I would find a look or couple of outfits on Pinterest and find the component parts. Think about why you like it. The colours, shapes etc.

Then I would build a capsule wardrobe/uniform around those colours and shapes. So that all the separate pieces work with each other and you have multiple combinations/outfits available.

I would start small with just a few items though and gradually build from there once you have had a chance to try out a new way of dressing.

You can absolutely wear leggings but ensure they’re with high socks or flared with an oversized jumper or tee.
It’s important the style is natural to you and you don’t try to dress how you think you should rather a reflection of yourself.
From the style you suggest I’d look at
Community Clothing
Toast
Cos
Stine Goya
Arket
M&S (so good this season)
I’m late 30s and I think Joules and Seasalt, and particularly Breton tops, are for women in their 60s. It’s the floral midi dress and white trainers brigade and you’re too young for that!
you’re not old; you’re a student going places in the prime of your life. You obviously have a lot about you to make this big move so embrace your strengths and personality outwardly.

I would go along as you are, you will probably find your style will naturally change as you mix with people and take influence from others. It sounds like you are trying to fit a profile at the moment and feel you should look artsy, but just be yourself! I went back to Uni in my late 20s and photos from my first year I have no style whatsoever but latterly, once I was a influenced by my classmates, I discovered my own style.

Good luck!

I work in schools, people dont tend to dress up in Art depts usually because you still need to be conscious of getting dirt and wear an apron etc over your clothes.
Id look at stuff on vinted, Joanie, Popsy, this sort of stuff you wont regret getting ruined when you get paint and clay all over yourself.

Some schools would not be happy with teachers in leggins, just saying.

Honestly I wouldn’t worry too much about what you look like at art school, it’s a massive mixture of people. That being said why don’t you invest in a pit of doc martins, my staple is usually a baggy dress, tights or leggings and a pair of wine coloured docs.

You've got some good practical suggestions, so I'll suggest a psychological one. First look for something that you absolutley love. Put aside the thought "Oh I could never be brave enough to wear that" just focus on the question of whether or not you love it. The buy a few of these items and just wear them, put them on and quit thiking about yourself. I don't mean this in a harsh way, just look for ways to have fun with clothes again!

I would look at m and s. Not a store I usually shop in but atm they have some lovely wide trousers and palazzo pants. I think they look relaxed but a little bit edgy, you could do black with a black t shirt and a loose cardigan, for the cardigan I did sea salt have some excellent cotton ones which will stop you feeling too hot or bulky

This!

Just be yourself op. If your style evolves and you find things you like, great, but don’t try to be someone you’re not. It’ll show.