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!!

I love the companies you mentioned but never brave enough to wear gunrun either....... just too much for me......
I often get bits on eBay/vinted, as I can experiment a bit (40+ Mum of 2 but craft a lot and come from an arty family!) Both my mum and daughter help with outfits!!
I'm a real coat/hat/scarf person, so will often lift something quite plain with an accessory. Tho still love jeans and a Breton top!
Also look at colours you like and build up with those - maybe a black base to start with (or navy can be softer....)
When I looked at art college at 19 everyone wore black and had lots of piercings.......!!
Good luck and have fun

Have you had a look at Fat Face, their Adele dress fits really nicely and is casual but still nice and comes in loads of colours.... Or Boden is sinilar to Joules. Also buy lots of things on Vinted, they won't be expensive, you can try different styles and play around then sell anything you don't want (or do an online haul and return what you don't like but the outlay is quite high!)
Try not to stress out thought, I always think, nobody actually looks at me

I used to be an art teacher. My clothes are often described as "artsy". I usually buy from quite ordinary places - TU at Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S. I ALWAYS buy really plain stuff - often black. Then ... add a scarf (or two), three or four necklaces (never just one!) Great earrings, colourful trainers, an armful of plastic bangles, red lips, a beret (everybody looks good in a beret!). Hey presto! Last holiday I took I was referred to as "the woman with the unusual clothes"! If only they knew ...

BTW I sometimes buy my wonderful jewellery at Claire's Accessories!

Why don't you go a bit "strange"? Wear old crap from a charity shop, with a big apron over everything, bright lipstick and blue eyeshadow from lid to brow. Everyone will think you are SOOOO CREATIVE!!! The arts world is very easy to trick!!! Honestly, I once bought a shitty old tweed suit from a charity shop, cut the skirt into a mini, wore it with my trainers, people still refer to my "originality"!!! Oh, I almost forgot about about the white painters overalls I bought from a supplier, worn with a stripe t-shirt the everyone loved! It's not what you wear ... it's what you dare to wear!

At our school, all staff wear business dress (Except PE, who have logo-ed tracksuits for practical lessons).

We can remove blazers in our classrooms and I'm sure some sort of coverall would be used I a "messy" art lesson.

This post has amazed me. Clearly a lot has changed since I was studying art. What doesn't surprise me sadly is the idea that art teachers might now be required to wear business dress. My knowledge of art being taught at high school now (through my SDs experience) is that most lessons consist of sitting at a table using pencils to copy a photocopy of various photos and illustrations. The idea that anything would get messy is evidently a very foreign concept.

Bag lady styled artist here. I'm much older than you so I can really pull it off.;) Just don't even care what people think. You do you, that's the important thing.
Cheap basics like black t-shirts and black/ indigo jeans and bits of color in your accessories if you want. Maybe choose one signature item you love and wear it all the time. It becomes your uniform and since it all gets stained in acrylics, resin, and glue it doesn't matter.

Concentrate on your work, in the end that's what counts.

I'm a real life artist and illustrator and have been for the past 25 years.
I wear leggings, lol.

My friend is an art teacher who only ever wears purple.

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.

Goodness …

I’m over 60 - and not too long ago was a student on a postgraduate degree from a specialist arts institution. I’ve never set foot in either Joules or Seasalt, and last wore a Breton top in the early 90s. I had one floral midi a couple of years ago - but gave it away. I don’t own any white trainers.

My own style tends to include things from Margiela, Sofie D’Hoore, Marni, Colville, Toogood, past seasons of Studio Nicholson, Raey and Margaret Howell, for example. I’m guessing, given @Appleastliv’s post quoted above, that those brands might feel too mature for you - but I’d recommend browsing pre-owned sites if you want access to a wider range of design.

I wonder if it’s a good idea or necessary) to consciously set out to create a particular style? Rather than just buying clothes you like, that work together, and seeing where that leads?

Bella Blue?
Following with interest.

I love Joanie, Disturbia, Anorak, Mary Benson (ok I only have one dress from MB, and had to save and save, but it's amazing and VERY arty!)

and Irregular choice for shoes and boots
I'm a size 18 and in my 50s

you could try Nomads and Joe Browns too

Desigual for sure!!

Community clothing
Klements (pricey)
100 stars designs are great but fabrics are carp

From vinted
stine goya
old Orla Kiely- not regatta
baum und pfergarten
liberty mens dressing gowns as kimonos

Once you have some brands in mind try vinted- you can find just about anything you could imagine at a fraction of the cost. Filter for brand, size, condition and you can get a whole new wardrobe for the price of one brand new shop bought piece.

What about Joe browns?

Thanks, VerityUnreasonble, I've ordered the Desigual cardigan x

What about it?
care to expand ?

Our senior school is no leggings, DMs, trainers, sling backs or open toes.

Jacket/blazer is compulsory to meet with parents and cardigans during the day are only allowed with a collared top.

That's quite a rigid policy but definitely check the schools you're going to in advance.

Berets do not suit me.

Uniqlo is worth a look if you like Toast and Cos. Also usually plenty of Toast on ebay if you don't like the prices.

Most artists wear their own uniform of very plain clothes, either a bit dirty or clean on daily. Hair is large and often rowdy.

Don’t fake it OP. Wear what you like.