Styling help desperately needed! 💆🏽‍♀️🤪

[Howldens]

Please help! I have a new job and I am going to be taking some people from the luxury industry to the Venice Biennale. I will be general dogsbody so will be running around quite a lot, but also need to look elegant.

Typically my style could be described as “scratty“ or “bag lady” I haven’t really worn proper clothes since the pandemic (yes - this might be the wrong job for me but that’s another story 🤪).

I have two pairs of Massimo Dutti trousers - one white linen & one a sort of zesty yellow that I saw a very gorgeous and elegant lady wearing, bought for myself and then promptly never wore!

I was thinking these could be a good basis for daytime - but I need everything else to go with them since I don’t have any tops / bags / belts and our puppy ate all my shoes.

final thing - I’m 5,5 size 12 but my boobs are floppy since having kids so ideally I think I need something with a little structure… but maybe I don’t.

anyone up for this challenge? Please I am desperate 🙌🏼

Oh bless you! You'll figure it out.

I would suggest focusing on good quality basics to really elevate your look.
Those trousers look great! Do they fit well?

For the white linen trousers: a basic white tee, a white cotton shirt, a blue cotton shirt and a stripey top of some sort would pair really well.

The lime trousers would also work well with the white tee and white cotton shirt and perhaps with a brown belt.

How long are you going away for?
Budget for this new wardrobe?

thankyou!!!

budget …. God I don’t want to spend a lot but everything is SO expensive I’m kind of resigned to it… I guess £300

4 days total. Also need a fecking dress but thinking of rental for that.

I would add in some smart black basics with this. The art crowd tend to wear lots of black. Try COS for things that are minimal but with a bit of a design twist. A few items of quirky jewellery (look in museum shops), maybe a scarf (any Issey Mikaye ones on Vinted?) and a half decent bag. And a pair of box fresh white leather or silver trainers as you will be on your feet.

@ElleDeeCB do you think I should forget these trousers & just go for black?

Should I do cross body bag?

I think the yellow trousers are great, but I think everything else in the outfit should be black, or maybe white, no patterns. Depending on your colouring perhaps you can find an accessory eg bracelet, earrings that also have the yellow in?

Yes if you’re going to be running around all day. And if you’re going to lots of Biennale events they often end up giving you tote bags with catalogues etc in!

Also get an (indestructible) manicure in a simple nude or pinky colour

Also no black stretchy jersey, except maybe a vest underneath a shirt. Try and keep clothing a bit more structured. Be wary of anything that will crumple easily.

Also, depending on when you’re going (weather wise) and if you think you may be going for dinners / parties, I would also take a pair of smarter loafers, ballet flats or sandals - in silver if thats your colour.

Make sure you are wearing decent bras (new if necessary) to help with the boobs.

I personally wouldn't try to match a white top or shirt with the white trousers (if you end up with multiple shades of white I think it always makes one item look grubby and discoloured).

Agree with others that black will pair well with both the pairs of trousers you already have.

Silver trainers (I've just bought a pair of metallic Super Gas in the online sale) will work well.

I’ve done a quick trawl of Vinted in case there are any ideas here. The yellow might be a bit tricky to match, but I was hoping there may be a shirt that had an (abstract) pattern in that worked. I know I said no pattern but abstract geometric or painty style is OK for this :)

Few more

I liked the last one I posted (black and white stripe) as it had a missoni feel to it and would go well with black trousers, but high neck doesn’t suit everyone. I also agree with the PP who said new bra, and be careful with white linen trousers (as so easy to trash with Italian red wine coffee pizza etc!! Stick to Prosecco haha)

Wow this is amazingly kind! Thankyou

depending on the weather forecast a lightweight black raincoat may also be needed!! I’d suggest something super minimal like this…

No worries. I had to do this kind of thing in a previous life, with my incredibly stylish boss dressed in head to toe issey miyake, Nicole farhi, whereas my arts admin salary meant I only had about £5 in my bank account for clothes :(

Oh and sunglasses!! 🕶️