In a style rut. What are your go-to shops? Inspiration?

[poppymango]

I’m nearly 40 and am in such a style rut. I always end up wearing the same things and I feel so unfashionable now.

When I was younger it was easy to go to my favourite shops and know I’d find some great stuff (Topshop, Urban Outfitters etc.) and certain celebrities were brilliant for style inspiration - in my mid twenties I thought Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe were unbelievably cool.

There are some brands now that I do like but they’re SO expensive. Sezane has some great things but I can’t really afford it. Uniqlo is good for basics, but I don’t get excited by it.

I appreciate part of the reason for all this is that so many fashion brands are specifically aimed at younger people 🙃but I feel like I'm at a weird in-betweeny age where nothing is really aimed at me or my budget.

So, my questions for people of my generation who maybe had similar tastes back in the noughties:

1. What are your go-to clothing brands?
2. Where do you get your fashion inspiration? Do you still buy fashion magazines or is it all from Instagram/Pinterest etc?

I really want to have a massive clearout and style overhaul before the summer properly arrives. I want to love everything in my wardrobe again.

Thanks in advance!

I know exactly where you’re coming from. I also like Sezane but can’t afford it. Massimo Dutti is often lovely, but that’s quite expensive too.
I get my style inspiration from Pinterest now, especially looking at old images of Kate Moss, Twiggy, Jane Birken etc, as I’m not hugely inspired by current fashions. Then recreate the outfits from my own wardrobe, buying things from eBay or vinted if needed.
I don’t have go-to shops apart from charity shops.
Some YouTubers/Instagrammers are good for style inspo. Cocobeautea, Jessica rose Williams, Audrey Coyne, Jenny Bourn, Elena Taber.
Put together some outfits in your wardrobe that you like and that work, then get rid of the rest of it. It’s liberating.

I hadn't even thought to look to YouTubers but I will definitely look up the ones you mention, thank you!

look at what you like, what kind of style (urban? Trendy? 80s? Boho? Sharp tailoring? Etc) but also look at your actual life

i really have to stop myself buying nice going out clothes, as I live in a village in the sticks and if I go out it is the pub or a picnic in the park etc

also, the roads here are muddy so any delicate footwear is a no

i am currently embracing the baggy boho look and loving it , always liked it but there’s a lot more baggy trousers around now 😁 if boho/baggy/flowy is your thing I can tell you where I shop

Where do you get your fashion inspiration? Do you still buy fashion magazines or is it all from Instagram/Pinterest etc?

I just see things and buy them if I like them. On Vinted, ebay and etsy, I search things by a general description, then material and colour. If I see somewhere something I like the general look of (as a style, if not the particular item), I see if I can find one that particularly catches my eye. If I need something in a particular category, I try to look around until I find something that I find very comfortable and makes me pleased to wear it.

I've never been interested in fashion and fashion trends as such - I see this as basically other people telling you how to dress, so why should I prize someone else's preferences over mine?

I like Sezane also, and Massimo Dutti. One place a bit more affordable I’ve picked up things recently is Mango.

What are your go-to clothing brands?
Sezane, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Ba&sh (love this brand, but it’s not cheap), Maje (same), Levi jeans, department stores with lots of brands, Lululemon, Zara sometimes but often walk in and straight out.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration? Do you still buy fashion magazines or is it all from Instagram/Pinterest etc?
Don’t buy magazines really anymore. Instagram sometimes, but really just buy things I like.