I'm in a real rut due to being sick for the best part of 3 years

[LovelyHund]

Name change as i have had this conversation with my sister yesterday.

Stuck in a style rut 😭 would appreciate any help.

If you were to buy ten or so items for spring what would they be? Everything I have is either bobbly, baggy as lost weight due to illness, or very dated. I'd like a wide range of suggestions and advice as I plan to shop on Vinted as also skint. May try to stretch to a few new items too if I can really justify it.

I'm thinking outfits for lunch, casual shopping and brunch about town, casual work days, visiting family etc. Im hoping to have 4 or 5 solid outfits i can reach for. At the minute I only have leisure wear or very formal work wear (v old fashioned stuffy environment).

I think I need a trench coat and some wide leg jeans but other than that I'm lost. What trainers are current to wear with said wide legs?

I'm 31, 5 foot 6, size 12 if that helps. I have horrible legs (see above illness) but would probably wear something below knee length. I have no idea what's in style, I'm overwhelmed and I just want to feel good about myself after a really rough few years.

I should clarify my illness isn't as horrific as it could be, it's an autoimmune disease but despite getting diagnosed in 2020 it's taken til now to find a medication that actually gives me a decent quality of life, keeps me vaguely mobile and not shattered and tbh I want to do all the things and look nice doing it. I'm even thinking of doing a city break, I've avoided for years due to mobility and I'd like to look all stylish and European lol.

Many thanks :)

Sorry typo, best part of 5 years!

I am also skint and in a style rut and I just bought a cardi (£45) and top (£19) from John Lewis Anyday range.

It helps me to look at how the professionals style the items and I just copy it!

In Vinted look out for designer wide leg jeans-still a bit spendy but will last for years.

I have wide leg jeans already and basically just copied this outfit...I have run out of style ideas lately but am pleased to have a 'new look'.

Oh and I will wear Adidas Gazelles with them - they are a platform sole which I need to stop trousers dragging on floor as am a short arse!

All the best for your health, it sounds like you have been through some tough times.

I always start with shoes. What are comfortable and suit your lifestyle. No point in buying clothes that need a heel if you cal only wear flats.

Then jeans, whatever shape suits you. Linen trousers are also really versatile.

For tops, just find colours and shapes that suit you and search Vinted for the best brands and fabrics you can find.

Plus a few nice necklaces, earrings etc.

Trenches look good if you can carry them off - they tend to swamp me. Quilted jackets are apparently having a moment.

Thank you so much for the help! I've just ordered a pair of New Look Adelae jeans on vinted so I do hope those work, I couldn't find any new ones I could stretch to and if I like them when I buy more pieces will look at other brands, I am wary of buying jeans online as the fit can differ so much!

I really like the cardigan posted but will definitely need to wait for pay day! Eyeing up some gazelles too.

And thanks for the well wishes re my health, I finally started Biologic treatment in January and it's like getting my life back! They are considered the gold standard but the NHS makes you try two different types first, which many people fail, but it's just a cost decision. That's off topic but makes me furious none the less.

While I am much better now I do have permanent joint damage and my feet and knees look horrific and my toes in particular are an issue so I do need some comfortable shoes with a wide toe box. I used to live in lace up boots but I began to struggle getting out of them at the end of a long day once my feet had swollen.

I think I will go for a navy trench as I was reading about how important it is to get the right beige for you and I honestly don't think I have a right beige, I am very pale.

Sainsburys are my go to for jeans lots of style choice (I have barrel, wide leg & boot cut)
I also ordered this in each colour today

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471595-000/00?colorDisplayCode=01&sizeDisplayCode=003

Love that cardigan! Striped cardigan, wide leg jeans and some sort of platform sole trainer sounds like the beginnings of a good outfit. I currently own 3 pairs of mom jeans and they've all gone baggy round the bum and leg so look awful 😭

I think a trench coat is a great idea and so stylish. Navy is a lovely colour. I just had a Quick Look on Vinted and there are some nice, good quality looking ones on there at the moment in Size 12.

Also, search Dancing Leopard on Vinted. They do a range of flattering dress designs, including one called the ‘Dove’ which is a maxi shirt dress. They do absolutely loads of colours and patterns so if you like plain, or bright, they could be good. There are always lots of these dresses for sale on Vinted.

Yes I thought its a good basic to have in the wardrobe especially for that price
Randomly I got a gorgeous pair of white platform trainers in the river island sale a few months ago. They are like walking on clouds.

I can't see the ones I've got on their website but they have still got loads of sale items on River Island just well hidden. If you type in
Sale in the search bar you can then filter through

www.riverisland.com/p/white-lace-up-wedge-trainers-911217

www.riverisland.com/p/white-and-silver-diamante-trainers-914979

They've got tons of clothes and accessories on sale. Definitely worth a mooch

You’ve certainly had a hard time, @LovelyHund - I hope you’ll be able to enjoy life now.

I’m never quite sure how Vinted prices align with shop prices so don’t know what would be within your budget. Or what is cheap enough to be worth buying direct. But anyway,

Aligne
American Vintage
Community Clothing
Damson Madder
Massimo Dutti
Sister Jane
YMC

all have fairly distinct ‘personalities’ and offer reasonable value for money. Have a look and see which styles appeal to you - if any.

The quality of

& Other Stories
Zara

is not always the best, (though there are gems) but their sites are fantastic.

Not sure I can imagine buying ten things all at once. But I’d suggest a light khaki or olive is a more current colour for a trench coat than navy. And cropped is the fashionable length.

In fact, in general I’d advise being guided by what you see in the shops rather than deciding on specific colours and styles in advance!

Right now I'd buy a red white and navy capsule wardrobe. Or black white and something else if that suits you better

2 or 3 long and short sleeved plain and striped tees
2 pairs jeans, one wide legged, one straight and slightly cropped
Chunky cotton cardigan
Light short anorak
Suede trainers
Long jersey dress
Smarter top

Boom. I'd get this lot from H&M, Uniqlo or cos depending on your budget. M&S had some great things yesterday

I find Uniqlo brilliant for wide leg jeans and trousers, and middle weight knitwear. Zara and H&M do the most interesting affordable tops, though H&M seem to have better pattern cutters than Zara which can be a bit shapeless.