Please help! Style reboot

[ShouldIStaySelfIsolated]

Hi all, I see such good advice on here so I thought I'd try for some too

I'm 5ft 2, size 6/8, short torso and deep winter colouring (preferred, but as I dye my hair, as it fades it goes a lot warmer so I occasionally veer into deep autumn)

I've completely lost my way and just wear jeans/leggings and a hoody at the weekend and floral dresses with cardigans for work. I want to start mixing things up a bit though and need some advice for makeup ideas, brands and outfits to get me out of my rut.

I'm on a budget (too many kids, not enough salary) and prefer natural fabrics. I'm not afraid of colour

Please help 🙏

What style of jeans do you wear?

Leggings and a hoodie can look okay if it the 'right' type of look. Oversized hoodie, good quality thick black leggings, trainers and crew socks over the leggings. I'm sure some people will argue this can never qualify as stylish, but it is an easy comfy current look. Ditch any nude or coloured leggings, trainers socks, fitted sweatshirts.

I'd ditch the floral dresses and cardis too. Replace with a dress/skirt and top in one shade and a jumper in a similar shade. What shoes do you wear to work?

Thanks @owlpassport

I've got wide leg jeans mostly, and some skinny in the wardrobe that I believe are coming back into fashion

I tend to wear heels for work, block heel courts or boots with pointed toes ( I have really small feet so I like that the pints make them look a bit more of a normal size) or black patent Docs

I’m a bit unclear as to exactly what you’re asking?

How much notice do you take of clothes / fashion in day to day life? Do you read style articles; follow anyone on instagram / substack; watch runway shows or at least look at the photos; spend some time every day or week thoroughly browsing the sites of brands you like, or investigating new sources? Do you search or buy from various pre-owned sites, so a friendly AI anticipates what you might be looking for? Do you occasionally glance at rental sites, so you’d know which to choose if you needed an outfit for an event? These are some of the most obvious ways people find out what’s current / available / possible / suitable. (It’s necessary to fit this in even with a million other things to do.)

I know that may sound unhelpful, but otherwise advice on what to buy is not really going to be of much use to you as you wouldn’t have a clear instinct for how to move your wardrobe forward from that point. And as no one here knows you or your lifestyle suggestions will inevitably be a bit random - so you need at least enough knowledge to reject bad advice.

You’ll obviously know that Uniqlo could probably supply everything a person needs for work and home life - but the colours are mostly pretty dull. Community Clothing ploughs a similar furrow with infinitely higher ethical and environmental ambitions, and consequently higher prices. Smaller range, better colours, but all limited to utilitarian day wear. For smarter work and leisurewear Cos is completely excellent - but you’ll scarcely find any colour at all there.

Without commenting on how you should dress or what you should choose, here are some places you’ll find great colours and styling (most use primarily natural fabrics) - if they’re of any inspirational use you might look for the brands on Vinted, or replicate the styling with things from more affordable shops:

https://www.americanvintage-store.com/gb/en/

https://www.and-daughter.com/

https://www.alexandragolovanoff.com/en

https://babaa.es/

https://colenimo.com/

https://cordera.es/

https://damsonmadder.com/?
srsltid=AfmBOorBkFO8ZLYlHFYqvP7ERmwHKvzxLASlhCD5thUrtPFsMHaxH8A

https://www.essentiel-antwerp.com/uk?srsltid=AfmBOor8NQj7o1smzXKczyE5ofvcupxXTsEGsDzR2QryABMNdFA-8

https://www.jogordon.com/

https://www.lafetiche.com/

https://lisou.co.uk/

https://uk.realisationpar.com/

https://eu.thefrankieshop.com/?region=GB

Tiny spot of inspiration:

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2025-ready-to-wear/zankov/slideshow/collection

What about getting some wide leg trousers for work rather than dresses? I'm a big fan of the Abercrombie Sloane trousers, and they come in various lengths. You could wear them with your pointed toe boots, I think that would look great with a tonal jumper. Add a belt and some gold accessories and bingo.

Block heel courts are a bit tricky, I can't think how to style them to make them current. Black Docs - black tights, mini skirt and jumper?

Skinny jeans apparently are on the way back, but unless you're already quite stylish I fear it may just look like you're wearing them from first time round.

I also hear you about the colour, but I find it's so much easier to look put together in neutrals when you're just starting to find your style. Or maybe some navy/burgundy/olive green? Match with similar shades, try not to wear with black, and don't match all your accessories in the same colour.

Brands to look at - H&M, Uniqlo, Abercrombie, Mango, Arket, Cos, River Island can randomly have some gems.

Makeup - Erica Taylor, Genevieve Turley, Andreea Ali are all MUAs who are good for tips on updating your makeup.

Thanks @NorWouldTilly that's all so helpful... quite a few brands there that I've never heard of so will enjoy browsing those once the kids are in bed.

I used to love fashion... would buy Vogue monthly and at least two other magazines and do still follow them on socials, as well as a few fashion commentators, but they were rarely showing up on my feed, so I've made more of an effort to engage and have recently come across a few more commentators and fashion content is showing up more frequently. So I'm starting to see what's back in.

Really , though, I've always leaned towards more classic than trend led, but I feel I've fallen from 'classic' to just a bit lazy/convenient.

Really appreciate you taking the time with the links

Thanks @owlpassport

I have got a couple of pairs of wide leg trousers for work, but I struggle with tops to wear... I just tend to stick with t-shirts and cardigans/blazers, but it all just feels a bit meh, if you know what I mean?

If you’re really clueless and up for a total reboot, I’d take myself to the nearest John Lewis or other big department store and just try on a load of stuff.

Take your wide legs (or find some wide leg trousers when you get there) and try on some different tops eg short boxy ones or tonal fitted jumpers to see what you like.

You could book a personal shopper appointment but honestly I’d take a friend and an open mind and have fun!

That's a great idea @SoScarletItWas I'll see if I can get that organised

Following with interest. Will contribute when i have some free time. There was a really good thread a while back on the same subject....maybe you can search it or I will try to find it.

Good morning..just in case you don't get too many replies I found this thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5377700-how-to-look-stylish-when-naturally-youre-not&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share
Sorry if it doesn't work..I am not sure if I have copied it right.
There is another excellent thread where the OP kept posting outfits she had bought following advice received on her thread. People then gave their opinions

I don't always agree with advice given as a lot comes down to height (I am 5 foot) lifestyle and budget. Knowing what colours suit you is really important. Many years ago I went for a colour and style consultation which was helpful at the time. Nowadays you can use Chat GPT to get ideas too. The more detail you give the better the results. A great capsule wardrobe and not too many clothes to start with is key.
Vinted is amazing as long as you check sizing. I am size 8 (previously size 12/14) and now I ask for the armpit to armpit measurement to get my size right. Sold lots of my previous wardrobe and made over £250. Restocked with new stuff from Vinted and balanced the budget! Latest purchases are full length M&S puffa coat for £8.. like new and cream Next shearling jacket for £14, again as new but listed as very good condition. I love Uniqlo and got a cream thin quilted jacket for £12. I sold my grey one in the same size and condition for £20. A couple of things that didn't fit I resold.
There are many variations on price for the same item in the same condition on there so have a good look and favourite the items you like to automatically filter your search.
You can filter your search for the type of fabric you want.

Good luck in finding your own unique style
I will try and find the other thread too.

Thanks @Azuresky68 that's so helpful. Will take a look at that thread

I've just starting sorting stuff for vinted this morning, so hopefully I'll free up some space and funds for things I really love

Glad to be of help. I can't find the other thread but it was really inspiring. If I come across it will post on here.
Would be great to hear how you got on 😊

I'll try and report back. Actually sold some things in Vinted today, so once I get some momentum, I'll start to add things back in.... ive been the same size for ages and have things from 20+ years ago that are back in, which I think is where some of the problem seems from.

I've started doing my make up properly again this week (well, more than a rushed 2 minutes in the car job), so I think this well help me feel a bit more 'together'