How to dress casual but stylish

[sharkstale]

Approaching my 37th birthday and had a fairly recent break up. 2 young children. Have left the relationship at least one clothing size bigger, with less confidence in my appearance, and feeling much older than when the relationship started. I'm aware that I am older now though, and after losing a sense of who I was during the relationship, I'm not really sure how to dress anymore in a way that both makes me feel good and suits my age now as I approach 40. I recently bought a beautiful coat in the M&S sale but I'm not sure how to style it out so that I can wear it casually with a baby in tow.

I can't find the exact coat now so they must have sold out, but it's very similar to this one:
www.marksandspencer.com/wool-blend-single-breasted-longline-coat/p/clp23020157?color=NEUTRAL#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-MOST-SIMILAR-V2_END_PDP_16_5:49a77ec3-e75c-4429-b073-1c309e675c56

I'd wear tan leather knee length boots with that. It's not the most practical coat if you have a baby but it's very nice.

Agree it's not the most practical with a baby. I've just been very dragged down the last couple of years of the relationship and want to feel like me again. @MartinCrieffsHat

I've found the coat on the website so I guess it hasn't sold out, and it's actually much more casual than the one I posted in my OP
www.marksandspencer.com/twill-double-breasted-longline-tailored-coat/p/clp60773965#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r11c2%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QP_94

If you’ve gained some weight, Perhaps a jumper dress and boots similar to the model could work.
I love a jumper dress.

The coat is nice, I would have thought it goes with quite a few outfits. Jeans and a nice jumper. A knee length skirt and boots. A smart midi shirt dress etc. It's quite flexble.

There is a similar brown coat on the website (same price) and there are M&S own smart causal outfit suggestions posted underneath which might work with your coat

www.marksandspencer.com/waisted-double-breasted-longline-tailored-coat/p/clp60763711?color=CHOCOLATE#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-SESSION-RECOMMENDATION_END_PDP_24_2:0c6b3567-14bc-4a8a-bdeb-1d6304cd6b29

A good coat like that will go over all sorts of things. Jumper dress and boots is a good idea. But also throw it on over jeans etc - much smarter than a puffer style coat. Store it on a hanger rather than a hook; it’ll stay nice for much longer.

That’s lovely & once you get used to wearing such a coat you’ll find it goes over just about anything, instantly making you look pulled together & stylish. Just don’t be nervous of treating it like you would a more casual coat like a parka. I have a similar style in a tweed, still like new after years & wear it a lot.

It's lovely, @sharkstale . Wear it with anything you like.
I'd get a nice scarf and boots - you'll look smart anywhere.

This looks loads nicer but it's 100% polyester! Which is why it's in the sale I guess. Won't be warm at all.

Technical fleeces are made from 100% polyester, and you’d be hard pressed to find anything warmer.

The coat isn't technical fleece.

Does that coat look like technical fleece to you?

I dont have any advice unfortunately, just solidarity. I’m also approaching 37, 2 young children (one a baby) feeling old, heavier than before and a bit shit.
Fingers crossed you can find you again soon ❤️

Search for Alex Collins on Instagram OP. Her style is lush and so elegant. That coat is pretty typical of her kind of vibe - though camel would be more her choice for practicality.

I hope no one turns up sharing those awful, flouncy (ie not remotely casual) £500+ dresses

I have googled some ideas for you OP

This is your winter coat and you wear it over everything. Get a nice scarf, gloves and hat.

Wear jewellery and a belt with every outfit, instantly more stylish. Get some statement trainers or a bright red pair for example, if wearing a t shirt or jumper, tuck the front in to give some shape, layer a t shirt under a jumper for an interesting neckline.

There are some good Instagram accounts for wearing vs styling outfits that’ll give good ideas

DD bought your coat in the sale and loves it. She's wearing it with dark jeans and cream or charcoal jumpers with a big tan Kate Spade tote bag.

Absolutely this - there is very little it won't go with.

A coat like this is an outfit-maker; it tends to make pretty much anything look more pulled-together and deliberate.

Try it on over your current outfits and see what you think.

I’m glad you posted the second one because I think it looks a nicer shape than the first one. ( Sosander not being my taste although could be yours obviously ). I’d probably keep it quite simple underneath… not chop the colours up too much if you’re trying to look chic. I like the jumper & trousers shape in the image but probably wouldn’t do the all cream look ( I’d last 2 minutes without spilling something). Worlds your lobster really regarding colour - I might do combinations of navy, grey, charcoal, chocolate brown, taupes with a wide legged trouser and some trainers but you could do boots and a tan bag. Let me try and post a couple of picture.

I like the sweater over the shoulders although I also spin them around and wear at the front like a scarf ( and wrap the arms around the neck and tie to the front)

OP - I think you have made a great start with that style of coat. Which can be dressed up or down.

The styling pics give the clue: accessorise in colours that are on a similar spectrum, don't add 'pops' of colour in bright primaries or jewellery and bags that make you look like a Christmas tree.

Jeans and a plain jumper. A shirt and a knitted vest top over the top. That kind of thing.

It’s a lovely coat! Maybe a chunky roll neck and wide leg trousers? Jeans / stripy top for more dressed down?

I have a couple of long wool coats which can sometimes seem too smart, so I add a knitted hood and a casual cross body bag and trainers, and the outfit is perfectly casual and more me.

Lovely coat OP, and polyester can be warm. Just to say: I made a point of wearing my long camel coat into town today (rather than my usual casual one) and felt tres chic and massively perked up!
you’ll find your style again
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