S&B “cliches/classics/staples” that work and don’t for for you…

[NotOneMore]

For me:

Don’t work: oversize white shirt, bold lip, giant sunglasses.

Do work: trench (black) and wrap coat, good watch.

I was going to say crisp white shirts do not suit me!

I do however wear red lipstick at the drop of a hat but I'm starting to think it looks old fashioned.

I also saw the title and leapt in to talk about crisp white shirts! Also shirts in that ubiquitous shade of light blue.

I can get most other classics to work for me.

A Mumsnet classic I wouldn't be seen dead in is a jumpsuit. Partly because I'm too long, and partly because they make everyone's bums look flat and wide.

Anything ditsy print, or cute florals. I can do geometric, or bolder florals.

Blazers! I can't believe how often they get recommended on here.

No one I know - whether friend, work colleague or family - ever wears a blazer, except possibly for a job interview. You just don't see them.

Ballet pumps are the most uncomfortable shoes known to me man.

I cannot wear camel. I look like a camel if I do. Also beige, taupe, caramel, greige or tasteful neutrals from the brown family.

Sorry segue, but is your username from an Agatha Christie novel? The Clocks? It's driving me mad because I recognise it!

Five Little Pigs. I was listening to the audio book when I needed a new user name!

Anything boxy

Yes, thank you! That's one of my favourites.

Oh I love my over sized blazer. It’s my go to choice:

loads of people I know have an oversized blazer for winter and standard for summer.

White shirts, no. Camel coloured trench. Anything beige/taupe/cream just neutral blah. I need colour!

Agree on the shirts, I like a pink stripe.

I've taken the plunge on a jumpsuit; it does make my backside look wider, I think it's the volume of fabric, but it took some doing to find one that's long enough so I'm sticking with it 😆

Oversized blazers, tops, jackets etc. I am short with a small frame (size 4-6) so look like a kid playing dress-up with her parents wardrobe.

Leather, I just look like the kind of cut price dominatrix who’d hang out in a seedy bit of soho dragging on a fag round the back of the shop till some unfortunate came I’d beat them in a desultory manner with the trains of the fag trembling on my lips with one eye on an old episode of columbo playing in the corner.

also crisp white shirts, transforms me less into gwyneth Paltrow and more building society counter assistant circa 1980…

It’s the crisp bit of crisp white shirt. I am not a crispy person. Trench coats on me = one way trip to dumpyville. Bold lip makes me look like a panto dame (but bright make up suits me, just sheer). Grey or navy crew neck cashmere jumper.

basically anything ‘French’. Also Cos or anything structured. I am a short curved soft person and I suit soft curved things

Camel anything and chunky knits. Skinny jeans. I like white shirts but they are a pita - need ironing all the time.

Nor me! I see a fab camel trench or wrap coat on someone and get a notion then remember how dreadful those colours are on me.

One of her very best. The tv adaptation wasn’t bad either.

@Gardenquestion22 - 🤣🤣 !

I was that 1980s building society cashier, looked dreadful in the obligatory white blouse and all the printed versions ( in the corporate colours , naturally ) that followed it.
Just cannot wear a shirt or blouse, it’s jumpers or sweatshirts in cold weather and T shirts at the first sign of Spring.

The shops are full of oversized blazers and tops atm but they don't suit me.

Fit and flare dresses do.

90% of the dresses suggested on the wedding guest threads, because they are baffling outdated floral midi dresses that would make me look like id walked out of the early 2000's, necklines always a bit too high, hemlines always a bit too long... im busty and broad shouldered and they looked hideous on me in 2003 and would look even worse now!

Gwyneth looks like a cliche high society heartless lady now after eye tweakment. That’s who she is, mind, but it’s still creepy.

I can’t do ballerinas, don’t fancy fallen arches. White shirt lasts 2 minutes. Blazers are brilliant - oversized pink/orange one from Paul Smith transforms dreary neutrals into looking dressed.

Crisp white stuff works for me, but then again I do like ironing! Camel is not my friend, and I don't really like "classic black" except for shoes.I definitely don't have the holy grail capsule wardrobe, that always looks a bit boring to me.

Cropped trousers or trousers that show a bit of ankle. It just feels wrong for me, especially in winter. Even with boots, to me trousers either fully go over the top or are tucked in if skinny.

A few other things:

Barrel leg jeans
Any kind of Ugg boots. Especially those hideous slip on ones.
Those trainers/ballerina mix
Anything made of linen
Puff sleeves
Short or 3/4 sleeve jumpers in winter. My arms feel the cold more than anywhere else. Plus they just don't look good on me.