How do you find your fashion style?

[Bookaholic73]

Just as the title says really, how do you find your style?

I’m in my mid 40’s, blonde hair and blue eyes. Size 14/16 and a typical apple shape.
I feel so frumpy and want to have a bit of a style refresh.

I go to the gym a lot, so live in gym leggings and over sized t shirts and I hate it.

I’m in the process of losing weight, so don’t want to spend lots on clothes.

SOS!

What are you drawn too? That's how I found my style, I refined the styles I liked seeing on film and tv.

I d say don’t spend all day in your gym gear, if you hate it. I never wear gym gear outside the gym, you can change when you get there, and then shower and change back into your normal clothes afterwards.
hard when yourself losing weight and you don’t want to spend money on clothes that won’t fit you for long, but you’ll feel rubbish if you are wearing clothes that are noticeably too big, and that’s why people resort to stretchy things like leggings.
I think it’s probably worth spending on a couple of pairs of trousers that do fit currently maybe a pair of jeans and and something slightly smarter, and a couple of T-shirts in the right size. Scoop neck can be flattering on on apple shapes, I find crew necks don’t work so well on me. Wide leg trousers can work, or bootleg/ flares . M&S are reasonably priced, as are Next, but you need to try lots on to see which fit best and are most flattering on you. Then you need something to go over the top, a shirt or jacket . It depends on you lifestyle; I can tell you that I have a fab dark leopard print jacket from Sezane that goes with everything, but if your lifestyle is wfh and dog walking, then maybe you don’t actually need a jacket, and a few shirts or other style tops might work better. But the principle of trousers that fit properly and a flattering cut of T-shirt with something open over the top , in colours that suit you and accessories ( jewellery shoes etc) that you love can work as a sort of everyday uniform.

I think I’m most drawn to the very slightly goth/biker look, but more polished.
But can I pull that off in my Mid 40’s?

That’s actually a good point. I think I need to have a day out at the shops trying lots of different cuts, colours and styles on to see what really suits my shape.

I found following the Frump fighters free basic capsule wardrobe helped. It have me a few ideas of different outfits to wear that were based on a small number of clothes.
I did that a few times as I lost weight. Now I'm stable I chose clothes that I love.

Pinterest. Put in outfits for apple shaped women. Youll get loads of ideas on there.

It sounds like you already know your style then, but you're not confident about whether you can get it to work for you and your lifestyle? I think you can - it would involve some trial and error, a lot of people watching (I also endorse old movies) and definitely a lot of trying on. That's basically all I've done, albeit over 50-odd years. That's far better, in my opinion, than trying to shoehorn yourself into a style that someone else says will suit you, and also a lot more fun.

Editing to add that I know a lot of posters will disagree with this but I think your shape is one of the least important things here. I would start with clarifying in your head the kind of look you want to achieve and then you can modify it - if you want to - according to shape, size, colouring, lifestyle, budget etc

I'm in my early 50s. I tend towards 2 different styles - grunge/indie or goth/biker. I've dressed the same since I was a teenager pretty much, but now there are certain things I would not wear (tie dye leggings) and (for work and going out) I'm a more grown up version.

Ok, I’ve spent some time looking online and my style is definitely the ‘polished biker’ (that’s what I’m calling it).

So I think in regards to core pieces, I need to focus firstly on spring summer. So a good leather jacket, some long dresses and sandals.
I love this kind of look for summer, although it’s not quite as ‘biker’ as I’d like. I can style it up a bit as I have bags/hats etc.

And I think for Autumn/winter, this style is nice. But for now I’m just going to think about spring/summer.

The only problem with wearing dresses as an Apple shape is that I always end up looking pregnant!

Forgot to include the image.

I think goth/biker is a pretty hard look to dress for in spring/summer TBH, lots of black and leather!!LOL😁
If you havent checked them out Id look at Disturbia, they have alot of alt stuff that is abit more mainstream (there is also Killstar and Hell Bunny which is abit more 'out there').

Its nice to see somebody really willing to experiment though. Too often these 'help me find my style' threads devolve into recommendations for nice safe trousers and tops which feel like an absence of any individual style!
Thats what I love about getting older....feels like more freedom to just wear what you want (over 50 here and rocking a whimsigoth vibe today!😉).

I agree on all counts!

I am going to have to see what I can find on Pinterest in regards to spring/summer when it comes to goth/biker looks. Like you said, not the easiest to dress for!