Do you have an outfit (or two) you feel amazing in?

[Agamede]

I’ve just taken delivery of yet another pair of ‘meh’ jeans (going back) and it’s got me thinking about outfits that feel amazing. The ones that really boost confidence, not necessarily for a special occasion, more for everyday. I’ve got some lovely clothes (I buy good quality, in just a few colours and keep for years) but just a few outfits that feel really spot on.

Mine are:

A pair of petrol blue wool and linen culottes from Poetry, with taupe suede boots and a cream silk shirt bought for a small fortune from the Kooples in Paris- I suspect it mostly works because the charming shop assistant flattered me to death into buying it.

A tan suede mini skirt with a cream cashmere short sleeve sweater and taupe ankle boots, with big hoop earrings. With an olive trench on top.

Wide leg jeans with a cream linen t-shirt and sneakers. Last year my daughter told me I looked like Velma from Scooby Doo so I like it even more now.

Khaki cotton lightweight shorts with a white cotton popover blouse and tan sandals.

A black faded linen dress with big gold hoops, tan sandals. I look terrible in stark black but black faded linen and a light tan feels sophisticated, even on me.

As you can probably tell, my wardrobe is where fashion goes to die. But I’m older now, and now what I like so, who cares?!

Please share your favourites outfits, if you like.

A Wallis dress in burgundy that is incredibly flattering - it's a few years old - I wish I had bought it in the other available colours. It can be dressed up or down

Your outfits sound pretty fabulous, @Agamede! I’m far less organised and can’t really rely on repeating successful outfits - not because I have loads of clothes (I don’t) but because I’m more led by what I want to wear on any given day, rather than what has already worked. (Haphazard is the word I’m searching for.) I expect most of my clothes to work with most of my other clothes, but … 🤷‍♀️

And it’s more about individual things.

A dark olive oil coloured Margaret Howell MHL kagool - doesn’t matter what I put it with, I feel tremendous in it.

A Budd pale blue pleated bib shirt with an artfully ragged collar. It’s been worn relentlessly for years (I keep having to rescue buttons and sew them on again) and although fading, still gets better with every wash. Goes with any skirt and every pair of trousers. Complements my jewellery. Elevates whatever I put it with.

Two things that absolutely should not go together - a grass green Elder Statesman cashmere camisole (epic sale, obvs) and a red white and blue, sort of tweed Sofie D’Hoore skirt - but somehow look fabulous together.

I’ve just had this delivered https://www.asos.com/topshop/topshop-denim-seam-detail-maxi-dress-in-indigo-rinse/prd/209266533?ctaRef=my+orders and I look like a sexy mermaid in it. It’s a bit long in the bodice (I’m 5’2”) but it fits like a glove widthways. I love it!

A wide legged bright red linen jumpsuit. It's some designer I'd never heard of which I bought on Vinted for about £60, which is way more than I usually risk on Vinted, especially if I'm not confident with a brand's sizing.

It's about the only thing I ever wear which I get compliments on from strangers.

Sexy mermaid is a highly legitimate style goal, @TooExtraImmatureCheddar. But I keep peering at it and cannot see a way even the most skilled alterations service could shorten it at the waist. Pity …

This, a previous version in olive. I feel like a middle aged fairy in it and adore it. The skirt is quite puffy and it’s fab on.

https://www.meandem.com/int/boat-neck-fit-and-flare-maxi-dress-tie-cinnamon-brown

I also have a pair of their wide leg jeans which I adore and a velvet tan Bella Freud blazer.

I have a few, mostly dresses. I like separates but dresses are so much easier and what I reach for most days all year round. I had a deep forest green jumpsuit that I absolutely loved but I sold it on vinted recently and haven’t found a suitable replacement.

These outfits all sound fabulous and are making me want to be a bit bolder in choice. They also all sound like they are primarily led by being a beautiful colour, great quality and great cut, rather than fashion led, which is what real style is after all.

I’m going to shorten the straps and maybe possibly shorten the back at the top of the zip by tucking it under an inch or so. Not very sure about my ability to do the latter, but with luck shortening the shoulder straps might just bring it up enough that I don’t need to do anything else. I do have a sewing machine and as a shortarse I’m accustomed to trying random alterations to making things fit!

(Don’t want to derail but wouldn’t you then have to alter the armholes, if you shorten the straps? There isn’t much room under the arm already. In other words, it might need more than random experimentation!)

Two recent outfits for me (which I know won’t be everyone’s cup of tea) that I’ve really liked are:

Cream/ecru Cos barrel jeans, with a chocolate brown Arket crew neck cardigan, worn over a white Uniqlo tee. The cardigan is a good length/fit for the wider bottom (my wide bottom and the jeans, ha ha) and emphasises that I have a slim waist. I tend to wear a lot of oversized things and don’t subscribe to “flattering means looking small” but this does look good. Worn with leopard print Adidas Samba trainers.

Black Hush trousers, also barrel leg, with a leopard print zip up cardigan thing from Oliver Bonas. It also hits at a good length, and has red trim which I enjoy. Worn with black and white Sambas and red socks.

Last summer my favourite outfit was a really cheap black and white gingham midi skirt from New Look, which I wore with a black Arket tee and the black and white Sambas again. The skirt has a kind of shirred waist and is so comfy - it had quite a big split up the leg but I sewed most of it so it wasn’t as flappy.

That is a gorgeous dress. I'm tall & broad-shouldered, & used to be very slim - so it would once have looked good on me. It still does - in my head ... but the post-menopausal reality would be very different!!

You brought a memory back of a gorgeous 1970s tan velvet jacket with a scalloped collar, which I found in a vintage clothes shop in Glasgow many years ago. It was by Stephen Marks (French Connection, ex partner of Nicole Farhi) & I loved it ... It's long gone, but I still adore a velvet blazer!

This dress always convinces me that, despite my cynicism, there are benefits of knowing your colours https://www.asos.com/arket/arket-pure-cotton-jersey-maxi-dress-with-short-sleeves-in-blue/prd/208429252 - belted and with chunky sandals, it never fails to get me compliments, and honestly, even I can see my face brightening

Sezanne Pippa maxi dress - the cut is incredibly flattering.

And because I live abroad in a super hot country, my current favourites are https://www.shopbop.com/marcella-barrel-pant-le-bop/vp/v=1/1576436858.htm?fm=orderhistory&colorSin=2068570029 with a V-neck teeshirt or a Uniqlo cami with a built-in bra, Birkies, and a big, oversized tote.

Wide leg jeans with a cream linen t-shirt and sneakers. Last year my daughter told me I looked like Velma from Scooby Doo so I like it even more now.

Correct response to being compared to Velma!

I’ve got a couple of blouses I’ve sewn that I especially enjoy putting on. Obviously I picked fabrics that I love but also it just feels so nice knowing you’re wearing something unique, made by you, flaws and all.

I think you can, like supercharge a garment for a random woman by telling her how much you love her dress, so I do try to do that when I see someone who looks great.

I got this dress from Roman last year for work in 3 different colours: https://www.roman.co.uk/stretch-crossover-midi-dress-14606408
The crossover front is really flattering and the skirt has a really nice movement to it, so I always feel really smart but comfortable in it. They’ve reduced the number of colours now which is a shame because my favourite one that I got was burgundy.

So many gorgeous outfits and some really interesting combinations and colours I’d never think to try (but maybe I will.)

Im a very conservative dresser but having the creative (and sometimes critical) eye of a few teenagers in the house has definitely got me bolder.

I’m especially impressed by anything home made. DD makes her own clothes too and they are always special because if that. She has a very unusual warm, muted colouring and can is great at choosing fabtics and colours to suit (currently making a lot in heather shades.)

Agree sexy mermaid is a legitimate style goal, by the way!

After I had my daughter back in the 00's I felt frumpy.

I ordered some clothes from M&S including some faux leather straight leg trousers, they were the biz. I wore them to death, lol.
A few years ago a £25 new look dress caught my eye, red with ditzy pattern. It fit me perfectly - shaped bodice fit n flare, beaut.

Last year I bought some sports kick flares black with fine gold pin stripe in a store in Sydney. OMG I love them, wish I'd bought more. Perfect for the office and look smart even though they're sportswear.

I'm currently downsizing my wardrobe to 3 weeks of clothes because I have 4 double wardrobes full of stuff and my shoe cupboard is over stuff with mainly my coats.

I have about 200 pairs of shoes/boots too.

I'm inspired by this post to find those feel good outfits. Thanks for posting @Agamede

Apologies, @TooExtraImmatureCheddar - I may have confused you last night. I was worrying about the alteration options for me! Don’t alter yours if it works already.

I also love a velvet blazer, I’ve a navy one from me + em and it really does work fantastically for either over a dress or with a pair of jeans to smarten it up.

the Bella Freud st James blazer I got off vinted, I paid 100, they retail at 1000, it had some gentle marks on it, and I took a chance on looking at the photos, I put it in to the dry cleaners and it came up looking like it was literally brand new, I was very surprised when I picked it up, there was literally no signs of wear at all, I guess due to quality of material and the previous owner just never had it dry cleaned.

it’s a warm cognac colour and goes with everything. It’s the one jacket every time I put it on, everyone, including my husband says wow, that’s a really nice jacket.

Off the top of my head:-

Oasis black and Paisley panelled dress
Zara bright red cropped jacket
Nicole Farhi aged leather jacket
Myleene Klass Next bright green jacket/blazer
Mandy Marsh blue floral midi dress with belt
Joseph brown long sleeve v neck top with satin trim

They all make me feel amazing but in different ways.

The Mandy marsh is vintage 80s, I wear it with other fave western brown white stitch cowboy boots from
Asos, super comfy, flattering and get compliments on them all the time.

Boots here:-

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-wide-fit-celeste-flat-western-knee-boots-in-choc-faux-suede/prd/207706260?_gl=14tqg2t_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyr3OBhD0ARIsALlo-OkqdZ2i6AFJlB2h-JMg9ZqWj-EV6I_5Vq4VdEf_cn6QZyIE2kYSn1kaAtZaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBWGlIaRFUdBvyl4hAmOriln#ctaref-more%20colours%20swatches&featureref1-more%20colours%20swatches

I have this red wide leg silk jumpsuit from Me and Em and I love it! I just wish I had more occasions to wear it. It’s comfy and swishy and striking all at the same time. https://www.meandem.com/int/2-in-1-wide-leg-jumpsuit-silk-top-lipstick-red

For casual wear, I have an array of cashmere jumpers in flattering colours and nicely fitting jeans that always make me feel excellent. I also have a pair of silky mustard and cream trousers (originally £700 but got them in a charity shop for £50) that are both casual and chic and look brilliant with cream cropped to shirts. For more formal occasions, I enjoy a cream or white silk shirt with statement earrings and a leather pencil skirt or straight jeans and small heels.

My favourite outfits currently are for work - I work in a senior role in a male-dominated profession, so dressing in a way that makes me feel good is a must-do each day.

1. Burgundy silk high neck blouse, burgundy pinstripe sharp-shouldered jacket, wine leather pencil mid-calf skirt and slingback pointed flats in either tan or chocolate, depending on my coat (suedette chocolate or tan)

2. Cream trouser suit (cut in a way which highlights my slim waist) with cream high neck blouse, pointed slingback flats, bold gold and pearl drop earrings

3. Black and khaki striped tie dress with stand up collar, bold gold earrings (inherited from my grandmother), vintage gold watch, black slim boots or black pointed slingbacks (flat)

4. Teal trouser suit, pale teal high neck blouse, gold and citrine brooch, small gold earrings, tan pointed flat slingbacks

I love long City coats, and am tall enough for them, so will top the casual and work outfits off with a camel coat, or a suedette trench, or a long black wool coat.

I also have various silk and velvet vintage coats, which I quite often use to dress up a plain white shirt / t-shirt and jeans.

A dark berry ribbed wool maxi dress with long sleeves that I wear a black three quarter length sleeve cropped wide fitting jumper over.

Slightly silky dark grey combat trousers with a cropped very thick cotton white t. Shirt that I wear over a slim fitting cotton grey camisole.

Silky loose fitting khaki trousers with a cream thin knit jumper with crepe sleeves

Black three quarter length crepe trousers with a cream and beige cropped jumper.

Teal coloured mermaid tail satin evening gown with a teal coloured Chinese silk jacket that has red flower detail on the collar and cuffs. Bought the jacket almost 30 years ago

Black knee length dress with a swing skirt and gathering at the waist

My favourite item of clothing is my Grandmothers Chinese silk stole with a Phoenix print, it’s almost a 100 years old and in amazing condition brought from mainland China when they left. Only worn at family weddings.