Stuck in a rut- fashions don’t suit me!

[NopeNotFluffy]

I’m not fashion forward, I like classic stuff really but with a bit of a twist. Not a fashionista in any sense of the word. Boxy style ts and wide leg jeans look awful on me, even when my wonderfully fashionable friends tell me a trendier item looks great I actually think they mean the clothes are great, because they’d wear them- not that I look great in them 🤣

How do I get out of a style rut? My day to day go-to are shirt dresses and have been for at least 25 years.

And I LOVE a cardi. I would probably wear a twin set and pearls every day if I could, just that the print on my dress would be slightly subversive and my neckline always just a smidge too low 🤭

I’m shit at separates because I’m a funny shape. Boobs, tummy and hips are all the same measurement in cm but my rib cage is narrow, hence shirt dresses which cinch me in with an open neckline and a-line skirt work well. I want to do casual better though- where do I start?! I can’t carry on wearing shirt dresses forever, I feel like I’m becoming a caricature of myself.

If you’re comfortable wear what you want. You don’t need to force yourself to wear current clothes.

I feel quite dated though

It would be nice to wear something more casual for example- but current jeans shapes look dreadful on me, barrel leg/anything high waist makes ME look like a bloody barrel 🤣

I’ve just lost quite a lot of weight (that I needed to tbh) through illness and it would be so nice to have a bit of a change up.

If you suit shirt dresses, how about shirts or blouses with jeans? This is my main look to be honest. Go to somewhere like Matalan and have a massive jeans try on but don't worry about trends, just pick the jeans that suit you.

Two possibilities:

1 Stick with shirt dresses but, instead of sounding embarrassed about them, make them your signature thing. They come in different shapes (I wasn't even sure which type you meant at first, until you talked about cinching in) so you could experiment that way. Hunt them down in down different colours, striking prints and interesting fabrics. Think about belts and other accessories etc etc.

2 Try out new things and just accept that if, as you say yourself, you've been in a rut for 25 years, then anything different is going to look awful to you at first.

By the way, all current jeans shapes look dreadful on you? Really? I can't remember there ever being more different styles easily available as there are now. If you don't like wide or barrel leg (and barrel legs come in different shapes) you've still got flares or boot cut or straight leg (and someone will be along any minute now with a link to a Vogue article saying skinnies are back).

Another by the way: I like twin sets. Why not get one, mess around with the pearls and see what you come up with?

Look at Carolina Herrera’s style.

I have seen midi shirt dresses around in stores this spring.

What about slim-fitting Mom jeans? Tuck t shirt in and cardi over the top? I love a throw-on cardi!

M&S seem to have every cut of jeans imaginable at the moment. Just go and try a load on. Boyfriend and girlfriend jeans could work too.

Best Twinsets Ever?

https://www.alexandragolovanoff.com/en/products/cardigan-mila-light-green-18

I wouldn’t feel ashamed to wear one of those. Or just pick a (subversive) cardigan:

https://hades-shop.co.uk/collections/cardigans

and look like the coolest person ever.

I don’t think you need to change your style - just look at new sources if you’re bored.

What sort of shirt dress do you mean, by the way?

Palava?

or

Community Clothing

or

Justine Tabak

or the denim sort available everywhere?

Have you ever tried a personal shop? I know some places (shops) do them for free or look at stylists in your region