Struggling with wardrobe ever since moving to the countryside!

[wawawewa]

Recently moved to the countryside - very rural - and finding that my city wardrobe just doesn’t work here! I have a lot of clothes, but they’re mostly modern/minimalist cuts, a lot of black, and materials that don’t lend themselves well to a spontaneous walk and pub lunch.

I do have practical clothes as well, but I’m struggling to find that inbetween - something I can put on for a walk around the village or coffee date with a friend and feel stylish in but not conspicuously out of place. And comfortable, of course!

While I have some of the basics - wellies, cable knit jumpers, THAT gilet - I feel like leaning too much into the classic country look would be putting on a costume; same goes for anything too floral, gingham-y, or frilly, or the long flowy dress look. There are some women around here who do it really well - they manage to mix and match and create a put together yet modern and slightly whimsical look - but I wouldn’t know where to start!

I’m not concerned about fitting in as such, it’s more that I feel like I’ve shown up to a beach holiday in ski gear - it’s simply the wrong time and place for my current wardrobe.

That said, I also don’t want to go out and buy a whole new set of clothes - I suspect I probably have the basics already and just need to find a way to accessorize and elevate? Essentially make jeans and a jumper a bit more interesting?

Does anyone have tips on how to swing this? What am I missing!?

One thing that might be helpful is photographing your clothes, you can then feed the pics into AI and ask it to create some suitable outfits for you. You can feed it some examples of the type of style you want to achieve and plenty of descriptive prompt.

The other thing is to have a big try on session. Just try things together and figure out how they look. Things look different on and than in your head.

What are people around you wearing?
Use their style as a starting point.

Well don’t know where you live is it the Cotswolds ? I live in a small town in Cornwall quite arty and lots of different clothes including Seasalt.Not sure anyone actually has a style or even cares.Just wear what you like and feel comfortable in.Good luck try Vinted masses of wonderful clothes on there.If you don’t like what you buy just resell.

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4281220-If-Monty-Don-was-a-woman?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Not related to moving

But now that I live a very quiet life, and I don't go into the city at all, I kind of have the same issue

Most people are dressed in jeans and jumpers all the time

so I was looking at nice blazers today and I would look ridiculous if I went to the shops in my area dressed like that or I would look as if I was popping out of the office

Whereas a casual blazer used to be a thing

I think the real issue is everybody is just completely casually dressed 99% of the time and it's all the same jeans and jumpers and hoodies

If you deviate from that, you feel strange because you feel like everyone's looking at your "outfit". Because everything else feels like an outfit.

Is it possible the same thing is happening to you?

Jeans and a shirt and jumper are just normal daytime clothes in my rural area. Maybe a patterned top in the evening.. The alternative is to go casual and wear leggings!

You could try some chinos and a tshirt now it's warming up. As per pp, anything fancier than that round here is an outfit.

@DierdreDaphne it may be the case in cities as well

The last time I went away, I didn't see anyone dressed in anything else really - it is just a sea of casual wear

There's a lot of people who wear their Pilates and yoga clothes all day round my way

They may not even be going to classes that day I think we've just hit a point where nobody dresses well and you have to be prepared to stick out a bit

Otherwise, the nicely cut pieces mentioned by the OP would probably be okay? I can't think what's specifically city or country anymore.

I had a similar dilemma when we moved from London to the rural Midlands. Tried to embrace the ‘country style’ (gilet, shirt etc) but like you, felt like I was wearing a costume and not like myself. Have settled on a bit of uniform of jeans and jumpers - but well cut ones, and good accessories so I don’t feel like I’ve just given up! Decent belt, bag, nice trainers (not just dog walking ones 🤣), and lots of different jackets! I really miss dressing ‘properly’ but tend to save that for city visits (I now understand why my mum always got dressed up to go to London!). I do try to keep up with trends such as jean shapes etc, but wouldn’t directly copy an instagram type outfit! Today for example I’m in wide leg jeans, white T-shirt, navy cropped cardi and white sambas. I think this would prob work in London too but it’s ‘safe’ enough to not stand out massively here!

NB round here the look is very much skinny jeans/checked shirts/schoeffel gilets/fairfax and Favor boots or loafers - but that’s mainly because we are very close to an agricultural university and that seems to be their uniform (both boys and girls!). It’s not a style that works for me 🤣

I live rurally but work in London and I get it. I have to have two wardrobes in effect.

Generally well cut jeans, jumpers and nice quality shoes. Don't over think it and supplement with accessories you love.

I do, however, have a coat for all occasions much to DH amusement and shoes for every different possible walking scenario. I suspect not everyone needs this, but I am sticking with my plan 😆

You're basically in the market for clothes from Seasalt, White Stuff, Weird Fish, FatFace and Joules. There's a reason those brands often have shops in market towns in rural areas. I'd start there, either in-store, online or via vinted.

Look at Holland cooper if you want to go high.

Jewellery elevates everything

I’d say don’t rush down this route unless that’s your usual style… clothes are nice but if you’re more of a city person at heart you might not feel yourself in them

You can get really nice outdoor trousers from places like Acai. Also check out Finisterre.

I live rurally (as in, down a farm track) but work, schools, gym etc. all in our nearest city and we’ve got a flat in London so often overnight there.
I can’t honestly think if anything I’d wear that isn’t pretty interchangeable, apart from home stuff when feeding animals in wellies, leggings and a horrific coat, but I can’t imagine you want to wear that! Out dog walking or walking with friends, I’d wear leggings and trainers, which is what I’d wear if a went for a walk in Regents Park with MIL.
Local women I know tend to wear gym wear, jeans, jumpers, trainers. Me and Em style stuff to go out. Last week I went to a local Gastro pub. I wore a short skirt with a petrol blue cashmere jumper and plat ankle boots. My friend wore black white leg trousers, a white silky T-shirt and a black tuxedo style jacket. Which is pretty much what my Cambridge and London friends wear. I don’t know many who’d go for a gilet outside an equestrian scenario. I guess people dress in field coats and the like for shooting but unless that’s your thing, I probably wouldn’t.
I wouldn’t overthink it- just wear what feels right and comfy for you.

Campbell of Beuley, Walker Slater and Alan Paine are all there for you at varying budgets. I haven’t bought a pair of tweed breeks yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

https://www.campbellsofbeauly.com
https://www.walkerslater.com
https://www.alanpaine.co.uk

I permanently live in Sweaty Betty as it multi tasks everyday 🤣 from school run to “add a nice hoody for a coffee” or shopping trip...pretend I’m going for a run or yoga but never get there! Patagonia or Passenger are other good brands for posh casual.

I’m fairly rural too.
I live in straight/slightly wide leg cords in winter, long sleeve tops, boxy cardigans
in the summer I wear my kids cast off combat trousers and a top!
going out (to the local pub!) usually wide leg jeans and a silky shirt or similar.
i have Nike AF1s for walking or Adidas trex if I’m going through the woods.
one thing I have not compromised on- I really don’t like fleeces, I know they’re super practical, but I prefer a chunky argyle cardi or similar, Enid Blyton style.

We don’t wear nice clothes here. No modern, no minimalist, no black, no nice materials.

Get yourself some dungarees and some twine for a belt.

Where I live, it's usually jeans, t-shirts or shirts, a jumper or fleece, Redback/Yakka boots and Ridgeline coats, all in various shades of black, brown, green, or navy blue. Anything else stands out! Hats are generally related to farming/shearing brands. Oh, and if you don't drive a pick-up or a Land Rover, and have a collie, you're a bit of a novelty. We feel very out of place when we have to venture into the nearest (small) city!

Where I used to live, Rydale was more a popular brand, and Le Chameau wellies if you were particularly dressed up that day.

Try not to overthink it. Most people live in T-shirt and jeans, or going into summer, a wide-leg linen trouser look, or midi/maxi dress.

I think what you are missing is the confidence to be you. Wear the style of clothing you feel comfortable in. If it’s slightly different to the Barbour jacket brigade, people won’t judge, but will probably admire your stylish clothing.

People in the countryside (unless you are an actual farm labourer or on a shoot) really do just wear normal clothes. In fact, I see more ‘countryside dress up’ when I’m visiting family in posh central London areas than here- red trousers, Barbours and tweed caps galore.

My ‘rural’ day today consists of: quick dog walk and checking on a friend’s donkey (don’t ask) school run, pick up supermarket shop, GP, lunch at home with DH, dog walk with a friend, go to farm shop to buy meat for weekend bbq, a bit of work, out for dinner at a local pub by the river.

I’m wearing a pair of Uniqlo cotton chinos(rolled), a Poetry boxy shirt, Sambas and Armani sunglasses. I definitely would also wear this exact outfit going into town for a similar chores day. Not a gilet in sight!

Beaufort and Blake do some lovely shirts and knitwear that are a little bit country without being too much! I also like Passenger, Finisterre, and the plainer end of Seasalt, and see a lot of that kind of style where I am (rural SW)

I live in the country and for the most part just wear normal clothes, as in jeans and a T shirt if I leave the house otherwise i stay in joggers. The only things I would say for dog walking is a decent pair of boots and a hooded parka jacket. I do own a 'barn jacket' too now!