What's your style? And do you fulfill it sartorially?

[DeposedPresident]

Clumsy title, I know.

I'm 53. I am a bit dumpy and I have really struggled to find my own style.

The look I love.... tends to be elegant, chic, a sort of cliched 'French' look. Blouses, jackets, etc. But I am too dumpy to do that justice, deps[ite years of trying.

More recently I have gone a little boho- lots of silver and turquoise jewellery, dangly earrings, wavy hair worn down, not up. Jeans, boots and sandals and long necklaces. Thing is, I feel good in this. And I have received more compliments than ever before. So I am thinking that much to my own surprise, the style I have been chasing for decades isn't really 'me' and this more relaxed free-flowing approach is something I am better suited to.

So i am interested in what others like as opposed to what suits them. Or if you have made a preferred style your own?

What suits me best could be described as french chic/classic/borderline preppy
but i really would like to wear boho things and walk barefoot!! Ive ordered tbis gorgeous dress with 19 positive reviews and i just look odd in it.. it is just not me… i am confined to my navy, white clothes

https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-ines-boho-print-midi-dress-containing-lenzing-ecovero-viscose-stone/p114693110?size=m&tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappiosY29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I wear Seasalt stuff as it covers me up and fits my annoying apple shape. I like the fabrics as well. I know people complain it's frumpy, but I don't care. I've been getting into skirts and dresses lately as I find them cooler in the hot weather. I'm very top heavy and short and nothing really suits me. Stuff is either too big or too small. I'd like to look like a retired art teacher with long skirts, scarfs and dangly earrings. Stylishly messy sort of vibe. I actually look like a fat, badly dressed poor person who is constantly overheated and slightly alarmed about things. My cats and plants don't seem to mind 😬

Are you never able to take your clothes to an alterations service, @smallglassbottle?

Mass produced clothes are never going to fit every body perfectly and it’s pointless to expect them to. Your local dry cleaners will probably have a tailor / seamstress for minor alterations. But there will definitely be a dedicated service in your nearest town / city.

I'm not sure how much these things cost, but I do need a dress altered so I will find out I think. I have taken a couple of things in by hand and they look okay. It's never really occurred to me to have things altered, but it does make sense. I can do hems.

This sounds great. Simple but stylish combos. I’m coming out of a boring mum uniform stage… Looking back, I used to wear such nice clothes until my mid-forties.

50 now, I’d love to refine my style. Edit my wardrobe, I have lovely pieces. Just haven’t been wearing them. I’m going n a bit of a rut with my looks, weight, general vibe.

Oh I am glad this thread was revived!

I'm away right now and it's winter here. I did not continue on with my boho vibe.... it ended up just not working for me.

However, I recently dressed in a wheat coloured woollen pencil skirt, wheat coloured cashmere asymetrical poncho and wore a long peach coloured string of pearls and got stopped by TWO people that day to tell me I looked elegant and 'fabulous'. I thought I was cosplaying a chicken tender so it was a bit surprising, So now am wondering if that sort of thing suits me more.

I think (again!) I need to really pay attention. I have wanted to buy some clothes where I am but the ubiquitous winter colours here right now are beige, burgundy and black and nothing quite looks right to me. But, seriously, if my chicken tender outfit go compliments maybe my judgement is way off anyway!

Yeah, everything in the shops is shite. You really have to work to find anything good. Hence the popularity of Vinted for older pieces! Loving the chicken tender outfit. It’s getting out of your comfort zone as well isn’t it? Trying something new. I’m thinking that the Trinny cool suit thing might suit me…

I’m the same. I want to dress like a drama teacher but look best as Coastal Grandma.

Like you OP I aspire to a French chic understated look. However I know I am never going to achieve it, so I alternate between boho and preppy.

It's winter here atm so my "style" is black merino joggers and a wool jersey or thick cotton sweatshirt. I'm longing for hot weather so I can waft around in linen and skirts. I actually like the dark academia winter look - but it's too much effort!

Everyone sounds fabulous on this thread.
I have no idea what my style is. I am 47 and feel like I have totally lost my way which is ironic as I used to work in fashion 🤣
Im trying to find my style again I’ve recently lost 4 stone so things look a bit how I would like them to look now. I’ve also chopped all my hair off into a messy bob. I often get complimented on what I’m wearing but I look completely different from one way to the next.
I love summer but I do find dressing in the cooler months much easier. I’ve already bought some new chunky jumpers to wear.

I saw footage of Charlize Theron in them and they looked daft - like she had forgotten her skirt.

I aspire to ‘Caribbean luxury boho’, but unfortunately, it is not compatible with my lifestyle ( or budget!).
So, I would say my style is ‘Quirky Casual Royal’.
Quirky, because I like to accesorise - the more bracelets, the better.
Casual Royal, because I wear similar outfits to dressed down royals.
Wide leg linen trousers, a crisp shirt and espadrilles ( Queen Letizia)
Chinos or smart shorts with polo shirts (Katherine)
Long brown boots, leggings and outdoorsy jackets (any horsey royal).

My style has evolved since losing weight, and to not what I’d have expected.

i now wear a lot of dresses, and wide leg trousers, im five foot 6 and a half, long legs short body, mid fifties, brunette, size 8.

today im wearing this, bare foot as round the house, chunky gold bangle and my hair is somewhat similar to the models, but longer and more waves and lots of it. I’m comfy and cool.id happily shove some sandals on and go out and look fine on video calls for work.

i now make a point of wearing something nice every day , as you never get the wear out of nice clothes when you save them for good.

www.thereformation.com/products/alix-linen-dress/1319422CMG.html?dwvar_1319422CMG_color=CMG

My looks and shape lend to completely the opposite of my preferred style also unfortunately! Im short, slim from a dress size and BMI perspective but apple shaped with a stomach, boobs and no bum. I love khaki, tailored, wide leg, collared tops, clunky boots, utilitarian, I always jokingly describe it as “corporate lesbian plumber who volunteers in the TA”. I’m also partial to bright almost neon colours particularly orange and magenta, love clumpy trainers and blazers and minimal but statement jewellery. I can’t style my hair for my life and can’t be bothered with lipsticks and eyeshadow.

what actually looks objectively great on me apparently and gets compliments is tousled hair, milk maid dresses, tea dresses, soft muted colours like dusky rose and overtly feminine items like blouses and delicate heels. I thought I’d have my own interpretation of what I like cracked by now at 40 but sadly not.

That’s made me laugh, @Stickthatupyourdojo!

Do you own any milkmaid dresses - or do you just feel mortified at the thought? 😂

I have two milkmaid dresses. One is completely plain and black and I have warmed to it a lot as I know it suits me and i can style it easily to be more “me”. The other one is far more girly and harder to style my way without looking completely clashing. That one got angrily thrown in the wardrobe and in 5 years I’ll get round to putting it on Vinted where I’ll describe it as a “beautiful floaty and feminine dress” 😂 I recently took my youngest to a fairytale party. My mum took a photo of us, I look like a ghostbuster in my khaki utility jump suit next to my little princess. So I do see why my family and friends gently try and steer me away from what I like.

Regarding the Monsoon dress upthread.
Maybe if that's a bit too Boho, a Monsoon blouse in the same design would suit better. QVC are selling one at half price at the moment.
Teamed with a plainer toning skirt, it wouldn't look as fussy.

I'm in my 50s and when I hit 40 I recall thinking grimly; 'FFS, I thought by now I'd worked out what suits me... or at least gotten a better hairstyle'.

Anyway I'm quite pleased with what i am wearing today (it's 8 degrees out), relaxed navy velvet trousers, navy blue long sleeved tshirt and an electric blue soft sweater with a deep green and cream silk scarf. It's a look I like to call 'Inoffensive'.

I am 5'6, curvy hour glass with big boobs and bum.
Until my 40s I was always dressed a bit older than I was, denim skirts, pastel floral t-shirts, blouses etc
But I eventually found my style and it's a bit alt, a bit goth, always black, but with a bit of a romantic feel day to day, black midi or maxi dresses with a small flower print and chunky sandals/DMs.
In winter I just add tights and a black cardigan and either a leather look coat or long wool coat with a tie belt.
If I go out at night I wear lace, velvet, tartan and satin dresses and I wear a statement belt or harness to accentuate my waist, with boots or Mary Jane shoes. I also wear animal/nature print clothes, fox, cats, snake patterns etc.
I finally feel like me!