What are the unwritten style rules?

[frumpydump]

I am, largely, a very unstylish person. I pick comfort over everything.
I would love to look a little more put together and fashionable day to day. What are the unwritten style rules i’m missing out on?

I love your dress.

I recommend having a listen to How To Find Your Personal Style

People can be very attached to their own style, and quick to give you advice based on what they personally like, without actually grasping that their taste isn’t necessarily a global standard.

Being confident helps massively.

I can’t bear no earrings at all (I’ve a bit of a complex about naked ears! ) but I only wear very understated stud earrings if I wear a necklace. If I wear more elaborate earrings, definitely no necklace. One or the other should be the focus, both is far too busy.

I also dont wear a necklace with a top with an elaborate or ornamented neckline. Again, far too busy.

i like to mix textures. Natural materials. Silk, wool, cotton, linen, denim, cashmere. I like V necks - to elongate the neck. Good accessories always elevate an outfit. I collect silk scarves, good sunglasses, interesting earrings and keeper handbags. I opt for classic and timeless shoes and boots.

I think there are a few basic style rules like not having baggy or tight things on both the top and bottom and how colour sandwiching can make you look more put together but TBH the people Ive admired the most from a style pov are usually the people who throw all the rules out the window!
I think having confidence and joy in your style makes you look ten times better, even if you are dressed as an Edwardian dandy! It kinda says 'I love my clothes and I love myself' and that is very attractive!😄

The women I think of as put together are ones who are well groomed (hair clean and good cut), flattering clothes (so not slouchy joggers), clean shoes, make up that enhances without being obvious, and a confident manner. They could be wearing any style (not atheleisure): boho, classic, whatever, but the basics are relevant to all.

I complete agree.

For example, I love Pru Leith's sense of style even though I would never ever wear anything like that myself!

OP - firstly, great news on the weight loss, I hope you’re very proud.
ive struggled with finding the right style for me. I’m now almost at a point where I feel like I know what I’m doing.
what I’ve done:
✔️ figured out which colours look best on me (for me, this is deep colours like burgundy, dark green, navy, teal, charcoal etc)

come to the conclusion (via trial and error) that patterns don’t really work for me - not sure why. Some people can wear patterns and look fabulous but sadly not me

when I’ve found something that works (for me, this is wide leg trousers) I stick to it as a sort of uniform, buying them in different colours etc

i also have wide feet and found Skechers (not just trainers but also their shoes) to be good

buy a couple of bags I really love, in “my colours” so I feel like everything goes together

I think there are style guidelines rather than rules. A lot of stylish people have worked out:

1. What fits your personal style - what feels like you. This is the most important.

1. What different clothes look like on your body - shape, combination, fabric.

1. What colours suit you - combination, pattern, texture.

Things can suit, "flatter" in 2 & 3, but might not be your personal style, 1.

The advice to replicate something you like is great.

I think 'On Trend' and 'Stylish' can sometimes be very different things. There are many things that have been on trend which do not suit my body shape or size and therefore don't look remotely stylish. For example, barrel leg jeans are not for me but look great on others. Peplum tops also not for me but can look great on others.

Bravissimo fit over the phone or via video call as well as in store. They are fantastic at telling your size by eye and using the fit of your existing bra. You can book through their website, I did this (too embarrassed to be measured in person) and the bra they recommended fits brilliantly but also gives me nice lifted perky breasts

I wouldn’t talk about rules in general.

The rules I apply to myself are: good haircut, natural makeup, short nails, leather handbags and shoes, straight or slightly wide trousers, no prints apart from polka dots, lots of navy and black.