Learning to love prints (and other fashion-related advice)

Seraphina

Hi all!

I have a big problem. I'm basically the most boring dresser ever. I can't wear logos, prints, or designs of any kind. I feel like I have some terrible mental block towards dressing in feminine clothing. Even when I see stuff that I think is pretty, I always try it on and think 'that looks frumpy/grannyish/I have nothing I could wear it with'.

I've really been trying hard to expand my wardrobe recently, but it usually ends up with me buying the same stuff I usually wear, only slightly different.
I would love to feel comfortable wearing cute floral stuff or drawing more attention to what I wear with 'statement pieces' as people call them, but I feel like everything I buy is an attempt to look as plain as possible.

I'm 26 now, and I still wear stuff I bought ten years ago (though sometimes it's rather pleasing to think you still fit into this stuff). I'm STILL struggling to 'find' a style, and while sometimes I manage to put together awesome outfits, I do also tend to have days where I look like I got dressed in the dark. My mum and sister despair at me!

I tend to have problems 'over matching' clothes, with blocks of the same colour, which ends up looking very boring and samey. I guess I sort of felt that at some point I'd 'grow into' a certain style, but clearly it's gonna be something I'll have to work at. Has anyone got any advice for me? Bearing in mind I can't really afford a wardrobe overhaul, and I don't tend to be big on 'trend' clothing.

Where does personal shopping that won't expect me to buy a rake load of clothes? I'm looking for somewhere that is not brand focused, and that isn't going to try and force me into the 'latest' looks.

OldGoat

I'm sure loads of people are going to jump in here and talk with you about personal shopping etc but I'd like to offer something else. Breaking out of your mold is a hard thing to do psychologically. Suddenly wearing a suit (in my case) instead of jeans and a t-shirt and facing the comments of my peers was rather daunting. I eventually figured that they would get over it.
I would suggest that you find an occasion to dress for rather then going straight into changing your day to day ensemble. An event to attend will give you the excuse and the push you need to go for something different. Christmas is just around the corner but you'll be rushed trying to find something you are happy with and you'll 'settle' again for the usual gear.
However new years is coming and that give you enough time (including the sales) to get something that is outside your comfort zone. Make that your goal. Start surfing the web and find out what images most attract you (that are not your usual stuff ).

Oh, forgot to mention, get ready for a plethora of complements, gasps and jaw drops that will inevitably come when you step into the limelight. Revel in it.