Lost confidence in dressing

Perhaps - and I mean this kindly! - you have too many clothes / too much choice? I say this with great empathy, as I have a large wardrobe of clothes - not expensive brands like yours, but plenty of it! Perhaps if we had a minimal, capsule wardrobe to choose from, it would be easier? But I couldn’t do it, I’ve tried! I like buying different clothes - eBay, charity shops, local market, etc.

I think you’re right, but wouldn’t dream of getting rid of anything I still wear and like!

All outfits sound equally appropriate and equally stylish.

The real answer is to have fewer clothes so that choice is limited. I have five modest events taking place this summer. They range from a funeral to a special wedding anniversary (my sister's), a graduation and a family party. I have bought a dress and denim jacket at my local supermarket in France and will wear it at all events. No worrying about what to wear, there is only one outfit to choose from.

Maw
My view is that the scarf is lovely. I am a person who loves scarves and I have a lot! The colours will go with everything you mentioned earlier. Personally I would wear black trousers and jacket and a lighter top.

I love scarfs, but cannot wear them. I have narrow shoulders and they slip off.

Boo ☹️
The scarf arrived today and it’s not yellow and shades of grey/blue, it’s yellow and animal print browns , so that’s going back!
I have a William Morris pattern scarf ( Blue Strawberry Thief) which I should have thought of before, so it’s the navy trousers, beige linen jacket, white t shirt and the scarf.
Then following Corners excellent advice, the other options go back in the wardrobe and I can stop wittering on and dithering.
It also means I can wear my very comfy blue Rieker loafers which have a bit of a floral pattern on the front but are so light and soft.
End of!

Boo ☹️
The scarf arrived today and it’s not yellow and shades of grey/blue, it’s yellow and animal print browns , so that’s going back!

There we all were coveting the scarf. I've gone off it too!

Ps when you have a chuck-out to the charity shop can you let us know where, please

maw I envy you having the panache to carry off a scarf. Mine would slip off and trip me up or end up dangling in someone's tea.

*Kitty there a a multitude of ways to try a scarf, so that it won't fall off.
You should look on Pinterest.
www.pinterest.com/ruthray2/how-to-tie-a-scarf

I have lost count of the number of scarves, I have, they finish off an outfit.
I have just been on this site (I am not on commission!), I already have some.
www.lusciousscarves.com

Any combination of what you have described will be appropriate. That scarf will compliment your choice. I fully understand your dilema regarding choice of clothing. Since lockdown it has happened to me too, however I now feel my confidence returning.

kittylester

maw I envy you having the panache to carry off a scarf. Mine would slip off and trip me up or end up dangling in someone's tea.

???
Mine too, or I get too hot and end up tying it on my handbag.

I don’t go to many weddings but I’ve got a wardrobe full of clothes that I have bought for weddings because I used to fret so much about what to wear and ended up buying several outfits. None of which were ever worn again as I don’t wear dresses. At one wedding I wanted to look good because my ex husbands new partner was going and in the end she never went anyway. And at my sons wedding, in retrospect, I ended up wearing something totally unflattering.

Marydoll, I have a friend who is a scarf expert and even she has given me up as a lost cause.

I love the look of scarves and have far too many but the only sort I can get away with are continuous ones or the Clive Myrie look. Both available from Kettlewell.

Marydoll
Someone gave a scarf demonstration once but I am still hopeless.
Some people have it, some don't.

I don't!

Silk scarf in Blue Strawberry Thief!
I love William Morris designs and his family home in Walthamstow is in Lloyd Park just along the road from youngest D and a shortish walk from her big sister.
But you are right, those who said I have too much choice- I think it’s a reaction to that feeling of bringing out the same old, same old jacket/coat etc for every occasion - and since the pandemic there seem to be far fewer occasions.

Love the Morris scarf Maw. I’ve strawberry thief wallpaper on the wall the dogs May lean on as the wander into the sitting room. Love the paper and - it covers a multitude of doggy sins

I like scarves to "dress up" and add a splash of colour to a plain top as an alternative to a necklace. They don't break when an inquisitive small child tries to examine them!

V3ra

I like scarves to "dress up" and add a splash of colour to a plain top as an alternative to a necklace. They don't break when an inquisitive small child tries to examine them!

they just strangle you instead!

I'd choose the black trousers and black jacket for a funeral.

grannyrebel7

I'd choose the black trousers and black jacket for a funeral.

Normally I’d agree with you Grannyrebell but I also think one should take the wishes of the family into account and I’m coming round to the idea of dark blue and cream/beige with just a touch of colour in the scarf.
Most of our generation would feel uncomfortable in bright colours though - life was easier when social norms were more clearcut, weren’t they?

I take great comfort from something Debbo's nanny (allegedly) always said to her, even on her wedding day "No-one will be looking at you, dear".
Hope it goes well, Maw. At least the ground is dry, so you won't be slithering around.

I think you have got your style maw, the scarf is beautiful and the colours you are suggesting all go very well together!

I agree with your last paragraph MawtheMerrier and I think we should dress appropriately for the occasion. But even that is open to interpretation. I think etiquette in dressing helps us to behave in a socially acceptable way. If one wants to gain respect, trust and appreciation from others, one almost has to dress in a way that will appeal, it's a bit like creating an image.
Having said that, clean and tidy is the best starting point whatever anyone wears.

I used to wear a lot of scarves and have a huge box full of them.

I struggle with the very long ones as they get too hot and if I just drape them round my neck I am almost tripping over them.

I friend showed me how to do a nice loop in a scarf that was a bit different and not too bulky

Problem is, I never remember how to do it.

Here is how to do it:

www.instyle.com/how-tos/how-to-tie-scarf-gifs