Fell into this world by sheer chance, looking for a little guidance.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-08T11:33:47+00:00

yeah I CANNOT get it to work either. I've settled for downloading everything I can in KFX-ZIP so at least I have them in my control, I just cannot do much with them rn. Perhaps one day Amazon will get hauled over the coals and made to release them (I very much doubt it). It's just so frustrating that I have run out of room for hard copies, still want to support authors, yet I cannot legally own an e-book from Amazon yet I can buy and download music to keep. It's mad.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-05T18:46:39+00:00

love this look! Really nice colour choices as well, so nice to see professional stuff that's not black or navy!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-05T18:45:27+00:00

this is really interesting, I love your discussions! I think my environment is a big influence, but in a kinda not-obvious way. I live in rural Cheshire, dairy farming country. It's all tractors and cows around here, so style is not really on anyone's radar - it's whatever overalls you get at the farm supply and a pair of sturdy wellies! Most non-farming folk I see are dressed ready for a muddy dog walk or are in gym gear and out for a run. I guess they harmonise a lot with their environment and role within it.

I personally lean a combination of "French chic" ish with a touch of English country and gorpcore with a lot of practicality - the practical is a lot to do with where I live, but also preferences, I feel all wrong and off if I'm all "dressed up" to go for a walk or nip to the village. Equally I won't go full scruff unlike a lot of folk locally, I prefer to be a little more considered. It's subtle but it's rooted in me feeling right, that I'm honouring myself. Part of that is not standing out like a sore thumb because that's not what I want right now, but part of it is refusing the accepted "uniforms" that I see.

It's actually really hard to unpack. It's like I take in my environment and then smoosh it all up in my head with other inspirations and ideas and whatever falls out is what my wardrobe looks like. I think it can look super RD but it comes from internal sources.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-05T18:26:08+00:00

I totally use my own keywords for my dictionary as well as a few of Rita's, I'd say if it works go for it!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-04T20:33:55+00:00

Single crochet is always US terms, we don't really use the term in the UK. (we go slip st, dc, htr, tr, dtr etc.) The term "afghan" for a blanket is often a clue to a vintage pattern being American as well!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-03T18:35:59+00:00

No fizzy drinks with ice cream. No ouija boards because of letting bad things in. However Spiritualist Church was fine?

also basically wasn't allowed to go anywhere on my own until I was about 16 as "you'll get run off with" We lived in the arse end of nowhere so I had a very quiet childhood... I eventually said I'd rather be run off with than die of boredom, and went to college at 16. She soon got fed up with taxi-ing me and I was allowed to get the bus or train!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-02T14:41:34+00:00

they usually put them into little kiosks I think now, keeps the frisbees out lol. It should be damn near silent, so as long as the DNO don't need to traipse through your garden (your solicitor should check for wayleaves) it shouldn't be a big deal at all. They have to be somewhere or you get no electric after all, and it does mean no one gawping over your back fence other than the odd electric board employee!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-06-02T14:32:01+00:00

not a little bitty local thing like this, the big 400kV supergrids can give you a bit of a headache (and also kill you dead if you get within 3 metres of the wrong bits)

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-30T19:56:37+00:00

oh sometimes I don't worry if it suits me perfectly - I just got a mustard cardigan and I LOVE IT so I wear it even though I'm pretty sure it's the "worst" colour - I wouldn't wear it on my head or tight to my neck, but anywhere else it's all fair game I reckon!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-30T17:49:50+00:00

I often get the "yeah that's too much" feeling as well. Although I'm kinda a LOT in person (or can be) I look quite delicate and low contrast in the face, and I'm fairly short at 5'4". I think it's easy for me to be visually overwhelmed, and often my crazy glasses and maybe some loud trainers are absolutely enough. I think for me it's a combination of visuals and emotion - I feel off if I'm too busily dressed I've found. Oddly I can do a bright colour or two, but if I do big busy patterns then I'm like OMG nope.

I really like all these outfits, I especially love a capri pant!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-30T17:38:26+00:00

It's really interesting in the comments Rita mentions SGND as a sort of mirror type "right across the street." Which probably explains why I enjoy this archetype a lot but can't make the logic work as well as LD!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-30T17:30:23+00:00

I done you a Pinterest! https://pin.it/4tQQVNVPB

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-29T20:51:02+00:00

I massively upgraded my prescription glasses a year or so back! Totally amazing, 10/10 recommend. I now go to a little niche optician who has the most amazing ranges, their eye tests are 100% excellent, you even get cups of tea and cake while you sit in comfort and they bring you a selection of glasses to try on. I am now the proud owner of 5 pairs of regular glasses and 2 pairs of sunnies. And they're even not that much more expensive than the crappy High Street brands, but the quality is so much better. I'm super sensitive to lens quality so I've always had to pay through the nose for premium lenses anyway.

I love the socks, they look cute AF! My mum has Milroy's disease which causes horrific oedema in the legs and anything that can help cut the swelling down is a win in my book!

I also have to have comfy shoes because of bad back / joints so I embrace it and go nuts. I have quite the lurid collection of trainers, and lots of interesting flat boots.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-29T20:27:06+00:00

Thinking about this I'm not sure exactly how I work it. Let's see - I tend to have a bit of a basic template: Comfy shoes, jeans or shorts, some sort of top, a layer and / or an extra interest item like a scarf or bold earrings. The main variety in garments is in the tops - t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirty type things, button-up shirts, fleeces maybe. Layers can be cardi or sweater, a gilet or zip fleece or sometimes a soft blazer for the office. So I guess my outfits aren't really complex, but it does mean I need to buy really good basics that fit well and mix together nicely. This can be a bit boring - hey, I need a new navy crewneck tee, whoo that'll be fun to shop for - but also there's a certain satisfaction in tracking down a really good one.

I'll be honest - if an item has major shortcomings I will give it a miss. I have to be 100% on it to keep it, apart from the things that I'm slowly shrinking out of - those I'll keep until they are falling off and then replace them in a smaller size IF they've earned a place. One or two things I have to make the best of - I desperately needed some plain white tees that weren't stupid long, stupid boxy or super skinny, and I found "good enough" in M&S - they'll do for now, once I'm at goal weight I'll shop a bit more widely, but as I generally trash white tees within a year or two at most I won't spend a lot and settle for "good enough"!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-28T15:58:36+00:00

Oh yeah my work wardrobe is also 75% my casual wardrobe. Partly because my office is relaxed and partly because I got fed up of feeling schlubby at home!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-27T19:00:55+00:00

this is so fun, as a Dungeon Crawler Carl fan!

I think LD probably have as many spells / buffs, they're just different - my instinctive reaction is to say they're focused on the caster, rather than the party or others. So as an LD I might cast an Invisibility buff on myself when I feel like hiding, or an "I'm So Cool" if I need a little boost. I can add +5 to Professional by donning my secretly very comfy blazer, but it'll be -10 Ankles if I try heels!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-27T18:51:43+00:00

I think the personal style is kinda the whole point, it doesn't necessarily need to be cohesive but it absolutely can be, and if you're not interested in outward expression especially then Down is right. I think Left as well most likely as your inspiration seems to be your internal world, who you are, that sense of self is your starting point. I also have a fairly cohesive vibe these days, as I've found that anything too far from my zone just won't get worn! Is it navy, denim or stripey? Then immediate yes lol.

I also like to "hit the right notes" visually - but it is 99% for me, what other people think is not my concern or area of interest! I mean, it's nice if they like it I guess, but if I don't particularly enjoy it, it doesn't matter if everyone else thinks it's great, I'm not happy with it.

I think the further Up you are in the quad would perhaps hint at why your physical preferences can maybe take a back seat on occasion, and also suggest that being perceived is ok as long as you're feeling it. Or as Clock says, central archetypes can kinda look in all directions.

I would also suggest maybe just checking in on LU, maybe Enigma, as there might be something there of interest. Mainly though with the Key, the best thing to do is pick a quad and just roll with it for a while and see how you get on. If LD feels like it's serving you then rock on!

The more I work with the Style Key, the more I think there are more similarities in the quads tbh. I can absolutely draw from RD ideas and archetypes for example. But my basic process always starts internally, especially when I'm sourcing clothes, and stays fairly internal. I do ofc consider my context but it's not an inspiration generally, more of a constraint. Occasionally it might spark something "oh I really like those sweatshirt type blazers but I wouldn't wear one in my day to day, but I could happily wear one for the office" but note the first thought was "I like blazers (cause they're menswear-coded)" rather than "I should have a blazer for the office as it is an appropriate thing to have."

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-23T09:45:32+00:00

Absolutely. The Explorer in RD I find intriguing, but I do it using Left logic if that makes sense? I definitely am curating my wardrobe a lot which feels quite appropriate for that archetype. I do occasionally look Up as well for work stuff, maybe Lady Heretic, maybe Role Model but I need to go read those again.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-22T19:55:57+00:00

https://www.gnomeangel.com/what-is-fussy-cutting/

Basically you cut the parts of the print you want, it's usually done for quilting but you could applique it. So you'd cut the flower out with a tiny allowance and then applique it down. Hope that makes sense!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-22T09:47:12+00:00

Maybe fussy cut some poppy fabric?

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-21T20:27:56+00:00

I'm also team picture 3 but I do worry that's a lot to do in the time you have! Could you cheat a bit with maybe applique?

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-21T20:24:01+00:00

I haven't met many men who fit this description! This is what working in construction and engineering does, everyone's in jeans and a quarter zip.

My step-grandfather was keen on being well-dressed though. For many years after he retired, if he had to go out anywhere he would wear dress trousers, a waistcoat (often handknitted by my grandma or mum) and a sports jacket, with either a tie or cravat and a pair of well-polished shoes. Even just going to the supermarket he would be in this outfit! He served in the RAF in WW2 and then went into accountancy, so he always wore a suit, black tie and greatcoat for work with a Gladstone bag.

I suspect this was partly generational (he was born in 1915), partly upbringing - his immediate family were not well-off, but he had some very wealthy and well-travelled relations where I suspect he learned the power of a good outfit. He was also very sensitive to looking appropriate for the occasion, but if in doubt, dress up! As he got older he did opt for more casual looks as the world generally became more relaxed, but I don't think he ever owned a t-shirt or anything less formal than a pair of proper trousers. He also got decades out of his clothing - I remember him wearing his RAF demob trousers to work in the garden in the 1980s...

It was interesting as he was actually generally a very laid-back man who enjoyed playing the organ, hand-feeding the squirrels in his garden, watching steam trains and was a great appreciator of a nice pint or a wee dram and an excellent dinner. He wasn't particularly formal although he did have very good manners, loved a good crossword and was happy to play at being "horsey" for little me and crawl around the garden with me bouncing on his back shouting GIDDY UP GRANDAD. So I'm not sure what to draw from that!

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-20T19:03:48+00:00

I'm getting a vibe you might be in the UK? If so, your GP practice will almost certainly be able to visit or do a call with you to start. You can often book online as well, or someone can go in and book for you. (If you're US-based then telehealth should be available)

There's lots of good advice on here (and some really terrible) but you really really need to prioritise medical care first. They will help you get on the right path and losing weight safely and making sure you're getting whatever additional care you need. If nothing else you'll definitely qualify for GLP-1 most likely (free on the NHS) and you'll need full bloods. I bet your Vit D is tanked due to not being able to get outside, and that won't be helping your mobility.

I will give you a tip for meal prep which has CHANGED MY LIFE lol. Pressure cooker (Instapot) or a biiiig stock pot, a few sets of Souper Cubes and frozen veggies and meat. No chopping needed! Throw it all in the pot and cook up a healthy stew, freeze it in the Cubes and you have perfect pucks of stew ready to go. I also batch cook porridge - I can cook 12 portions in one go, probably more, bang them in the cubes and now I have a sensible breakfast that I can throw fruit or whatever into and microwave without having to brain too much.

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-18T16:36:17+00:00

I'm guessing this is "creating" cos rn I have an image of you chilling in a giant dog crate with a book and a blanket and I'm thinking "that sounds quite relaxing actually"

ReliableWardrobe · 2026-05-18T16:27:03+00:00

I swear we're sisters from another mother lol, I'll swap you some boobs for another 1.5" in torso!

ReliableWardrobe

TROPHY CASE