My partner simultaneously says I should wear what I like,  and dress for myself not him, yet is also really freaking fussy... I just want to dress in stuff he likes but whenever I try and get approval he says he feels uncomfortable like I am expecting him to give an answer and he can't say what he thinks naturally. 

I think he likes shaped dresses, I buy a shaped dress but he doesn't like the denim it turns out? He says I don't wear much colour, I buy some bright fun fabrics to make a dress, he doesn't like it and says it looks like a table cloth. To be clear he would never have said any of this if I didn't push for the approval, it just sucks to desperately want it, not get it and also make the person uncomfortable in the process.

I am trying so hard to get better at this but it just sucks :(. I didn't even realize this need to please someone that borders on panic when I can't/don't know how to was not considered completely normal by others. I try talking to him about it and he's not rude at all, but I've got the impression this is largely a me problem lol.

Note: please do not suggest breaking up with him, we've been together a long time and I am very happy with him, just suck at this kinda stuff and wanted to vent with how frustrated and paniced I feel.