I don't know what to wear anymore

[GoodtoBetter]

I've never been at the forefront of fashionable, but I'm really stuck at the moment. I've always looked crap in skinny jeans or trousers, but it's so hard to find anything else atm. I usually try to buy bootleg jeans as they flatter my figure much better, but there's so little around. I've given in and bought a pair of leggings, which would look OK ish, but not with a t shirt as my bum's too wobbly to show off.
I usually try to wear bootleg trousers with a tailored shirt as I've got a nice waist. Billowing tops just make me look like a sack of potatoes, I need a nipped in waist but not too revealing/tight/short IYSWIM?
I'm a 12 ish on top and a 14 ish on the bottom. I just don't know what to wear any more, I go into shops and it all just looks crap on me.
Help?
Don't have much money either.

[dexter73]

How about skirts or dresses? I would imagine you are pear shaped so I would have thought a fitted top with a skirt would look good on you. Something along these lines.

[sugar4eva]

I think that we all go throught phases like this - for me when im tired i feel old and frumpy and having teen dd doesnt help.!!
Id try to think aboout what colours really suit you - those that give you a lift and maybe pair those with a pair of jeans you really like and already have to start of with.
Look at on line catalouges such as boden as inspiration for ideasDebenhams have a 20 % off sale at the mo.I swa dresses for 20 quid .
Maybe look at Woolovers for cropped cardis as they nip in a t waist ad thats what you like...and go with jeans ,skirts ,dresses.
What has been your fav styles in past ???

[GoodtoBetter]

Thanks for some ideas. I look OK in a line skirts, or ones like dexter liked, although I have a slight pot belly so sometimes they sit all wrong. Can't wear anything too short as don't have good legs (oh, so sexy, me...)
Don't live in the UK so always a bit nervous of online shopping as if it's wrong it's an arse to return. And I find I really have to try everything on.
Have access to H and M, Zara and Mango. There is a dorothy perkins but it's really small.

[GoodtoBetter]

I know what works on my body shape but I can't find it in the shops any more IYSWIM, all the stuff in the shops atm is the polar opposite of what flatters me.

[GoodtoBetter]

bump

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasExhausted]

I'm just lurking as I have a similar body to you and no clue how to dress myself either (I hate skirts and dresses which is a pain).

[Hoojimiflip]

How tall are you OP? I was just thinking that a long skirt would work well for autumn/winter but maybe not if your legs are on the short side. Worn with a fitted top you could keep the emphasis on your waist but without having to faff around with jeans.

[Rules]

I think you can still wear skinnies with boots and a fitted long line long sleeved top BUT wear a long cardigan that comes down between the knee and bottom and leave it open. This slims away the bum and thighs and gives a straighter shape to your body evening everything out.

[GoodtoBetter]

I've always thought skinnies made my legs look soooooo much fatter than they are though....whereas bootcut trousers slim my legs down. I'm 5"6, so average height. I like the idea of dresses and wear skirts and dresses in the summer but hate tights with a passion.
Problem with the cardigan idea is if the top is too short with the leggings I feel over exposed and like I can't ever take the cardigan off. Find it hard to find a long ish fitted top. Needs to be fitted to highlight waist or I look totally shape less.

[GoodtoBetter]

Dresses often gape on the boobs....although I'm not tiny...am a b to c cup. Wrap tops and dresses suit me but not many around and wrap top and then skinnies or leggings feels too much like wearing a catsuit iyswim .

[Hoojimiflip]

I'm a similar shape to you, GoodtoBetter, a bit more hourglass than pear (I believe I'm a bell!) but I can't do these drapey or voluminous tops as I really need to show my waist or look several sizes bigger. You might want to look out for long skirts or dresses? I'm not sure what's out in the shops. I've got a couple I've had for ages, really heavy material, great for swishing about in the autumn, hairy legs and socks concealed beneath . I've currently got a pair of Next bootcuts but they're not a length you can wear with heels. I've just bought some M&S jeggings which I'm hoping to wear with heels, thus elongating my legs. I've not tried them on yet so I'll get back to you! Do M&S post out to where you live?

[Trills]

I always recommend this website for finding out what suits your shape - you plug in your measurements and it will say nice things about you and recommend clothes that suit your shape.

[holidayseeker]

Have you tried slim leg jeans as these are not as tight as skinny's so more flattering. A pair I have from m&s are great as don't cling to thighs but then as a slimmer cut from knee down then boot cut it makes my legs look thinner.

[MotherBluestocking]

Have you tried boyfriend jeans? You might find them more forgiving so that you don't feel the need to cover your bottom.

[Hoojimiflip]

It's just occurred to me that M&S may well be your salvation! I've had a look on their website and they've got 12 bootcut and 9 slimboot styles. I think you'll always find them there even when the more "fashion" shops are only carrying the current trend. They're also very good with returns

[GoodtoBetter]

I've used Dressipi before Trills and I know what suits me more or less, I just find it really hard to find anything in the shops that's not leggings or skinnies atm. I'm abroad so a bit limited to H and M, Zara and Mango in terms of big names.
Are M and S good for international returns? I know they send out here.
I might try some slim leg jeans.
I can't do these drapey or voluminous tops as I really need to show my waist or look several sizes bigger EXACTLY. But I don't want to show my waist and everything else in leggings/skinnies plus t shirt length clingy top.

[Hoojimiflip]

I've tried the M&S jeggings and they're great for the wider legged, I'd say, they stretch nicely and the waist is very slim fitting. I'm very pleased with them and would recommend the black ones for elongating the appearance of legs. I'd order your larger size for comfort and the smaller size for mainly standing up . I don't know about returns I'm afraid, perhaps email and ask?

[SteppedOnaFrog]

High waisted wide leg trousers worn belted with a fitted top or with just a fitted jumper would work with your shape.

A-line maxi in a soft material or maxi with godets that break below the knee would suit. Keep top half fitted but sleek in a cashmere/merino jumper and wear at top of hip in terms of length.

Jeans-go for straight legs and again high waisted but wear a fitted top that comes down to hip level, showing off your waist without adding bulk to the stomach but disguising the mom Jean cut.

[Hoojimiflip]

Ok, I have here, clutched in my chipped-manicured paws, November Vogue. It has an extra bit apparently produced in association with H&M with a double page spread on how shirts are having a moment. To quote, "I love the way the skirt sits above your hips and flows out, making your waist look small and neat." I've googled H&M long skirts and there appears to be quite a choice. I must say I can't see the vinyl one featured in the magazine on the website but maybe vinyl's not your thing anyway? Do you think you could make those work?

[Hoojimiflip]

Skirts, not shirts! It runs through full skirts which is what I was suggesting, apparently it's the 2013 update on Christian Dior's full-skirted "New Look", it also covers midi length straight skirts and kilts which appear to be knee length. The only skirt from somewhere you can easily access is the H&M one which is similar to the £34.99 and £39.99 ones on the web page linked above. I also think they'd be most flattering in a waist-nipping, thigh skimming kind of way. They're all being worn with tucked-in tops and bare legs

[MortifiedAdams]

Long leggings, vest, and a shorter wrap dress over the top? With ballet flats in the warm and boots in the winter?

[GoodtoBetter]

Would this look weird with leggings? www.hm.com/gb/product/21255?article=21255-A

[GoodtoBetter]

Hopefully will get to a H and M, zara and mango tomorrow so will have a massive trying on session!

[Hoojimiflip]

I think if you're going to wear leggings with that you may as well wear tights? What is it you don't like about tights? If it's laddering and slipping it might be worth looking at these?