How to dress 'athletic' figure?

[Equimum]

Okay, so I'm generally a size 8, although sometimes a 10, 5'9ish and weigh about 8st12. I know that probably sounds like I'd be easy to dress, but from trying to put together a post-baby wardrobe, apparently I'm not.

Basically, I have very, erm, solid arms and legs, with very large knees (attractive!). Yesterday I tried on at least 20 pairs of straight and skinny jeans and not one pair fitted. Doing them up at the waist us fine, but skinnies just look wrong and straights cling (too much) over my calves and knees!

I did think of sticking to skirts, but then I have these enormous, man-sized calves sticking out.

This is really getting me down - I feel like a total Greek.

Please can somebody a), reassure be that I'm the only person this shape, and b) give me some advice on what to wear/ where to shop.

TIA

[Amethyst24]

I am a similar shape to you I think, only fatter (5'8, 9.5 stone, size 10 pretty much everywhere).

I'm a runner and believe me, it shows in my calves. But skinny jeans are totally my friend. I think at your height and weight, what's going on in your calves is actually in your head. Also try pencil skirts that finish just above the knee, and floaty tops that hide your upper arms, or fitted tops with sleeves. I also love backless/cold shoulder styles that look a bit sexy without being obvious. If you have a good bra, viscose, fine jersey etc are great - they enhance your slimness/broad shoulders without looking bulky and mannish (at my current weight I'm fine but if I bulk up at all I look like a quarterback).

[Amethyst24]

Oh, and don't feel you have to avoid heels because you're tall. Girly kitten heels look a bit silly on me but stilt heels are great and let me make a statement of my height and (relative!) slimness, and a slightly chunkier shoe is great for slimming one's calves.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

I very much doubt there is anything wrong with either your legs or your arms.

I also think you could probably wear anything.

[Twinklestein]

You're the same height and shape as one of my best friends. I highly doubt that the jeans didn't look nice, but it is very difficult to find high street jeans that fit. I wouldn't take the fact that none fitted as a sign things are not meant to be. Unless they were designer jeans in which case the problem would be harder but not impossible.

If you don't like either of those styles why not try boyfriend jeans? Personally I wear all cuts of jeans including skinny bootcut - which if you don't like your calves would be perfect.

I would also suggest cigarette pants and cropped summer trousers. My friend also wears lovely loose summer trousers which I, being petite, can only envy as they look odd and swamping on me.

[Twinklestein]

^^ harder to remedy

[jan2014]

my friend looks like this. i think her figure is gorgeous. wear slightly cropped tops to show off your figure in the summer, with skinny or boyfriend jeans. a skater type skirt will also be lovely.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

No help, but I know how you feel. I'm bigger than you (size 10/12) but when I was a size 8 last summer I still couldn't actually fit skinny jeans over my calves!

And don't get me started on my broad shoulders that mean I often have to size up in tops just to fit them in, then they are really baggy around the waist.

I think I should have been a man.

[Equimum]

Thanks for all your advice ladies.

Yes, they were high street jeans I was trying.