I need help in finding some clothes!

[illgetyoubutler]

I'm 24, I like laid back boho styles. I'm a size 12. Curvy. I still have weight on my waist area from my last pregnancy, 4 months ago, which I'm conscious about and try to disguise.
I need clothes! I'm ok for trousers, as I know what to look for, but when it comes to tops, and especially knitwear, I'm lost.
I do need long sleeve tops, and knitwear more than anything, but i need clothes which are flattering to my bust (34E) and at the same time disguise a seriously untoned belly. Do i go for longline? wraparound? high neck? scoop neck? what 'slimming pattern' do I go for? Colour? (I'm mixed race, olive skin, dak hair) gah!...
Of course, I would appreiciate all suggestions, but I'll lean towards the clothes which are cheaper (stating the obvious, I suppose(!)). I have gasped in disbelief at some of the posts in this section, where MNers have shown a link of the bag, or shoes, coat etc they have just bought, and the cost has been in its hundreds! I could only dream!
Saying that, I am so fed up of making do with cheap tat which seems a good buy at the time, only to find I need to look for more clothes to replace the ones previously bought a few months before. As the saying goes, buy cheap, buy twice.
Anywaaaaay! all suggestions will be sooo gratefully recieved. I'v tried looking but, nothing seems to jump out at me.
Hoping you can do a better job than me.

[illgetyoubutler]

Sorry!
Forgot to write, Thank you!

[PoppityPing]

Hmm, no boobage experience here, but have you tried Bravissimo?

[illgetyoubutler]

Thing with bravissimo, I ideally need to go to their store to try on the bras, rather than ordering a load from their online shop. I dont know how their sizing comes up, and visiting their shop is difficult.
i know Triumph 34E fits me well, so im happy to order my bras online.
thanks anyway!

[Jewelsandgems]

Well cardigan-wise the general opinion seems to be that big boobs = deep V neck.

Waist-wise, the waterfall ones areound right now are very flattering and not belted (belted can just make the tummy stick out even more in my experience)

So, how about a non-clingy long line T shirt or even dress over jeans/leggings in a V or scoop neck

With a waterfall cardigan (and you can even add a scarf for tummy-disguise and warmth)

[PoppityPing]

If it's any help, my friend is a 36e and she orders a 14 curvy from Bravissimo in their clothes.

They have a clothing size calculator here

[janeite]

Are you tall? Waterfall cardigans terrible on short people with nork issues (I know as I am one!).

I am the same size as you, inclusing 34E and I tend to go for:

• fitted v neck jumpers in dark colours, that skim slightly over the waist;
• fitted v neck cardigans, worn over a long sleeved, scoop-neck top, with just the top few buttons fastened;
• long sleeved scoop-neck top with a v neck tanktop over for work;
• long sleeved, scoop necked top below shorter sleeved bum length cardigan
• wrap cardigan over scoop-neck top.

[janeite]

inclusing = including

[LastTrainToGeneva]

janeite, you just described my own dressing style! I'm the same body size as you two, curvy size 12 with 34F bust, and a small tummy bump (think permanently 14 weeks pregnant )

[MillyR]

I wear similar to janeite. I am tall and 36DD with tummy but small hips. I am 14 top and 12 bottom. I also wear a lot of long cardigans; I have quite a few long belted cardigans and I tie the belt over at the back rather than belt it up. This pulls the fabric in a little without drawing too much attention to my lack of waist.

Tunics are good as long as they are scoop necked and are semi-fitted. Smock tunics are a disaster for anyone over a B cup.

[janeite]

Smock tunics are, indeed, terrible - unless you aspire to a buxom dairymaid sort of look.

I like to be fitted on top, with wide-legged trousers or a slightly flared skirt below OR v straight on bottom such as pencil skirt, straight leg trousers, with a slightly fitted longer length top and then a bum length cardigan.

Never, ever, ever wear anything tucked in, if short-waisted, as you will look as if you are all norks.

This would suit me, with a scoop-necked t-shirt below and little fitted cardigan above.

This shape top good with a tank top, or little cardie over.

These tops are brilliant for layering

Lovely deep-v cardigan, bum length

[LastTrainToGeneva]

Yes, smock tunics are the devil's work for those with bigger norks. Might as well wear a tent and save some cash!

Like janeite says, NEVER wear loose on top as well as bottom. If the bottom is baggy or flared, the top must be fitted.

I have dozens of scoop neck t-shirts in various colours and sleeve lengths that I use for layering. Also dozens of long-length cardigans in various colours. No waterfall cardigans for me - they make me look like Gimli

[LastTrainToGeneva]

Just wanted to add, H+M and Uniqlo best for tees. They're reasonably priced and very durable - mine take a lot of punishment with my little one and still look good

[GeorginaWorsley]

janeite I have been discussing that Warehouse dress on the 'shop more wisely'thread.
Ordered it yesterday,will report back!

[janeite]

It's lovely, isn't it. I haven't got that one but I have a couple of Warehouse silk dresses and love them. The quality is pretty good and they are deffo well-suited to little norky people like me!

[janeite]

Oh and they are ludicrously cheap at sale time. The last one I bought was 15 squid.

[GeorginaWorsley]

I agree janeite.
I have quite a few of their silk dresses,some bought full price,some in sale,some off ebay!

[CaptainNancy]

Are they dryclean only? Am v similar shape/size to Janeite, and need some slightly smarter stuff atm for work.

illgetyoubutler- are you a WOHM or SAHM? just wondering what kind of clothes you needed...

If you like white stuff, fat face etc, then Mantaray at Debenhams is quite similar and cheaper (and usually have codes on here for discount at Debenhams too)
You really need to tell us how tall you are tbh... because if you are small like me, then GAP is great for knitwear- they have lots of great (hip and bf) length cardigans for layering.

[GeorginaWorsley]

No,usually cold wash/hand wash,nancy

[janeite]

Captain Nancy is tiny: much, much smaller than I am.

They are handwash Nancy - but very nice and you would look lovely in them. Unfortunately there are hardly any in store at the moment but if you ebay (I remain an ebay virgin) you may be able to find some previous season's ones. Am thinking muted greens for you.

How's work btw?

[CaptainNancy]

Haha- you make me sound like this

You are v clever thinking green though! Why did it take me until I was 35 to realise green is a good colour for me?

Handwash not so good, but if ebay prices are okay maybe cold delicate machine wash would do?

Work is busy, v busy, similar to yours I expect... will email soon, I promise

[janeite]

That link looks just like you.

You have reminded me that one of my dresses is hiding at the bottom of the washbasket, waiting for a handwash. Sounds like a job for half term!

I was 40 yesterday btw - time to discover a new colour, do you think?

[CaptainNancy]

you dark horse! You do not look your age.

Many happy returns... hope you had a lovely day

[Cranreuch]

this kind of shape is easy to wear.

I haven't looked at other links, sorry if it is a repeat.

You are young, I think bravissimo is maybe a little old for you.

I am a similar shape 30ff on top between a 12 and a 14, depending on the style.

I like boyfriend cardigans and layering is good, vest under deep v-neck, it might be a bit of a cliché, but it is comfortable and warm.

[janeite]

I think I've aged a fair bit since I last saw you. I looked in the mirror a few weeks ago and saw my mother looking back at me!

Had a lovely day, thanks.

Come back OP - we want to know what you think of our suggestions.

[janeite]

Nancy - This would be lovely on you, I think - and it is machine wash.