What should I wear???

[TheQueensWave]

I’ve just moved to North Yorkshire and my clothes make me stand out so much! I thought that I could buy some bits to make me look more ‘local’ but I’m overweight and the traditional tweed jacket and riding pants aren’t going to work for me. Can anyone suggest some ideas or shops that cater to a larger woman, but in the green/tweed style? I’ve tried local shops but everything is either walking gear, riding gear, or size tiny :(

Having grown up in the Dales and still having family there I can confirm that everyone wears clothes that southerners wear too. I live in the Midlands and some of my family members have the exact same clothing items as me.

Now if you are planning on riding a horse or working on a farm I would suggest that appropriate attire is worn such as riding boots or wellies. You definitely don't want to be mucking out a stable in your high heels or trainers.

Definitely not a piss take, I was hoping someone could suggest some clothing stores that would be good for me. It is a bit about envy, I think they look great and I just can’t wear that stuff :( I just don’t feel ‘local’ and was hoping to fit in a bit more

@TheQueensWave what items specifically do you want, or what style. There is more to the country look than a tweed blazer and jodhpurs. Post some pics or links.

What's your current style like?

Ok, fair enough, I kinda guessed that, what do you normally wear, what height and size are you? And what’s your age.?

Thanks @Bluntness100 that kind of is it? In a blunt way :)

@Ginfilledcats I’m not sure? Like even a coat to wear, or trousers? There seems to be a lot of skinny jeans and boots, but I’m too big to wear skinny jeans, and boots won’t work with bootcut jeans. I could try leggings, but i need a long top to cover my butt. Maybe this is just a weight/clothes issue and the geography doesn’t matter. I like how others look in their clothes and want to look like that :(

Op it’s hard to advise without knowing your size and height, if you’re a sixteen and six foot or a size twenty six and five foot.

Or what your budget is

I live in a quite rural area with a lot of wealthy horse owners, and as much as absolutely no one is running around in tweed, the easiest way to replicate would be

A pair of long line wellies like hunters.
A gilet,
A long line shirt or jumper, possibly a long line vest under it.
A pair of skinny or straight jeans or leggings, Maidenhead fat free leggings from amazon are great for disguising lumps and bumps.

As much as many folks still wear boot cut, and in some fashion circles they are coming back, they are generally still seen as really quite dated.

If however the fundamental issue is you’re uncomfortable with your general appearance and are looking at other women with envy because you’re not feeling good and trying to cover up, then focus on doing something about that. It’s hard to comment without further info.

However that’s the main uniform of the horsey set.

Hunters type wellies, gillet, long line shirt or jumper, leggings, jodhpurs or skinny jeans.

Oh and you don’t need to go into shops to buy clothes, you can order on line.

I feel your pain with the whole wellies/boots and fat legs issue. I like to wear wellies occasionally (despite living in London) but have disproportionately lardy legs (including my calves) so look rubbish in leggings/skinnies/straight cut jeans and always wear wide leg or boot cut which ironically just don't work with boots* Sadly I haven't found a solution yet but following just in case.

• I realise that the cowboy thing is to wear the jeans outside the boots but in reality that just leads to muddy jeans..

A pair of wellies a Barbour and a whippet should do.

I live in North Yorkshire too, didn't realise I was not dressed appropriately!

Ha ha h live just outside North Yorkshire and tot day I'm wearing an animal print jumpsuit!

@thequeenwaves ok so there's your problem, you need to dress for your body and style rather than others. I'm not sure if your body shape but there's no reason why you can't wear well fitting (ie not cheap) skinny jeans and Chelsea boot. If you have bigger carved you can usually find wide fit wellies or knee high boots from specialist retailers. You'll look daft pottering about in wellies if you have no need though I warn you.

I've seen plenty ladies who would describe themselves as larger in shirts or stripes long tops over leggings (thick ones) or jeans and a jumper or gillet.

Try looking at Joules as somewhere to start maybe that's country ish but mainline.

What do you normally wear?

We can take it from there

boots won’t work with bootcut jeans

Doesn't the very name "bootcut" mean they are cut to be worn with boots?

OP, you’ve moved to N Yorks, from the South (ie: south of Leeds). You’ll never fit in, even if you dressed head to toe to Joules and Harry Hall for the rest of your life.

I think a lot of bigger women can pull off dresses quite nicely obviously depending on the style. Plus, they're nice in summer.

@BikeRunSki I’ve already seen on the local Facebook group that you’re not local unless your grandparents were born here 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thanks, I’m getting some good advice. I’m actually wearing some Joules wellies right now. I’ll do some more searching

I think a lot of bigger women can pull off dresses quite nicely obviously depending on the style

Considering the op is talking about jodhpurs tweed and boots I’m not sure dresses is the look she’s going for.

Bigger women can pull off any look thinner women can, it’s really just a matter of confidence and the right clothes that fit you properly.

@TheQueensWave, I’m originally from London (although I couldn’t wait to leave). I’ve lived in a village in W Yorks for nearly 20 years. The butcher recevtjy told me that he supposed I could stay, since I’d had two “Barnsley born babbies”.

I'm surprised people are being so obtuse. I live in a London suburb, but when I go into the centre, I'm aware of a different clothes vibe. It's subtle, but it's there. Nationwide, big chains are aware of this and know some styles will sell better in different localities.

Op, probably the best thing to do is to actually ask someone your shape whose clothes you admire where they get them. It's a compliment. Many of my rural friends shop on-line.

I live in Yorkshire and my normal every day clothes are iron maiden tee shirts and jeans

@Bluntness100
Well, I've seen some very big women in crop tops (for example) today and imo crop tops suit slimmer figures more. Anyway, OP says "I like how others look in their clothes and want to look like that," not 'I like how others look in their jodhpurs..."

Off topic a bit but isn’t Jilly Cooper actually from Yorkshire originally? 🤔

Jilly Cooper is defo from Yorkshire so not sure what earlier poster was thinking??!! Sometimes southerners think you have to be from Chipping Camden to know one end of a horse from another.

I'm also from North Yorkshire and intrigued as to where op is living?

I've had horses and if it's that look you're after I'd start with getting skinny jeans that suit you, it is possible at all sizes but needs a lot of trying on. I recommend Embrace at h&m but your shape maybe totally different. Then dubarrys / shirt and gullet. Barbour outlet at South shields is fab for this kinda thing.

But above all just be yourself??! People will spot a phoney a mile off. For example I love heels and tend to wear regardless... Maybe just find a few things that adapt your wardrobe to your new home x

I have to ask why do you feel the need to change what you wear ?
Wear whatever you like / feel comfortable in. Its nobody else's business.