How to look put together?

[CatteryCatss]

I’m in my late 20s. I’m 5ft 2, with a BMI of 24. I have been working on a capsule wardrobe with good quality clothes, which I love. I typically gravitate towards classic designs. I exercise by walking and swimming 2/3 times a week.

I wear make-up in a natural style (foundation, which is matched to my skin colour, brown mascara and I fill in my brows a little.)

However, no matter what I do, I never look put together. I feel frumpy and bloated, even though I’m not overweight at all.

Does anyone have any tips for me?

If you're petite you need to highlight your waist to avoid looking frumpy. I'm 5ft and feel frumpy unless I have a tight fit on either top or bottom. Eg. I'd wear a looser long jumper but with leggings and suede boots and gold jewellery, but a Lycra based basic long sleeve top with wide legged trousers. Either or. Looser fit on top and bottom makes me look dumpy and frumpy!

Do you show your waist?

Frump generally comes from hiding your waist.

Belts and jewellery and a nice bag give you a nice together look.

I was going to say exactly this. Everything needs to be fitted at the waist when you’re under 5’5”.

Also need to pay attention to the length of your jackets. I’m not much taller then you and my Barbour is the wrong length for me unless paired with a short skirt/dress. Pairing it with trousers makes me look frumpy due to its length.

Long coats need to be mid-thigh length and no longer or shorter. Blazers above my hips.

My arms are quite short too so all my sleeves need to show my wrists to give illusion of length.

The way your original post is written makes me think this is less about clothes and more about you feeling ‘bloated and frumpy’.

You might not be overweight but your BMI is at the higher end and at your height it might not suit you well.

Unpopular opinion but I think you would feel a lot more put together and elegant if you put your effort into losing a bit of weight.

You won’t do this through exercise, so look at your diet.
Improve your gut health to tackle the bloating.

Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with the clothes, it’s how you feel in your body.

I agree that clothes accentuating your waist help avoid the frump. I'm 5 foot 1 and look slim when my bmi is 24 so you don't necessarily need to lose weight and you're in the healthy zone anyway! It depends where your fat sits though. My waist is my smallest part and I can get away when bmi up to 30 and not look frumpy.

Do you have big boobs? They can make everything look frumpy, especially if you're short. I have that problem and make sure that no clothes make my bust look matronly. So most things have a v neck, and the clothing works on my body in thirds rather than cutting it in half. For example, a floor length skirt would need a cropped jacket/top.

I'm short and a similar BMI I'm nearly 40 and mid-long mouse brown hair.

My work slacks are a straight leg loose fit. I keep my top length just below belly button with jackets/ cardigans or tucked in shirts or longer cardigans/ jackets to mid thigh.
I find long sleeves and a hip length top make me feel poorly dressed.

Shoulder pads help too

Some great advice here - if you are more busty Sarah Snook's wardrobe in Succession is a good idea of how to create a classic silhouette -I don't think she is particularly tall either

Don't put yourself down. If you're happy with your look, and it sounds nice and well put together, then stop worrying.

I agree with this

If you are petite I would watch length very carefully and avoid cutting yourself in half with colours.
Also black and white are not an easy colours and don’t suit to a lot of people.

I’m 5’ (just!) and also like the Grace Kelly neutral look. I like clothes that fit well and that’s hard when you’re short. I’ve finally found a French company and that really works for me, I buy everything from them and that coordinates my look. (If anyone’s interested it’s Tortue UK and I’m not on the payroll!)

Another 5 ft nothing petite here. I agree with the comments about being petite and what suits.

This is not going to go down well but I find at my height, I have to have a BMI of 20 or below to not look frumpy. At this weight, I have a waist and my arms and shoulders are not rounded or my face puffy. Every pound shows at my height.

OP you are taller and considerably younger than my mid-50s though.

Start with what lies beneath. A professional bra fitting and a selection of new nude and black bras, smooth, no lace or trims, for a sleek line.

Shoes and tights in the same colour can look very elegant.

Find out your colours. Start with your eye, skin and hair tone and look for pieces in those colours as your base.

Are you warm (look your best in gold, cream, brown) or cool (silver, white, black?)? Which makes you glow and which makes you look tired? If both work, you're neutral.

Makeup - tinted moisturiser, mascara, lip stick to match your own skin tone, clear nail varnish - this is a well groomed everyday casual look.

Fit - as you're petite, avoid baggy loose shapeless things that might swamp you. Fifties fitted styles might suit you well.

Invest in a beautiful tailored fitted coat in your best dark colour (mine would be teal or burgundy) as this is what you'll be seen in most in winter.

Then accessorise it - learn to drape and tie scarves and pashminas

Find your signature scent.

Then accessorise it - learn to drape and tie scarves and pashminas

She’s not even 30!

Feels square and middle aged to me....

Can you add height with shoes? I've just bought some amazing Stella McCartney platform lace ups to go with wide legged jeans and trousers. They made me look dumpy with trainers.

I had the same issue feeling frumpy. I posted a picture on here and got loads of fab advice.

I'm completely different o you though (45 and more than pleasantly plump)