How to look more chic/polished

[Luggagerackistopheavy]

I'm short and fat. Most of the time I look quite scruffy and I go for comfort above looks.

How the heck do I start to look more chic/polished/tidy as a short fatty?

@soupyspoon I’m sure you look fabulous - but honestly, honestly, as someone who doesn’t generally notice other people’s clothes, my eye does tend to pick out anyone wearing the smallest size they can get away with. And all it makes me think is that they’re not happy with their actual size.

So I’m not sure it’s the best advice for someone who wants to look stylish.

@myladyjanedo you mind sharing the link of your nail treatment thing? Thanks

I sometimes think I'm missing some kind of woman gene with this sort of stuff. Is it just me who doesn't know anything about this kind of thing?

Well done on losing three stone! That's really good.

My tips are;

• get your eyebrows tidied regularly. Threading, waxing, whatever. Just keep them tidy. You'll be amazed how much difference neat, defined eyebrows make to your face.

• only wear loose clothes on one half of your body (obvs top or bottom, not left or right!). Loose trousers and fitted top, or slim trousers, and a looser top. Fitted clothes make you look thinner, even when you don't feel thinner.

• wear earrings if youve got pierced ears. Not wacky dangly ones, just nice ones.

• personally I stay away from patterned clothes unless the pattern is subtle. I dont wear anything wacky or quirky, because it doesn't suit my style. I'm also short and fat, and patterns generally don't suit me. I get a lot of clothes from Vinted but I am really fussy. High end brands only, nwt or nwot only, natural fibres only. It means I have a fairly expensive wardrobe, for not very much money.

go in to chat gpt, upload a photo of yourself and ask it to tell you what your colour pallet is. I’m not a fan of AI but it’s really good at this stuff. You can ask for style advice there too.

How do you learn about things you're interested in, whether thats rugby or crochet or restoring cars? Do you read books or articles about the subject, or go on forums, or talk to other people who are interested in your subject? That's how people who are interested in fashion and beauty learn about it. There's no "woman gene", there's just learning.

buy some items which are just universally stylish: a navy blazer, white cotton shirt. I’m a big fan of blazers in cooler weather: instantly make an outfit look polished

I have a revlon blow dry brush and it's amazing for making my hair look done even when it really needs a cut and colour.

I would take a good look at how people finish off outfits with accessories which can make the world of difference. I can out on scruffy jeans and a t shirt and look a total mess but with the right jeans, t shirt, bag, jacket I can look much more put together.

Well you wouldnt because my clothes fit me. Nothing gaps or stretches.The problem is in this country people seem to wear things that are too big for them, hence looking all dumpy and frumpy. I dont wear stretch material or elasticated waists for example, I wear things also that come down to my waist, I dont wear long tops to my hips, thats another thing that makes people look shorter than they are and a bit dumpy and scruffy.

For example Im not petite but I have to buy from petite ranges otherwise the cut, the length and the width swamps me. We cut clothes really badly in this country. You can go into fairly standard cheapy shops in Italy and Spain and the clothes are far better cut.

I always try and keep my nails painted. That helps make me look more put together. Also, wear nice earrings every day.

It’s a journey. I’m going through it now.what I’ve realised is it takes time and gradual improvement.

losing weight, yes - plenty of bigger ladies pull it off. and start now. Don’t wait for the weight loss.

Sleep , hydration nutrition.

do some kind of Pilates - plenty of free videos on YouTube. Plenty of equipment in charity shops although you don’t need it. This is for your posture and stature. This will instantly make your clothes look better and give you an inner confidence. It will also enable you to continue to climb stairs in old age.

Healthy = classy. Glossy hair, clear skin, bright eyes, groomed (not overdone) eyebrows, nails. A file and polish is enough.

Find your own style - I’m certainly not one of those bougie insta co ord wearing people. Stay true to yourself and your character.

wear colours that suit you.

follow celebs/influencers on social media who reflect your style, skin tone/ body shape. Let them try stuff on for you.

once you’ve found your style it becomes easier, you just need to stick to it.

but it needs gradual improvements in all areas. It’s literally impossible to do it all at once.

I don’t always follow my own advice but at times I do need to look chic and polished which is in contrast to my usual casual jeans and trainers look. Nails - have them but subtle. Hair - I struggle here as I don’t have the swishing posh hair but my frizzy hair looks good when it’s clean, straight and no roots. Face - I use tanning drops to give me a healthy glow. Fake tab can look cheap so keep it subtle. Plain colours - I wore white skinny jeans and a plain blue blouse to a posh event recently and got lots of compliments but both from New Look so as long as they fit, they don’t need to be expensive. Nice earrings.
I often feel envious of other women who look effortlessly chic so I do get where you’re coming from OP.

I got gel insoles for plantar fasciitis when I was overweight. Lost the weight but kept the insoles as they are comfy and give me an extra inch in height…which, weirdly, makes me feel a bit more together.

I also wear yoga pants with the wide, fold over waists. Holds everything in a bit without being uncomfortable.

I’m also saving up for a breast lift!

This thread is very inspirational so thanks @Luggagerackistopheavy .

Ive never had my colours done, have no jewellery, never had nails done

Well done on rhe weight loss @Luggagerackistopheavy , you sound like you're heading in the right direction

That’s interesting. My sister was a Tom boy and has never much cared about clothes make up or grooming. She is much younger than me . I was always obsessed with those things. I read fashion magazines and the Jackie ( remember that!). I bought books on beauty. I think if you don’t get interested in that stuff young it probably isn’t going to be a concern later.
My own daughter is very beauty and clothes conscious. My sisters is not at all.

Very much a work in progress for me as a fellow short fattie but:

A good bra
Eyebrows threaded (have thick eyebrows)
A good haircut
Non scuffed shoes
Ironing (I deeply resent this so I usually take mine to the dry cleaners for pressing)
Jewellery - not loads but a nice pair of earrings or necklace really finishes an outfit
Not wearing stuff that doesn't fit you well (difficult when you're losing weight)

Really agree with a good bra. Mine are ancient and falling apart. Must do something about it.

I've never had my colours "done" either. I think it is a bit of a con sometimes, but finding flattering colours can be an utter joy, and conversely working out why you look dreadful in some colours.

Would you like to wear a bit of jewellery? Have your nails done? Start small. Go on amazon, search for silver jewellery, and buy yourself some cute silver studs. Wear earrings. Same with nails- pick up a bottle of polish from Sainsbury's when you're doing your weekly shop, and paint your nails. Or ask a friend who has nice nails where she gets hers done.

Hair
Teeth
Well fitting, ironed clothes that co-ordinate - buy a size bigger and find a good tailor. Wear colours that suit you and keep to one or similar colours throughout the body.
Decent shoes that are comfortable - unless you have ankles like a gazelle, don't wear ankle straps.
Moisturiser and sun screen with a little make-up to enhance
Squeaky clean cleanliness

None if it matters if you have poor posture.

Column dressing will elongate you and make you look more put together. This is where you create a column of one colour. The easiest way to do it is e.g. navy trousers and navy T-shirt, with a navy belt and navy shoes, and then either the same or a different coloured (e.g. tan) jacket and coordinating bag. The other way is something like, e.g. navy trousers and jacket and a contrasting T-shirt (e.g. cream, red, or a paler blue). I only do the second one with linen or it looks too corporate, but I have build up a useful day to day work wardrobe using these principles.

Always accessorise - belt, bag, understated jewellery. Neat nails and a lipstick in whatever shade of red suits you best will always look classy. Tuck in your top even if you’re not a size 10. It will always make you look sleeker.

I think it's down to body shape really as I posted earlier. Tight fitting clothes and a belt would look really odd for someone apple-shaped for example. Re the above – column dressing would look terrible for pear shapes – lower part of body would just look droopy and chunky.

Avoid : leggings, cheap clothes & shoes & handbags (nothing from New Look), longline tops with leggings,tops with holes in the shoulders/arms as these look sp cheap, costume jewellery. I know of someone who wears all these and looks terrible. She is short and fat. She looks like a walking advert for New Look ie cheap with plastix-looking.

Buy a few higher end clothes and accesories for quality. Take care with your hair, paint your nails, wear some simple jewellery

I do agree on clothes cuts.

I recently bought some quite simple cheap stuff in a shop in France and it's just so much better than the UK equivalents

I have no idea tbh. I’m clueless. But I would say that in the same way you’d pay a plumber or an accountant, don’t shy away from getting a hairdresser or a beauty therapist to sort out your hair, eyebrows, nails. Get a bra fitting at Bravissimo or the like. As others have said, a personal shopping appointment in John Lewis etc is free. Request a subtle makeover at a makeup counter and buy the products if you like the outcome. Ask your dentist about teeth whitening.

I’ve done this stuff and it’s helped. I’m tall and in proportion which is useful but my BMI is 27.5 - I’m carrying weight.

Then there’s the obvious stuff like water, sleep, vitamins.

Well done on your 3st weight loss. That’s amazing. I am envious!