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?

No..I didn’t either and many people comment on my style / I didn’t know it

but so useful! Thanks poster

I've also lost weight and clothes seem more important than they seemed six stone ago...I second chat gpt - uploaded a photo, she (she's a she in my brain) suggested colours, capsule wardrobe - if I find something on Vinted I'm unsure of, I link it to her and she gives pro's and cons. She helps style purchases, working with her memory of what I have - can also give a brand appraisal - we steer clear of obvious/blingy designer, settling on natural fibres and textures. She's helped with wardrobe declutter and I've sold my more quirky Helena Bonham Carter purchases on Vinted, funding a more conscious restock

We're currently curating a classy version of what I can only describe as the love child of Jarvis Cocker and Claudia Winkelman - you can still be you and look polished and high end.

Agree here - I was drwsss very roughly the other day and because I bunged a navy blazer over the top - I got all sorts of “you look nice”

got to be single breasted if you are bigger women

Gosh is that what it is / I have a horizontal stripe dress from France and I’ve worn it out - even in what I’d consider an unflattering shape it looked great - I miss it!

Eh? I just googled John Lewis dresses in size 20 and there were 3000 of them. Given that somewhere around 50% of the population is overweight or obese they would be mad not to sell them.

Thank you so much everyone. I've been to the shops and bought new make up and I've ordered some sparkly jewellery online. It's a start.

Their swimwear is also in a different class.

I’m benefiting from this - looked up the pants and the lipstick - going for both! So big thanks

It isn't just you, even when i try my hardest and follow all the rules I still look pretty scruffy

Oh wow! Thank you

funding a more conscious restock …

You’re scaring me, @Snapespeare…

It’s expensive but such an instant change that it’s worth it, the Dior Addict Lip Glow 48-Hour Hydrating Lip Balm in 001 Pink. It reacts to your lips and give them a custom colour that always suits you. I would not want to be without it. I’ve tried the clinique one too, but it’s nowhere near it.

I think the best word I have seen on this thread is "intentional" to describe the way you portray your clothes/hair/nails to other people. So even if your look is very simple, or inexpensive, you can still look great.

I would echo the advice about a bra that fits. A bad bra will make the rest of you look shapeless. I know you're still on your weightloss journey and don't want to spend a fortune, so try vinted for BNWT and worn once bras.

Chat GTP. Take a picture or yourself in clothes you like, ask it to elevate it. Fo that for a couple of weeks. It has all the little tweeks that make a massive difference

I am generally fairly well turned out ish. Unless you have something very prettily patterned, I only ever wear 2 colours in an outfit, 3 max. Too many colours is not chic imo. Think about those Parisian women- well cut jeans, white t, blazer. Not too many colours, see? Just my opinion and probably other posters will be along in a mo to say it’s dull but that’s how I do it.

Im loving learning about these lipsticks or balms - have out grown my red and can’t seem to find a natural colour

I think having a style & colour analysis can be really helpful as a way of making the best of your shape.
Melissa Murrell on Instagram & You Tube has some great clothes suggestions for different body shapes.

It’s really good. And just like a lip balm so not sticky or anything.

And it has colour to it?

Yes, the more you use the more colour it has. But it reacts to the PH in your lips I think it is, so not exactly the same on everyone.

You would think ....

A colour and style analysis is a good investment as others have noted. Really helped me narrow down which colours and styles suit my shape and colouring. Also means I can now sail through shops by ignoring entire sections of colours and styles that I know don’t suit me. So I’m no longer wasting money and time, and can focus on better quality clothes that I know do suit me. Game changer!

Well I am an apple, not a fat one anymore but an apple nevertheless, so fitted slim clothing gives me the chance of a shape and a waist

I think you'd want it to be a bit looser or baggier on your top and bottom half surely? Otherwise you really will just look like a ball with your waist as the widest point.

Just an obvious example attached - as an aside I find this site has lots of great recomendations for shapes, necklines, etc for different body shapes. It may sound prescriptive but each time I try it out (multiple times as my body shape changes with age) it works wonders

Great haircut that suits your face, your hair type and so doesn't need too much styling. Get this right and you can wear the old t and jeans and still look great. A fresh body spray type perfume is good too e.g. Clarins eau Dynamissante.