To ask you to help me with my clothes

[TheoriginalLEM]

I need a complete wardrobe - i literally have one pair of wearable jeans, another pair i wear for work either cleaning or painting with DP. So bleach stained and paint stained. Various T-shirts in varying stages of fucked upness. A few jumpers but only one that is anywear near smart.

This has happened due to clothes getting knackered and not replaced. I generally shop in charity shops but am not wanting to do that now because they are charging the same price practically as sales stuff.

I am 45 and not the best looking, size 22 up top and 18 below.

Please suggest a wardrobe to me that doesn't make me look like scary mary.

I can't wear skirts due to being so top heavy and happiest in jeans - i don't need work clothes just now because i either wear what clothes i have to my cleaning job and my other job has a uniform.

I want to look reasonably smart. I have a nice coat and nice boots so thats a start - my budget, very limited so nows a good time to take advantage of the sales yes? RAther avoid matalan if i can, i looked in there the other day and anything in my size was just awful.

help

Dorothy Perkins had lots of jeans in their sale for about £10 and I find them pretty true to size, they go up to a size 24 i think. I also got a few t shirts for less than £5 each.

I was going to suggest matalan as I find a lot of things there to supplement my admittedly huge wardrobe.

I too am an 18 bottom and their jeans are really good for me. I would suggest having another look - or trying a different store, if you have no luck elsewhere.

Would you consider leggings and 'floaty' tunic tops?

Is your bra decent? The better fitting your bra is, the better your clothes will look.

I layer up nowadays as I find it a lot more flattering for both my figure and my age. So jeans, bright vest top, which I wear long, then a t shirt or blouse/top over that and then a cardigan/jacket over that.
(sounds shit but i can't describe what i mean very well, sorry)

Oh i do the long vest top underneath a nice top too. It just makes me feel more comfortable. I like H&M vest tops in L or XL (I have 38G boobs and these fit me fine). I will find a link to the ones i like as they are stretchy and and don't go all weird and baggy like lots of others.

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0188173007.html

These ones ^^

They are a bit more expensive than some shops but i have had a few for years and they still look great.

Oh and Sainsburys has some nice stuff too which I was surprised at.

I recently discovered a shop called Yours which starts off at a size 14 or 16. They had quite a decent selection but not sure if they have jeans as I look terrible in them and am a confirmed leggings and layering wearer! They are online too - yoursclothing.co.uk - might be worth a look?

I'm curvy and have bought most of my current clothes on ebay. There are bundles and individual items and you don't have to deal with town.

I have just looked and they do have jeans at Yours.

Also agree with peng that Sainsburys has some good stuff.

Take a look at the Simply Be website, and (try not to cringe or take offence) the Fifty Plus website. (Disclaimer - Fifty plus has a lot of stuff that is on Simply Be, Marisota and the Shop Direct chain basically, it's not really "old lady" stuff at all (by that I mean floral bias cut midi skirt and cardigan!) - but some more practical workable stuff if you for instance don't like your arms, or don't want super low rise jeans that stop just above your fanny etc. Comes in the sizes you mention and beyond, and is mostly reasonably priced. You can set up a credit account with them if you want, or just pay on your card. Free returns.

I'm a similar size to you OP, and for clothes shopping in the sales I like Simply Be and Evans (although some of their stuff can be frumpy, and I'm older than you)

Yours is good and seem to have a permanent sale on so some good bargains to be had, but sizes can be a bit hit and miss so order a couple to choose from, they do free returns.

I also find a lot of good stuff on ebay, I try to go for better quality second hand stuff rather than cheapo brand new stuff, it lasts longer and fits better.

Saying that, Asda stuff is getting better and is really good value for money, some of their jeans are brilliant for me (Wonderfit?) and the vest tops like the one you have shown are about £3, and fit well and wash nicely.

I love clothes but hate shopping in town, can you tell

I was going to say Yours too. Mind if I lurk on your thread? I had a clear out over Xmas and then realised I'd gone too far. Have one work outfit, gardening clothes and a dressing gown pretty much 😀

What kind of thing do you like? What image do you want to project?

Personally I think people look best in clothes that reflect their personality. What's your personality?

You are much bigger on top. Clothes choice will depend on whether that is due to huge norks or wide back and shoulders.

I like the Kibbe type guidelines. They definitely work for me. Try the Kibbe Quiz

H&M have a range of jeans for £7.99 that are pretty decent - I've got a couple of pairs that have been worn and washed half to death and they're still going strong.

Splurge on two good bras, esp as top heavy, they make big difference to tops, next a decent blazer, nipped in at waist to accentuate waist. Then cheaper tshirts/blouses underneath. These can go with jeans as smart casual, skirts as smart or trousers. Black cardigan is also staple and worth a little more.

If you're going to splurge on bras, make sure you've had a bra intervention first!

Broader shoulders than hips, or about the same size?

lem Try googling outfit Sudoku. I can make lots of outfits out of just 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 4 accessories etc. That way you can spend a bit more per item.

I can't help in terms of where to buy from. But if building a whole new wardrobe make sure you start with the basics (prioritised by how much you will wear them if you don't want to buy all at once)

• Pair of casual jeans / trousers
• Smart dark jeans
• Black trousers/jeans (depending on what you need)
• 3/4 basic tops that go with everything
• Black cardi + another cardi or sweater
• 1/2 smart casual tops
• 1 black dress (if you think you will use it)
• statement jewellery, particularly necklaces (they do not have to be expensive)

Try to add a little color with your 'fancier' tops but most of all make sure you can wear everything with everything! That way you can get ready in a rush and it will (hopefully) always work.

Make sure each item fits well and then eventually build around your basics

Wallis go to a 20 but are pretty generous in their sizing. And they always have great bargains in their sales!

Totally agree with RunRabbit about starting with your shape.

Your can input your measurements on this site and it will look at the differences between each measurement to identify what your overall shape is and give a bit of advice on clothes that will suit/flatter you:

shopyourshape.com/calculate-your-body-shape/

The bits you want to hide will take the most thought and work. My failsafe option for disguising a tummy (FYI I'm not saying this applies to you!) is draped tops and dresses:

direct.asda.com/george/women/blouses-shirts/metal-clasp-detail-wrap-blouse/G005245444,default,pd.html

Thanks everyone - i will have a look at the shape things - i tend to actually go for more fitted type stuff otherwise things look like tents. A dress is definately a no no. Jeans would be straight or skinny which sounds a bit mad but actually make me look less fat and frumpy than bootcut or wide legs.

I am definately more of the casual side of smart casual. At present i don't need clothes for work other than my buggered up old crap but that may change. When i was working before DD i was hidden away in a windowless room for most of my time, worked alone and could dress how i chose - i often chose pretty scruffy to be honest. I am trying to get a bit smarter.

I live in converses whenever i can and don't wear heels anymore. Shoes are the only thing i spend money on as i don't like to be uncomfortable.

twinkle thanks, that is just what i need. usually pick up things here and there in charity shops but lately been struggling to find stuff i like.

New look dies a plus size range, jeans are decent quality too.
Forever 21 does a really big plus size range as well.
Both of these are at the cheaper end of the market so quality isn't amazing and there dies seem to be a lot of "body con" anf fashion nightmare items, but actually both also do good affordable separates and basics

Marks sale , bargains great for layering , their basic range t shirts cardis , nice scarf 😊

Sainsbury's jeans are my fave - really nice and cheap

Have you considered booking a free stylist session at John Lewis or Debenhams? They can suggest colours and styles which suit your body shape and colouring and you're not under any obligation to buy what they suggest. You can take away their ideas and use them as templates for future shopping trips and hope it will help you avoid expensive mistakes.

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service