To not have a clue what tops to buy for everyday with jeans?

[NoFashion]

Please help.

Recently lost a lot of weight. And for the first time in ages I don't want to wear loose fitting boring T-shirts or hoodies.

Went shopping today and managed to get some jeans (Next & H&M) which look fine on.

But I have no clue what to do for tops. I browsed plenty of shops. Next, H&M, Primark, M&S.

Got one t-shirt in M&S. Which is fine on. But I just feel like either stuff is too formal or I'll have a wardrobe of plain colour/striped basic tees. (So what I already have but smaller sizes.)

I work from home. Primary school aged kids. Never need to be formal but I'm so uninspired for ideas of tops/jumpers.

I just know I was wearing a hoody yesterday and for the first time felt uncomfortable in it.

Normally things like that were my "safe" clothes. But I felt scruffy in it yesterday. I want to look casual but put together.

I find I do better with M&S online, recently got some good 'basic' fitted long sleeve tops which are fine to throw on with jeans but don't look too casual. Also got some nice tops from sainsburys recently.

Look at places like Joules at their harbour tops

I love a basic tee! I've got them in different colours/stripes and my 'uniform' is jeans with tucked in t-shirt, cardi, trainers. I think a good quality t-shirt always looks great. Mine are from Cos, Uniqlo, AS Colour, JL.

If I want to be a bit smarter I wear a blouse/shirt, again tucked in to jeans or trousers, would look at Arket, H&M, M&S, Sezane, &Other Stories for these.

I tend to live in Next vest tops. They do a normal length one and a 'long line' one which you can arrange to cover your camel toe hips in clingy jeans.

If it's cold or when i'm sitting about i wear a nice soft cardi over it. Long/short whatever. Or pull over a clingy v neck top with sleeves.

(I have to wear clingy ish tops because i have big boobs and anything a bit swingy looks like a tent and adds about 3 stone.)

So for example I have this in the black and white and they go with anything:
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0928440002.html

It's hard these days as there is lots of OTT wacky tops.
I like a top with sleeves to the elbow flow sleeve with tight trousers or tight tops with with a flow trousers.
I never go tight on top and bottom and vice versa with loose clothing.
I got a few nice ones in newlook but had to search some are very dressy.

Waist length caftan top with a vest top is very dressy.
I got some un-expensive ones on Amazon they're lovely with Jean's.

I live in strappy vest tops eg from H&M. I layer them with a cardi or jumper if it’s cold, or a looser vest/floaty camisole if it’s hot. Fitted t shirts don’t really flatter me so those are the best options I’ve found!

Classic white shirt, Breton top, linen vest top (there's a lovely striped one in White Stuff atm, which I would buy in a heartbeat if I didn't have fat arms), Chambray shirt, boat-, slash- or ballerina neck tees in bright colours, or, if your style is a bit more BoHo, peasant-style tops with embroidery.

Love a silk shirt, Equipment, &otherstories, Reiss, Uniqlo cashmere tops when it's cold

What's your style? What sort of style do you like on other people? Which necklines suit you? What shape are your new jeans?

I struggle for what to wear with jeans too in spring/summer (got lots of lovely jumpers for winter).
So, I wear lots of casual dresses instead, or trousers that aren't jeans (rolled up chinos, loose cotton trousers, hareem pants) as I think these look better with vests and t's than just plain jeans, but I do wear a lot of a stripped tops...

I wear fitted plain tees or slash neck long sleeved teess and/or oversize sweatshirts. I find men’s sweatshirts better
Also a fan of a checked shirt with a vest underneath
Lots of women seem to like Breton stripes? Personally I find them really Mumsy on me but might be worth looking as they’re very popular 🤷‍♀️

@nanbread

What's your style? What sort of style do you like on other people? Which necklines suit you? What shape are your new jeans?

I think that's my struggle.

I don't have one.

It was whatever (I thought) covered my fat bits.

So skinny jeans, with in summer a loose tee over a longer line tank top. Or a hoody/loose sweater. Or leggings and a tunic type top/dress.

I don't need to be double layering anymore. Or wearing a big hoody. And I think I sort of resent the hoody's now as I see them as a reflection of how much I hated my old body.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no super model. But I can finally see I'm not fat. Finally very average in figure/appearance. (Having been morbidly obese)

So to be shopping in H&M, next etc is a bit intimidating as I'm used to simply yours and other plus sized/online stuff.

I did recently buy a nice casual, but much more feminine sweater. And currently it's my only top that I wear with jeans (have Next straight and H&M skinny) that I feel sort of hits the note I'm looking for.

www.gap.co.uk/gap/vintage-soft-twist-front-crewneck-sweatshirt/000650682.html

I guess maybe I need to just keep the search on.

Really appreciate all the advice here.

First time in my life I've wanted to spend more time in shops and looked at what's on the mannequins etc rather than keeping my head down and thinking "none of this is for me".

Joules harbour tops. I have 6 or 7 of them. Love them