To ask how your clothes look so good?

[7yo7yo]

A friend bought some clothes from primark. They looked lovely on her. So I went and bought a couple of things I liked too and I looked awful. Clothes that were fitted nicely on her looked like sacks on me.
I messaged her moaning and she said she adjusts all her clothes at home on a sewing machine! A seam here, a tweak there and they look brilliant!
Aibu to ask What people do to their clothes to make them look better??

Colours which suit me, a nearby seamstress who is brilliant and tweaks everything to fit. Knowing what suits my shape (slim hourglass, long legs and arms, big thighs, short waist, chubby ankles).

@torquewench

Thanks so thats the crispness sorted. Now I just need to figure out keeping it white, as Im a snagging/splash/stain magnet. I ruined a gorgeous blush pink Hobbs top on its first outing. In hindsight, an Italian restaurant and a tomato sauce based dish weren't the wisest choices to compliment my outfit.

Haha! If I drip/splash anything, it’s always super-staining tomato sauce based. When I dropped food on my top in a little Italian restaurant the waiter instantly swooped in with a can of spray dry cleaner. He assured me it wouldn’t harm the fabric and sure enough it did the trick. Sprayed on as a white powder and sort of freeze dried and brushed off. Saved my night out.

Well fitting underwear makes a big difference. Get your bras fitted by a professional - it doesn't cost anything and it makes a big difference. Wear Spanx or something similar to hold the middle in . It all helps to make the outerwear look better.

Search Alexandrasgirlytalk on YouTube. She explains a lot.

Clothes are made for thin people. At the start of the process all the models/ mannequins are thin. Then they add inches or whatever to make a bigger size. Generally without thought as to how that would sit/fit On a real person. Clothes I find are too tight in the thigh, too low and or wide in the waist, too long in the leg. Fit fine other than the face that they are too tight in the arm. Bigger sizes need a more tailored approach to clothing. I hate clothes shopping. It always looks better in the hanger.

I sadly agree with pervious posters about the secret is being thin.
Things can look quirky, ‘trendy’ (although I hate that word) or expensive and well-put together on thin people, on a normal sized person or someone plus sized the same items/outfits can look frumpy, un-fashionable or even scruffy.

Clothes look great on thin women. I’m not thin

I'm slim but I'm tall and nothing sits right. Tops never fit well and ride up. I have to buy longline everything whenever available but still never sits as it should.

It took me a long time to accept this, as a fatty, but form fitting clothes suit my body better.
I don't mean revealing. But clothes that display my shape, rather than drown it. Although I'm overweight, I'm a lovely hourglass shape, soft curves top and bottom. If I wear something baggy to hide my undesirable lumps and bumps I look grumpy, haggard and instantly heavier. If I wear something form fitting with some light control underwear, I look good!
Dressing for your body shape is so important.

And I agree with others about colours. I prefer to blend in and not stand out, the opposite of how I was in my youth. I'd skate through life dresses in neutral colours but I'm pale with dark hair and eyes and a pop of colour gets me the most compliments. So if I'm making an effort, I reach for the colour.

Honestly though, much like interior design, it's about how you dress things up. Buy a boring grey sofa. Add a load of lovely statement throw cushions, a beautiful rug and a nice pair of curtains and you can have a stunning room without buying the 5k sofa.
Find simple pieces that compliment your figure and colouring. Then dress them up with accessories. A pair of shoes can entirely change a look. Never underestimate the power of earrings.

I’m reading and cogitating.
All very interesting.
I’ve made a hairdressers appointment for next week and my DH said get your nails done while your there. I said I don’t see the point as a nurse and he said you’ll see the point after.
I think part of it is life, several traumatic events have aged me too. Poor skin care, poor diet....it all adds up.

Indeed ...

I'm sorry you've been having a hard time, OP - but it's good that you (and your husband) have realised it's time to try to move forward.

Firstly - do you have a veg box delivery? (Preferably organic.) If not, now's the time to arrange one; you'll be able to enjoy all the wonderful Spring/Summer produce that's appearing. If you triple the amount of fruit and veg you eat, (and cut out sugary drinks and processed food) you soon won't recognise your skin. Which will make you happier and more confident and make buying skincare/make up much more fun. Then you'll start to feel that clothes look good on you ...

My thing is the colour - definitely. I need to wear darks and brights (mainly darks, but red does flatter me, and the odd pop of a strictly bright colour does too).

I can’t wear pastels, light grey, beige etc - I look all wrong and like the clothes are wearing me!

She is not spending too much money if she is shopping in Penneys!!
You deserve nice clothes. You obviously notice as you noticed her. Find a store you like as difference shops suit different people. I hate Penneys as a lot of the stuff is bad quality. You only have one life . No one will thank you for spending it in bad clothes with hair not done. Look after yourself