To not want to look like a bag lady?

[Crazybaby123]

I put on weight after my second child and went from a size 8 to 10 to a 14 to 16. It's been 6 years and this weight is not going anywhere.

The problem is I have no idea how to dress for my current size. I live in leggings and refused to buy new clothes as always thought I would lose the weight. But now have to conceded that it is not going anywhere.

I want to look smart and well turned out as fashion and clothes used to be something I really enjoyed. Now, it's stretch jeans or leggings and the cheapest baggy top thrown on. I still wear maternity tops.

Please post some fashion ideas, websites and tips for looking glam when you are not the size of the models in the pictures
Thanks

Yabu- just wear the leggings, your glam is gone now. There is no hope for you.

Yanbu- there is plenty of glam fashion for a 40 something mum who is larger than she was.

Yes I cant wear buttoned shirts either.
I am 5'4" tall, an hourglass too but i have a high waist, so the belts are always in the wrong place! Blazers are a good idea, I used to love a blazer and haven't thought about buying one for years!

Exactly this. A good fitting bra that has high sides is a game changer.

I use Pinterest to get ideas and then go out and find something which suits me.

Versatile purchases in the last year. A denim dress, can wear with trainers, heels, boots etc to dress up and down. A black maxi dress, again can dress up or down with trainers and a denim jacket or gold sandals for a night out. A wool coat and a trench coat. A few nice cardigans.

Vinted might be place to dip your toe in to different styles without spending an absolute fortune too.
Good luck as I do know the struggle 💐

@Crazybaby123

I understand how you’re feeling OP. I was a size 10 when I got married and since having my children and having mental health issues, I was mostly a 14-16 for years, but recently went to a size 18 but have come back down to a 16 again.

What may be useful for you (things I have done that helped):

Think about what your style was when you were an 8-10. Were you chic, eclectic, sporty, boho etc.

Dis you used to wear jeans/trousers/leggings when an 8-10, or were you more into skirts and dresses?

What colours suit you?

Analyse your body shape. Wide legged trousers may be on trend, but they make me look heavier and I feel like an emo in them so I avoid them, but cropped mom style suit me better.

What parts of the body would you mind exposing or concealing?

Create a Pinterest board of styles, colours etc that you love, and shop for clothes like that and try them on - you will no doubt be pleasantly surprised.

If you were into high heels, what can you wear now you have children and lifestyle may have changed? Maybe some
chunky mid heeled or wedge boots, or trainers with a flat form style sole as a compromise for day to day.

I dye my grey roots at home, and have regular trims at the hairdressers.

I use Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream and the oil twice a day and makes such a difference to the way I look.

Since January I have been eating mainly vegetable based soups for dinner most days, have cut out crisps, reduced my alcohol and sugar intake and this has enabled me to lose 10 pounds which has helped somewhat, and I feel healthier.

Happy for you to PM me about any of this, and to suggest some outfit ideas if you tell more about your style etc.

Ohh this is a good idea I have never tried looking at pinterest. I live your ideas to put a wardrobe togrther this is something I struggle with as will buy a random baggy top from Sainos here and there and thats about it. Thank you.

These are really good tips actually. I never thought about doing any of this. Its like approaching it like a project which would be really fun to do. I am heading out now,( in leggings and a top😂) but might take you up on the DM :)

@Crazybaby123

I‘be just seen you’re and hourglass with a high waist - very similar to me.

I love skirts and dresses and frequently wear bias cut midi skirts with square or scoop neck, or button down v neck tops or fine weight jumpers. I don’t wear the super shiny satin skirts as I don’t feel they’re flattering but other fabrics really are, and I receive lots of compliments which always helps me feel better.

I have a button through jumper dress which is so, so flattering and I even feel sexy in it - had lost this feeling! The buttons are not functional so there are no horrible gaps in between buttons. I got it in Next 2 years ago, but I’m sure thou could get one similar form somewhere.

You could always add your own belts to outfits and wear them where your natural waist is - I have a high waist and the belts they add are always too low!

If you like jeans and trousers, high waisted are the way to go. I will not wear anything that isn’t high waisted. I don’t like trousers or jeans much, but have 2 pairs of jeans and some leggings for wearing instead of tights with boots as I love their opacity and hate tights, but all are high waisted!

I am the same height as you OP and an hourglass. I have a long body and short legs, high waist, massive boobs. Structured/ fitted clothes tend to suit me better. Nothing flowy/ boho. So fitted blazer style jackets, fitted tops. Scoop necks are good and vneck but they can be too booby at times. I always need to wear high waisted jeans or trousers to balance my short legs. If I wear anything mid rise it really highlights my Shetland pony legs.

Some outfits I like are:

Light wash straight leg jeans with scoop neck t shirt and shirt worn open over it. Chelsea boots, wool blazer coat

Midi or mini dress that comes in at the waist or under the boobs with boots

Knitted dresses with black tights and boots

wide leg trousers or jeans. High waisted. With a cropped bomber jacket and trainers. Fitted long sleeve t shirt

Some brands I like are:

m&s
&other stories
Mint Velvet - a bit overpriced but the style is “relaxed glamour” and their range could give you outfit ideas
Cos for accessories mainly as it’s more of a brand for taller people
Reiss
Hobbs
ASOS
parfois

Petite length midi dresses and jeans often work for me even though petite is officially for 5ft 3 and under

If you like the long coats look for one in a petite length

I just had a look at her and saw her try on a dress I wouldn't have looked twice at in M&S. I think I'm going to buy it. Thanks

If you’ve got. It boobs get fitted properly - don’t go to M and S, they’re hopeless. Rigby and Peller are the absolute bomb - but expensive. I’m a similar shape to you : 16/14. I wear very expensive Prima Donna bras because they make all the difference. I’ve just bought two pairs of the Eva bootcut jeans from Marks - super flattering and wear lots of mini dresses, v neck tops etc

After I had my dd, I started to live in leggings and oversized t shirts (having never worn either before at all).
I didn’t have the energy to make much of a change but eventually I started wearing midaxi skirts instead of leggings with nicer t shirts/ boho tops and cardigans/ jumpers in flattering colours and I feel a lot better now.
A decent moisturiser/ tinted moisturiser, concealer plus tinted lip balm can make a huge difference. I use eyeshadow sticks instead of liner. They’re really quick and easy to use.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to try to do a complete overhaul. It might be easier to look at why you gravitate towards the things you currently fall back on, and then find alternatives that have the same benefits but you just feel that bit better in them.