To ask you to (gently) evaluate my style?

[doesyourmotherkno]

I am a size 18, and after significant weight loss I am trying to slowly reinvent my style. I’m used to hiding behind trousers and big t-shirts. I am in my 20s.

I have quite a lot saved on H&M and Matalan and places like that, as well as some staples in my wardrobe (mainly trousers and skirts).

My thinking is day to day, fun trousers (I have some striped trousers and plan on making some gingham trousers) with fun graphic t-shirts or some nice dresses, and these will then be pieces I can carry into weekends and holidays. My workplace is more relaxed and would allow outfits like this.

I am trying to do this on a budget so not really open to spending £100s on one item. I don’t know why some items have saved as size 8. I obviously won’t be purchasing!

Thanks everyone! I wasn’t expecting such nice comments I have to be honest!

At the weekend I tend to wear jeans or gym clothes so would like to sharpen that up a bit too, but I don’t know how

Some lovely things here.

I tend to choose plain bottoms and keep the patterns for tops because it's my bottom half I want to distract attention from, but on the other hand - to hell with rules! If you like something and feel good in it, chances are you'll look good in it and your confidence will show.

I'm notoriously timid about wearing some things and then I see someone my size or bigger and think how lovely they look. GO FOR IT!

Congratulations on your weightloss, like you I’ve lost quite a bit of weight and am now an 18/20. But I’ve discovered shops like Anthropologie and me & em, and now pick odd bits up from vinted to supplement other High street shops. Also, love the colourful stuff in Lucy and yak and Oliver bonas. Both are quite reasonably on vinted. I find if something doesn’t fit or look good, then I just resell it.

For dresses check out Popsy, they have brilliant fun print dresses and they have pockets as well 🤣 they are really comfy and flattering as well 🥰

If you like it, that's the most important thing.

There's a lot of colours starting with 'b' though (brown, beige, blue). I recommend getting your colour assessment carried out before buying anything, it may surprise you.

The trousers and dresses are nice, wide leg trousers are very "in" at the moment so I wouldn't worry about looking like you're hiding your weight. I don't think the graphic t-shirts are very nice or particularly trendy, they make me think of pensioners on holiday! Although maybe I'm not young or trendy enough for them to be ironically fashionable.

Yes all looks good … you might be better going out to the shops and trying thing on, see what fits and flatters your new shape best.

Don’t forget you may need new bras also.

I just think they can be quite fun if paired with a fun trouser!

Yes, I do! It’s on my list

One or the other, at best, not both together.

Really? I think as long as they’re co-ordinated (I.e. similar colour palette) they can look quite good!

My advice is fitted top or fitted bottoms so you don't look swamped.

I don't think the floaty shirts will be flattering with any of the bottoms.

Have a think about where your eye will be draw. Those floaty trousers all appear to be vertical because of the drape and if they are wider at the bottom then they will draw the eye up to your waist, so if you tuck a t shirt I think it will be an unflattering combo, but if you tie the t shirt it could look really nice.

Obviously, you can wear what you choose, but if you want to re-evaluate your style, I’d suggest one or the other just to start out with. I’m keen on prints and do wear a lot of them, but sometimes you need to wear with confidence to pull them off, especially multiple prints at once. That can mean a deliberate put-together look that also includes jewellery, shoes, belts etc.

They’re fine OP, I see loads of women wearing graphic tees and printed trousers on TikTok and they’ve all looked great. It’s definitely fashionable, at the moment anyway

I’ll try tying! Probably not for work, but for a weekend or holiday it could be cool!

I like your choices too. I think if you get some long sleeve t shirts as well (H&am do nice ones) you can layer them under things like the sleeveless dresses for the autumn.

Jeans for the weekend: I follow stylingwithrebecca on Instagram and I think you might like her style. She recommends and I also own Levi’s Ribcage Wide jeans (I found mine for under £40 on Instagram after trying on in the shop, they also sell them on Amazon for less than in the Levi’s shops). I also have some Levi’s baggy dad barrel jeans. I’d style them with your graphic tees, maybe tucked in a little if they’re long, or get some that fall to just above your knicker line. That length works well with high rise jeans, lets your waist shine, and doesn’t flash skin if you don’t want to. I also like a shirt over a vest, with a button or two done up, because that creates the illusion of a waist on my square shape.

if you like patterns, have a look at Ancient Earth clothes, they have done some gorgeous dresses and trousers over the years and are a small UK brand.

These definitely aren’t work appropriate but I love these co-pros

Loads of those things are lovely. You’ll look great OP.

What prompted you to start your thread in AIBU rather than on the Style & Beauty board. @doesyourmotherkno?

Are you mistrustful of posters there?

I think you have some lovely items and they’d mix and match well. Huge well done on the weight loss! I’d make sure you save enough money for an autumn/winter capsule as well or a bit of a refresh. I’d buy gradually, get one mini capsule, see how it works and what you need to add.

Your style reminds me of lottie Drynan on insta, I think she’s a size 14-16 ish and likes bright colours and co ords and the cheaper end generally, she might be worth a look. I also like Carys Whittaker.

I just wanted a lot of opinions to be honest, and I know AIBU is one of the most popular boards. I know people also tend to be a bit harsher here, so if they were awful people would say!

OP, what is your shape? Make sure you are dressing for it! As an example, I’m a very obvious pear shape so I have to consider that rather than just what looks good. Anything that sits on my hips but isn’t fitted on top looks like a sack of spuds on me 😂

Your colours are all over the place. It’s worth investing in a colour and shape analysis. I’ve wasted much less money on clothes since I found out the best colours for me.

I used www.stylemehappy.co.uk/

I’m in my 20s too and love everything you have posted. You have similar taste to me. I like to look feminine but classy day to day which all your items are. However I do love a bit of tulle and over dramatic dresses for special occasions like wedding. Honestly those items are fire