To ask how the hell you actually put together an outfit?!

[whywaitallnight]

I’m a size 16-18. I have all these great ideas of outfits (one example in the pictures) but struggle to actually pull them off. What do I do wrong?!

I think this outfit for example would be cute. But it just doesn’t work! What do I get wrong?!

Is the jumper you have actually flattering? Do you wear much colour.

It's hard to say as I have no idea what's wrong with the resultant outfit on you. Do you have a jumper, skirt and boots similar to the picture, but you don't like how they work on you?

Sometimes it's just that the length of skirt/dress, the shape/cut, doesn't work on your particular body shape. It can be useful to find outfit inspiration from someone online who is a similar body shape to you with similar style.

I’d say so! I have some pops of colour in my wardrobe but largely sit within a neutral palette for autumn/winter

I feel like they just never look nice on me! This is another example of an outfit I’ve put together, I just feel like they’re bad

The jumper is wrong. It doesn’t work with the skirt and I wouldn’t put the jumper with it. Personally I would go for something in a slightly lighter knit in a tan dark brown or warmer cream which could be tucked in or a more boxy top in a warmer shade which would be untucked. I’d also wear brown tights with the boots and add a tan or brown or olive suede bag

You need to try it with tights and shoes to get the right picture. Nothing looks right with socks. The outfit is ok, you need a belt to put it together.

I would say this is too monotone with the brown shade and the skirt finishes at the wrong length for your shape and height and isn’t very flattering for you.

I would go with a skirt on the knee and a different colour top like white/cream. Also, have you seen the hack to wear a belt over a dress or skirt and to use the belt to tuck a jumper up into so it doesn’t have to get tucked into the actual skirt which adds bulk over the stomach? Not sure I’ve explained that very well but it’s a more flattering look

I need tights but don’t own any yet! They’re on my list to get today 😂

I just feel like knee length skirts are going to end up being cold 😂 I’ve never really found one that flatters me

There are these fleece lined tights you can buy which have like skin coloured fleece inside so they’re really warm but look like sheer black tights over bare legs which is much more flattering than super thick black opaque tights and very warm

From a quick glance at your photo you have a smaller top half compared to your bottom half. So you need to create balance by broadening your shoulders with maybe shoulder pads or puffed sleeves. Melissa Murrell has several videos on YouTube explaining all this with all sorts of body shapes and is well worth a look.

I just feel like I have an ugly shape so nothing looks good:(

Have you tried chat gpt? Take a picture of yourself, link to the clothes and ask it to show what they’d look like on you.

So I think a skirt that length is doable, but you probably need more volume in it for it to work. And then the two browns sort of aren't the same but aren't contrasting. I would probably bring some more colour into an outfit - mossy greens or burgundy - obviously depending what suits you colour wise. I also find I suit things with more structure now I weigh more. So tops with structure rather than just t shirts. I tend to prefer dresses as they don't cut my torso in two virtually.

That is not true, you DO look good in the skirt. I don't think that white / cream is very flattering for your size, also the knit is very thick and probably looks quite bulky. I would suggest you go for a darker colour on the top, and possibly a thinner knit. Dark green / burgundy or brown and the whole thing will look better.

Rubbish - your shape is fine, you need to learn how to dress it. I’ve got a bit of a tummy, I never wear anything tucked in. A slightly longer top would skim over your waist, or maybe a loose shirt or a waistcoat over the top. A wide belt would draw it all together.

I have big boobs, so mostly wear patterned tops which help to disguise any lumps or bumps but a scarf can really help both to brighten up an outfit and distract any emphasis.

If you live near enough to a city, a big department store like John Lewis will have personal stylists, you can book an appointment and they will bring you lots of outfits and suggest ideas. I haven’t done this recently, but I did it a lot in the past and it was free. I strongly suggest this just to get some new ideas of things you can wear.

I’m tempted to potentially dye it when it arrives, but also wanted one really nice cosy chunky jumper

You don't have an ugly shape @whywaitallnight. You have a lovely curvy body with a good waist.
That skirt you're wearing in the photo is a tricky skirt for most people to wear.

I have a similar body shape to you and that shape skirt and length is my go to! You need a nice belt on your waist, and some boots with a bit of a heel, and a fairly chunky gold or silver necklace. A tweed waistcoat would also be a vibe, and give you even more of a hour glass shape.

@whywaitallnight The second outfit you pictured I think is a bit all the same colour, but probably have gotten away with that if it had been different textures. For example the same jumper untucked with a bias satin skirt and suede knee high boots? The skirt might have gone better with the arran type jumper that you showed first?
Could you go somewhere where you could try on some different shapes (increasingly difficult to find anywhere you could try on anything I know) then you could nail down whether you suit a fitted jumper, a boxy jumper, a high neck, low neck, bias skirt, fuller skirt, types of trouser.
Then when you have shapes look at colour and colour combination.
In both cases chose what you like -fashion is fluid and if you believe the press we should all be dressing like Claudia Winkleman!
Also look at moving the eye to what you want and away from what you do not- for example rather than tuck in at the waist go past it and maybe a belt? or a jacket that when open creates shape.

Do you have a friend with a similar build to you whose opinion you respect?

Where do you get belts that fit plus size? I’ve never been able to find any!

I think it doesn't work because the jumper has a pattern in the knit. I would go for a jumper with plain, thin knit, a bit darker, too. Maybe beige or brown.

The boots should be chunkier and maybe lace up.

And then, I think it would work. With thickish brown tights.

I personally wouldn’t pair that skirt with those boots but at the end of the day it’s a matter of what you like.

I’d take a look at my best colours and most flattering styles and see if that’s what you’re actually picking. Sometimes it doesn’t align - what I like wearing daily and what suits me don’t really match, so I have to make concessions depending on whether I want to look objectively good or just stick to my preferences.

I like the skirt in the outfit you’re wearing, and the tonal brown palette you’ve chosen is on trend - a good call if the colours suit you.

I think the outfit would look more put-together with a bit more styling. Add tights and boots. Tuck the top evenly into the skirt, then raise your arms over your head to pull it out slightly, and it should sit better. And/or add a wide belt where top meets skirt. Push up your sleeves a bit - they’re baggy around your wrists. Add a long pendant necklace in gold or bronze. You might benefit from a more supportive bra, if possible.

I have that almost identical jumper and it looks far better with trousers. It doesnt suit a skirt at all. Boots are great though.
Try Bella belts you cut them to the size you are, they are customisable to any size.

https://www.bellabelts.com/collections/womens-no-hole-leather-belts

I think the skirt would look better with a boxy top. This type of shape.

https://www.freemans.com/products/bonprix-baggy-knitted-t-shirt/_/A-959786_14?utm_medium=pla&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=DEP%3AWOM_CAM%3ABonprix%20Value_THE%3AGen_CHA%3APmx_CFO%3AMx%2BF_MIS%3ABrand_ADV%3AFreemans_PLA%3ASA360_INV%3AGoog_OBJ%3AConv&ns_mchannel=pla&ns_source=google&ns_campaign=DEP%3AWOM_CAM%3ABonprix%20Value_THE%3AGen_CHA%3APmx_CFO%3AMx%2BF_MIS%3ABrand_ADV%3AFreemans_PLA%3ASA360_INV%3AGoog_OBJ%3AConv&ns_linkname=20973419716&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=20970105302&gbraid=0AAAAADplBR862ZFGyeswxTRJ53Q_Ew47Z&gclid=CjwKCAjwoOjVBhArEiwAUwDakysA2wBtmquGS4jAZM7sPNCrqLdxESHd-KKhIOO0VAL4R8ZGKRvfBBoC534QAvD_BwE