Help me look a little less dumpy

[Fluteyboots]

My wardrobe is frankly depressing, I need a few things to refresh it I think. I am shortish and pear-shaped, size 14-16. I suit spring colours (warm, bright), or navy, chocolate brown.

I usually feel a bit scruffy and frumpy, would love to be a bit more stylish and glamorous without having to make masses of effort. But I have no idea what to buy if it isn't jeans and a t shirt, and even with these I seem to buy unfashionable ones.

Can anybody give me inspiration? I look longingly at reiss, white company and Hobbs, but end up buying per Una . What do I need to buy to update my look?

Good haircut, nice shoes, nice bag, subtle make up. With those you will look stylish in well fitting jeans and tee...it's the extras that make for a polished look imho.

Maybe it's the well-fitting bit which is eluding me. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for jeans, but struggle to find any that will accommodate a curvy behind without gapping massively at the back. And that are short enough (although I could have them taken up I suppose). Anybody who knows of jeans this shape, please tell me!

I think you just have to try masses on I loathe shopping for jeans with a passion, so tiring and dull! Gap do a curvy fit some peeps on here have liked I think...

yes go to gap
refuse to move till they find some

wear a BELT with them

:o yes I could sit in Gap until they find a pair that fits!

Yes I do possess a belt, but if there's loads of loose fabric it looks uck, and when you bend over the jeans still go down, just strung up by the beltloops.

Gap curvy great in my normal size. Have bum and thing issues with some makes.

Walk away from Per Una, girlfriend!! It's SO bad for you. If you didn't look frumpy before, you will in all those frills, flounces, stripes and frilly bits.

Try Gap. Take a trip to John Lewis. They have such a big selection and you can get free advice from the personal shoppers there.

Keep is simple. Get a good hair cut. Wash your hair daily (if poss)....clean hair looks groomed.

Get some basic makeup advice, a few key products and USE THEM. The (absolutely) makeup-free, natural look only works on fresh faced teens and twenty-somethings.... I do believe, most women need a little basic help just to combat stress/lifestyle.

Dark indigo jeans (def go to Gap)
Great tan leather bag
Metallic ballet pumps
Smartish Jacket
Great lightweight scarf (floral or stripes work for me)

Also agree with getting a good, easy to care for haircut and ALWAYS wearing a little make up

Thank you, Gap it is then. I probably need a new blazery thing too, perhaps the cardies are not helping.

Hmm actually a personal shopper in J Lewis sounds like a nice idea. If I can rope DM into minding DS I may actually go for that....

As another short curvy person I would veto ballet shoes. They look so cute in the shop but make you thud around like a hippo, not a good look.

I second the JL personal shopper idea, my friend swears by them, she hates shopping but looks great. They really help her buy stuff you can mix and match together as she doesn't have a limitless budget.

Shoes are my big problem. I should wear heels but I HATE them. Any shoe ideas for curvy shorties on here? (sorry for the minor but sort of related hijack )

Well actually I might help there.... I am a fan of the wedge and platform. Strangely, my last couple of pairs were from clarks, sort of nudey colour ones (supposed to make legs look longer). Also Russell and bromley have had some nice platform ones if you feel like a splurge.

Long boots with a stacked heel I also like, coyboyesque but more smart and girly.

I avoid anything with a very skinny heel cos I can't walk in them, and If your ankles are not so svelte, it exacerbates them! (I think anyway)

I bizarrely, in comparison to my rugby player-esque calves, actually do have skinny ankles. I'll have a look in clarks although I am wide of foot too and sometimes find their stuff too narrow
Wedges do sound like a good option though, I'm crap on skinny heels too