Give me a list of things you should NOT wear if you are 25 and <<ahem>> bigger than size 16

[colditz]

Cos that is me, and will be after I have had this baby. Reading the Mutton thread, it makes me realise that 25 year olds are expected to be slinky career girl. Well, that's not me.

I don't want to look like a skanky fat girl squeezing herslf into inappropriate clothes just cos her mates can wear them and look good, but I also don't want to look 10 years older than my mates!

To sum up, how can I look nice and smart and hide the flab, but also look 25.

No crop tops - never, ever, ever!

lots of flattering tops atm, which show off your cleavage but skim the tummy. black trousers and black skirts. long length jeans to make your legs longer. slight heels. thats a start anyhows!!

bootee slippers - stirrup trousers

Dont try and hide in clothes, you will always look bigger, what do you consider your best asset? emphasise it

So, is showing cleavage ok if you're 25 but a bit fat? When should I stop showing cleavage?

What about bootcut trousers?

Am only 5'3 by the way, so I do wear high heels.

subtle bootleg jeans, spend time looking for a good fit, dark colour. long-line tops (don't have to be frumpy, try h&m), heeled boots, jacket or coat with a waist and that ends below or above the hips.

slinky low-cut top, bootlegs and flared knee-length coat is a great look on size 16-plus, in fact being bigger helps.

say NO to
anything midriff-revealing
miniskirts with bare legs
tapered trousers, aaaarrrgggh
funny little slip-on shoes, just make your legs look bigger. boots and trainers rule.

show cleavage but cover up legs. (i typed "logs" then - tells you something about my legs )

Colditz, I have had a style consultation with ColourMeBeautiful (www.cmb.co.uk), they didn't tell me anything I had not found before in a Trinny and Susanah's book but gave me the confidence to wear different clothes.

LAst September we went to Spain and saw many friends I have not seen since I was a comfortable size 12, and everybody complimented me on how much weight I had lost and how well I looked even when I'm more than a stone larger grin]

Excellent, thanks guys

Doesn't it depend on your shape, too? I was an 18 from my teens until after DS1 (at which point I became a 16, go figure) But because I'm pear-shaped and reasonably fit, my legs are fine to show off, while my cleavage is ... not significant enough to display?

Ok, crop tops are out for anyone big, but otherwise I think the rules vary with your shape.

I think nicely cut, well made clothes look nice on anyone, whatever their shape or size. My friend who is a large size, dresses much better than most other people I know. She wears nice fitted tops with linen trousers, knee length skirts in funky patterns, and pretty bias cut dresses. She always has fab high heeled boots and accessories - big pendants etc. She always looks great - much better than me.

LMAO!! With ya there Irishbird

wrap over tops are beautiful! I got a nice cardi yesterday that goes round like a wrap over top!! Looks good! Im a size 14/16 (working on a 12..but Umm... yea.. working on it )

I like the layered look... but it may just be for skinny girls? I have a brown top and brown trousers, Over this I wear a brown and orange dress..!! (It probably looks not that nice actually.. but I like it!)

When I say skinny girls.. I mean girls with no hangovers at the side like me LOL Or a spare tyre that big my DD told the c/minder I was having a babay!!

Get some really good undies! Invested in some new bras when i stopped breastfeeding and it was a revelation!

This season I am steering well clear of cropped jackets, even thought they are just everywhere in the shops and look brilliant on skinnies.

Having trouble finding dresses that are long enough ( I'm only 5'6") and not bias cut (hideous if you have hips of any sort). anyone seen anything?

What you shouldn't wear..hmmm...

I'm the same height/size as you colditz. My suggestions for things to avoid -

Halterneck Top and polo necks (esp if you have big boobs)
In fact anything you can't wear a bra underneath if they're big! (I'm an F cup).

Stirrup pants, cropped trousers, bias cut skirts, mini skirts..er.. will try and think of some more.

What sort of shape are you when not PG?