Mad or mutton? Style direction crisis!

[Mandy2003]

OK, I'm new hear so bear with me. I'm slightly over 45, have a moderately wrinkled brow, slightly baggy eyes, moderate double chin, shoulder length hair (strawberry blonde, no grey). So I probably look my age.

Body wise I am 5'3" and horrendously tank apple shaped. Have been since I was a child though so it's nothing new. The thing is, I would really like to wear maxis (for the fourth time round!) due to a leg injury I need to keep my lower legs covered. (Maxi skirts that is, not dresses as I am too heavy of shoulder).

But on trying them on again now I am starting to think that maxis make me look like a mad, muttering bag-lady Please don't start suggesting any alternatives by Boden, or anything smart or smart casual! As I said, I need to keep my lower legs covered, don't suit knee length skirts full stop (even with boots) - the proportions are all wrong.

So at the moment I mostly wear bootcut jeans or leggings with a T-shirt and boyfriend cardigan. Mostly in black. For smart I will wear wide linen trousers and a tropical print top. But I'm starting to think that some of my bootcuts are beginning to look like 70s flares and that's not so good!

Any ideas with pics would be brilliant, thanks.

If leggings ok what about leggings and dresses?

What about straight leg jeans and tops? Something lijke this? You do not need to spend that much! The site is good for ideas though. Perhaps a less fitted top if you conscious of your middle? A jacket like that would help skim the area.

I agree that maxi skirts can be difficult to pull off. I think it is about finding the right one i.e not too wide/tiered, otherwise you run the risk of looking like you are attempting to wear the wardrobe of your student years....

I think this could be good with a plain fitted tee and wedges. You may need to have it taken up - but the same could be said of a lot of maxi skirts if you are not tall.

Thanks, keep 'em coming! That is a lovely skirt notyummy but I do just wonder, with long straight skirts, whether people will ask if I've converted to Islam? Not that doing so would in any way be a bad thing, but don't want to cause confusion! I don't think I can wear fitted T-shirts as I'm too lumpy.

The problem with jeans is finding the right fit. My waist is and always has been not much different in measurement from my hips. If they don't gape horrendously at the waist then they dig in and as I have fibromyalgia that's painful.

What about something like this, since you like tropical prints and it sounds as though your colouring is warm?

Or is it too dressy for what you want?

Or this might work better if you are more apple-shaped (less gathering right at waist).

Mittenkitten - both your links have come up with the ASOS home page Please can you try again with the whole address from the address bar? Thanks

I love the new style chinos that are in New Look, Dorothy P etc, they are very easy to wear, comfy, casual. Sorry no help with Maxi skirts, not my 'thing', I'm more of a trouser person.

Like these

at converted to Islam.
I don;t like maxis.
I think Scouser slappers at Aintree with plastic pint pots and fake tans

They also good with loose or big tops as trousers so plain, they can take a patterned top or blouse, no fitted tops needed

oh crap. I have this stupid problem with ASOS.

I am trying to find you skirts with some drape to them (nothing too stiff because I think given you are 5'3" that will be overwhelming), without a super-gathered waist (not flattering on apples) and with a slight fun pattern that you can use as a jumping-off point for matching tops, etc.

Do you know your "season"? Are you a spring? I think springs often suit tropical prints, which would make sense since you are already drawn to them.

Will post again later when I have found something decent that I can actually get a working link for.

I've done a couple of the quizzes just now to find my season. You are right, I'm a spring! Thanks!

Okay, the first was this skirt.

The second one was this skirt.

hope these links work.

They work fine! I like Skirt 2 but Skirt 1 - I don't think any detailing at the bottom of the skirt would do me any favours (I'm too short and it would look like I was cleaning the pavement!) But it would balance my apple shape...

Also, owing to my mashed up leg the only shoes I ever wear are Reebok classics so I don't know what flats (can't wear wedges) would go with a maxi skirt either. Ballet pumps are not supportive enough and I'm always afraid of twisting over in a sandal. I had some decorated fake black crocs from Shoe Zone which were fine on my feet and leg, but unfortunately the flip-floppiness gave me back pain. Grrr!

I hear you on ballet pumps. I wish I could wear them but it always feels as though there's nothing between my foot and the pavement.

What about a sandal with lots of straps and a supportive sole? I have not tried these personally but maybe someone else has experience with Ugg sandals.

Thanks everybody so far.

Now this is a brand I could get to like. But the prices...!