Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

I'm thinking of retiring from jeans. Please help.

409 replies

SherlockKnomes · 03/03/2012 19:39

So I am curvy with a big bust and big bottom and a comparitively little waist I'm somewhere between a 12/14, jeans has always given me a bit of a muffin top but now I have a little post baby belly I've started to loath them. I'm always having to hoik them up as they slip down, I never feel comfortable in them so I QUIT!!! I want to wear dresses, nice comfy day dresses that accentuate my curvy-ness in a good way, so anyone got any suggestions for a jeans free life?

OP posts:
BettyBathroom · 10/03/2012 10:37

Shipment of Oasis frocks arrived this morning - all 14 of them.

Verdict - quality about the same as Matalan but 3 times the price....would not describe them as great value for money. Fit was again poor on me - waist band was too high - making the dresses look like they were made for a a 7 year old child with a lollipop. I think you'd need to either have a short body or be quite a lot shorter for the Oasis designs to work on you (I'm 5ft 8). I won't be ordering from them again and not surprisingly everything is going back.

Have also reached an unsettling conclusion - looking for a dress that fits a tall, very curvy woman is possibly harder than finding a pair of jeans that fit! With a dress there are too many variables to get right in one garment.

So reluctantly I'm going to skulk away from this thread and go for separates. For me dresses are too hard to get right!

Original poster
SherlockKnomes · 10/03/2012 10:56

ooo no betty :(

OP posts:
MadameChinLegs · 10/03/2012 11:36

No, betty, what about Long Tall Sally?
wrap dress
tunic
purple wrap dress

TwllBach · 10/03/2012 14:05

Thanks to all of you on here I have perved all over the Matalan website - there are some beautiful dresses on there. I have just looked at my shopping basket and there are six items in there for £117 :(

I can't afford that but some of them are so beautiful. Maybe if I cull a few...

TwllBach · 10/03/2012 14:06

I really want this one

But I know I would be too scared to wear it. I love it. But it is a bit bold for me

Original poster
SherlockKnomes · 10/03/2012 15:15

oh but twll that's lovely?! A grey cardi might make it less bold...I've run out of money, buy it so I can live vicariously through you!

OP posts:
TwllBach · 10/03/2012 15:37

It is lovely, isn't it?? And it looks like it would be a decent length, not like the ones in top shop and new look

And I've been really good since Christmas, I haven't bought anything apart from food, petrol and flea stuff (for the animals) and have managed to save about £500.

Plus, if I spend £15 more I get free delivery...

Original poster
SherlockKnomes · 10/03/2012 16:05

Its gorgeous twll and now you've got rid of your fleas you should defnitely celebrate with a spotty frock :)

OP posts:
TwllBach · 10/03/2012 16:27

Whoops Blush
I bought it. And a cardigan that was really pretty. and now I am off to shop some more on the site where I have a store card

TwllBach · 10/03/2012 16:36

Could I ask - are denim jackets still ok to wear? I am wondering if I need to purchase one to make it through the summer. They look a bit more summery than the cardigans I have!

MadameChinLegs · 10/03/2012 16:47

I do think denim jackets are ok, as long as you don't Double Denim

MadameChinLegs · 10/03/2012 16:51

this denim jacket is rather lovely.

TwllBach · 10/03/2012 17:20

I remember Double Deniming when I was about 10. I'm sure it was all the rage then! I like that one - although I was thinking perhaps a cropped one?

Original poster
SherlockKnomes · 10/03/2012 18:14

ooo lets see cardi twll

OP posts:
butterfingerz · 10/03/2012 18:33

I bought this denim jacket Twll

Denim Jacket

Seems quite versatile so far.

FrillyMilly · 10/03/2012 18:38

That denim jacket is lovely!! My mum found one last year that I had when I was 16. If you hold on to things long enough they come back in to fashion. I spotted some boyfriend cardigans in asda the other day for £10 so I think I'm going to get a couple of them for wearing over my dresses. Can't wait for the weather to warm a bit do I don't need a coat and I can wear ballet flats.

butterfingerz · 10/03/2012 18:40

Think it depends what dresses you're buying though, not sure a denim jacket would work with a traditional looking shift dress, but good with retro ditsy print tea dresses or a maxi in the summer.

butterfingerz · 10/03/2012 18:44

Ha Frilly I had one when I was 15/16 too (27 now)... they get snapped up off ebay in the summer as its typical festival wear (not that I have the chance for that anymore!) so yeah I think it is a good investment.

butterfingerz · 10/03/2012 18:56

Thinking of getting a maxi skirt, for summer, like this,

maxi skirt

Looks pretty basic but with a little vest, sandals and said denim jacket I think would be a very nice change from jeans. Has elasticated waist too!

BettyBathroom · 10/03/2012 19:09

twll That was one of the dresses I ordered - it is beautiful, (waist was too high for me) such good value for money and I could just see me going around to someone's house in the summer for a BBQ. Denim will help to tone it down a little if you feel self conscious of the colours but it is truly lovely and such good value for money - it's a winner!

cabbageandbeans · 10/03/2012 20:19

Ok Ladies. I went to DP, topshop and Matalan today and it was all VERY disappointing. Everything I loved online was almost ok but just not perfect and I knew I wouldn't ever feel comfortable in them. I tried on almost every dress from those shops which has been linked on this page and I have decided that I just DO NOT suit dresses that come in at the waist with elastic or that require a belt due to my short body........it just does not flatter. I am like the opposite of betty because I am short and (decided today) I have very large boobs in addition to my big bum/hips. I reckon I might have to go to oasis!

Right at the end of my shopping trip I tried on

this!

and I loved it with or (if brave enough) without leggings. It came up rather small -I am a 12 but could have got 14 or 16! - but I went with the 14 and decided I am going to start exercising! I think I just have to wait for the right dress to come to me!

So it's been fun, but the excitement has died down a little. Still feel inspired but just reckon it I will take it slow and gradually accumulate dresses over time!

cabbageandbeans · 10/03/2012 20:22

Betty - what about bravissimo/pepperberry. Not sure how they accomadate tall - but they EXCELLENT for curvy.

ItsaMissTerri · 10/03/2012 20:39

A big thankyou to all on this post..given me the confidence go back to dresses and am loving it!! Grin Yeay!
Have just bought this www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eight/Dresses/Woodstock-Paisley-Dress/201607642 and am wearing it with a chunky knit dark grey long cardigan, grey ribbed thick tights and my brown boots that i have lived in for months www.clarks.co.uk/p/20341832

Original poster
SherlockKnomes · 11/03/2012 07:08

yaaaay cabbage! So its shift type dresses for you then! oo phase 8 hadn't thought of them terri...also are those shoes named after a womble . And! And! This is our 300th post...check us out

OP posts:
Born2BRiiiled · 11/03/2012 07:46

Hello. I've followed but not got round to posting. I love dresses too. So useful! The lady above who was struggling with fit might find that belting a shift with a skinny belt works. Gives a waist whereever you need it. I am starting on a bit of tanning moisturiser on my legs so I am ready! Am going to get grey or neutral ballet flats to try to solve the shoe issue. Do you think that will work?