Returning to study... what to wear?

[vvviola]

Just as I get the hang of putting an outfit together, the goalposts move.

Have been in corporate world (kind of) for 10 years. Suits, dresses, on more casual days skirt/boots/jumper. I always ended up dressing a bit old for my age, but it kind of went with the territory.

Went on ML & realised my casual dress sense had disappeared. Eventually got it vaguely together with help from personal shopper. So, skinny jeans, tunics, long chunky-ish cardigans, boots. Bought a few outfits - felt brilliant.

Fast forward 6 months - I've lost a stone (and still going) dropped from an 18 to probably a high-14/low-16. I've also started a postgrad. In some classes I'm a good 15 years older than my classmates, others not so much.

The problem is, with the weight loss, and being surrounded by students, all my lovely clothes (which are swimming on me!) manage to make me feel overdressed and frumpy at the same time.

Help! What do I wear? And considering I'm hoping there is another stone to go, how can I manage not to spend a fortune on clothes that won't fit in a few months.

Oh, and it's midwinter here, so even though I still don't need a coat every day (hurray for NZ winters), little floaty dresses are out :)

If I were to be a student again (would love to!) I'd probably have a daily uniform of loose t-shirts, straight leg jeans and converse and ring the changes with different styles of scarf. Not terribly original, I know. I'd prob also have a casual blazer.

If you're planning on losing weight, then I would buy cheaper versions of the above and spend money on a great leather messenger or satchel type bag and a statement watch. Practical items for student life that can be worn whatever size you are!

Disclaimer: I am not especially stylish - I have just fantasised about going back to do my postgrad and what I'd wear!!

Loose t-shirts are a total no go for me. No matter how much money I spend on then they end up making me look like I've gone out in my pyjamas (I think it's the DD chest that does it!)

But maybe a series of tunics might work - more fitted around the chest & long enough to hide the jelly belly.

I nearly wish I could go back to my old standby from the first time: track suit, sloppy jumper, runners & greasy hair. At least I was consistently grubby

I'm a mature student (37) but I still wear studenty type clothes. I mostly wear little dresses or shorts with tights and brogues and a slouchy cardigan.

I do wear skinnies and converse but with a plain tight t shirt. I can't do baggy either cos I have an hourglass shape.

Bandersnatch - that all sounds good (and I have the skinnies/ankle boot/long cardi already, even if they don't actually fit anymore), but the fitted tshirt worries me. 2 kids later & being someone who always carried weight around my middle anyway, and I'm not sure skinnies + tshirt would work so well. I could I suppose get away with a long-ish tshirt....

I could get my first ever pair of converse too (I was terminally uncool in my late-teens/early 20s, and refused to buy them!)

I sm about the same size as you, bit older. Same problem with baggy or tight t shirts.

I got two really nice ones from asos, both dip back. One is a Mango one with coloured leopard print front, grey back, the other a pale lime asos own one. I got the size 14, so not too baggy, and I think they work well for the sort of look you describe. Can't link; on phone, nut maybe worth a look?

Nut?? But, even

shirt dress and nice belt with skinny jeans? Thats pretty classic and flattering.

I'm a mature PhD student, older than you, and tend to gomostly for (well-fitting) skinny jeans, long top - often breton, sometimes plain - that has some definition and isn't baggy, often an interesting necklace, sometimes a belt, ballet flats, loafers, or 'Converse type' shoes. A tea dress if it's hot. Trench coat or smart parka if cold/wet. Nice bags, big enough for books/ laptop.

Not original but it works for me and I don't feel like mutton. I think my DH and DS would have no qualms about telling me if it was mutton-y.