No fashion sense, and OH has bought me a new wardrobe...please help!

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

Okay, so I have appalling fashion sense. It's really bad. I tend to live in loose clothes, and although I own some gorgeous dresses, I never wear them...

A bit about me. I'm usually a size 8, although I'm currently recovering from an operation and haven't been able to do much, so I'm probably closer to a 10 at the moment. I'm doing my best to loose it quickly! I have 34D boobs, too much of a stomach, and I'm 5 foot 2 so quite short.

I live in skinny jeans and loose t-shirts that don't suit me at all. I'm 22. I wear trainers too much, and I really feel the cold - I've got arthritis in my back and legs, along with various other conditions.

OH won a Littlewoods voucher and bought me some things, which I'm hoping I can make into a more stylish winter wardrobe. I love the knee-high socks and dresses look - would it work with these boots? What style of dress do I go for? High necks don't suit me at all, I much prefer a V-neck.

Anyway, he bought -
This coat - www.littlewoods.com/superdry-classic-duffle-coat/1145504231.prd?browseToken=%2fq%2fsuperdry+coat

These boots - www.littlewoods.com/ugg-australia-fabrice-lace-up-boots/1112604032.prd?browseToken=%2fb%2f1589%2fq%2fugg+boots%2fo%2f2%2fr%2f48&trail=1589

This dress - www.littlewoods.com/miss-sixty-diamante-detail-dress/1145513687.prd?browseToken=%2fb%2f5691%2fs%2fbestsellers%2c0%2fo%2f2

And this dress, both in animal print and bright pink - www.littlewoods.com/little-mistress-printed-one-shoulder-dress/1144824996.prd?browseToken=%2fq%2flittle+mistress

I also own quite a few dresses like this, in black, red, light blue and flowery - www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Skater-Dress-With-Sweetheart-Neck/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2513995&SearchQuery=asos%20skater%20dress&sh=0&pge=6&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

So, I'm looking at knee-high socks at the moment. I'm completely lost on everything else - I'd like to be able to build a few looks. I can return anything to Littlewoods and order more things with the voucher, or I have a bit of money for other shops.

I'd really appreciate any help!

Thank you :)

I am thinking that if you currently live in jeans and t-shirts then the floaty dresses might be too much of a leap for you. I like the skater dress though and the duffle coat. Tbh I am not sure about the boots though.

Can you justify buying a bunch of magazines and having a look for some ideas that you like?

I like the duffle coat, but not keen on the first two dresses, think they are a bit naff. The coat is pricey for what it is, but will last and be useful in the winter.

Why not swap the dresses and boots and go for nice ankle boots like these which you can wear with thick tights and dresses or cords. You could get a nice jumper dress like this which would keep you warm and looks stylish, could pair with your skinnies too.

I love the coat, not sure about the rest but I am old

Really just wanted to say that if you are between an 8 and a 10 there is no way on earth you are a 34D, measure your chest under your boobs and then round the fullest part of your boobs. Give me the measurements and I can give you an idea of what new bras you need

All your clothes will look better in the right sized bra.

The coat is really cute.

The last dress (skater) is great.

The boots are revolting.

And the other two dresses are Kat Slater-tastic.

Are the knee high socks for the new term for one of your DC??

Will have a mooch on Littlewoods.

Crikey, well your OH has definitely gone for some striking dresses there

I like the coat as well though I'd prefer a different colour - at least black goes with everything.
It is very expensive though - I think you could get so much more for the same amount of money, if it isn't rude of me to say so.

I'd probably take back everything (sorry!) and choose some things I was actually comfortable with - I don't know if you'd be happy and confident wearing these? But if you are used to jeans you might not be.

It's no good having exciting clothes that you will never feel relaxed wearing. I have learned that through bitter experience and a wardrobe containing several beautiful but unworn dresses!!

I haven't really got a grasp of the dresses-and-long-socks thing you're describing, but I would suggest that there are some far more wearable dresses available than the ones you've linked to. Perhaps a bit longer, made from nicer material - not just polyester - and better quality.

I will try to find something and come back...oh and definitely not the high heeled boots. How does anyone walk in those?! You need to be stylish but comfortable and it can be done, oh yes.

He is generous though and I think it was nice of him to spend it on you.

Oh by the way your Asos dress is really nice - much nicer than the LW ones.

The dresses he's picked seem a bit more... Clubby? Than a good base for a winter wardrobe. Would he be offended if you swapped them for a few dresses in a more casual style that you could wear with boots during the day, but still dress up for an evening out?

knitted dress looks goodwith high socks, would be great for the winter

skater dress

versatile dress

Really nice comfortable dress

There are a lot of flattish boots on there as well - including UGG ones if you want to splash out

m.missselfridge.com/mt/www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33055&storeId=12554&productId=5795214&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208101&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=40&refinements=category~[208107|208101]&noOfRefinements=1

(sorry, on phone, can anyone link better for me? Please? )
These are the boots I'm lusting after for wearing with dresses and skinnies this autumn, they might be more practical for your lifestyle?

It has just occurred to me something...

OP - I hope y our OH isn't the one that told you you have no fashion sense.

I hate to say it but from what we have seen, he has not got an awful lot, but you have.

I hope he isn't trying to tell you that what you currently wear isn't any good, because it's far nicer than the frocks he's bought for you, iyswim.

Just an aside there. And I hope none of us has offended you, especially me.

what Gobblers said, could you check out the How do you wear your bras thread here? A size 8 person does not need a 34 bra.

The Asos dress is by far the nicest. The other dresses are awful and rather expensive for such a cheap look.

I may be out of touch (at 36) but those boots are really ugly.

Agree with Ed, your OH doesn't have any fashion sense. Sorry. What's wrong with skinnies and t-shirts if that is what you want to wear?

I would rather live in skinnies and tees than the two dreadful dresses he's picked out for you, your style sounds youthful and relaxed which is way classier than trashy animal print polyester! And I say that as a fashion-mad 20something, not as someone who is just trying to make you feel better about your own choices (although I am trying to do that too!).

The coat and boots are ok I suppose, if a little on the expensive side. They'd look good with the chuncky knit dress up thread with opaque tights (as an A/W look obviously).

Happy dressing!

Re the bra sizing - when I was an 8-10 (before getting pregnant this time!) I wore a 36, occasionally a 34...not sure why this is odd!

Never been a D cup though

Ed, because it would mean that you look like a triangle, with teeny tiny waist and hips but massive ribcage. Not necessarily big breasts, just ribs must be very wide. I guess theoretically it is possible, but far more likely is that you're just wearing the wrong size bra. Was your underbust measurement actually 36 when you were a size 8?

I don't mean to be rude but as an adult you should be able to choose your own clothes. If you don't feel confident in your choices then by all means ask for help but you're not a doll for someone else to dress up as they see fit. If you feel the cold then most of what you have linked to is completely unsuitable isn't it? Also, it's completely overpriced for what it is. Maybe you could get a telly or something from the catalogue and use some cash to buy some new clothes instead if the choice in the catalogue isn't great? That's if you want new styles of clothes and are not just wanting new clothes because your oh has decided you need them.

Hazle - really? I don't think I looked like a triangle!!

I'm not sure what the measurement was. I know I used to wear a 34-36 before children, and in between last two pregnancies, it went up to always a 36 as my ribs had spread out a bit and it was just far more comfortable than a 34. A 34 would leave a mark, 36 doesn't though I did have it on the tighter setting iyswim.

my waist isn't that tiny either - I have (when not pg) a flat stomach but it's about 29-30 I think. Maybe my lower half was slightly bigger in proportion to my top half - I'm always an 8-10 in tops but usually a 10-12 in jeans iyswim.

Cup size is a B, goes up to C when pg.

Oh yes jeans were a 29, I remember now. Also my shoulders are pretty broad, maybe I am a triangle.

Sorry for hijack, OP!

Re the bra sizes. (Currently 40+5days pregnant) but I'm only a 8-10 and currently I'm wearing a 34DD, before pregnancy I was wearing 34C, when I get measured they say I'm a 32 but no bra I find in a 32 fits me. They are all too tight and then create the fat around arms and back which is horrible. I wear a 34 as it fits me better and doesn't make me look fat.

Sometimes you have to go with what fits in a shop, I've been measured in so many different shops and all agree that even though I measure for 32 there's no way I'm wearing it.

Good luck; you will find what suits you.

I also think you can do better with the coat -- its not even 100% wool and for that price it should be.

It is: Shell: 50% wool, 40% polyester, 5% viscose, 5% acrylic. Lining: Cotton. Dry clean only. Colour: Black Marl.

I live in trainers because I have narrow feet, but live in Converse, which are a bit more fashiony I guess. The dresses you have posted look more like going out dresses than everyday wear to me, and not my style, but I am 37
Buy Look magazine, that might give you an idea of styles at reasonable prices. I feel the cold too skinnies with a long fitted jumper over the top works well. And I don't care if they are the in thing or not, but traditional Uggs are the warmest boots to wear on dry cold days.

I have to say I'd go for a really nice television or a cooker or something that will last - something worth the money.

You can buy the sort of things he has got you really cheaply elsewhere if you want to.

Sorry, I don't like any of those clothes.

I'm sure there are better clothes in Littlewoods. The dresses are a bit "bar maid" for my liking. These items do not make a stylish wardrobe.

You could return the boots and coat and buy plenty of Winter basics for that sort of money. If you're used to wearing jeans and t-shirts then you don't want to be too drastic with your choices.

I like the ASOS dress but the rest of it...I like duffle coats but that one looks a bit cheap. The Miss Sixty dress wouldn't be so bad without the diamanté

I would send it all back and buy you're own clothes!

*your