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 :)

The coat and boots are ok. Don't like the littlewoods dressed, but love the ASOS skater dress.

Littlewoods have much nicer clothes. What do YOU want to wear and we can try and help?

this is nice
cute dress

more casual

is this too girly?
too formal?
could be dressed down with boots or dressed up for a night out?

I don't want to derail the thread with bra talk, but you might want to check out this one:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1548666-How-do-you-wear-your-bras

Many, many women there who have discovered they actually need a totally different size they have been wearing. if you're a size 8, (according to next, just a random size guide) you have a 26 inch waist. Therefore it's quite hard to believe the same person to also have a 36 inch ribcage.

He really spent £700+ on stuff that (presumably) you didn't choose?

Just really surprised that someone would do that.

You could buy much nicer things for the money - I would personally return it all and book yourself in with a personal shopper and you can pick what you would like. Or just stick with what you already wear if you're happy. The skater dresses are nice :)

Thanks Hazle, I've seen that thread and had a read.

I think the problem is if you're going by a standard size chart from one shop, it's going to be fairly generic - not everyone is a standard issue shape!

I certainly don't have a 26" waist, haven't since I was about 17, but if it's about 29 and my ribs are about 36, does that make me really weird?

Anyway it is good if people are being helped, I just think I'm quite Ok with my size 36 bras and wondered why people were telling the OP she couldn't possibly be the size she says she is. iyswim

OP have you though about going to a dept store with a free personal shopper to get more idea about what suits you? I don't really like anything that your bf has picked out, the dresses especially the leopard print one look really cheap. And I don't get why the op can't be a 34D and a size 8-10. I'm that size and a 34D.m$easure 34 24 34 and definately don't look like a triangle

Simone, is 34 across your widest part of your bust, or under it? Check out the bra fitting thread, but basically your band size should equate to your underbust measurement, then roughly a cup size for every inch difference. It is possible to be a 34 at a size 8, but it's less likely - if you are a 24" waist then your body would have to expand by 10 inches by your ribcage which is quite a big difference.

Many many bra shops (M&S, we mean YOU) fit very badly and still use an old fashioned formula who doesn't actually work.

Hmm SC - the 34 is over the widest part of the bust. I will check out that thread, thanks

Thank you so much for the replies!

OH is out tonight so I'll get everything ready to be sent back, and buy some of the things others have suggested. I really appreciate the advice!

I'll also find a tape measure for bra sizes. I've never measured myself - do I measure right under my boobs?

(Thanks again. Its so appreciated)

Measure firmly under your bust, then more loosely over the widest part of your bust (either do the top measurement wearing a good bra or it works for me if I bend over (so everything points downward, so classy!)

Post your measurements on the other thread, lots of ladies over there who will tell you where to start!

Hmm according to that thread I'm a 32F. Can't believe that's right. Will have to go to the shops and try some on

Just to add to the bra sizes thing... Another one here who was a size 8-10 pre children. Measured at rigby and peller for wedding underwear, they first brought me 32 DD but it looked ridiculous and they fitted me as a 34D which was spot on. I am triangle shaped but not ridiculously so!!

And now I think of it, currently wearing 36FF (3 month DD) and a size 10 top.... Not sure that's representative though! It's a FC smock top.