Dress me please :(

[TwllBach]

Picture on my profile.

I split up with my DP recently, and have lost a stone and a half in a relatively short space of time. All I seem to wear is a collection of badly fitting ugly dresses with long bulky cardigans.

I'm 25 and have recently, twice, been called pretty (yay!) and I dress like crap but have no idea where to start

Whos style do you admire, what is your lifestyle, clothes size and height?

I'm a primary school teacher so do tend to wear dresses and flat shoes. I would like to wear jeans and nice tops sometimes when I'm not at work.

I don't really know who I admire - I'm a complete cultural wasteland

I'm 5'7/8 ish and will shortly be a dress size 12. My top half will be a 12/14 and trouser wise ill be a 14, although I'm more hour glass than pear because I have 32F knockers

In fact, how do I look for people's styles? Is there something I can google?

I think a lot of people on here go on blogs ?? Have you considered some nice Blazers , blouses, peg leg trousers etc from places like Warehouse and Oasis ?

A good jersey dress - I know you said you feel that you live in them but with your figure they look fab. How about a plain black dress , try "The White Company"
Bright coloured tights to funk up an outfit
Black healed ankle boots. There are so many about, try a pair with an exposed gold zip - New Look are good for these.
A high waisted skinny jean - Top shop Kirsten jeans are good
Long line T shirts, again New Look have loads - tuck into jeans or wear over leggings.
A shear shirt with a statement collar, you can tuck into jeans, layer with leggings and a long T shirt or tuck into a pencil skirt - look at Topshop for a jersey pencil.
Do not underestimate the power of a great piece of jewellery. Feather earrings are very fashionable at the moment, a collar style necklace or cocktail ring.

For inspiration, I would say your best way is to go out to the shops!! Go into good high st shops like Topshop, H&M, Zara, primark, New Look etc and look at the mannequins - they have been professionally styled, and it is easy to find the clothes! I find it a better way of getting inspiration as you can see the clothes "in real life" rather than in a photograph.
Whilst out look at what people are wearing and you will start to find what styles you like.

Thank you

I love dresses, but my current problem is that the ones I wear are frumpy, then paired with a long shapeless cardigan and it just looks meh.

I get paid on Thursday so I think I will set aside a certain amount and try to buy a few bits and pieces

You need nice fitted cropped cardigans to show off and define your waist. Also have a look on ebay for silk mix lk bennett dresses they could never be frumpy!

Yes! I need cardigans, but nice ones. And other things to wear 'on top' IYSWIM.