I have lost lots of weight and haven't a clue what to wear - help please!

[SaladIsMyFriend]

Hi, I have lost around 3 stone in the last year, am now 5' 6" and 10 stone. Last year I was a size 16 in M&S baggy trackies, now I am wearing some M&S size 8 slim fit jeans.

I have had breast cancer and it's been a wake up call for me to sort myself out and live a healthier life so I am living on good food and lots of walking!

But I haven't got a clue what to wear - I live in my new jeans as obviously I can't wear my old trousers and skirts as they're all too big. Tops aren't so bad worn big, but really I need a bit of an overhaul. I still dress really frumpilly and I could do with something a bit funkier for Spring to show off my new shape (I have a waist!). I am 42 though so can't be toooo funky!

Last time I was this slim I was 20, was an alternative/grunge girl and wore stripey tights, DMs, little dresses, leggings etc. Now I just want to get out of jeans and too-big t-shirts a bit, and express myself a bit more. I think I'm trying to say my "style" is not smart - I don't work in an office so can wear what I want, and I would like to stand out a little bit from standard "smart/casual" for my age!

So, my question is - if you were my size (I guess a 10 in most shops as M&S have vanity sizing I think!), what would you wear?

Oh, and I haven't got much money so anything suggested needs to be under £100 please!

in advance to everyone who's read this far!

Oh and I should probably add that due to surgery etc. I need things with sleeves - no short than just above elbow. Can not do sleeveless any more

Wow! You sure deserve to treat yourself!!!!
Do you have a Pinterest account?
That's where I get my inspiration from. I look for someone whose style I like, i.e. Jennifer Aniston, and get masses of photographs of inspiration, not just photos of her but also outfits put together 'in her style'.
Polyvore is also a good one for inspiration and to learn how to put outfits together.
and more and more . You deserve them!

you definatly deserve to treat yourself, i agree with above post, theres also lots of nice stripe tops around just now with 3/4 sleeves to just below elbow, i think look great with skinnies and maybe a blazer with pumps/boots? im not great with style but thought id reply lol

Also im 5'6 too and only just got to a size 10, im 8 and a half stone though at 10 stone i was a size 14 so im very jealous lol :)

Thank you both for replying, I had really never thought of looking up someone's style I like and seeing what they wear! Not on Pinterest EarlyInTheMorning but will take a look on google images.

JeffFaFa I really do have heavy bones If I was 8 1/2 stone I would be seriously ill I think - depends on build! Physiotherapist told me not to go below 9 stone for my build even though "healthy" weight for my height is officially 8-11 stone!

If anyone has anything to recommend that's in the shops right now I'd be very grateful - will be taking myself shopping in the next couple of weeks and honestly don't even know what shops to try. Have only been able to fit into M&S stuff for a couple of years

I'd definitely recommend Pinterest too. It's free to join and you can get loads of ideas from there. There's quite a few off us on there myself included (check out the vogue thread for names) and by looking at different styles you'll be able to work out much easier what you do and don't want to look like. I'm a similar size to you and 39 and mainly shop in gap, oasis, warehouse, fatface, mango etc. Go shopping and just try on loads of different things.

Enjoy it. You deserve it.

I would start with a very classic casual outfit. For example:
A top like this: www.esprit.co.uk/women/all_brands/TRENDS/the_new_stripes/cotton-t-shirt-023CC3K005_699
Trousers like this: www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=1183684&langId=-1
Boots like this: www.clarks.co.uk/p/20354347, possibly with long grey thick socks showing a bit.
A cardigan like this: www.jigsaw-online.com/embroidered-back-cardiganjigsaw-clothing/fcp-product/3371
A snood like this: www.greatplains.co.uk/product/jhbc8/Toffee+Apple+Snood.htm

I would also get very good quality thick leggins in black, navy and burgundy. A pair of flattering jeans. Calf boots in brown and or tan. Other types of stripy tops, grandad tops, scarves galore and voila, that's my winter uniform.

More inspiration here: www.polyvore.com/celebrity_closet_jennifer_aniston_in/collection?id=1808924

www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=37107390

Watching this thread with interest...

Congratulations on your weight loss! I've lost a similar amount (3st 4lbs so far, aiming to lose another 10lbs) and have gone from a size 20 to a size 12/14 depending on the shop. Obviously all of my old clothes have gone, and I am trying to sort out a new wardrobe. But I have no idea what suits me now either. I have never been this size during my adult life, the trousers I wear now are smaller than my school ones were! I don't dress very smartly either, but at the same time I want to look as though I have a teensy bit of style...

I'm planning to go to the shops next week so will hit Gap (I do normally shop there too, no idea what size I will be there now!), Oasis and Warehouse (used to love them 10 years ago but not been able to get into anything there in recent years), also Mango and Zara (have not been able to get into anything in them for years!).

EarlyInTheMorning I love that stripey top, but hate 3/4 length sleeves, will check out Esprit though some of their stuff looks nice, thanks!

Jemima wow well done you, you've lost even more than me, it's so tricky to dress now isn't it. I met up with someone who I would class as very petite/slim last week, and who dresses how I would like to, and found out than I am now actually a dress size slimmer than she is . But when I look in the mirror I can't quite see it, I still feel bigger than I now am and dress accordingly!

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I really appreciate it, and will take a look at the polyvore links once DD in bed thank you Early