Dress this woman

[lougle]

Ok, fashionistas, a challenge for you.

You meet a woman. She's suddenly realised that clothes might just matter.

How would you dress her?

The woman is:

5'8" tall
Size 6 feet
Small bust - think 30A from M&S (who knows what the 'real' size is, she's been so traumatised by bra-fittings that she never goes)
Dress size - used to be a slim size 8, but hips have widened slightly since having children and waist is now size '9' - around 27-28", but tends to find size 8 too small and size 10 baggy around the waist.
Body type - straight up and down. Not much in the way of curves.
Colouring - pale skin, green/hazel eyes, mid-brown short hair.

Currently wearing:
3 year old trainers (she's not good in high heels, but can't wear flats either)
H&M jeans slim fit - nice fit.
Faded old t-shirt

Do your best

That is nice

I've just checked without a bra, and still 33, so 30c.

I'm currently sitting behind a 32A. I say that, because the band isn't even holding close to the skin, and the cups are gaping.

lougle your tall and slim,you can wear just about anything , and i think what mrsC said about having a look at blogs and celebrities can be very helpful.
take baby steps and dont rush ,enjoy it. start by buying one outfit that is completely different to your current wardrobe( one that you like) and see how it goes from there.
i always find online shopping useful in situation like these because going to department stores can get so overwhelming.

It sounds like you've already made some progress.
Getting a bra that fits is a good starting point and will make you feel better about how you look.
I would say your style sounds great. Don't feel like you need to try a whole new look if it's not "you". Don't feel like you should wear a dress if you're happier in jeans. Maybe just think about expanding in the styles you know work for you? eg. if you're happy in skinnies and t-shirt, why not try some fitted skinny trousers with a smarter top and a little jacket? FWIW, I have very similar vital stats to you and I wear pretty much anything - skirts, dresses, jeans, trousers. I'm not keen on frilly or floaty things or too many busy patterns but that's just about personal taste.

Thank you all, I'll have a look around. Baby steps.

Hello! You sound like my body double! We are very similar size and height. I do have a bit of a waist (when you write down your dress size/ height small bust, people assume you are the shape of a boy. It's often not true, and you have hips as I do so you do indeed have curves).

Main things to avoid are wrap dresses. They do nowt for small busts. Also with jackets- buy something with a bit of stretch and the smallest size you can fit. Otherwise you will be swamped. I find that blazers where there is quite a lot of front cut out (iykwim) looks much better than say a biker jacket where there is just too much fabric). Look at pics of Kate Middleton. She looks great in the casual clothes that fit her but in my opinion wears a size 10 where she should go for an 8. Also, accept that some shops don't fit your shape. For me, Whistles, Monsoon, Hobbs...everything's too big and doesn't fit on the waist. Shops that cater for younger people generally fit smaller figures much better.

I work but in a casual office and mostly wear skinny fit trousers from Gap. I find their fit perfect for our shape. Other good shops are Oasis and topshop to an extent (though the jeans are quite low cut for taller people I find).

I have bought a maxi skirt from asos for summer. Not sure how practical it will be as I have a toddler who loves pulling clothes down!)

I also like skirts - and you being 5ft 8 will look great in all sorts - how about a sliggtly a line denim one for spring? Would look casual with a t shirt or a bit dressier with a blouse.

Any a line skirt (knee length or just above) would look good on you and emphasise your waist. A jersey pencil skirt (worn with ballet pumps if you don't want to look too dressy) would be useful for governor meetings etc.

I have also just shopped in Next for the first time in years. I bought two lively chiffonny blouses- one blue with bit white dots and the other with a subtle grey bird print. They look great with skirts, trousersand wide leg jeans. While you are there check out the relaxed boyfriend jeans as thy really balance out your hips and look lovely and relaxed for summer (am bored of skinnies). You can wear with ballet pumps or trainers etc.

Okay, lots more recommendatiin but I will post some links for you this evening.

Can I ask, do you wear makeup and are you happy with your hair? A good haircut and natural makeup work wonders.
Xx

Sorry, what a ramble but I will post useful links later!

Hello OP,

Another one saying that you sound like you could wear anything with that figure! You have done really really well to post here.

May I make one practical suggestion that doesn't seem too overwhelming?

Buy a skinny-fit blazer.

You already have nice fitted jeans. You already have a faded T-shirt. Add a skinny-fit blazer, and you now look cool and 'together'. Navy or charcoal if you feel black is too harsh on you. When the weather gets a little warmer, just wear it everywhere with the sleeves pushed back a bit. And if you do invest in a swishy maxi skirt :) then your blazer will also work with that and your aforementioned faded T.

If you're between sizes, buy the smaller size. Zara might be a good place to start looking.

Thank you, that's really helpful. It's interesting that it's not simply a case of body size, shape, etc. One of the links I was reading talked about each body shape having people with small or large bust, etc.

So, the wrap dress could be good for my body shape, but not good for such a small bust

It's very tricky, isn't it?

I'm pretty much exactly the same size, shape and colouring as you. Especially about the size 9

This is my Pinterest board, things that I think suit me which may give you some ideas, although to be honest, I'm no fashionista and my friends and family could just be exceptionally polite

pinterest.com/reavna/

I like quite a lot of the stuff posters have linked (thank you ). Perhaps what I need is to have a no-risk way of trialing new things. I could do with a Gok Wan type looking over my shoulder, kind but straight talking, saying 'err no...' and 'that's ok.'

I have no practical advice as I'm the opposite shape from you

But just wanted to say , don't feel bad about having a style crisis on Mumsnet. We've all had them sometime- post baby, post divorce, mid life crisis, going back to work crisis , losing /gaining lots of weight crisis

You are not alone and you will get through this