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OK so I know what not to wear from the 'please don't wear' thread but can you tel me what TO wear??

47 replies

sparklemagic · 05/06/2006 19:47

I have always been totally and utterly clueless about style and what suits me, and what's in fashion Blush

Never feel comfortable in the summer....

I am 5'2 and a size 16 at the moment (it's not my faaaaaauuuuult, been diagnosed with underactive thyroid which causes weight gain, and anyway am now at weightwatchers and losing a good few pounds, so there) lots of weight has gone on my tummy so if I'm not careful I can get one of those muffin tummys....have fairly big norks which mean I can look like Hattie Jacques (ooh matron) in anything too ruffley....am 38 but (ahem) often told I do look alot younger.

any thoughts?

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 19:47

tell su your good bits

what do poeple say you look nice in
what do you feel nicein

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 19:49

haev yout hrefore a short waist
Ier a small gap between norks na tum

that is hard to solve


are your legs good

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sparklemagic · 05/06/2006 19:55

pfffffffffftttt.....good bits.....ermmmmmmmm.

ok, just asked DH and he says pretty face, nice hair (which is in sort of a choppy layered cut and it's darkish blonde to cover the grey) nice boobs and nice shaped bum (not too big!)

At present I don't FEEL nice in anything, just feel too tummyish all the time. Spose I am most comfortable in tops which are loose like tunic style notch-neck one I got from Next....

people have said I look nice in my long denim skirt - but haven't had much of these comments for a while...Blush

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sparklemagic · 05/06/2006 19:56

cod, though short I am pretty well proportioned, not a short waist...but am not very 'hippy' iykwim, bit straight up and down...

go on, whaddya think?

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 20:09

sow hats wrong wiht straight ish trousers

ohg od dh wasnt tea bakcin a min

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 20:25

ok
id say if you are worried abotu your tummy then dont get clingy tops
best for norks are v nack ( some say wrap) for me not wide slitty neck ( boat) either
my mum has slim hips nad looks great in cotton trousers - not too thin legged or linen tie ones but the cotton ones llok great

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 20:27

id avoid trousers where therei s alto of detail ont hem or pockets ont eh side too if oyu are small

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 20:28

what skirt cuts suit you
if you heva a denim skirt then what do you wear wiht it?

how are you wiht your upper arms/

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twinsetandpearls · 05/06/2006 20:33

You are a similar size to me, which is all 100% my fault!

I am not sure if I have a short waist but am quite busty.

For shops I find that Monsoon and Coast are cut in a way that flatter me. I can't wear a suit, but can wear a jacket if it is tailored and nipped at the waist to create shape and a skirt just below the knee or a longer one. A slight kick out at the bottom of the skirt and maybe a ruffle or detailing at the end of a sleeve.

I suit a cardigan, hence the twinsets which for me are a good alternative to a suit.

I struggle with trousers as I have quite heavy thighs, I need to do a slight bootleg to balance out my bum and I wear them long with a heel. I have found that one of the deisgners at debenhams ranges do trousers that flatter me I think it was Gharani Stock.

I have a few pairs of more informal baggier trousers that I wear with longer flowing tops.

Having larger bosoms I need a v neck but not to deep or I look like a tart, I swear by little cotton camis to go under a v neck , saves my modesty when I am bending over and helping pupils at school. Anything that hugs the chest area and flows over my stomach is flattering on me.

In the winter Boots make my legs look fab, have to buy stretchy to go over my calves but as the y nip in at my ankle they are very flattering. If you can afford it Hobbs do really flattering comfortable ones- even worth looking on ebay I saw a pair go yesterday for under £30.

I can never wear a skirt that has a big waistband or any kind of detailing across the tummy as it draws attention to the area.

I dont like my arms so I never wear anything sleeveless, and a slight puff sleeved makes by shoulders look better. A 3 quater length sleeve is good on me as I have nice wrists!

Dress wise I always have some form of sleeve I tend to suit empire line with a fluted sleeve and a v neck in a flowy material. I also have a fab Wrap dress in black that just hits the knee that I glam up with niced jewellery.

Good underwear is a must for us busty ladies as it lifts you and lengthens that gap Cod was talking about.


AS like my bust area I accessorise well to draw attention away from my lower half. I also carry a nice handbag and if I am ever photgraphed sitting down the handbag sits on my lap and covers my tummy!

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CountessDracula · 05/06/2006 20:34

looser tops so muffin not so obv
straight linen trousers
nice skirts but most in shops hopeless for your shape atm. Kew do a really nice linen straight with a fish tail that is great for apple shapes. Not on their website but they do in green and white.

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sparklemagic · 05/06/2006 20:36

ok, cotton trousers, do you mean wide leg or do you mean plain and tailored?..V necks, good idea, I have a couple and do feel better in those than round necks (which always make me feel like I'm wearing children's clothes somehow)

my denim skirt is great and I LIVE in it, it's longish and I think it's bias cut? Sort of tighter across the thighs and flares out to the bottom. Feel comfortable in that. Wear it with loose tops like tunic style one but do feel a bit frumpy....I dunno. Maybe it's just not the clothes but the body wearing them!

upper arms not too bad, not too bingo wingy. But can't do strappy tops as feel I look like cross the channel swimmer (broadish shoulders)

my god I sound awful! I don't think it's that bad, small children don't run screaming from me Grin

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sparklemagic · 05/06/2006 20:39

ooh, thankyou twinset and countess;

Twinset I think you have changed my life, wot a good trick with the handbag in front of tummy Grin

Loads of good ideas, I will print this thread out so I can read and digest...anyone else????

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CountessDracula · 05/06/2006 20:39

this may sound odd but Laura Ashley do really great tops that are a bit longer too so cover up tum well. Think there stuff is cut for hale and hearty country types who have fat tums Grin

\link{http://www.lauraashley.com/invt/ts617p\these twist front tops} are great, not too low, long and very soft so not too clingy, not that colour though!

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CountessDracula · 05/06/2006 20:39

this may sound odd but Laura Ashley do really great tops that are a bit longer too so cover up tum well. Think there stuff is cut for hale and hearty country types who have fat tums Grin

\link{http://www.lauraashley.com/invt/ts617p\these twist front tops} are great, not too low, long and very soft so not too clingy, not that colour though!

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twinsetandpearls · 05/06/2006 20:43

I might look for that skirt, a fishtail or any kind of detail at the bottom of a skirt looks fab on me.

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SOULGIRL · 05/06/2006 20:45

Im a 16 and it is Mr Kiplings fault he does make EXCEEDINGLY good cakes!!

Avoid:

  1. lycra
  2. white
  3. horizontal stripes
  4. oid high necklines


Embrace:
  1. Black although you can get caught in the black rut.

2.Empire lines & wraps are good
3.When in doubt us bigger girlies usually have good boobies so a good balconette bra and a sweetheart or lower boat square neckline is good (and at least draws the eye - LOL)
4.agree good jewellery helps too.
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CountessDracula · 05/06/2006 20:54

i find bias cut clings to my lumps and bumps and sticks out too far at my hips, giving me ears on my arse Grin

yes do look for that skirt it is fab and has nice underskirt in cotton which makes it hang beautifully

If you want i can tell you the code

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 21:42

i woudlld say no t o black
carfeul nto to haev a big contrast fo colours htouhg if the line where they meet is at your widest point.( ie waist)
agree wih the camis under v necks - adds interst to the v ratehr than the nork - kew do lacy ones ma dn s and next to plain ones> tewco florence and fred good too - plain t shirts only £4
big neckalces good too - go and try laods on till you work out whats good - i only suit ones as long as my collar bone
also carefulw ith sleevelngths - dont have your sleeve ending at your bust line as it draws a line across you

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 21:42

yes get your bust measured.

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TheHonArfy · 05/06/2006 21:46

oh god
It is being brought home to me this evening that I cannot dress myself

am losing weight steadily but in the meantime it's yet ANOTHER summer feeling lardy and hideous

am reading these rules but still clueless. If I can't wear black I'm stuffed (and have to wear it a lot for concerts anyway so end up with loads of black stuff)

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 21:48

go to Kew-online website and look at " look book" fomrt he e top menu
what do you think of the IDEA 9 nto those clothes per se of numbers 40 adn 25?

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LadyCodofCOdford · 05/06/2006 21:48

sorry the 9 is irelevant
("nto those clothes per se) of numbers 40 adn 25?"

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TheHonArfy · 05/06/2006 21:52

if that's for me Cod - love 25! could possibly work with that (and if it's not for me, thanks anyway)

sorry am hijacking here sparklemagic Blush

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twinsetandpearls · 05/06/2006 21:57

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twinsetandpearls · 05/06/2006 21:58

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