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Original poster

Fat & Frumpy

43 replies

Jenswish · 22/06/2006 14:46

Hi I need some advice,

I start a job beginning of next month in a posh office and at 5'4" and 14st I'm too fat for most things, I tend to dress (at the moment) in polarneck jumpers (yes even when its stupid degrees hot) and black trousers.

I need to however look posher for this new job, including suit etc. my mum is taking me shoping this weekend for my birthday and wants me to wear skirts, dresses etc etc. Can this actually be done for someone of my size!

I'm size 20 top, 16 bottom, 38DD (possibly bigger havent been measured for a while.

Any ideas?

BTW, please dont say "lose weight" cos I've tried, it just doesnt shift, the smallest I've ever been is 12.5st.

OP posts:
dressedupnowheretogo · 22/06/2006 14:54

i find tailored trousers and shirts from bravissimo look lovely as there is no gaping as they take boobs into consideration i also like wearing slash neck thrre quarter sleeves also trinny and susannah helped me loads

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 14:56

will look into bravissimo then, its mostly my boobs that make me look a mess which is why I stay away from shirts as they always gape!

tailored trousers? So non of this stretchy trouser stuff I normally wear then.

ok thanks

OP posts:
mazzystar · 22/06/2006 15:02

Dresses might be tricky, but skirts and tops should work. Size 16 bottom half isn't going to be a problem, just make sure things are not too tight round the waist. i would try to find a really good jacket that you can wear simple jersey tops underneath and well fitting trousers and skirts. And ditch the polonecks they only make big norks look bigger.

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:04

Oops, and heres me thinking I was managing to hide them abit! lol

I'm so crap at fashion! lol

OP posts:
dressedupnowheretogo · 22/06/2006 15:06

also lycra wrap dresses they have some fab ones in peacocks and you can wear them over trousers stretchy! and they look really cool

i'd definatley get your boobs measured im a 34 hh and since i started wearing the right size my clothes life is much simpler

mazzystar · 22/06/2006 15:07

booby, sorry to hijack but what do you wear on your feet with the dress/trouser combo?

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:07

will have them measured when out shopping then,
I must say I think I hate my boobs the most! lol Can deal with belly just not boobs!

OP posts:
bundle · 22/06/2006 15:08

if shirts gape try vest top underneath, M&S has good selection of colours/styles

dressedupnowheretogo · 22/06/2006 15:11

i wear wedges or fancy sandals or pumps

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:20

I didnt think it was fashionable to wear tops under shirts

OP posts:
Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:23

dorothy perkins do suits in larger sizes

most calalogues online - you can pay with a card - you dont have to get the catalogue and faff about

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:24

Sounds interesting. I can sit on my large behind and order clothes! GREAT !

OP posts:
Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:26

i find with big norks a t-shirt or non button top is favourite - cos stood up you look like your wearing something 2 sizes to big - sat down you look like your wearing something one size too small cos you have nork bulgage.

get a black suit a grey suit and a brown suit.

dont wear a skirt if you dont want.

i usually buy the jacket - and then get trousers somewhere cheaper - a size 16 is in all shops on high street - so you should be able to shop for black, grey, brown trousers or skirt - then buy jacket seperatley

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:28

That seems eeasier than trying to go wandering all over the high street looking for something I can afford! (which isnt much even if mum is paying) lol

OP posts:
Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:28

i have a plain black and a vertical stripe and a diagonal stripe jacket - worn on diff days with diff t-shirt - you have a diff suit !!

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:31

Sounds good.

I was thinking of going down the route of maybe 3/4 jackets of different colours and styles and matching them with different trousers, skirts and tops.

What should I stay away from

OP posts:
Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:34

i think longer length stuff makes one look fatter.

you should try to get stuff thats as tailored as poss. a great fit.

one button s good - three buttons is bad!

Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:35

oh - and theres always e-bay

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:38

So I should be heading for things that definatly fit not trying to hide it as such. I normally look for things that are slightly too big to hide the bulk.

It doesnt help that i'm small as well so things that are big enough are normally too long! lol

Is it true that heels make you look thinner?

The 1 jacket i've got has 3 buttons, why is this not good?

OP posts:
NatalieJane · 22/06/2006 15:39

I agree about the skirts, if you aren't comfortable in them then you won't suit them anyway.

You could also try some of the old fashioned techniques, a darker top with lighter trousers (highlights the smallest part of you) also stay away from horizontal lines, vertical lines are OK, and vetical zigzags are even better - but you might be hard pushed to find something with vertical zig zagz on!!

Get some nice pointy toed shoes, they help to slim legs down, stay well away from rounded clodopper shoes as my mum would say!!

There is more to being smart than sticking on a powersuit, make sure your hair is neat in an up style or if it is down make it look like you have done more than just wash and blow dry, straighten it, or if it is naturally curly, maybe think about getting it permed on fairly big rollers, it will put some structure into the curl. French manicure your nails or get down to the nearest nail salon and get them faked up a bit, also if you wear open toed sandles take time over your feet, no dry skin or flaky toe nails, again if you can french manicure it's always smarter than a colour.

Keep smake up light and fresh, and if you pluck your eyebrows always have them ship shape, a nice perfume should just about finish you off!

Oh one last thing, not too much jewellery, rings on ring finger only, one necklace with no rings or keys hanging off it, one bracelet, one pair of earrings not great big dangly things!!

bundle · 22/06/2006 15:42

have a look at marksandspencer.com under Petite, some of their stuff goes up to an 18.

get some good underwear to smooth things out too.

Tortington · 22/06/2006 15:43

yes deffo go for fitted - i am five foot and a fart. DP do trousers for shorties.

if you dress bigger n you are - your gonna look bigger n you are

agree regarding accessories and hair

but i can't wear pointy shoes or heals. so i go for boots cos they are more comfy - and theres nowt worse than being on your feet all day in shoes that hurt to fuck.

in summer i wear black birkenstock esc flip flops.

this is cos my feet stink rotten.

bundle · 22/06/2006 15:48

I would say No to pointy shoes, comfort more important. Clarks do a comfy range that aren't too clompy. And M&S do footglove.

Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:48

Wow Nats! Ta! The fashion victim might have a chance now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jenswish · 22/06/2006 15:50

Well I'm used to wearing pointy shoes so its not that bad! and am used to wearing upto 4" heels for short periods of time just need to get used to wearing them for long periods.

I find wearing flat shoes hurts my arches so I tend to make sure i've got a bit of a heel anyway.

OP posts:
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