Sorting Myself Out

[hedwig06]

I am fed up

I have 3 wardrobes full of clothes but feel like crap. I keep buying more and more stuff and nothing seems to hang or sit right on me.
I have been on dressipi and have dressipi set up on my ebay account also. I have done an online colour analyzer so I could try to buy the right colours.
But I still feel crap and uncomfortable.

I think its come to a head because I have been invited to a Halloween/40th birthday party on Saturday, I never go out I have been out twice in about 10 years. Its fancy dress ....

I have spent the last month looking for something to wear and have found nothing, I hastily bought this

Its going to look crap I know I feel an idiot and I haven't even tried it on, it will be a sack hanging off me.

I try to look after myself, I use anti wrinkle cream, I do my nails, I keep my eyebrows in trim, its the rest of me that looks like crap.

Dressipi puts me in clingy clothes, which I wouldn't wear in a million years, every bloody pair of jeans/jeggings I own and I own loads as I keep buying them to find a decent pair shows my bum or keeps rolling/sliding down, so I hoiking them up all the time.

Can you stylish people give me some tips on feeling better about yourself and dressing well - I would most appreciate it.

[impty]

I love the dress. You have the perfect shape for v neck hour glass fitted dresses, which of course you can dress up or down.

Chuck the cardie, you look like your trying to cover your fabulous boobs. Don't! Agree with all the advice above re tops, shirts (try Lauren by Ralph Lauren, house of Fraser or outlets) blazers etc.

Do you feel self conscious being smart? I think its easy to, especially if you are at home. However, as you get older smarter does equate to looking more put together, I think.

Your dog looks very beautiful!

[HelloBoys]

Hedwig - you seem to have a similar body shape to me. which is hourglass and 28FF (you read right) boobs.

I bought a terrific dress a while back (spring) from Warehouse - black but with deep v and shorter - similar to the one you're wearing.

I do like the boots. very nice. not sure if you'd get much wear with the colour but they look a good basic.

You do have a good shape though. You also have nice hair and seem to look good in white blouses/shirt things - which I do not look good in!

Have a look for tweedy sort of jackets from Jigsaw/Joules/Toast - you can ebay for these, some curvier friends of mine wear these very well with the sort of white blouse and jeans combo you are wearing in one pic also those nice boots would work well too.

[HelloBoys]

oh and re your lush wine jeans - WEAR THEM OUT! please.

even if just food shopping with kids... but preferably to meet friend for lunch at Bullring in Birmingham!

sod it if people are looking at you if anything it'll be with envy in a nice way!

[peasypeeler]

Saw a good look yesterday - tight grey jeans and boots, fitted grey tweedy-type blazer left open and a shirt underneath that had a 'tail' like a man's shirts which flapped beautifully over her plumptious backside. She wasn't very tall and she was very curvy but she looked absolutely fab because the look made her go in and out in all the right places!

[hedwig06]

peasey Thanks for all your help, I can't wait to go and try on some things with DH, I just hope I can actually force myself to pay the prices I've had a quick look for a shirt, but not found one yet that stands out.

impty Thank you my Sally, my dog is part of our family, she follows me everywhere, even though shes getting on a bit.

Hello Thank for all your advice I have a list pinned onto my fridge with all the retailers you and others mention, I have added, Jigsaw, Joules and Toast to it.

[SthingMustBeScaringThemAway]

I can't wait to go and try on some things with DH,

Is this the same person? You are going to have so much fun - eventually. Take your time. There's no need to rush; most shops have months and months of sales. (Toast in particular. Their clothes are usually enormous so try lots of sizes.)

It's great that you're feeling enthusiastic and filling up your Pinterest board. But the most important thing is to remember that you don't have to look like anyone else - and there is no need to try to do so. I'm sure you'll find a fantastic style all of your own.

[HelloBoys]

OP - with Jigsaw and Toast the tweedy jackets - I'd hold off for now until you're more confident as they got their jackets from Ebay or in sales.

I think you need to invest a bit. Maybe take your eldest DD (teenager) with you OR DH too? Don't know if your eldest teen interested in clothes for you rather than her though!

Seriously, like others have said once you get a few nice bits your confidence will come flying back.

[HelloBoys]

oh I forgot - H&M right now are doing some nice blouse type things - romantic and with frills etc - where I am (Wimbledon) they seem to have them at the front of the store (near doors). try on, as very reasonable price wise.

www.hm.com/gb/subdepartment/LADIES?Nr=4294927942#page=0&Nr=4294929433&N=30139

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Shamelessly joining this thread to mark it & read later.

I came on here this morning to post about the same thing.

I'm 5'4, size 14 (16 in some shops) and HATE the way I dress

I have wardrobes full of clothes but only seem to wear the same 4 or 5 outfits (at a push - it's probably more like 3).

I WANT to buy clothes that I look good & feel good in but can never seem to find them. I veer towards hiding my curves, rather than showing them, which I think probably makes me look (and therefore feel) worse.

At the moment I'm looking for an outfit for going to a couple of gigs. I love the Topshop dress linked to towards the top of the thread but I don't know if I'd be brave enough to wear it. And I can't find it in stock in any stores local to me.

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Love the pics BTW OP - you do look fab

[hedwig06]

Having Glad you joined

I was having a really off day when I wrote my OP. I am just the same, people are always saying I should wear clothes that show off my curves, but I really can't see it.

I think I look a bit rotund if I do.

We seem to be the same height, ish and size.

Maybe we can swop ideas?

From this thread, I have realised I don't need to buy something when I go out, I can window shop, take my time, make sure I really want an item and make sure it fits properly too, so I'm going to try and make sure I go back at least twice and try the item on before I buy.

The one good thing I have done is make my Pinterest board, so I can see what I like, most of it I wouldn't wear in a million years, nor have the opportunity to wear, but it has given me ideas on colours and styles I seem to pin over and over again.

Good luck xxx

[feelingood]

Hello again hedwig - id second the thing about the holding off..buy one outfit and wear it out a few places when you confident with new looks and waht suits add more like the tweed jackets.

I recommeded mint velvet (though I know some dont like the muted tones) phase eight and I would also add supprt for joules - I have just bought a full length English Tweed coat from their and I love it but I've been back into the whole clothes thing for 6 months now.

Once you get a few compliments re an outfit your confidence will come flooding back - dont forget for strong looks you may need to adapt your make-up - if you wear it make sure you go with make up and hair done when you shop it makes a difference to how you see the whole you.

There are two nice (wearable lengths 57/59cm) tween skirts on phase eight in sale one ise charcol/black so easy to match up and not to out there but is £59 (i think)

Boots have a points event on 14th from midday til late spend £50 and get £12 point back - I going to overhaul my make - up bag to go with new clothes.

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Thanks for the welcome

A few years ago I had some lovely jersey tea dresses, deep v neck & knee length, from warehouse that I wore to death with tights or leggings & shoes or boots.

I find lately that it's hard to find dresses with a good neckline & not too long.

I've admired phase eight ones linked to on the S&B boards but I always find them an inch or two too long.

I bought a gorgeous cashmere jumper in TK Maxx a couple of weeks ago. It's a really pale grey & looks nice with skinny jeans & a scarf.

I want to get back to being complemented on my outfits rather than choosing things to hide myself!

[hedwig06]

Well I stuck to my plans, sort of ...

I only tried on the 2 items I bought once, but did walk away and then Sunday we went into Sutton's John Lewis, and I bought, after trying on for a second time:

dress

and

jumper

What do you think?

[SthingMustBeScaringThemAway]

It's good that you've ventured into a changing room! How did you find it?

Your second link doesn't seem to be working. Do you want comments on the first dress?

[hedwig06]

Sthing I don't think I do want comments please. I really like them so that's what matters ... I think.

The second was a mint velvet black stripe jumper. I can't link as I'm on my phone.

Thanks again xx

[peasypeeler]

Well done you! You don't need any comments, have a little faith in your own judgment - as long as they make you feel good then that's perfect.


Glad you tried them on, the changing room isn't that scary is it? x

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Good for you

I really like them both.

I spent ages browsing for dresses on ASOS over the weekend. I've found 4 or 5 that I love. Now to find the money to pay for them

[BranchingOut]

I know that I might get booed for this, but have you looked at Boden?