Ok I'm here and I need advice

[ilovecaboose]

Right this is a challenge to you all!

I'm 23 and have an awkward body shape and no sense of style to talk of. I'm size 20 with a really really long body, short legs and huge bust. I find it basically impossible to find tops that are long enough not to show my belly.

I also need sandles - but hate anything without a strap at the back, anything with heels, anything with a thin sole or anything too girly. And I hate flipflops. They also have to go with everything I own. At the moment I own one pair of trainers and a pair of mary jane style black shoes.

I live in jeans and occasionally a 3/4 length denim skirt to go out. I usually wear a plainish long sleeved top or a t-shirt (advertising computer games cos OH used to get em free). At mo basically everything else comes from BHS.

Any style advice from gurus out there in how to improve my (shabby/frumpy/etc) apperance?

Ok did I mention I have very little money?

buy some heels

I am a size 20-22 and have always hated heels but I have started buying them and they are fab; comfy and stylish and very flattering. I have a great pair of heeled wedgy sandals I bought in Evans and they are so stylish my dd (16) covets them (but they are too big for her ... ha!) and numerous people have commented on them. And bonus they are so comfy I wear them all the time.

Sorry not a style guru type but what do you think of those empire-line tops/dresses, hug the breasts and then gathered out underneath?

I remember a lady who wore long jersey kaftan tops over jersey pants (all stretch but thickish in quality) and she had a fantastically sleek hairdo. She looked striking and attractive and she would have been about your size. Personally I think great hair is the key to looking groomed

Have you ever done your colours or checked to see what colours suit you?

ILC

I will call Miss Malory and MrsBadger for you but meanwhile it looks like you will have to put up with the junior staff

I think you may need to go to a specialist shop to get tops that fit you properly - one of the ones for tall women. Of course these cost more but if you had one or two nice well-fitting tops I think that would be better than several tops that you are always having to pull down and feel uncomfortable in.

Can you tell us what sort of styles you like, or what sort of women you admire the look of? It would give us some ideas to be going on with, maybe...

Agree empire line / flowy dresses look gorgeous. I have a friend who wears those, with chic groomed hair and she always looks fab.

malory may make you go onto the Style SHOp thread itself - she is very fussy that way

HOWEVER
long tops - yes this drives me mad. search around and you can find them though. M&S ones are sometimes a decent length, as are Tesco ones.

for cheap clothes - honestly, Tesco and Asda do loads of great stuff and in proper sizes too. (the saleswoman in Jigsaw today raved about my wedges and couldn't believe they came from Tesco for £15 - they were almost identical to the ones Jigsaw did recently for about £80).

Do NOT wear t-shirts advertising computer games - they flatter NOBDODY!

You say you don't like heels - would you consider wedges? Much easier to walk in and they give you some more height which really does help. There are wedges everywhere - as I say, Tesco are good for that.

also are you wearing the right size bra? it is worth getting measured, it can make a HUGE difference to your whole body shape. I know it's a hassle, but it really might be worth it.

gotta go as DH wants computer (THE CHEEK) but I am only a junior member anyway, am sure Malory/Mrs Badger will be along soon

agree about getting a decent bra. I have recently discovered the joys of balcony style bras and they work wonders; feel sexy and do the job.

Last had my bras fitted about a month ago - so they are alright.

Empire line dresses make me look pregnant - sorry.

Will definately consider the wedges - do they go with metallica t-shirts? (only kidding).

Umm style wise I don't really know who I like. I really have no idea about this kinda thing.

ilovecaboose
you have to bit the bullet with dresses, go wrap a round, with good underwear, which u have, and you'll be amazed how in proportion they can make you look, plain black for winter or something with a small print

cant go wrong withwedges

try a longish tunic top with wide trouser, has to balacne the width of the hips, and then maybe layer that with a shorter cardi or denim jkt

a longish wrap around cardi again could look good for over 3/4 length pants but no tapers legs must be wide the whole way down, and a lacy kinda effect can look good for day and night

boat necks are flattering as well as scoops, no round necks , boobs look like they start from your neck
boat necks widen and open up the whole face neck area thus distracting from body .

ditch the trainers unless your are walking in them

Try Yours for tops, I find them long and they go up to abot size 30. They are a bit dearer than, say, DPs, but excellant quality - I have a top from their I have worn through 2 pregnancies and plenty in between, it still looks nearly new.

yours

I've been pipped to the post but my top points would have been:

1. check bra fit
2. NO T-SHIRTS - never ever wear anything designed as unisex or mens.
3. better shoes - heels not absolutely neccesary but very good if you can do it. Get hold of some leather boots with a low block heel for winter - Evans normally have good ones.
4. Flash more cleavage. Try tops with V or scoop necks as they can magically turn wobbly into voluptuous. Wear vest underneath if they're too revealing, or fill gap with an attention-grabbing necklace. Avoid high necks like the plague.
5. Try some: wide leg trousers; tunic-type tops; skirts same length as the 3/4 one you like but in different fabrics (esp with those boots in the winter); wrap tops; wrap dresses.
6. Hair - more important than you'd think
7. Accessorize - Eye-catching necklace or earrings in a coordinating colour can turn a plain top and jeans into an Outfit. Little effort for big impact. Get a good bag (I'd recommend large slouchy leather).
8. Think ahead - if you start looking for a good winter coat now you won't have a November panic when you get last year's ratty one out the wardrobe. Try a long tailored one with a deep v neck and a serious waist.

It sounds really dumb, but if you can get hold of a copy of 'What Not To Wear' (library, or sneak a read in a bookshop) they have v good pictures of different-shaped clothes so you can get an idea of what to look for in the shops. Seeing more clothes may also help you determine your own tastes, so look at what other people your-ish size are wearing.

And watch \link{http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/H/htlgn/index.htmlHow to Look Good Naked} on C4, just because the chap is fantastic and is a genius at picking the right clothes for the right shape.

phew!

How to Look Good Naked - esp here where he dresses a short-legged size 18 girl

MrsB has almost covered all points i was about to!

i would also say, go into Evans and speak to the girls who work there - they will be delighted to help

ooh, and enter the competition here to win an M&S Magic dress

Cheers for all that - I'm definately going to look around for smarter stuff.

Haven't owned a coat for yrs - think I definately need a good one.

SO my shopping list is gonna be (to start)
1 or 2 nice dresses - wrap around def sounds good.
Pair of wedges
Boots
Coat
Handbag (gonna try and get rid of the backpack).

Thankyou - its wasn't as scary as I was expecting. Gonna have a look out for that book as well.