Depressing reverse 'pretty woman' moment in Mint Velvet

[Nonemoreblack]

In a fit of excitement because I have finally lost a bit of weight and because DH has been put on a permanent contract and for the first time in 5 years I actually felt like I could go and blow some money on actual nice clothes, I went to Mint Velvet to try things on that I have been drooling over for months. And I looked shit. Still too fat. Not like the new me I was imagining. I wanted to shout like Julia Roberts (but fatter) "I have money! Look! " make me look nice! Etc. and then maybe throw some money at the sales assistants and then have sex with Richard Gere I didn't of course. I just had a bit of a cry in the car.

I don't know the store but their clothes are obviously just cut all wrong. Right clothes = you will look like a goddess

Awww. Mint Velvet stuff is mostly shapeless and overpriced anyway, and the quality isn't great. What are you after?

And are you willing to share Richard?

Wrong shop. Try coast. Actually try any other shop! :) well done for weight loss .

I agree with Remus about the fit/cost of Mint Velvet. It all looks better on the hanger. I am a woman, not a hanger.

As for Richard Gere, the two of you can have him.

I just want to look a bit more grown up! And a bit trendy. I'm 42 and I've been trying to lose weight since DS was born 5 years ago! I put on a lot because of medication for PND, and it's taking ages to lose. Realistically I still have a stone/stone and a half to go but because people are noticing and saying I look great I was feeling quite confident and now I feel rubbish! I think my biggest problem is finding trousers/jeans. Still too big for skinnies but my old cheap straight legs are too big and not flattering. I was trying on trousers in MV, thought I could try for some smart/casual black ones to wear with pointy flats, or something to wear with my converse/new balance. I'm thinking of doing a john lewis personal shopper actually, I feel really clueless! I spend ages on this board too. I'm 5'8 and Apple shaped, big 14, large boobs. Thank you for the replies, I feel like I couldn't say this in RL, it's pathetic!

Whistles, jigsaw (excellent customer service!) Or NW3. Buts it's depends on your style? Boden & the white company also do nice bits hth

None - Well done on losing some weight and I bet you do look good - maybe just not in MV clothes, which (imo) are nothing much to write home about.

I know exactly how you feel though - its so depressing when you have money and cant find anything to spend it on. But keep looking, I'm sure you'll find some nice things.

Mint Velvet looks shit on me and I'm a 10/12. Far too much flappy lopsided asymmetric stuff going on. Your style doesn't suit it and there are plenty more shops for you to try out and feel great in. Chin up and keep searching :)

I know you say you are too big for skinnies but I really rate the M&S ones and they are v cheap. Might be worth a try?

I haven't seen them irl but these black trousers look nice, and like the kind of thing you could dress up.

Or these

I did Selfridges personal shopper a few years ago - it was good - I didn't buy much but it gave me the confidence to try different things (I went next door to john Lewis and spent £150 afterwards!). Also, having lost a lot of weight last year I have bought quite a few things in charity shops to try out new styles / shapes - so I now wear leggings with long tops and also dresses which I didn't before.

I have bought quite a bit online (boden and next) as well.

Well done on loosing the weight.

OP I'm a similar size and shape. I find the Boden Chelsea trousers my perfect smart casual option. Definitely cut for apples. FWIW I really rate Mint Velvet tops for apples but I do size up.
I've also been impressed by these tops from Next. The fabric is quite strange, neoprene I think, but they are so flattering, zero cling and th skim over muffin tops brilliantly. They do them in loads of colours, I have cream, black and fuschia
www.next.co.uk/women/tailored-looks/delft/4

I really like mint velvet. They're stuff suits me. Their jeans/trousers, however, are very inconsistently cut. I'm an apple. I have two fantastic pairs of jeans from there but I have tried other trousers there and found that the calves were so tight that I couldn't walk. The point I'm making is that its them, not you. Try on everything. Something will look fantastic on you. Its 20% off at House of Fraser at the moment so maybe it's just as well you didn't get anything today :-)

I tried on 12 pairs of trousers in GAP today and looked like a sack of shit in all of them

Gap are the worst for inconsistent sizing. I usually try 3 of the same item in the same size in the hopes that one will fit. All 3 are always different to each other even though they're supposed to be the same.

OP, I can't wear anything from Mint Velvet either. It is cut funny. I do have some really nice necklaces from them.
I have an extra stone on my bum and tummy. Try me&em, the ruched dresses/skirts work a treat.

Thanks for that burnished, feel much more normal now! There was so much extra material in places I didn't need it and so little elsewhere! Tried different jeans, chinos and khakis too.

I have never found anything to fit in Hobbs - not because their sizes are tiny, or because I am a shapeless lump, but just because I'm not the shape that their clothes are cut for. I don't go in there any more.

I have a friend who buys everything from Mint Velvet but she is about your height and very thin - size 8, very skinny legs, quite flat chested, broad shouldered but not a pick on her. She must have the 'right' shape for their clothes. I buy everything in Gap or Banana Republic because the shape of their stuff suits my shape. You just went in the wrong shop, that's all! Try some other places.

I'm tall but quite a different shape to you and mv works quite well for me. I also find baukjen pretty good length wise. some of their stuff has auite an mv type feel and they have 40% off a single item just now using code w42et2d. You might find something that works better there.

I'm a size 8 and if I put on something that isn't cut right I look like a beached whale! Especially if I'm wearing a shit bra that lets my boobs dangle down my belly in all their sluggish glory.

It'll for sure be the fit of the clothing and not you.

If people have been telling you unprompted that you look great, BELIEVE THEM.

It's just a matter of finding clothes that fit and flatter you... I'm sure you look a million dollars really. So sorry you cried in the car.

I agree that Boden is usually well cut, nothing that clings to muffin tops and all tops are long enough not to reveal my stretch marks when I lift my arms!

Trousers and skirts are good too and the dresses are flattering.

I second that me and em can be very flattering and I think the quality is great.

Well done on the weight loss
Avoid Mint Velvet, I actually go there because their clothes are drapey (baggy/shapeless) which helps hide my curves (plump bits/fat pits/pie residue)
Go somewhere were the clothes are more fitted.

Oh that is really too bad about you crying in the car.

Do you have a friend whose taste you trust to go shopping with? I agree about buying things like skinny jeans. Shorter, tighter skirts, looser tops that skim at the hip - that should show off how much weight you've lost, disguise any bumps you might still have, and give your body enough structure for you to look good. Avoid anything a bit drapey and romantic for a bit - that sort of thing can make you look like an unmade bed.

Sadly, I think the best way to find out what suits you is by doing a lot of trying-not-buying - which is hard when your self-confidence is wobbly. I'm guessing you are a bit out of practice all round at this shopping-for-clothes lark.