Curvista's - A wardrobe AW14/15 planning thread

[adviceforme]

Hello

I really enjoyed reading a curvy summer wardrobe thread a couple of months back, so I thought I'd see if anyone is up for an autumn/winter wardrobe planning thread.

I'm nearly 40 and never sure what I should be wearing anymore. Coupled with a few post DS wobbles and...lets say new shapes to deal with, I find I am struggling.

Are there any other MNetters who would like to join me in planning for AW14/15? We could share links, advice on shapes/colour/bargains/accessories and even trends from blogs.

[adviceforme]

I forgot to say spooky Im temtped once again by Boden links but I am resisting anymore jersey dresses. I have five. all different.

[spookyskeleton]

God yes, pencil skirts rock I don't really understand it but I actually look much slimmer in a tight pencil skirt than in a flared loose skirt. The only issue is that they do highlight my stomach as they also cling there (2 CS here too) but if I disguise this with a top with a band around the bottom that sits just below my stomach, I actually look decent and relatively slim

[adviceforme]

Thanks cresentmoon those links will keep me going for ages. Great post full of info.

I love that about being well groomed. It reminds me of a Letita Dean type mum at school gates - she always looks great. She does not let her size get in the way of dressing well at all. I've found her quite inspiring to look at through the seasons.

Re the wearing the size that fits - I have always thought this. I hate the thought of anyone looking like Ive squeezed into my younger sisters clothes! But i think it is also a fine line between not too much material flapping about.

For example I find batwings and boxy knit jumpers make me look bigger and shapeless. At the minute I am sticking to fitted or softly tailoured tops and wrap overs on my top half. I do struggle to find a shapely knit. But then I do have some tunic type blouses will they dont shape my waist, it I wear them with skinnies they look blanced.

One thing I have going for me is I tend to be in proportion from top to toe. i do not have one area that is significantly bigger than the rest in my basic frame. But yes the low wobbly tummy is always there...

Is there a link to the cord skirt spooky I'd love to find a nice fitting one with a knit.

How is everyone doing for boots? I really really shouldnt buy anymore...after last year.

[spookyskeleton]

The link is lower down but here it is again

Don't get me started on boots . I must not buy any this year as I really don't need any - last year's are fine (must keep repeating that to myself )

[adviceforme]

OOo thanks

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I used to buy quite a lot of my work stuff from Chesca years ago, but they have gone all Mother of the Bride. I have their bandage skirts, which are not bad (tho v expensive now) but the quality and fabric is nowhere near as good as it used to be.

I agree re stuff that fits, rather than have lots of polyester (why is it always polyester?) flapping about and making you look twice the size. But slim jeans or a pencil skirt can look fine with a looser top or tunic with them - I think the trick is not to have eg a voluminous top with a gathered skirt, as this is what makes you look bigger.

I have the Boden Emma dress in red, grey and khaki print (and they are all different lengths and sizes despite being ostensibly the same) and have just bought the casual weekend dress, which works well (both with sleeves and without - I will wear the sleeveless one with a cardigan or jacket in the winter. Any other Boden recommendations? I have £50 in my account after returning the Must Have tunic, which didn't quite do it for me.

[MrsPnut]

I've bought the cord kilt, not something I would necessarily have looked at on the website but I need to move out of my usual tunic and wide leg trousers.

I need to have a critical look in my wardrobe and probably lose the half a stone I put on whilst I was on holiday too.

[mamijacacalys]

crescentmoon Hear hear on the confidence thing and properly fitting clothes!
advice Need a dark brown knee high pair of boots this a/w and absolutely refuse to go down the ££ Duo bespoke road to accommodate my calves. Have a M&S autograph black pair From a few seasons ago which have the elasticated back. May get the new version of them in brown and may look at fly boots, as my sister is a fan. Normal zip up options from Clarks etc do not fit my calves. This is not just a curvy girl issue though, it would seem, as petite sized or sporty/muscly friends and colleagues also moan about lack of boot options when they are chunky of leg but otherwise slim.

[adviceforme]

That cord kilt looks a little short for me.

Im 5'10 - can anyone give me an idea of where the hem actually is.

Im going to get myself some big hair - about to go for a layered/stacked bob, but not too short around jaw line. Im hoping this will give me an overall lift too.

[adviceforme]

Sorry 5'8

[spookyskeleton]

advice I am 5ft 8 but my legs are slightly longer than average. To try and put things in perspective, a 40 inch dress falls on my knee. The kilt is about the same length as a 38 inch dress (the shortest dress i will wear) is on me so 2 inches above my knee. However I always think that with dark wool tights, you can go shorter than you maybe would with bare legs.

[spookyskeleton]

mami I hear your pain about boots - I have naturally big calves and have always struggled with boots even when I was a size 12!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Can you look at Evans, Mami? (I hate Evans, but had some excellent and inexpensive boots from there.) Or Simply Be?

[adviceforme]

mami I was one kankle chunky calf mother on a mission last Autumn - i ended up with spending too much but here is what I did. After my slim sporty friend insisting her calfs were wide (never look it) and she struggled to find some she just said - you have to try loads on.

I really did go out determined, previously been too embarassed. I got pairs from:

Next wide fit - straight up, small bit of elastic, riding boot style (2012)
Next wide fit - sludge I think, kind of relaxed soft wrinkle
Clarks wide fit - I never thought these would fit the zip got stuck but I relaised it was just stiff.

I never had any look in Jones the Bootmaker.

In the sales I tried on Dune boots in HoF. 'Toffee' is elsaticated, stunning high polished leather in tan and black. I really couldnt justify getting them but I saw them again the other day online.

My other tip is go half a shoe size up, sometimes it just give a little, you can always put an insole in.

Try to go when it's quieter and be up front, ask the Sales assistant what styles the have in a wide fitting, and could they help picking a few out. A good department store should be on top of having attentive service like this.

Buy a pair of ankle boots - this season they seem to be all about the block heel - easier to wear if you have the opposite of dainty sparrow ankles. But also dont forget smart little shoe boots in a kitten heal to higher can still be worn with dresses.

[polyhymnia]

I personally would prefer to go for Duo (or similarly excellent quality, eg Russell and Bromley) boots than Evans. Don't think they are too outrageous in terms of cost per wear and added confidence.

Also don't accept that you MUST have big/ long hair if you're large. Depends on the cut. Have just had a fab haircut by George Northwood which looks good on my large, tall frame. As with the boots, I try not to let my size limit my style ambitions .

[mamijacacalys]

Thanks advice and poly
Tried the sizing up etc but still struggle with styles that don't have elastic.
Have bony ankles and feet, average width, so never struggle with ankle boots. Just fancied another colour pair of knee highs and wanted to exhaust all High St options before going down the Duo route < optimistic emoticon>
My M&S Autograph pair are good quality for the money but I don't really want the same style again in a different colour, hence why I have tentatively considered Duo. Will check out Evans though. Had good work wedges there years ago but have forgotten about them over recent years as they are at the other end of town from my office.....
Loving this thread

[polyhymnia]

MrsSchadenfreude just interested in what you didn't like about the Boden Must Have tunic?

I've bought it and at moment it's in limbo - ie am trying to decide whether to return or not. Have the grey colour, so not too garish - and think it'll go with dark grey skinnies though not sure what else - unsure whether the deer pattern is quite subtle or a bit naff, and fit is slightly snug but (just) OK ...

[polyhymnia]

Oh sorry, MrsS, also was wondering which the Emma dress is as can't find it on the current site.

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Exactly the same as you, Poly! It was "alright" and I dithered for a few days before sending it back. I had the one with the pink deer. I think what put me off was the fact that I had seen three people the day before in a Boden patterned dress that I own (a "fun" one), and I thought this tunic might be the same.

Emma dress was last winter - it had a scoop neck and a sort of knotted affair in the front.

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Emma dress It was supposed to be a tunic - the grey one was mid calf and large, the red one fitted perfectly, and came just under the knee and the khaki one was on/just above the knee.

[MrsSchadenfreude]

And I thought the Must Have was expensive for what it was - if it comes up in the sale, I will probably go for it, but at £60 +, I think it's too expensive for what it is.

[polyhymnia]

Thanks, MrsS. I did buy the Must Have in preview so 20% off, but not a negligible price even so. May show it to DH for his verdict - his taste is usually pretty reliable. If he thinks the deer are 'daft' it may be too far up the 'fun' end for me to feel stylish in it. I do feel animals and birds might be a bit done to death last year anyway.

I do remember the Emma - unfortunately, I only came round to getting it when they only had the ill-fitting (on me) colourways left!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

It was bizarre how they all fitted differently and came up different lengths, so I can see how easy it would have been to get one that didn't fit at all!

[SingingSilver]

I hated the Emma dress but thanks to this thread I've just ordered the Must Have tunic in Raven Deer (black and brown)! It could be a staple item for this autumn if I like it...