Dress and trouser advice wanted from style mavens please

[sorrell]

Have no autumn clothes to speak of. Like dresses but would also like some flattering trousers, so I'll need something to wear on top. At the moment I wear jeans a lot but feel a bit self-conscious about my tummy and bum and think they are not hugely flattering on me.
longish long legs and reasonable waist and narrow back, but round tummy and hip and bum issues. Want to look funky but not silly. Like wrap dresses but not real ones so much as they unwrap. I have longish brown hair and palish olive skin....

Go on! Help a poor frumpy mummy!

This dress is nice from {http://www.boden.co.uk/col.asp?segname=Women&styid=WH071&segid=6&gpname=Dresses&desname=Chic+Tie+Back+Dress&gpid=6&gen=\boden} It's a bit like a wrap dress shape but not a wrap dress. I've just ordered it in the plum brocade.

As an alternative to normal jeans I've been wearing my cropped jeans (more like culottes than skinny ones) with suede knee high boots and jumpers (usually fitted ones). Boden has once again come up trumps I think and {http://www.boden.co.uk/col.asp?segname=Women&styid=WM196&segid=6&gpname=Trousers&desname=Sassy+Culottes&gpid=23&gen=\these are nice}

What do you think?

boden dress

boden culottes

Hi, thanks. You know, I love that dress! Actually, I love it so much I ordered it (beautiful colours). Then the very first time I wore it, a nice woman I was chatting to in Starbucks asked me when my baby was due...... ....so I sent it back!
Hmm...culottes...might work, but do you think might have widening effect on thigh and bum area?

how could you send it back if you had worn it?

Aw - nobody else gonna help me, just tick me off?

No way sorrell!? Aw, am really looking forward to getting mine but not arriving till 27th Nov apparently.

I think the culottes will look fine. Especially as they are wide leg, not skinny fit. I've not got huge bum but I am pear shaped and I def look better in things that show off small waist and slim body and hide wider hip area. I find culottes work well. My cropped jeans are a culotte shape and they are very flattering I'd say.

I think I need to ditch the kids and try some on. Have fab new suede high wedge heel boots so they might work.
I'm sure the dress will be lovely on anyone without a big tummy and large norks!

what sort of trousers?
cords?
wool ones?

Ideally machine washable ones, not too heavy, a bit glam even if very casual, comfortable and not too expensive, but also, of course, extremely cool, flattering, fashionable and stylish

Ideally they will be very comfortable, but also make me look considerably thinner, and young and gorgeous.

grrrr
cords and a tailored pair
where do you live
wghat kind of shops do you normally like

Live in London, but never seem to go shopping anymore. Quite like Great Plains stuff (used to love Joseph, sigh). But seem to be particularly out of the loop trouser-wise. I mean, skinny works brilliantly for my teenager, but as I'm not skinny, I'm not convinced for me, but feel right fat old frump in my Phase 8 bootleg jeans.

Have no advice, but would like to know what a maven is, please?

Online is good.

gap fro jeans imo
and hten cords are hard - gap do them but they arent right on me

What shape? I think bootlegs look a bit old lady these days.

[I vote for Gap cords - ultra low rise stretch bootleg v flattering to thighs but not for those with tummy issues. Go in and demand help. Zara also v good for trous at the mo]

i saw cords in zara but the q for the hcanngin rom wwas huge
bootleg is stuill my fave
skinny looks muttony un my case

bootleg is a must if pear shaped/wide hipped

I can't fit into ANYTHING in Zara, and I'm not that huge. Love the shop though.
I find trousers give dreadful muffin top but I'd like not to wear tights.
Reminder to self: eat less!