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Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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Original poster

I just need some NICE day to day clothes that are flattering, is that really too much to ask?!

27 replies

YourHandInMyHand · 28/04/2015 21:22

Everything in the shops seems to be for the more mature lady or for young whippety types, I'm fed up of looking!

Im 5ft6, 14/16, big boobs (34GG), curvy shape.

I don't want stuff with skinny spaghetti straps, or floraly curtain type patterns, or high necks, or with words like ROCK or CHIC adorning things.

I'd like some trousers a few tops, and maybe a couple of casual dresses or tunics, just day to day stuff that looks nice and presentable but isn't too expensive or formal. Someone please take pity and help me? [pleads]

OP posts:

AddToBasket · 28/04/2015 21:54

Where have you been looking? Jigsaw, Cos, Whistles, Banana Republic are good.

Original poster

YourHandInMyHand · 28/04/2015 21:58

Not looked in those will have a nosy.

I've looked at H+M, zara, new look, next, TK Maxx, Dorothy Perkins, Matalan, etc. Only looked in local shops so far which are limited. Will look online at your suggestions, thank you.

OP posts:

Original poster

YourHandInMyHand · 28/04/2015 22:03

I maybe should have given a general guide to budget, I can't afford those.

OP posts:

KatyS36 · 28/04/2015 22:04

Try seasalt.

DoorsAndWater · 28/04/2015 22:06

Im the same/shape as you, I wear mainly skinny jeans - usually rolled up slightly at bottom or a pair of hareem pants (from hush) paired with elbow/half sleeve loose tops e.g breton from hush again, or cotton sweaters/t shirts from H&M. My feet are usually in metallic flats or leopard print if I'm wearing a plain top (usually slip on trainer type things) I like hush, & other stories, H&M and next have some nice ish pieces if you can find cotton stuff - jeans fit me great from there and they have nice leather trainers/pumps, I tend to stick to navy, Metallics, white, some pinks/red so they match my jeans/navy and black hareem pants.

Redhead11 · 28/04/2015 22:08

Try Simply Be. They have a range of good priced basics that include tunics, trousers, t-shirts etc. Good value and well made.

DoorsAndWater · 28/04/2015 22:09

Forgot to say next also do some good wide legs at the moment and they have lots of plain cotton t shirts in (as do H&M) which I tend to pair with chunky jewellery (bangles/necklaces etc) to add texture/patterns rather than in my clothes if you see what I mean - changes stuff up without having to spend a lot of money

Gillybobs · 28/04/2015 22:10

Try M&s autograph range for trousers and smart tops, also their jeggings are fab, John Lewis Kin, Warehouse have a Grazia discount this week and have some lovely things.

farmerslife · 28/04/2015 22:11

I came on to say seasalt Katy as well, I live in their stuff, not everyone's taste but to loves it !

Oh they have s good sale section as well.

IDismyname · 28/04/2015 22:11

I've had some nice tops from Joules. You need to choose carefully as you may end up looking like you're dead horsey ( which you may be anyway ) or an English rose covered in erm... Roses.

I've got 3 tops. Two stripes and one plain. I'm a size 16 and quite busty, and they've had a lot of compliments. I think Joules may have a 20% discount on some of their stuff

I stick to M&S for my jeans. Nearly always black or blue with a slim bootleg.

twentyten · 28/04/2015 22:12

Have you looked at adini? Nice tunics etc.

mewkins · 28/04/2015 22:13

Esprit and Gap online have some lovely things and free delivery. Sign up for gap newsletter and they often have discounts. Asos is also massive (requires lots of sifting). John Lewis weekend/ Kin and some M&S stuff is good. I like Farface summer clothes too. Woolovers do good knitwear. Next online is much better than what they have in store. Great plains is nice for dresses, etc.

SunshineAndShadows · 28/04/2015 22:17

Uniqlo do great quality stuff and are very affordable, h&m, gap, next and M&S are my fails safes. If you like the Seasalt vibe check out Mantaray at Debenhams (and there are various other concessions with nice things)

Sunbeam18 · 28/04/2015 23:00

I get quite a lot of stuff on eBay that is almost new and from the likes of Cos, Jigsaw, Baujken, Day Birger. Much more affordable and good quality. If you just search by shop and size (eg Jigsaw 12) then you can browse.

Allinafankle · 29/04/2015 19:32

I'm the same size / shape as the op and am also in need of this advice! I've always shied away from some of the stores mentioned such as Banana Republic, Uniqlo and Esprit as I never thought they did my size Do they really cater for a 14/16?

Original poster

YourHandInMyHand · 30/04/2015 20:53

Thanks for all these ideas! Sorry I'm only just returning to my thread. I do need to tone up a bit but I feel like with big boobs and at 32 I'm stuck in some sort of clothing dead zone. I'm not a 20 something anymore and I'm not ready to be too mumsy looking either. Also all the tops lately don't seem flattering on my boobs which despite being big are still in good shape ha ha.

I love the M+S 5 pocket jeggings - not jegging like at all just lovely skinnies in a nice fabric. I practically live in them.

I've felt crap today as I've had rubbish clothes on and have felt BLAH! It s my mission over the next week to find 4 full day time outfits. I shall report back....

OP posts:

PontypineNumber9 · 01/05/2015 06:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaptainZoot · 01/05/2015 06:26

I'm 5 ft size 12/14 and a G cup. Finding clothes to fit me is a nightmare. Jeans are always too long (even petites) and tops are always bulging around my boobs or baggy around my tummy.

My biggest bugbear on the high street is skinny jeans! They are everywhere and there is no variety in shape especially for petite women. I have big hill-walking calves so I look like a sausage that has burst it's skin whenever I try them on

I actually find Debenhams very good for clothes. Lots to choose from and I do like their Mantaray range for day to day. White Stuff is lovely for a treat but a little bit pricey.

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 01/05/2015 20:11

OP I am a v similar shape and literally bought no tops last summer as I couldn't find a single thing that flattered. I'm a little older than you and can so easily tip over into matronly if I'm not careful.

HOWEVER I'm quite excited as I've just been shopping today and found loads of tops I liked. Will post links in case you like any of them. They are all big boob flattering.

linen tshirt from M&S - photo doesn't at all do it justice. Has a pale stripe down the sides that you can't see in the photo that makes it look stylish and expensive and the fabric is a nice texture too. I also got a couple of vest tops with nice wide straps (size up, they are a bit clingy) and a plain cotton stripy tshirt with elbow length sleeves which is a bit more boring but will be v useful I think (perhaps under navy blazer?).

Gap has lovely v neck linen tshirts in a range of colours and this top is really lovely.

Finally for a bit of colour (and only if you like print!) this top from White Stuff is surprisingly good. I haven't bought anything from WS in years and tbh didn't think it was going to work, but it's more fitted on the waist on me than in the photo but skims rather than clings and really flattering.

this top from apricot is super flattering and comes in loads of colours.

Hope they aren't too frumpy for you. I think it's partly down to how you style things up. I do loads of research online before I go, pin everything onto pinterest and then am really focussed when I hit the shops. I find that works better for me than browsing.

I can't tell you how chuffed I am to have found some tops I could bear to buy!

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 01/05/2015 20:16

Oh another thing to add - I find a half tuck nips me in at the waist a bit and makes a big difference to whether a top looks good or not.

Also another look I quite like is a silky shirt (usually viscose as I am not rich enough for real silk ) sleeves rolled up a bit, tucked into waistband, cami under and left unbuttoned quite low.

Fairylea · 01/05/2015 20:17

Sainsburys

Seriously. Their skinny jeans are brilliant and they have got loads of boden / jigsaw / seasalt type stuff in at the moment for a fraction of the price. I found myself a lovely dress there this week and got myself an interesting tunic / top type thing that I intend to wear with skinny jeans.

I also love new look but I tend to size up as everything seems designed for bodies like my 12 year old .... :)

Laquila · 01/05/2015 20:18

I've bought a couple of sleeveless scoop neck crepe-ish tops from M&S recently that are proving v useful. Ugh sorry, that description sounds horrible but they're lovely, honest! One is plain black and ones a surprisingly flattering and versatile orange, pink and black print. They look great with shorts, jeans and cigarette pants - slightly tucked in and with a longish necklace over the top. Also look good under blazers and cardies.

Laquila · 01/05/2015 20:23

Hmpf, can't find either of them online

BikeRunSki · 01/05/2015 20:43

Toast, in sales.

Laquila · 01/05/2015 22:54

I've never managed to find a single flattering item from Toast! The closest I got was a pair of wool slippers, a few years back, which gives you some idea. I always think I'm going to look like a stylishly glam and modern European pseudo-peasant in their stuff, but it never works out like that.

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