Help me Get Out of Leggings and a Long Top Plz? Photo.

[HermiioneSnape02]

I nearly always wear leggings and a long top/tunic.

I have £500, to overhaul my wardrobe.

I have recently bought:

A Black soft blazer - New Look, (Ebay)
dress
dress

I wear the dresses out for an evening for a meal, we have a date night once a week.

I need help in putting outfits together? I just buy one item and then when I get home I can't seem to find anything that goes together?

I like to wear longer things to cover my bum, but everything dressipi recommends doesn't???

I have put a photo on to show what I look like in the dress, I'm 5ft 5. 14/16.

Thanks x

In order to get out of your comfort zone I really recommend you have a session with a personal shopper in a department store. They will choose a range of things that you might not have looked at twice. There's no obligation to buy anything and its a very relaxed experience

You could also look at some fashion blogs to see other real people wearing stuff to give you some inspiration - you don't say how old you are, but there are loads of 40+ bloggers I really enjoy reading!

And trying to cover your bum can often make it a feature rather than disguise it! If the items on Dressipi are from shops which offer free postage/returns you could do worse than to just order them, try them in at home (waaaaay preferable to a changing room) and just see!

If you want casual clothes and like leggings then skinny jeans with a fitted top and blazer is a good alternative

You need to make sure you have enough 'nice clothes' that you don't have to wear yuur leggings.

If you really want to hide your bum, there are long cardigans and a few tunics around (debenhams and Wallis), or a-line skirts or wide legged trousers.

Do you know what colours suit you? If everything kind of goes it helps. There's a lot of navy around which you could use as a base.
Do you like linen? It's a bit of a love or hate. The next slim leg linen trousers in navy would be a good summer staple. They aren't mega slim just a neatish fit.
For winter, shorter skirts and tights would work.

Which bit of your bum are you trying to hide? Actual bum, saddlebags or tops of thighs?
If actual bum or saddlebags you might find a really good pair of jeans means you don't need to hide it.

Thanks for replying. I did book a personal shopper at house of Fraser but cancelled it as I bottled out.
I'm 38 btw.
I have one pair of premium skinnies from next that fit lovely but wear long tops with them as well and a longline cardigan I bought from new look. Every other pair of jeans/skinnies I have bought have been a really crap fit and so uncomfortable to wear.

I do like navy I have navy wide leg linen trousers but after an hour I look like I'm wearing pyjamas!

I tend to wear mostly black and navy. But I do have a couple of bright tops in pink and royal blue.

Maybe I need to go to one shop and buy an outfit rather than just one item?

Linen trousers always streettchhhhh imho so you need to almost buy down a size - a bit tight when first on and then 10-15 minutes later they are comfy.

The two dresses that you have bought don't look like they would be chosen by or suit the same person. I suspect that the randomness of your choices is why nothing in your wardrobe goes together. I think finding your best colour palate would go a long way towards solving your problem

Have faith Hermione- rebook that personal shopper!

I do think that the long top /cardi thing is very dated/ageing. It's worth investing in a really good pair of jeans- do you have a high end boutique near you that might help?

Slim, not skinny might be better for you. How about skirts! There are lots of great A line shapes, just on the knee, that might help if you are conscious about your bottom. That and a fairly fitted shirt or top with a cropped cardi will give you a great silhouette. I know its a bit old school but Trinny &Sussanahs old book might be worth dredging out of the library because they were good on not making so called "flaws" more obvious by hiding them IYSWIM

No no boutiques by me as far as I know. My biggest shopping centre is Birmingham. The bull ring.
I know what you mean about the dresses though. That's what I do. Think of that's nice and buy it.
Then nothing ever goes together.

Harvey Nichols might be good for higher end investment denim
www.harveynichols.com/womens-all-clothing-jeans/

The personal shopper will help you find the shapes that suit and put together a "capsule wardrobe" (terrible phrase, but you know what I mean) eg two tops that would go with the same trousers smart or casual, a dres that could be dressed up or down depending on accessories etc etc. You can then take the tips on to your own shopping (take pics of all things you like in terms of colour and/or shape even if you don't buy them for inspiration later)

Is it work or stay home clothes you need? I did personal shopper when I went from suit toting city worker to SAHM- I had no idea and felt like a frump in jeans all the time. It really was a revelation, that's why I'm so evangelical! It was Debenhams for me but mostly because they do most petite ranges. That and following blogs has really helped me find my mojo in the clothing department.

Hi there,

Being a Mum of two and expecting baby number 3 I completely understand how you feel about having nothing to wear. Dressipi really is great. Why not ping them this questions and one of their very brilliant style team will get back to you with a whole load of lovely suggestions. Also try out their 'reveal & conceal' section. If you tell them you do not like 'revealing' your bottom then longer tops, knits and jackets will be recommended. Good luck!

You look lovely in the dress

You don't need to spend a fortune on high end denim to get decent jeans; you just need to be willing to try on lots and lots of pairs. Try the M&S jeggings, or maybe Oasis, and get high rise ones if you're worried about your tummy/bum.

Long cardigans don't have to look frumpy, but it would depend how it fit/was styled. Or you could maybe try a kimono instead. Or something like this

Plain things are easier to match than patterned, hence the maxi dress probably proving hard to style.

I have booked personal shopper+had a good experience so great so see rails of clothes for me+no pressure to buy highly recommended

I am a SAHM and have recently overhauled my wardrobe, I would recommend the following staples
Smart dark blue skinny jeans
Combat skinny jeans army green
Smart jogger trousers I got some dark grey ones from H&M which are fab.
White skinny jeans
Couple of pairs of shorts, I have beige linen and denim
Vest tops in black, white, coral and pink
Few smarter tshirts or sleeveless tops, with interest such as pattern or different fabric
Couple of stripy long sleeve tshirts
Couple of pretty going out tops, I have these in navy and coral which look nice with blue or white denim.
Couple of cotton cardigans one long one short I have beige and a washed out turquoise colour.
A good quality classic dress which can be dressed up or down in navy or black
A casual day dress and cotton skirt
Couple of statement/pendant necklaces to make outfits more interesting.
Gold clutch bag for evening
Two across body bags in brown and black
Gold ballet shoes, good quality day sandals, flip flops, wedges
Navy jersey blazer
Denim jacket

Obviously this is a long list but even a quarter of this would give you a new look and start you off.