Right, no more jeans for me. Do I go nude below the waist?

[GoldPlatedShitGibbon]

I'm short, with short hair, and I'm a size 16. I wear jeans every day, with longish tops. Apart from my hair, I have no style, everything is just blah. Or clothes that would be better on someone thinner and younger.

My calves are really big, and I don't find heels comfortable for walking in.

I want to feel more stylish. I don't feel feminine, and I'm starting to feel too stocky and old for edgy. Give me tips!

What body shape are you? What are your best bits?

What is your life style? are you at home/school run etc or office based ?

You don't have to go for heels to feel smart - cropped or 7/8th trousers with ballet pumps? M&S had loads this summer. This would work if you are in an office in autumn/winter.

Now we are going into Autumn - Calf length boots with skinny jeans or leggings and a tunic? (The boots balance your proportions to avoid the carrot leg look.)

It's a cliché but a scarf does help to bring the most simple of outfits together. I have "one" from Primark (actually two identical scarves sewn together to make it longer) which I wear all the time. They always have loads - just need to grab one which takes your fancy.

Overall Style wise - who in the public eye do you think looks good? Who do you want to "look like" - that helps me try to work out what I need when I feel in a rut. But make sure you balance this with your personal circs. I love the idea of over the knee suede boots. But I am a rural living SAHM currently - no opportunity to wear them other than to the pub which really isn't worth it.

I used to be hourglass-ish, but now have no waist, thanks DD. My frame is in proportion, but the fat covering it isn't. I need to deal with this and I will, but need to sort out clothes in the meantime!

The plus size models I see all have flat-ish stomachs and long toned limbs. I have a long body with flabby arms and heavy legs. I'm the shape of the attached pic.

I never quite know what to do with scarves, or accessories in general, I don't wear any jewellery.

I've just asked DP what my best bits are and he sighed then said he didn't know.

I can wear what I like to work, my favourite item is a top from Toast.

I like the idea of 7/8 trousers with ballet pumps, but I find it really hard to get trousers to fit, they're often too tight around the waist and calves. The jeans I wear are Levi Demi Curve.

Yes, that was admittedly twattish, but in mitigation I did ask him the moment he came through the door after a 12 hour day in two jobs.

My best features are on my face really, I'm probably above averagely pretty, although by no means a beauty. My boobs are decent but of course I can't really go about with peephole bras on and nothing else. I have nice feet and a decently round firm bum for an overweight person.

I am also size 16 with short legs. My tips are:
get a well fitting pair of knee high boots from Duo boots ( do shoe size and calf size).
Wear with leggings and tunics/ dresses.
I avoid 7/8 trousers because I think they make my legs look shorter.

Have you considered lady chinos? Something like this? Ditching jeans in favour of trousers suddenly makes you seem smarter.

I'm a 14 and I have same issue with calves and cannot carry off skinny anything!

What about some more up to date jeans - I'm a similar size and just got a pair of relaxed skinnies from M&S in a worn grey shade that are miles away from a pair of standard blue jeans.

I know what you mean about plus size models. I'm 5'3'' and a bit and very def not their shape! I also suffer from the chunky calves and out of proportion pear shaped bottom but it is a good shape.

When did you get the grey jeans? Looks like the m and s website is sold out.

Thanks for the chinos idea, I would definitely consider trousers, just need to move on from blue jeans.

I like the idea of more dresses, but aren't leggings and tunics verboten on the S and B board?

I'm your height and dumpy with it. I tend to go in for longer shapes; long cardi, long vest, long string of bling, longer boots. I won't wear round necks or slash necks. Most things in the shops now make me look like a box.

I think you'd look great in tunics and longer boots, with an edgier style of jegging.

You have great legs why not wear skirts more? Or dresses.

Bless you SeaRabbit, but chunky short legs are hard to dress. (You do know that's not actually me in the pic, don't you?)

Good idea about the long shapes. I always choose long tops, down to bottom of fly length.

Will have a look for boots.

Have you tried NYDJs? They come in different colours. I bought a burgundy pair recently I'm too late with that trend I guess but if I'm wearing a black jumper and don't want to be black black black from head to toe, I put on the burgundy jeans.

Meant also to say that although tunics and boots are not "the thing" on here, it is an easy look and can easily be made interesting with the additional use of accessories.

I agree with you on the chunky leg issue. Hard to dress (especially the chunky, white, hairy, cankle d sort I have inherited from dm). Especially if you like to walk a lot and are a flats refusenik.

I think I'm going to get a pair of the knee boots from Marks: not too high, and they actually fasten round my legs.

Right, I love this look but would feel far too exposed with my knees out. Would this work with leggings and the lovely Chelsea boots? I've literally never bought leggings IN MY LIFE.

I got the grey jeans in the 20% off promotion at M&S about 3 weeks ago but they only had a handful in stock then. I want to get a second pair if/when they come back in - they are fab jeans and fit well really well.

Otherwise as already suggested, chinos are another option - I got a really lovely chestnut coloured pair from Next which look good.

That dress looks perfect for you, but why not opaque 100 denier tights rather than leggings?

The plus size models, I'd say half the time their bmi is only about 25. Ykwim? So they're not overweight even. Just, not thin

I would stay away from leggings. I'm small and tunics over leggings make me look pregnant. Hate that look (on me)

I would feel I would be exposing too much leg in tights, honestly, I look at them and I see big hunks of ham. I think somehow jeans or leggings would disguise the shape, am I kidding myself?

I suppose it comes down to whether I can 'own it', and I'm not sure I can.

Pencil skirt?

I like the notion of pencil skirts, what would I put on my feet?