The woman that style forgot

[meowmix]

I've just seen myself on a webconference and am in the horrors.

I'm so bloody frumpy these days. For example today am wearing white linen shirt (straight cut so not shaped) and brown jeans from Next c. 1989 with trainers and a cord jacket. WTF? Did a geography teacher die and leave me his wardrobe? Normally at least I manage a black trouser suit/heels/tshirt combo but even thats stultifyingly dull. Plus none of it fits anymore because I've lost so much weight lately so its frumpy and saggy.

Oh god. [places hand on brow in manner of one despairing]

Please help me... where do I start? whats "in vogue" as I believe you fashionistas say?

Only caveat is I'm in the middle east so have to be reasonably covered up, not too much norkage or thighage and def. no camels feet, and nothing too hot making... we have most UK shops so suggestions please. Am size 8, scrawny and 5'4.

oh thank god it's not just me! I work in media too, in London, surrounded by the hippest of the hip (except none of them HAVE hips while I have the childbearing kind ) And today I look like I staggered out of the early 90s after eating all their pies... And I used to know about this stuff - people used to ask ME what to wear FGS. Will watch this thread with interest...

ahem
have returned from lunch but am feeling guilty about MNing so much at work because my über-boss has just been on the radio talking about how hard my collegaues and I are working

so in a nutshell, wear less black, fewer masculine things, fewer trainers. Wear heels and jewellery and make your scrawniness work for you by wearing elegantly highnecked tops that bignorkers can't get away with. Try skirts and feminine shoes.
Go to H&M and Zara and remember how many provincial Brits would kill for access to one or both.

I thank yuo!

thanks all - can't do high necks as am improbably largely bosomed and with scrawny neck and everything else (no bum) so a) look like unaboober and b) also always feel chocked in anything round my neck.

Right am off to do battle with the Babes in Burkhas, which when you think about it solves all such quandaries.