Difficult to dress woman in desperate need of wardrobe advice. Please help!

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I’m tallish (5’10) and fat (size 18) and a really difficult to dress shape. I’m a competitive weight lifter, which isn’t obvious when I’m dressed, but makes enough difference to my shape to make finding smart clothes really difficult.

I have huge shoulders and arms (toned, so I don't mind exposing them) and pretty substantial norks (36FF, following intervention!). Bum and legs are good (in a substantial kind of way). Squishy middle.

I’m mainly looking for workwear. I’ll be started a new, more senior, job soon and want to look the part. My normal workwear is a boden ravello top (i have loads) and stretchy, slim legged, jeans/trousers. This is OK, but I’d like a bit of variety and I desperately need some new trousers. I also need shoes. I can’t wear heals at all (dodgy feet and need to walk quite a lot). I have some very worn out brogues which I like, but any other suggestions welcome.

I’m very warm blooded, so need lightweight clothes. Can’t wear knitwear/layers without a presentable bottom layer because I get too hot.

I much prefer natural fibres. I can’t wear polyester tops (heat issue again), but I’ll try to keep an open mind apart from that.

Colours - I’m v pale with terrible rosacea, so very red faced. I think I’m a ‘Summer’, look best in soft cool colours. Coolish blond hair, blue eyes.

Umm. Sorry for the huge essay - wanted to get all the crucial info in.

I can spend £200/month for a while to build up a decent capsule wardrobe. I’d rather online, but have access to most high street places. I'm planning a shopping trip tomorrow.

Thanks if you’ve got this far!

If you give details about your shape in dressipi.com it will give suggestions from the high street to suit you. It might give you a starting point.

Thanks burnishedsilver. I have tried dressipi and haven't got on with the things it's recommended. It seems to be a bit obsessed with wrap dresses, which look terrible on me.

I haven't tried for a year or so though, so I'll give it another go.

I think I'm a slightly thinner version of you - 5'9, size 12 triathlete, 30FF.

I now know I look appalling in wrap dresses, anything with a belt/tie waist, anything with a fitted panel below the bust, cap sleeves.

For work, I love shift dresses with vertical seams and either a v neck or cowl neck. I wear them with a very lightweight cardigan (Monsoon fineknit or LK Bennett bought on ebay) or a pair of Wingz sleeves (they are sleeves with no body so you can pair them with sleeveless things - I have different lengths, and a lace pair which get loads of compliments).

My favourite trousers are black skinny ones from Next. Nice and stretchy and show off my legs in an appropriate way. I usually wear them with a chiffon overshirt type thing (obv vest top underneath, or a long sleeve t if colder).

Thanks CMOT. Those Wingz things look useful!

What shoes do you wear with shift dresses? I find I look v mumsy in dresses+flats. I haven't tried a shift dress for ages though, so I'll look out for a good one tomorrow.

I hadn't thought of next for trousers. I have memories of them being a bit keen on polyester, but I'll have a look.

Have you tried boots with dresses? - either ankle or knee boots. It's easier to wear a slight heel, like a block heel, with boots as you get more support from the material at the top.

And flat heeled boots tend to look OK with dresses.

My winter wardrobe is fairly easy for work - dresses with black tights and boots. Summer I struggle with!

thinking about accommodating your shoulders and top 1/2 , there is a lot more space in raglan sleeves than in fitted sleeves. Also princess seams in a shift dress accommodate larger tops and look slimmer. There are tons of great heeled shoes, shooties and booties , so try on and see what works for you

I usually wear wedges in the summer and boots in the winter. Flat boots can look good if you choose well, but I find it tricky to get a good fit due to muscular calves and long legs.

A flat shoe with a bit of interest can stop them looking mumsy. I confess to not being the best at style, but these look really cute, or would this be too high?

I forgot to say that Next trousers come in long, xlong and tall, but only online. Their tall section is pretty good for tops as well