Looking smart when you've put on weight

[NewStickers]

I'm a bit bigger than I used to be - size 10/12 and five foot tall (used to be size 8/10). My old uniform of skinny trousers, blazer and t shirt is not that flattering any more. I have a big muffin top and not much of a waist (Apple shape). Am thinking I need more flowing tops but i am such a short arse, i am worried about looking very frumpy and a bit lost in that kind of thing. Do you wonderful ladies have any suggestions?

Get the weight off that's by far the easiest solution

... Yes, and just stay in the house while you're doing so
I am much bigger than you but do find wider trousers more flattering - wide leg linen ones on today. I don't know about tops, you're hardly in need of a tent and ones that come in where you come in can be more flattering.

I'm just over 5'0 as well, and find a straight/slim leg trouser fit much more flattering. With a high waist of course. And tops which skim the stomach area, rather than tight fitting.

And I still swear by my Trinny & Susannah body shape bible. Many of the clothes are very dated, but the shapes & principles of styling are still relevant.

Get the weight off that's by far the easiest solution

It's not as if you can remove weight like a coat! I know from experience that it's even harder when you are already slim as the OP sounds.

Anyway, there is nothing to say the OP would look better for it if she rushes to lose weight. I remember losing piles of weight in my twenties (I didn't even need to - I was slim to begin with) and feeling very smug about it, just to be told I looked like Gillian McKeith someone a lot older than I was - it wasn't the look I was hoping for.

Now I'm in my 30s and actually do need to lose a little bit of weight but think I look better. Family agree.

There's another thread in S&B running just now, where the OP has talked about weight gain & asked for advice about clothes, and almost all the sodding replies are telling her to lose weight - FFS! It's not AIBU.

OP has asked for advice on how to dress, not how to lose weight.

There's another thread in S&B running just now, where the OP has talked about weight gain & asked for advice about clothes, and almost all the sodding replies are telling her to lose weight - FFS! It's not AIBU.

OP has asked for advice on how to dress, not how to lose weight.

I have recently gone from 8-10 to 12 so watching with interest! I am trying to get it off slowly but I've also just bought a few new items in the bigger size and that's made a massive difference - just having clothes that sit loose again feels & looks so much better to me. And I've started wearing heels again because it makes me feel more balanced out but I'm not sure it looks any better!

I know sauvignon, sometimes I think people have got lost on the way to the weight loss board!s! Weight loss doesn't necessarily have to go hand in hand with Style and Beauty IMHO but there we are.

I'm going to start an internship on Monday and this is my problem too!

I think the blazer + shirt + skinny trousers combo is

at the suggestion to lose weight! I am trying to do that too, of course, but i do need to look smart in the meantime.

spring that is an excellent idea about buying clothes that fit. I think I have been squeezing into things that are a bit too small which makes me look bigger than I am.

sauvignon I used to love tinny and susannah! Back then I was a skinny teenager though so didn't really need to take note! What do they say about Apple shapes?

NO TO LINEN TROUSERS

What about this jacket? Am thinking the boxy look is quite good because it takes attention away from my waist.

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0383614002.html

(Sorry I'm on my phone so can't do links)

Oh, seems to have worked!

Totally agree re linen trousers! In fact, I don't iron things so linen is my natural enemy

Or maybe this jacket instead, to skim?

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0368152007.html

I prefer the second jacket, but might it end up being a bit long on you? That waterfall (I think?) style is nice on apples though - or at least I think it's nice on me and I'm a (albeit taller and chunkier) apple.

Hmmm yes, good point. Perhaps with skinny black trousers and a black top it would be ok?

I think that sounds nice! Also you might find skirts are a bit more flattering round the muffin top area. I used to wear a lot of pencil skirts with loose(ish) blouses tucked in when I was working (SAHM now).

My muffin top looks much better when I go up a size in trousers/skirts. It's exacerbated by tight waistbands.

I love my linen trousers, they aren't wide-legged though.