Help

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Having been skinny or slim all of my life, I'm now not. Am probably a size 14 and feel fat and disgusting. Nothing fits. I can afford a few new things and want to get them right. Used to be an hour glass but am now whatever an hourglass becomes when they are fat. Huge norks and belly.

Looking for:

• a dress that makes me feel nice and that I can either dress up with heels, or just wear with sandals to the pub. Short sleeved, maybe jersey, maybe black , maybe burgundy, possibly green, or perhaps a print. Cotton, silk or maybe viscose.

• tops/shirts to wear with jeans to go to the pub. Silk or cotton. Short sleeves or long sleeves but not sleeveless.
• a knee length or midi-ish day dress

Please help me to enjoy clothes again.

Sorry (again )cross posted with Bejazzled I was talking about some of those Dame Vivienne links being out of stock in some sizes.

I really like that French Connections check dress by the way - it looks a very flattering shape.

Trinny and Susannah (yes I know that dates me) always, always started with underwear. They said the right bra didn't just make your boobs look better, it also gave you a waist. They weren't right about everything but they were spot on over that.

French Connection.

I need coffee.

People tree might be worth a shot and is always natural fibres. I like this dress.

Thanks again.

I'm very partial to a bit of VW and have quite a few pieces. They are clingier than they were though, and I think some good underwear is a must for them to look okay again.

Jaegar stuff is usually far too long for me, although I like that shirt dress a lot in theory. I suspect it would be mid calf length on me though!

I like the People Tree dress, but not the big sleeves.

Just ordered the Hush ruched skirt. Hoping it will be good for Autumn, with opaques.

That sounds like a plan. As you may know, I'm a leading authority on ruched skirts and I think the Hush one (and I'm not normally a fan of theirs) is pretty good. It was too short for me but I think you're smaller and your legs are almost certainly better than mine. If you can't get on with it then Kettlewell do a knee length version in various colours although the fabric isn't quite as thick.

Thanks, Flo. Am v short and legs in tights are still pretty darn good,, if I say so myself!

Been out today and bought:
a bra
silk/cotton mix shirt
cropped wide leg trousers - they perhaps look a bit crazy but they are cotton and lovely and cool for this muggy weather
Joules Harbour t-shirt with flies on, because I couldn't resist it, even though it means I'm now a MN cliche
They were all v cheap too, so I can plan for lots of lovely new things later! Failed on the dress front.

I love cropped wide legs - I'm living in them at the moment. Where were they from?

M and S I'm wearing them now and really like them.

I really like them too, if they had other colours, I'd be snapping some up myself. (Mine were H&M and the cotton's already looking thin.) I think with them, a silky shirt and a new bra, you've got yourself a good outfit.

I'd already tweeted M&S saying I want the trews in more colours, so how funny that you've just said that too.

I think the silky shirt is probably too long to wear with the trousers; they need something more fitted. I'm thinking fitted t-shirt and denim jacket for day. For evening I've got a Westwood silk top that might work with them with heels, or just a plain top and a necklace.

Starting to feel a lot better now, so thank you all.

Still looking for a perfect day to night dress, if anybody wants to find me one! Black jersey - either fitted, or fit and flare - short or elbow length sleeves. Oh and what sucker-in underwear should I be investing in?

You don't fancy tucking the shirt in then? (Or even the half tuck!) I've not got much of a waist but I find a wide leg and a bit of low key pleating and a belt kind of magic me one out of nowhere. (In my head anyway). And the higher waistline means there's room for sucky-in pants. Mine are TK Maxx but bras are only from Bravissimo.

Any dresses in Me and Em? Their sales are great: www.meandem.com/sale

Too bulky to tuck in. and the half tuck looks terrible on me. Belts don't suit me - never have, even when I was really skinny.

Thanks for the M&E link.

Can't help but feel the same.

Gone up from a small 10 to a large 12 in the last year. I've faffed with buying "flattering" stuff but having seen most recent holiday snaps I've come to the conclusion that I just need to lose the weight.

Unfortunately my weight gain is at least partly down to illness/medication, so whilst you're right and I should try to lose some, it's also something I need to at least partly accept.

The Hush skirt arrived today and I like it. Has anybody got it and does it wash well? Is it going to serve me well for a while, as my Whistles ones have?

I've got one. I think it's great and very versatile. It washes fine, although I'm quite careful and tbh I'll wear it a few times before sticking in the wash. The hem's stretched slightly over time, but nothing too noticeable. I was happy enough to buy another in the sale, in a more summery colour.

Excellent news! Thank you.