Ok mumsnetters, tell me how to do casual.

[Hairq]

I am a size 12 hourglass who is a classic dresser. I like skinny jeans but only in dark colours, and I tend to wear boots with heels, figure hugging jumpers or flowy shirts. I suit simple dresses too. Nothing too frilly.

However, I would love to look more casual sometimes. I admire the sort of jeans, baggy jumper, trainers look but if I wear that I look 2 stone heavier and like a bag lady. How do I look groomed but casual? And what trainers suit fairly big feet? I need inspiration because I can do polished and classy fairly well but am clueless at casual.

Converse look lovely and casual but can make big feet look bigger. Vans and Superga don't seem to do the same. I've recently bought some Nike Roshe's and they're the most comfortable trainers I've ever had.

H&M do lovely floppy jumpers that are fine-knit, so seem to hang well but still look nice. Their jersey vests are pretty cheap and cheerful, too. Thick-knit cardigans can look casual with simple winter dresses and ankle boots/tights, but I don't wear them with skinny jeans as they bulk me up too much.

I think you can do casual without anything over-sized. I'm a size 10 and big baggy things, even fine-knit, look absolutely rubbish on me, although, like you, I think they look great on other people.

My thing is to wear trainers with otherwise reasonably smart outfits (with jeans I tend to wear flat ankle boots) which gives them a bit of a twist. So, for example, today I wore wide cropped trousers with a nice fitted jumper from Whistles, but with black Stan Smiths. The other day I had a black leather skirt, black opaque tights, a black Bella Freud slogan jumper, and gold Nikes. I always wear fitted things on top as I have a small waist/flat stomach, but a giant arse.

OP you sound just like me. I'm a size 10 hourglass with a professional job who suits classic, grown up clothes. A year or so ago I didn't have a clue how to do casual either really, but I've got better (I think!) - my tips would be...

• Always either fitted bottom (like skinny jeans with the slouchy jumper) or fitted top (like boyfriend jeans with a more fitted jumper) OR at the very least fitted at the waist. This should avoid the bag lady look
• Belts! They make jeans look smarter, and if you think a loose jumper is too slouchy, you can belt it to show off your waist.
• Good jackets (biker jacket, khaki "shacket", trench coat)
• "Smart" t-shirts (I know I suit 3/4 sleeve boat neck fitted tees, for instance)
• Keep part of your outfit smart so it doesn't feel too different from your usual style (heeled ankle boots with casual outfit, or a blazer with relaxed jeans and trainers)

I'm a size 5 shoe but I always think, no one is going to be looking at your feet and thinking they look big - apart from you! So just get whatever shoes you like. I mostly wear Stan Smiths casually but also have Nike Roshes like Whoooo above. They both look great with skinny jeans.

Thank you for advice so far. I know I can't do converse. I have a pair and love them buttheyjust look ridiculous on me. I also can't do skirts with trainers (feet are too big and I'm not tall enough).

Boyfriend jeans - I love these on other people but in me they just make me look a bit fat or like my jeans don't really fit me. Do I just need to find the right pair?

Following.
I think the curves of women who are hourglass mean that anything completely unstructured eg boyfriend jeans aren't very flattering.
Hoirglasses need some shape to their clothing otherwise everything just ends up a bit blob-by and hanging.
You're lucky you can wear skinny jeans (I can't). So maybe concentrate on those with less smart jumpers, maybe jumpers over a shirt with the collar and cuffs out. Or a fitted top with a funky belt. Or tops with a quirky detail.
Where do you get your skinnies from?

I'm hourglassy. A bit bigger than you at 14 but that shape. I like harem pants with vests and denim jacket for a casual look.
Another look I go for is a short tube skirt with a slouchy top, tights and ankle boots.
Basically, go slouch on either the top or the bottom, never both.
Also having my hair down rather than tied up, and using a casual handbag makes a difference.
Have a look in Pinterest for some outfit ideas. I can lose hours on there!

workingonthemoon I tend to get high waisted skinnier from new look or the cheap Dorothy Perkins jeggings (Eden, I think they're called) - they're so flattering and don't go baggy or out of shape.

I like loose/baggy check shirts with skinnies but they seem to make me look like a middle aged mum (cough, which I am) - think Frankie from The Middle - rather than edgy and casual, which is how they make my friends look.

These kind of looks. I forgot to mention scarves! I wear loads of scarves.
If you tuck your top in a bit at the front, you keep the slouch without being swamped.