Please help me stop being so frumpy!

[TeaByTheSeaside]

I'm 50 next year. I don't have a clue what suits me and I go around looking a total frump.

I'm size 16-18 and 1 1/2 stone overweight (currently doing slimming World so that will hopefully change) .

I'm an apple shape so big up top with a big tummy.

Can you offer me any advice at all?

I'll post some pictures of how I go around looking.

Here's the pictures.

One more

IMHO the first step which will make a big difference to your shape and general outline is getting a good quality supportive bra in the correct size, probably a balconette style. This alone will make a massive improvement, you can ‘lose’ a stone instantly. At the mo, it looks as if your bra is the wrong size and doesn’t do what it is there to do, i.e to lift your assets and give them an alluring outline.

You have got a nice slim figure, so finding great clothes should not be too difficult 💐 I hope others will suggest some great ideas.

You look very similar in figure to me. I m off to get a bra from bravissimo this weekend I ve also started buying better quality clothes made from higher quality fabrics and they do look and feel better. I just can’t do flimsy jersey primark anymore.

You can just make some small changes it what you currently wear which would update your whole look.

You look best in the last, 5th, photo, so I would base your look on this. Shoes can make an outfit. So this outfit with some ankle boots or even white trainers would look better. Wide legged trousers or slimmer cut ankle length trousers are more current. Instead of a cardigan wear a denim jacket, or a blazer is very flattering.

I agree about decent bra and underwear - it makes a huge difference to your shape and all your clothes hang better.

The photo I like best is the one with the light coloured stripey T shirt and coral cardigan. It may be partly because you look relaxed but also, although I can't see your face, I get the sense that those colours suit you. In the other pic there's a lot of black with something bright or much lighter and it looks a bit harsh. It also draws the eye to your top half which I would have thought was the wrong way round for an apple.

Also apples often have really good, slim legs - what are yours like?

I'm not a fan of the colours, they're too wishy-washy. I'd layer stone colours, or be a bit bolder. I also think the neckline of the tops is neither here nor there, so it's unflattering on the bust. I'd go lower cut (within reason!).
Your legs seem very slim, would you wear closer-fitting jeans?
I'd definitely lose the cardigans, particularly over a high neck, as it adds unnecessary bulk around the top half. Try a more structured jacket/blazer instead.
Finally, I think the right costume jewelry works wonders for adding easy glamour - chunky bangles and earrings, or try a long delicate necklace to break up a higher neckline.
Hope some of this is helpful!

Is there somebody in the public eye who puts outfits together that you like? And is a similar shape etc. If so, could you google image them and see what types of clothes and accessories they are wearing?

Trousers that are more fitted. You have a great figure

Dresses are much easier to style and flattering if you get the right shape. Midi are still in along with trousers on mid calf. Your style is dated to around 10 years ago. Also think about spending more. Better fabrics hang really well. Have a look at the Lydia dress at Toast which would probably suit you really well and their dungaree dress is amazing and so flattering and i'm an apple. But size down one for both items. Try it and you'll be instantly updated. Also Cos do a fab pair of ecru dungarees, perfect for layering. Wear with converse or boots. Buy a really good quality pair of boots you will wear to death all winter. A really good expensive coat is a must. I bought 2 prom coats from toast 4 years ago in the sale of course and they still look good. Also Jaeger coats were v good value in the sale if there are any outlets left. Avoid fashion coats and go for shape, length and quality.

I think your tops are very loose. You need more shaped/fitted clothes. The trousers in your first pic look nice.

Agree to ditch the cardigans unless it’s round the house.

Look on Pinterest for fashion ideas. That’s what I did (similar age to you) when I wanted to sharpen up my look and I then had a shopping list of five or six things to buy eg dark straight jeans, tan boots, oversized shirt, large tote bag, none of which I already had.

I’m far from a fashion guru but I don’t think the patterns are doing you any favours nor the cross body bag. I’d go for simpler designs like stripes and a decent leather shoulder bag/tote. Scarves feel a bit mumsy too these days although I’ll probably get shot for saying it! It’s a S&B cliche but Pinterest is so good for getting ideas and building up a collection of ‘how I’d like to look’ images. I don’t think you need a massive change, just tweak how you’re currently dressing 😊.

I could see you in a really bright coloured wrap dress. Try Boden.

Thank you for all the advice.

I'll have a look at Pinterest but in the meantime if any of you have pictures of what you think would work on me, please could you post them.

Thank you.

You look really nice in these pictures - I really like your hair colour and I also think the tops you have chosen have great colours for you and you look elegant.
I felt very very frumpy and realised I just didn’t want to buy clothes anymore as it was my body that needed to change.
After hiring a budget personal trainer and forcing myself to exercise an hour a day I don’t feel frumpy anymore. My body isn’t perfect or model skinny but it’s toned and that makes a difference in every outfityou wear.

I think you look lovely. Even though I can't see your face, you look like a happy, relaxed person who is clearly loved.

Don't dismiss yourself as 'frumpy'. You're not.

I don’t think you’re frumpy. Looks to me like you naturally pick out colours and prints that suit you and show a bit of personality. I would say you dress nicely!

I find a cardigan over a jersey top makes me feel immediately frumpy and not put together. A blazer instead of a cardi helps, as does wearing a shell top/sleeveless blouse instead of a jersey top. It’s something about the two unstructured things together I don’t like. A stretch scoop neck top can work too. And dresses always look smarter than separates IMO.

I don't think you look frumpy. But I agree you could probably find a better bra. Having a light/bright top and dark trousers does cut you in half somewhat and both top and bottom are currently unstructured. Have you tried jumpsuits?
A personal shopper session at John Lewis to get the basics of a casual capsule wardrobe might be a good idea. You could ask what your colours are at the same time.

I’d ditch the patterned tops ala White Stuff, Fat Face. I’m a 14/16 apple and their stuff on me (age 47) screams frump. Whilst apparently they’re going out of fashion, skinny jeans or trousers are very practical and will empahsise nice legs (your trousers look a bit big for you). You can go into a cool pair of ankle boots soon, don’t need to be high heeled, block and cowboy boot styles are good this year. I like a boyfriend style, single breasted coat, a bright colour would be fab (pink was everywhere last winter and would suit your colouring). Keep colours muted and plain. Khaki, grey, mink but add colour with shoes or coats.

A mixture of looks and styles/colours here that you could pull things from you like. Head to Next, H&M, Phase Eight, Hush, M&S to find similar.

Your hair looks in feat condition, nice skin tone, looks like good legs and nice sense of colour. I would agree with the skinnier trouser comments and would go so far to suggest the current tend for 'mom' jeans might suit you: high waist, looser over thighs (and bum?) , tighter at ankle. I think your proportions are a bit off and a higher waist, more structured and shorter top half would really help. Someone mentioned brighter accessories maybe? (Shoes and bags) And some eye catching chunky jewellery. Also agree with good undergarments! Makes all the difference to how you carry yourself and feel. Hope that helps! As someone else said, the photos give an impression of a warm, friendly personality. And that goes a looooooong way x

(Hair is great not feat?!)

What about a soft blazer rather than cardigan with a more fitted top underneath? I think you are swamping yourself a bit
I ditched my cross body bag as it highlighted all my lumpy areas.