Rubbish at putting clothes together & feel like I have nothing to wear. Help please!

[Honey1975]

I’ve just been away for a week with the family and have felt a total mess the whole time. I am 5’3 and size 12. Always been pear shaped but am starting to turn more apple shaped! I know I’ve put on a few pounds this year and now alot of my clothes are getting uncomfortable & are not flattering at all.

I don’t seem to be able to put outfits together very well. I have lots of clothes but none very nice or flattering. I took loads of bits with me this week but when it came to getting dressed each i felt everything I had with me was wrong.

I think I would like to look a bit smarter & tidier, more groomed but it just doesn’t come naturally to me & I don’t know how. I manage to look ok for work but it’s family time I am a mismatched mess!

Any tips please?

Pinterest ideas of looks you like, this clears your head and gives you a vision. Be honest- is the look you are aiming for going to work with your body type and lifestyle? I may love a tight bodycon dress- but as a size 16, mid-40s primary school teacher it isn’t going to work!

Get out all your clothes- do they fit? Are you ever going to wear them again?

Look at The Pinterest pictures, can you identify a dress or skirt which works as your main piece? Now find a top and shoes which go with it. What jacket? Will a scarf or necklace add interest? Take a photo and then have a look at it. If you’re happy- great! Now change the top or jacket or even the scarf. Is it better? Worse? Take another photo as you can see more objectively.

I think we stop playing with our clothes as assaults. Teenage girls do it all the time do they know they look exactly how trey feel best. We just put on clothes! I’d set aside a few hours to just play with your clothes/ take photos of what works so you know your options.

I’m really strict about what I buy- only within my colour scheme so I know it all works together. If you feel this is manageable I’d recommend it, but some people find it restrictive.

The first thing you need to do is ditch the clothes don't fit as you'll only feel fat in them and they will remind you that you've put on weight. Next thing to do is buy a few dresses, depending on your shape, I like jersey tshirt type dresses, I've got one from Sugarhill which is navy with white stripes and I've been complemented on it so it must look nice, I then bought a similar one from Esprit (see picture). The beauty of a dress is that you've got a whole outfit in one.
Get a new pair of jeans and a few fancy tshirts that are not boxy. Hard I know but once again a found a lovely colorful stripy cotton one in Esprit and it's a lovely shape.
If I were you I'd try all my clothes on and charity shop anything that doesn't fit or suit you, the remaining items try in again and list all the missing pieces of your wardrobe, i.e. Get the bits that'll pull together what you've got.
Make up wise you need a cream eyeshadow stick from Rosie for autograph, fool proof. Put it in your eyelid, blend with your finger and you instantly look groomed. Team with a cream blush (Rosie does those too) a slick of lipstick and mascara and you'll feel 100% more put together.

Can I just add, the above dress looks more fitted on me, it isn't at all sack like! 😂

All of the above & once you have your basics sorted I tend to stick to the below rules when buying new stuff.

Does it suit me/is it flattering? Otherwise you won’t ever wear it.

Does it go with other stuff in my wardrobe or does it bring looks together? Some of my best buys have been “boring” items that have pulled together so many other items & Ive worn them for years.

Is it a wow piece that is fun but wearable? Important to have a few of these pieces as they can elevate a look (apologies for sounding wanky, I used to work in fashion) & bring joy.

Completely agree we stop playing with clothes as adults.

Totally agree I’ve never been happier with my wardrobe I’m 44 and size 14 and for the last few years all I’ve bought is classic clothes in natural fibres sticking to a neutral palette (mainly navy then black blue grey khaki camel) nothing is expensive I have palpitations past £80, but I can pull together outfits so easily compared to a few years ago when I would buy simply because I liked it it looked nice and it was the right price but all I’d be left with is a wardrobe of random shite that I sharp lost interest in as it could only be worn in one particular way ie dresses they were a saviour in my 30s an all in one no brainer outfit on the cheap I rarely go near them now