Style me size 22?

[HelpMeStyle]

I’ve reached my rock bottom and I’m a size 22 and 5,6 and 30 years old.

I have taken control and have diet and exercise under control but what can I wear to look somewhat normal or dare I say it, stylish, while I lose the weight?

I used to adore clothes but life has battered me and all I wear now is dreadful leggings and long tops. I quite honestly get a fright when I see myself and none of my previous favorites look well at this size so I’m lost.

Would really appreciate any help oh stylish ones!

Skinny jeans, long blouses with v-necks, and ankle boots. It’s a basic uniform that works well to hide problem areas. Avoid prints.

I tend to describe myself as 'scrubs up alright for a fat bird' rather than stylish but I'll have a go...

Next stretch slim fit jeans/leggings for casual wear. They hold everything in but are really comfy at the same time.

Simply Be, New Look and Dorothy Perkins do really good plus size clothes. DP is great for work dresses and SB does affordable 'sculptural' underwear and lots of brands like Quiz and Joe Browns.

Don't make the mistake of wearing floaty stuff to cover lumps and bumps as it just makes you look shapeless. Great underwear and fitted clothes in a style that you love, plus a bit of effort with hair & make up will make you feel 100% more confident.

btw I'm a 22/24

Look up Louise Pentland. She is a stylish and well turned out size 22. Good luck, you are whoever you decide to be

What kind of shape are you?

I'm a size 20/22 and same height & a few years older

1. Good bra- makes you look slimmer instantly once you can see a waist under the tits

1. Good pants. No bulges because they're too small etc

1. Look polished. For me that's lashes, tan & brows. Washed and styled hair.

1. DITCH THE LEGGINGS! NOW! GO BURN THEM!

1. Dieting is great but you need to learn to like what you've got now.

Non work days (at home with 2 DC under 4)
BIIIIIG sunglasses, leather jacket with funky scarf, fit & flare dress or slim fit jeans with layered tops

Work days- very well tailored cheap clothes. I go to a seamstress & she can make a £20 Tesco dress look AMAZING.

Things I've brought lately

• http://www.next.co.uk/style/st258404#315366

direct.asda.com/george/women/jumpsuits-playsuits/chocolate-brown-utility-belted-jumpsuit/GEM696067,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C12

minibunz thanks so much, I’m delighted you mentioned V necks actually. I’ve made the mistake with high round necks before and they really don’t suit! (I own mostly prints though will burn them along with my leggings!)

Minty great advice and I have absolutely not been making any effort with my anything! I think this plays a big role in how shitty I’ve been feeling in myself too!

Anerak thank you I love that!

Kondo I’m an hourglass shape but the unfortunate thing is my arms are awful and my legs are cellulite riddled.

Quaint I could KISS you! Your post has revved me up so much!
The leggings definitely have to go? 🙈 all of them?

I adore what you have linked, what shoes do you wear with them? I can’t get my legs out for dresses either so is there another option I’ll pretend I haven’t spent a year wearing leggings as tights

@HelpMeStyle Yep! Soz

But seeing as luxe sports wear is in I do have some gym leggings to wear with trainers if I'm popping to the shops.

Note that I didn't say when I'm going to the gym coz right now life is manic. I am eating healthier but I'm not beating myself up about what I haven't got time for right now.

Erm what can't you get your legs out?

I wear 60D tights. (From the fashion house of F&F ) and fat calf boots from Yours.

Don't buy anything else from Yours. It's all a typical fat bird tents which are unflattering.

My ham arms are huuuuuge but I get them out in the summer anyway coz let's be honest- they're there, nothing you wear is going to make your arms slimmer. So I just make sure I have a tan. I think fat looks better in a tan 😂

Shoe wise I'm LIVING for next wide fit shoes atm. I'll find a link to the ones I'm wearing to work most days.

I would say don't worry about patterns if you like them and feel confident wearing them.

For years I basically wore a uniform of black skirts/trousers and plain coloured t-shirts under the illusion it made me look slimmer. Actually it just made me look and feel prematurely middle aged and frumpy.

That said I have noticed that after 3 years of overdoing florals I am going for simpler, more graphic patterns these days.

YY to Next wide fit, and also Clarks, especially their cone heels which are both comfortable and a bit glam with no teetering involved.

www.next.co.uk/g52292s18

I'm now lusting after the leopard print.

Re prints. I like print but I'm careful not to wander into "I'm fat & think I can hide it with print" territory.

I prefer colour blocking (unless it's leopard print. Then it's always ok 😂)

I'm feeling scandi style colour blocking in earth tones atm which is rife on the high street

Quaint those are gorgeous.

I think they might accidentally slip into my basket...

@MintyCedric have you seen the Evans mustard & polka dot mules! 😍😍😍

m.evans.co.uk/en/evuk/product/shoes-250471/extra-wide-fit-leopard-print-block-heel-mules-8401893?dual-run=evans.co.uk&

Fit and flare dress from Tesco

Asda jumpsuit

Tesco shirt (not to be teamed with gym leggings 😂)

Oh Quaint!!
We have shockingly similar figures and shapes!
Here I am going around raggy and vile and you look absolutely stunning!

Was the tech dress a recent buy?

*tesco

Take a look in Asda. They do great clothes in all sizes at very reasonable prices I'm a 22, small busted but fat.
Warning: if you see something you quite like but aren't sure about it buy it anyway. It'll be gone in a few days and you can always return it if you change your mind.

I am envious of your extra (vertical) inches.

I'm only 5'3 .

The mustard/polka dot shoes are fab!

For tights, I recommend Tesco Magic tights. I’m size 20-22 and 5’7” and wear the XL. They come in opaque and normal, they are better than anything M&S have.

I love the Tesco shirt Quaint

I am 49 yrs old, 5'6" and size 20. I wear a lot of patterned tops with straight or tapered leg trousers, and long line cardigans (primarni does fab ones!) over the top. I also wear interesting/chunky necklaces. If I find a particular item I like I always try and get it in several colours.

Best thing I ever did style wise was get my colours done (controversial I know on MN!) they also discussed styles and shapes I should wear, it no double breasted anything, t shirts should be v neck or scoop, etc...for me it's been a godsend cos I've now developed quite a distinct style. Makes shopping miles easier!

Agree with getting the underwear right. Makes all the difference to the finished look.

Forgot to say I have a massive bargain buyer, Primark, TKMaxx, Supermarkets etc. I also buy from Very and SimplyBe - usually the sales! Rarely spend over £20 for any item (except shoes and dresses) but they have to fit well, and I always check quality of material and finish carefully.

@HelpMeStyle yes Tesco dress was recent & Morrison's have fab jersey dresses same kinda cut but scoop necked for £10 in black, navy with burnt orange horizontal stripes. Again they hit the bust, pull material of tummy but show waist and hip shape