Feeling meh about my size but still want to shop

[CheckingOutTheQuantocks]

I've been really looking forward to autumn coming round again because all my favourite colours and styles are back in the shops. The trouble is, I've put a lot of weight on this year and I just don't look the way I want to in all the lovely autumn clothes

I love cord, tweeds, tartan, wool etc. I used to be really into the quirky librarian sort of look - wool skirts or trousers with shirts and tank tops, pinafore dresses, that kind of vibe. I'm worried that I'm too fat and old for that look now, and I'll come off as frumpy instead of quirky.

What kinds of things could I wear that would be a nod towards the style I like but which wouldn't look like some kind of Mallory Towers cosplay outfit?

could you check out people on Instagram and see how they wear the outfits you like? I know I get a lot of inspiration there, bigger women looking very cool (stylemecurvy and polka dot paintbox seem good).

I personally think one can wear any style if you tailor it to your size. It's all about confidence.

Louise O'Neill looks great, but her style isn't really very me - she's very "done" and polished, and I'm not keen on the sorts of dresses she wears. They're cool on her but not what I'd wear. I do sometimes try to look at plus size people on Instagram but find a lot of it geared towards the Kardashian style huge, toned bums and boobs, spilling out of skimpy swimwear. Not very nerdy librarian!

Are there any other bloggers people recommend looking at?

Hannah Gale is FAB.

Assuming you're in between a size 12 and 16, #midsizestyle is a good hashtag to follow on Instagram and you'll be able to see a variety of posters and hopefully find some inspiration. But if you've found a style that works for you, I wouldn't change it just because you've gained some weight, you might just need to tweak it slightly.

Another hashtag I follow is #stylingmycurves it's run(?) by iman80slady who has quite a quirky style (and the best Polish/Scottish hybrid accent) and thefashionstylefile who's much more groomed but not in a Kardashian way.

There's still a while before autumn. Why not use this as motivation to lose weight?

peachypetite I have an eating disorder and generally when I post in S&B it's because I want to work with what I have at the moment. I know you weren't to know that but please bear in mind that weight can be a very sensitive issue and it's best to avoid it when you don't know somebody's circumstances. I am about to start a course of hypnotherapy soon so we'll see where that gets me.

Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll have a look.

I’m not an Instagram fan so can’t help there, sorry. But I do like a tweedy look and I’m not young. I always wear it with at least one thing that’s ‘off-look’ e.g a tweed skirt with a (p)leather jacket rather than say, an argyle cardigan, a tweed jacket over a band T shirt, and so on. And I make sure things like shoes, jewellery and specs are modern.

Floisme I don't actually 'do' Instagram either, although you can look at it without having an account, and I have looked at the suggestions here. But yes, I think being selective is a good idea. Young, slim people can get away with doing the look from head to toe but if you're neither of those things it can stop looking like you planned it.

I know where you're coming from OP, I've put on weight because of a serious medical condition and treatment and am having to completely rethink my wardrobe ☹️

I am the opposite. I hate Autumn's colours - they normally do not flatter me and some fabrics are far too heavy for me. Bugger!

Helenwearsasize18 is a good one, and agree with Hannah Gale too - both have helped me feel more comfortable and confident with what I have!

This site might meet your brief (non frumpy cords tweed silks etc) and has resulted in me sinking some cash, I luffs everything on there.

She also has an insta that's updated more frequently:

grahamst.co.uk/outfits?category=fashion