I have absolutely no style at all!

[Cherrybakewellll]

As per the title really. I have zero style and it's really starting to get me down.
Bit of background, I have always been in a bad place with how I think of my body, I was severely overweight as a kid and bullied so I grew up wearing leggings and smocky style tops to cover up. Then in my teens I became a goth and that sort of gave me something to hide behind. Then fast forward to my twenties, I basically went on a diet and lost loads of weight, then it became an obsession and I was underweight. Even during this time it was still smocky tops and leggings.
I have recently had my 3rd baby and literally nothing fits me apart from leggings.
I'm 5ft 10 and a size 12 but because I'm so tall I can never find tops that fit that aren't frumpy.

I've always worked in a male dominated industry right up until a couple of years ago and I grew up with brothers so I was never really around anyone 'girly' to influence me or advise me.

I am trying to lose the baby weight in a healthy manner now, which is slowly but surely. However I have still got lumps on my thighs and bum which are taking longer to shift than I would like.

I did do the Styled by Susie analysis and she said I'm a Sprinf Hourglass shape. I've got blonde/light brown hair, blue eyes and pale skin. Im a 36DD bra. I'm a burn don't tan type.

I was trying to find a photo to show you so I could crop out my face but honestly I can't find a single photo other than my wedding or having just given birth.

So I guess what I'm asking for is any advice on where to start to improve things?
I'm willing to pay out for key pieces and things that will actually last. I guess a 'capsule' wardrobe is what I'm hoping for.

I have a work uniform for when I go back after mat leave so that's fine, I guess it's day to day stuff I need which is practical for the usual daily grind of cooking/cleaning/dog walking etc.

Any advice would be really greatfully recieved.

I guess what I should have added to is I almost think if I was plus sized I would be easier to dress because I find the shapes in those ranges are more flattering. Maybe because those clothes appear to be longer?

Some peoples will suggest their idea of a capsule wardrobe but it might not suit you .
Figure out what neck lines you like, what sleeve lengths you prefer. Loose or tight fitting tops ?
Also what colours you like to wear and whether u like prints or patterns or plain .
This will help to decide what clothes to buy and what you’ll never wear.
For example a very mumsy look around here is co verse with jeans and a Breton too. I wouldn’t ever wear that style as it’s just not me . You gotta find your niche .

What did you like about the goth style? Could you incorporate elements of that now? From your description, you sound like you have a great figure and are tall, so you would look great in lots of styles. If times were easier, I’d say charity shops as a low financial cost way of finding out what works and what doesn’t. As it is, try Pinterest and get a mood board together of what catches your eye and use it to see if any themes emerge for you.

You sound like you have a Great figure op. I second what @Fidgety31 says and I would also add in what kind of trousers or Jeans you like for example skinny, boot cut etc. When you know the types of clothes it is easy to narrow it all down and choose stuff you will actually wear rather than have piles of clothes and wear three items.
I took the clothes I wear most often and thought about what it was I liked about them and built on that.
For example I like stripes but they don’t look good on me. I like patterns but they don’t look good on me. My boobs spill out of anything low cut.
I don’t like or wear jumpers.
I like and look nice in boot cut jeans and skinny jeans but they have to be very high waisted. I like chunky cardigans but not jumpers. Plain colours, no patterns or stripes. I don’t like shorts at all. I like dresses and tights and boots but don’t own a skirt. Scoop, v neck and batwing tops, 3 quarter sleeves and fitted tops, cami t down to your body shape and personal style. Doing a bit of analysis has really helped me know if something will look good on me too many times I bought clothes that I thought looked great but didn’t suit me.

I had a two house of colour days - colour and style and they really helped me find what suited me. It has made shopping dramatically easier and saved me money. The consultant can do a shop with you. - if you want further help
It isn't cheap but as I said saved me money and time.

Get a recommendation for some one in your area as consultants can vary.
It would also be good to work on your self esteem and body issues which we all have
Look at Marisa Peer on u tube or on podcasts
Good luck

"The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe"
This book and the author's website are work looking at too

Some questions:
What's your budget?
What styles do you see on other people that you like?
What do you mean by only frumpy tops suit your height? I'm almost the same height and don't (deliberately) wear anything I think frumpy..

Hello! I'm completly different size and height to you but I've recently "capsuled" my wardrobe. I chose 4/5 colours I like in me blue, mustard, pink, black, grey. I stick to these colours as much as possible or theyre the dominent colours. I have statement necklaces to tie it all in.
I then looked at Pinterest for capsule items for my figure.

Firstly, I'll put a lot of money on you not being a 36DD.

If you're size 12 you'll be 32 or 34 maximum in the back, but bigger in the cup.

Go to www.booborbust.com and then buy lovely new bras.

They will change everything about how you look, how your clothes hang and how you feel.

Gok Wan always started with the bra for a reason. It's transformational.

Are you long waisted? Is that the problem with tops in that you're buying bigger sizes to add length, or do you mean they look frumpy because of your bust size? I'm your height and a 34D/ DD. It seems in proportion to me. Get properly measured and fitted though.

You need the right length tops and vest tops. Experiment with tall range at ASOS but I find h and m and their associated brands are fine. Uniqlo isn't bad. And when I'm a bit heavier I avoid high neck or even proper round neck tops.

Thank you for all your ideas ladies.

I think you are right that I need to start from the bra and work my way out from there.

By frumpy I guess I mean I find styles which are in the tall ranges often seem to be frilly or baggy which neither do me any favours.

So at the risk of someone recognising me, I've tried on this dress which is what I've read is good for my body shape but it makes my shoulders look broad and I look frumpy. I hope that sort of helps show what I'm trying to say?

For example this too, I can't help thinking it does nothing for my figure, it needs more shape?

I think the first dress is very nice. Not so keen on the second. But if it doesn't make you feel good, don't wear it.
You may feel better with separates with your shape - slim legs and larger bust.

Thanks @thedevilinablackdress after these dresses (which I'm sending back) I tried on a pair of shorts I already own but haven't worn and I have to say I think you're right, separated may be the way to go.

I think you are all right in that I just need to research what I like, adapt it to what suits my shape and colourings. Basically, I need to actually make an effort.

I think I need to invest in some better underwear too, I've got cheap flesh coloured midis for every day but actually I probably need something a bit more supportive of my jelly belly.

I'll be measuring for booborbust later today so thank you for that idea @GuyFawkesDay

You are quite busty in those pics (so am I) so I recognise the issue - women like us either look barmaid or frump if not careful!

You have great legs so make more of them. I favour separates as my bottom half is way smaller than my boobs and dresses can make me look huge unless v carefully chosen.

I'd guess your boobs are more like 32G or even bigger - getting proper bras is job no1 for feeling better.

Op you have got a fabulous figure but as others have said sort out the boobs you will be amazed at the difference it makes. It will make your middle look slimmer once the norks are where they should be!
Have a look on Pinterest at looks you like and maybe try and copy?

Should have added I'm a 32G and used to wear 36D so I speak from experience

You have a lovely figure and good legs.
You need a better bra, and I agree with pp that you are in the wrong size.

The first dress looks ok, but the second is definitely not for you.

As others have said, you have a great figure. I've found it really helps to learn some basic what suits me rules, saves loads of time, money and angst

You're not a classic Hourglass if you're tall - more likely to be a Vase in the old Trinny & Susannah categories, which i still think are the easiest and clearest to get some guidelines about choosing clothes shapes. Both those dresses hang off your boobs, hiding your waist. Check this out and see if it rings any bells:
bodyshapestyle.com/2011/02/08/trinny-and-susannah-the-vase/

You look like a Summer colouring (House of Colour system), which means cooler, softer versions of all the colours, which is a reason why that orange dress isn't making you feel comfortable. I'm a summer too and feel hot and frumpy in orange/yellow/brown. You can check this by holding up different coloured fabrics under your chin while looking in the mirror and once you've seen whether you look best with hot vs cool / vibrant vs soft colours it becomes really easy to just disregard everything that won't suit you.

Any yes to a proper bra fitting- it'll change everything! Bravissimo are great, if they're doing them at the mo.

Thank you so much for all the replies, it's really really helpful. I think it's time to invest some time and cash in getting myself together.

@OneMoreForExtra this suggestion has been invaluable thank you so much x

You're welcome! Its amazing how much more fun clothes are when you have something to work off. I spent 2 decades looking and feeling like a complete mess (big boobs here too) until I learned about colour and body shape types.

The first dress looks better because of the v neck but it looks too big. Like PP said try and get something that will cinch in at the waist.

@OneMoreForExtra I've just done the measurements for booborbust and it's saying 32GG! I've ordered some stuff from bravissimo in the hope that it is indeed correct. Thank you so much again, you may have changed my life!

That black and pink flowered dress is cute - you need a size smaller or a belt to cinch in your waist.

The second orange dress is wrong as the neckline needs to be lower. You'd suit scoop or a lower neck.