Fashion help

[HelenofToulouse]

I have lost quite a bit of weight over the last year or so and am currently working on losing more, but I feel like I'm stuck in a bit of a rut fashion-wise as my body shape has changed and could do with some help/pointers in the meantime.

Vital stats:
5 ft 7
33 years old
Long black hair, Mediterranean features
Size: 20 trouser, 16-18 top

I tend to go for darker colours/block colours
Not a fan of patterns or anything too 'busy'
I work in an office, and like to go out quite a bit (under normal circumstances)
I am definitely not 'glamorous'
Skirts and shorts don't suit me but I do like dresses, and think fit and flare styles suit me well

If you were me, what sort of clothes would you go for? Where would you shop? And is there anyone on Instagram/social media you think I should follow?

Bump

Hello!

I am a similar height and size, but different colouring.

I love Uniqlo for things like basic, wool sweaters.

Hush is great for cotton tshirts, and I hear their harem pants are great (and generous sizing, so I think they'd still fit a 20, even though they say size 16). I haven't tried the harem pants in ages though.

I love Gap jeans.

I got a lovely dress from the Alice Temperley Somerset range at John Lewis recently, which is fit and flare, midi length. They go up to an 18. They had a very good sale on there, so I got a dress for £30ish which was originally £100ish.

At the minute, I'm a bit obsessed with minimalist wardrobes, so I have been watching A Small Wardrobe and Audrey Coyne a lot, although, neither of them are my size, shape or style really. I just love their whole ethos of mindful shopping and putting thought into every item, small colour palettes etc.

Plus size influencers, I love Fuller Fugure Fullet Bust, but again, I probably wouldn't wear anything she wears. Jess On The Plus Size is good too and I adore The Shira Rose, both of whose clothes I would actually wear some of.

Fuller not Fullet!

@ParisJeTAime thanks for the tips! I haven't shopped in any of the places you have recommended (except for Gap) so will start looking at those brands. And I struggle to find people to follow on social media because while I think they look great, we have very different styles so it's good to have some new names to search.

Also, seeing as you've said your body shape is similar to mine-would you consider yourself to be pear shape?

I'm a really funny shape tbh. Somewhere between an apple and an hourglass I think. I have a waist and wide hips, but also a tummy, but only really on the lower half of my tummy if that makes sense. I am also quite a big frame, so big all over (sexy ).

I need a bigger size on my bottom half (18-20), to accommodate my hips rather than my legs, which are comparatively slim.

@ParisJeTAime that does sound quite similar to me, and I know what you mean about having a larger stomach-I have that too! I think I might need to start ordering a few pieces to see how I go.

Yes, all my weight falls at my hips! It is quite funny looking as I then have smaller thighs 🤔. I'm a modern day miracle 🤣.

I find straight cut and girlfriend jeans flattering and v neck tops. Also skirts which are a-line, but fairly slim fitting on the hips and which fall a little above knee length. Good underwear makes a big difference for me too.

I am most often found in gym gear these days though . I claim this is because I exercise a lot, (I do a reasonable amount of exercise), but it's really because it's so comfy! But I'm dragging myself out of that rut slowly but surely.

I'm clearing out loads of clothes and occasionally replacing very carefully with far fewer items and sticking to things I know I will wear. I'm always cold, so I need warm clothes. Floaty dresses don't cut it, except on the warmest of days.

Excuse essay! I love clothes chat

@ParisJeTAime I love a v neck too-I think it's a very flattering cut. And I've spent most of the last year in loungewear as I've been WFH and I'm actually looking forward to getting dressed up a bit again!

I did a big clear out during the summer and haven't bought anything since so I think it's time for some new clothes, and I definitely like the look of Uniqlo and Hush, so thanks for the recommendations.

OP - have you looked at Boden? Some of their block colour dresses, e.g. the Natalie Ponte dress, are really flattering. And they are machine washable.