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Original poster

How to look nice with sturdy body

12 replies

Maizzee · 02/07/2021 14:20

Hi,

I'm struggling to feel good about how I look at the moment. I'm 42, my body has changed a bit since having kids, and I just don't ever feel like I look good. I used to be a safe 12, but now a definite 14. Not a huge amount of weight gain, but the effect on my shape feels huge to me. I have no waist, and big boobs, 5ft 5 tall. I'm not slim, I'm slightly overweight, I'm just sturdy and frumpy looking. I had a style analysis thing, which put me as a rectangle body shape, which I'd agree with. I see people a similar size/shape and think they look great, but I just can't get it right myself.

Anybody with a similar shape? What do you wear? I've sent back so much stuff over the last year, nothing makes me feel good about myself.

(And no mention of wrap dresses! I always read that they're good for women with big boobs. I look ridiculous in them.)

OP posts:
ILoveShula · 02/07/2021 14:46

Wear tops that skim the body, not cling. so go for tops with a shape but aren't figure hugging. If you wear boxy shapes,wear a loose belt or do a french tuck

Wrap dresses don''t suit many.

ILoveShula · 02/07/2021 14:57

Look up something like celebrities with rectangular body shape and look for someone whose style you admire.

example

SummaLuvin · 02/07/2021 15:29

She is quite slender, but Meghan Markle dresses beautifully and I think has a rectangular shaped body (at lease she did in her Suits days!) So I would check out some of her outfits.

dancealittleclosertome · 02/07/2021 15:55

Also could you afford to get your 'colours' done? If the colours are good, then things will automatically look better.

Perfectlystill · 02/07/2021 16:14

I am a bit like you as I'm 5'6" with no waist and a sporty body. But I don't think I look frumpy at all!

I am sporty so have good legs and arms and am slim, not skinny or fat. So I show off my legs in short (not very short) skirts and dresses. Or I wear girlfriend jeans and a slightly tighter t shirt or fitted shirt.

I have a few silk floral print dresses with tie belts which give me the illusion of a waist. I wear them to work and to parties. I have cut off jeans and Gap camo shorts which I wear with t shirts in the heat, or girlfriend jeans when it's less hot.

My fave thing is a silk shirt from Equipment - it's brilliantly cut so makes me look slim and as if I have a waist.

I also wear a lot of sports wear as I am often planning to work out at some point in the day. (Like today when all I've done is eat flapjacks and drink tea and read recipes online).

Original poster
Maizzee · 02/07/2021 16:32

@dancealittleclosertome

Also could you afford to get your 'colours' done? If the colours are good, then things will automatically look better.
A personal shopper told me I was a winter a while back, and I think that's right - I feel better in many of those colours.
OP posts:
Original poster
Maizzee · 02/07/2021 16:40

@Perfectlystill

I am a bit like you as I'm 5'6" with no waist and a sporty body. But I don't think I look frumpy at all!

I am sporty so have good legs and arms and am slim, not skinny or fat. So I show off my legs in short (not very short) skirts and dresses. Or I wear girlfriend jeans and a slightly tighter t shirt or fitted shirt.

I have a few silk floral print dresses with tie belts which give me the illusion of a waist. I wear them to work and to parties. I have cut off jeans and Gap camo shorts which I wear with t shirts in the heat, or girlfriend jeans when it's less hot.

My fave thing is a silk shirt from Equipment - it's brilliantly cut so makes me look slim and as if I have a waist.

I also wear a lot of sports wear as I am often planning to work out at some point in the day. (Like today when all I've done is eat flapjacks and drink tea and read recipes online).

You sound like you've got the kind of figure I'd like! Unfortunately I could never be described as sporty. My arms are fine, but my legs are, like the rest of me, sturdy! And I've got a bit of a tummy after the kids. I'm not unfit, I'm actually very active, it just doesn't show in my body.

I like dresses with a tie waist, but find I need v-neck. Any too high neckline looks awful. I recently bought this, and it's the only thing I've not returned recently:
www.next.co.uk/g9691s5/806312#806312

OP posts:
WhereDidIGoNext · 02/07/2021 16:51

Stick with that shape then op if that works for you. There are lots of dresses around in that shape at the moment so you should find more

WhereDidIGoNext · 02/07/2021 16:52

And for trousers, emulate the shape of the dress, so tops like the top of the dress, and perhaps some relaxed harem style type trousers, would create a similar shape and look

ILoveShula · 02/07/2021 18:23

I'd say MM was an inverted triangle.

She wears some clothes that do nothing for her. She still looks nice in them but that's because she is slim and toned.

Perfectlystill · 02/07/2021 22:36

That dress is nice OP. If you have no waist and like a v neck, shirt dresses will suit you, particularly if they are well cut and give the illusion of a waist.

I bet you look much better than you think you do.

2andahalfpints · 03/07/2021 10:37

I am exactly your shape size and height, it is a new problem for me too - I recently got a wrap top with a peplum in a soft fabric - I know you said no wrap, I always said no peplum but the combination of the two really gives me a waist

It is currently one of the most (or only) things I feel good in

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