Style advice needed: menopausal aged 43

[EssexLioness]

I am really struggling with working out how to dress my menopausal body. I am suffering from lack of confidence and low mood and this isn’t helping as I feel I have lost my style.
I am 43 and my go to is vintage inspired eg 40s tea dresses, 50s dresses, Capri pants. I like bright colours and vintage prints, in a summer colour palette.
I am a curvy size 12 but now my stomach is huge. I get very bloated and also have a lot of stomach fat that refuses to budge no matter what I do. Floaty styles don’t help this as they make me look much larger than I am and are very unflattering.
I also struggle regulating my body temperature. I am freezing cold most of the time except when I am having a hot flush. Dressing in layers makes sense but cardigans, tunics etc look really frumpy on me.
Many of my clothes are from Hell Bunny, Collectif, Lindy Bop etc. I have a few nice dresses that still look ok as they skim my tummy but I am stuck for Autumn/ Winter wear. I really need a nice pair of trousers for church/ going out and it’s a struggle to find one that fits over my hips and stomach well. I want something with a vintage vibe, but not really wide legs.
At the moment I am spending too much time in leggings, hoodies etc but my natural style is quite smart and I just feel miserable and not myself. Any help or links would be much appreciated. Budget isn’t a big issue, though I don’t like spending silly money on clothes. Would prefer good quality that will last me

I'll stop now (otherwise I may bankrupt you ) but for smart, check out Winser's Miracle Range. This is the most flattering dress I own -. I have it in multiple colours for work www.winserlondon.com/shop/clothing/dresses-skirts/lauren-miracle-dress-2

Lol, your posts have been more than helpful! I am going to have a think about what to order and check back. I lost 3 stone in the past year but still have about a stone to shift (which is proving to be very stubborn). I think what I am going to do is order the wide leg trousers you linked and see what they look like. I have several tops that will look fab with them. Then I will hold onto this post and splash out on a couple of the dresses you linked to. Thanks again @Snowdrop30 😊

Hope you feel gorgeous @EssexLioness!

Thank you! Sorry last post is meant to say will order the trousers now then wait to splash out on the dresses until the rest of the weight shifts. Will look at long, belted cardigans too as they will be great in early autumn

I'm looking for one too. Going to try a "column of colour" underneath and then a really snuggly long cardigan on top. Good luck with learning to feel good about yourself x

Thanks @Snowdrop30, I do feel better than I did when I started this post! 😊lots of good advice and I started HRT last Friday which has kicked in the last couple of days - really helped my mood and confidence, though I still need to keep away from the leggings!

Oh that's fantastic news! I remember your previous post. Glad you are feeling better.

Thank you 😊 I feel so much more my normal self again… now need to get off mumsnet and get shopping for clothes! 😉