Help! Clothes that are less baggy...

[Indecisivelurcher]

So I would have described my clothes as 'relaxed', but the local paper printed a photo of me from behind, and I just look awful. My mom jeans are falling down around my arse, my straight fit t-shirt is drowning me, chequed shirt over the top is not completing the look well. My hair is long and straight. I just look swamped. To be honest I could probably throw more than 3/4 of my clothes. They're a mash of M&S, fat face, ethical brands like rapanui, second hand bits, tie-dye, failed harem trouser attempts, t-shirts that drown me. I'm a small person, 5'4 and a size 10. Dressed with a waist suit me best but I'm never going to be that person. Where can I shop for a bit of a neater fit?! What can I wear for home life with kids and dog?

I would ditch the jeans. A sleeker look is almost impossible unless maybe leggings or skinny, which are sadly often tight and restrictive too.
I also think baggier, stiffer mom jeans are hideously restrictive, and maybe we are evolving out of that old denim staple nowadays towards a more sleek, comfortable look?

Jeans are hardy little buggers, and I have bo idea why someone would wear them everyday - but they are popular and we are not all the same, so of course it isn't that important.

I am the same height as you, 8-10 and do suit a sleeker silhouette. It doesn't have to be expensive or austere either. For causal I do suit decent quality leggings with a loose, longer length top or fine knit jumper. These sit softly against the body but don't overwhelm it, which I think trousers and waisted things often do when we are not tall and robust.
I also like a non restrictive skirt, flowing and soft, so a winter weight lined silk would be my dream, with darker tones, coupled with a fine knit cashmere top that flows neatly to my body - nothing chunky. A long squishy cashmere hooded cardigan, like a robe is a nice, luxe addition.

You can locate comfy, contemporary stuff that doesn't bunch or cling but still gives a nice slender silhouette, if that's what you're after. Jeans and a parka are practical, as a many trends, but they often have a blockish look too.

You don't need a waisted dress, perhaps consider a loose but sleek fit jersey one or a neat tunic over tights or leggings. At our height, whilst not exactly petite, a lot of voluminous denims and chunky stuff really overwhelms.

Thank you, I'll need to digest that as it's a bit like another language to me (a far more elegant one).
I never know what to wear with leggings and also feel really exposed wearing them. I got a lovely long skirt in the summer but get really stuck on what to put it with, particularly as so many tops are this boxy or straight shape at the moment. And it's not practical really.

Paper bag trousers or jeans with tighter/shorter top to counterbalance

Are there any brands that are better for a neater fit?

Do you tuck a tshirt into paperbag jeans... Or what!

Yes! Tuck it in. Defines the waist and gives a nice silhouette. Also they not to wear massive shirts or cardigans over outfits as it can make it more slouchy. Same with the long skirt, wear fitted on top to balance it out. Not sure on brands as I'm quite tall, I've always found m&s jeans fit like a glove though! Not sure if they do the paperbag jean but it's a nice way of still maintaining the 'baggy ness’ whilst looking put together. Think I've heard whistles are quite good. You can also look at barrel leg jeans, personally I don't like skinny jeans.

@Indecisivelurcher

Thank you, I'll need to digest that as it's a bit like another language to me (a far more elegant one). I never know what to wear with leggings and also feel really exposed wearing them. I got a lovely long skirt in the summer but get really stuck on what to put it with, particularly as so many tops are this boxy or straight shape at the moment. And it's not practical really.

Sorry op, I sometimes get lost in my own thoughts {grin]

I meant softer fabrics that aren't baggy or chunky that flow against you rather than clinging. I always find that kind if thinks suits my body more, but im a small build and a lot of stuff makes me look a bit drowned.

There's ways of dressing leggings up that aren't scruffy, and longer tops, tunic style in nice fabrics can be comfy and warm for winter - and a good hefty coat & boots for dog walking thrown in!

Might not be your thing at all. I hate the feel of tucked in waists, even when they look nice, so im possibly just weird.

Are you sure you are a size 10 and not an 8? If everything is too loose and baggy on you, have you got in the habit of buying a dress size you would be in some brands but would be better with something tighter fitting? (Eg. Im a 10 in New Look, but would wear a 6 on top or 8 on bottom from Boden or M&S)

Yes to tucking tops in unless your bottom half clothing is skin tight (skinny jeans or leggings). With Mum jeans even jumpers look better tucked in, at least partially.

I agree with @MargosKaftan, you describe yourself as small. At your height I’d imagine a 10 to be an average build. You sound like an 8 wearing a 10!

I have wondered if an 8 would be better, the size 10 M&S jeans one got on are falling down. But I can't get into an 8 very easily! And I still think the styles I'm buying are swampy.

I like the idea of going for nicer fabrics. Long squishy cashmere cardigans with leggings. Paperbag jeans with a tucked in tshirt. Defo going to need some more fitted t-shirts, not tight just not square.

Try the petite ranges. A size ten in petite will probably fit better.

I know mum jeans are trendy but I don't think they suit most people. I'm sticking with my lovely skinny jeans!

As a rule of thumb, if I'm wearing something loose then the rest of the outfit is tight. E.g., loose long cardigan with a tight stretchy vest underneath, or oversized jumper with tight skinny jeans, jumper dress with leggings.

Don't throw all your clothes away based on one unflattering photo though!

Just thought I have a night out coming up that would be in 'jeans and a nice top' category but is going to have me totally stumped.

Maybe go into a big shop like next, h and m or M&S and try on loads of jeans, all in an 8 and a ten (6 in next). Remember that jeans ‘give’ a little as you wear them so you want them to start out a tiny bit big.

If you get the jeans right, the rest looks much better.

If you are wearing a shirt over a T-shirt, the T-shirt needs to be quite fitted. Buy some smaller T-shirts.

Then for your night out, wear your nice new jeans and we can help you with ideas for a nice top.

Cool trainers will help bring it all together, day or night.

Small! You want the jeans to start out a bit small!

There is definitely a lot of vanity sizing these days plus everything is massive so I should be a 10 and find 8s big.

Jeggings are the way forward! Or skinny high waisted jeans. I look much better in slimmer fitting clothes.

Skinny jeans, plain slim fit T-shirt and a good quality jumper, most of mine are cashmere. Or I’ve got a few north face fleece jumpers for dog walking, again they’re slim fit though, no big baggy tops as they swamp me.

@Indecisivelurcher

Just thought I have a night out coming up that would be in 'jeans and a nice top' category but is going to have me totally stumped.

Skinny jeans (my favourite are boden super skinny), plain T-shirt and a leather jacket. Can’t go wrong!

Are you sure you are a size 10 and not an 8?

I thought this too.

@Sexnotgender that sounds good but it's just not me!

So far, I'm buying some paperbag jeans and another pair in a size 8 but might try to go to an actual shop to check, I'm tucking my t-shirts in, I'm trying to find somewhere that sells more fitted style tees, I'm digging out my leggings, I'm eyeing up some cashmere jumpers on vinted, and I might look at long skirts too. My best outfit over the summer was a long skirt with a tee tucked in.

For jeans and a nice top, nice pair of paperbag jeans and a good quality plain top which you can dress up. E.g a black mock neck/turtleneck with layered silver necklaces, stud earrings etc. If going simple I like to make an extra effort with sleek (just straighten it really) hair and nice minimal makeup.

Depop is the best for second hand imo

I'm 5' 4" too and a size eight and just can't carry off loose flowing clothes! I think you need to be tall and willowy.

I can get away with a slightly looser top only if I'm wearing leggings or skinny jeans and slightly heeled chunky boots or wedges.

The sort of thing I'd wear is dark skinnies, tops with stretch, fitted jumpers or a cropped cardi, jumpers that end at the waist, stretchy tube skirts, for a night out my favourite is black skinny cigarette trousers or jeans with heels, a silky sleeveless camisole, pendant necklace and a fitted jacket (if it's cold).

I can easily look swamped too.

Thank @SmileyClare

Actually I think I've got some black skinny jeans somewhere that I've only worn once.

Thanks @randomuseragain I've not tried that one!

Ooh dig out your black skinnies. I'm ignoring all the hype that skinny jeans are out. They're a wardrobe staple as far as I'm concerned