Help please! Turned into a frump!

[cheeseisthebest]

Hi. I'm 43, bit overweight and short and I hate my clothes!
Never know what looks nice on me? Please help! I wear a lot of black, navy, grey or I have very patterned dresses from White Stuff.
I just don't know where to look or what would flatter me?

@highlandcoo

Sounds a great plan OP.

The boots are nice; that style has been around a long time and is pretty classic and not that on trend imo. For me personally I would go chunkier with a black sole - and I'd also consider black chunky lace-up boots, as you already have Chelsea boots in brown and it would be a different look. Having said that, it would be worth trying on a few slightly different styles but in the end you should go with what feels right for you.

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/boots/black-lace-up-chunky-cleated-biker-boots/p/692523601?_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMIv9iw4Yf38wIVFeDtCh1yhwdFEAQYBCABEgL6VfD_BwE&extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Priority_Google_DV_c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv9iw4Yf38wIVFeDtCh1yhwdFEAQYBCABEgL6VfD_BwE

www.marksandspencer.com/lace-up-platform-square-toe-ankle-boots/p/clp60510124?extid=ps_ps-gpla_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_encore&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJSHuIj38wIVTdTtCh1CcACKEAYYASABEgJ_TvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I seem to only be able to link the beige M&S one .. click on the black .. much nicer!

I have the black M&S ones …. I took my own advice in seeing which ones the stylist had used (M&S have too many variations of boots) - they had used these ones on all the mannequins in store …. they didn’t have my size so I got one of the staff to get them off the mannequin!

This is me in the rolled up Sienna M&S jeans and Tu olive cable knit cardigan - clogs are from PULL&BEAR.

I have recently tried to do a refresh and it’s very good for the self esteem. I followed lots of advice on this thread - just went for little adaptations which made a big difference.

Are JL doing a personal shopper sessions still?

I would recommend you do one, they will help you figure out what to wear and think about a capsule wardrobe.

Today I wore-

Soft blue big oversized chunky sweater with a big roll neck, with the front tucked in
Grey slim leg jeans, just rolled up
Navy/white Breton with the cuffs pulled so you could see them
Burgundy woolly socks
Black DM chelsea boots
Navy wool coat- quite a boxy shape, with velvet details on the sleeves. It’s from TheKooples and I love it
Gold hoop earrings
Black quilted leather small cross body bag

The chunky sweater and slim legs with a bigger boot is a modern look with a more modern silhouette. Rather than say a thin long line cardigan with skinny jeans and ballet flats, or some Mid heeled ankle boots.

So it’s sort of thinking about the shape/look.

Maybe think of swaps? Replace x for y so to speak.

Any thoughts on the blue cardy I put on?

I like it. What are you thinking of wearing it with @cheeseisthebest?

Inspired by you and this thread I’ve just bought this from ebay

I love a cardi

Also thinking about this

@cheeseisthebest

Any thoughts on the blue cardy I put on?

Some people will say yeah great and others will say no way . There isn't a one look suits all and is non frumpy ! People on here love eg Toast and others hate . People love Popsy - I wouldn't clean the house in them . You have come to a point now where you need to run with the ideas you have been given and see what works for you .

But Maureen I'm so clueless!

Cardy is bit bobbly and stripey tops bit tight but wearing this today

They are skinny jeans as that's all I have atm and slippers on!
Also some better pics of my coat cos think someone asked about the material.

OP do you think it would be good to figure out your style, and then update it to 2021. Pinterest, Instagram etc or try doing some quizzes, like this one from Hush whatsmystylepersonality.com/ - there are others but they may give indication what you like. I also linked thread for women before, basically you do a quiz of your style, budget, body type etc and then style advisor suggests outfits. (you can buy there or look similar ones online but you can give your budget so it shouldn't give too expensive items) www.thread.com/gb/shop/women

That sounds a good idea stilton.

I think you're getting there OP.

I would stick with clothes that suit you, look good etc.

I discovered that I look good in breton tops/jumpers (got t-shirt from Tu Sainsburys and jumper from &otherstories) but navy more predominant and white and also red tshirts and blue sweatshirts/jumpers worn with contrasting earrings.

Long cardigans that look fashionable now are the midi length ones, not the top of thigh ones. Otherwise it’s hip length at most and boxy.

Ok, to be honest OP you look fine

But the style is circa 10 yrs out of date (I think Breton tops are classics, maybe, but not very “now”, the cardigan is functional and fine but not current either (boxy/short with wider/puff sleeves are more modern), the jeans… are just there

It’s a totally fine outfit, I wear the same, often, but it is a bit frumpy

New jeans and cardigan ideas to follow

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

Ok, to be honest OP you look fine

But the style is circa 10 yrs out of date (I think Breton tops are classics, maybe, but not very “now”, the cardigan is functional and fine but not current either (boxy/short with wider/puff sleeves are more modern), the jeans… are just there

It’s a totally fine outfit, I wear the same, often, but it is a bit frumpy

New jeans and cardigan ideas to follow

Yes I was doing the best I could with what I had! I just wanted to look a bit better than I did, not be totally bang on trend! (cardy I wore today needs to be binned really its so bobbly).

I really like your coat. Is it a kind of burgundy colour? I'd assumed it was brown but burgundy scarves look as if they'd work well with it, or maybe burnt orange, plus grey of course.

I like your outfit. It’s fine. It’s not WOW!

You could roll your jeans and team with chunky boots and roll the sleeves of your cardigan up a bit. That would update it immediately.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I really like your coat. Is it a kind of burgundy colour? I'd assumed it was brown but burgundy scarves look as if they'd work well with it, or maybe burnt orange, plus grey of course.

It's a sort of purply burgundy. Charity shop bargains. Per Una.

@cheeseisthebest

Cardy is bit bobbly and stripey tops bit tight but wearing this today

This is not that different from what you see on "what are you wearing today " in some cases on here and Style Sisterhood .

I'm not keen on that coat tbh . 😬

The thing is OP we all have different opinions and tastes. Some people are obsessed with looking 'current' and some are more interested in wearing things they like and that they feel suit them. Most want to be somewhere in between. Even in terms of 'fashion' there are so many variables that one woman's meat will always be another woman's poison.

So play around and experiment but don't get too confused/disheartened by conflicting opinions on here. Also, at the end of the day we have to dress for our lifestyles too. I'd feel all wrong in the leisure wear somebody mentioned below, for example, but it will be just right for others.

I seem to have killed the thread. :(

How are you getting on @cheeseisthebest ?

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - I think you are right - most of us are just bobbing along wanted to feel “pulled-together” and nudging and refreshing our style. I also had a giggle about a thread earlier in the week about “off duty ballerina” look - thought that seems interesting and then thought “No! Catch yourself on you are never going to look like an off duty ballerina at 54, 5’2 size 12!! - will just look like a chubby middle aged woman in an unflattering wrap cardi and velour tracky bottoms!”