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?

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-100pct-extra-fine-merino-wool-v-neck-jumper-428856COL61SMA004000.html?LGWCODE=428856COL61SMA004000;136477;6475&gclid=CjwKCAjw2vOLBhBPEiwAjEeK9ppqaoYU-NgdVe9nZi99dejMAL3hUUBwwX_4twHB_lYyWpXouXRHKRoCczkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

What about this jumper? If you click on the image its better photos and in a lilac colour.

I think a relaxed biker jacket would look nice on you. Doesn't have to be leather. I'm 45 and have one from when I'm not fat (yo yo a lot).

I recently bought a leopard print top and glad I did.

You could just accessorise - jacket, scarf or statement necklace. I would get different shoes though.

Do you have access to any good charity shops?
Why not spend a few hours trying on different styles.
See what looks good and feels comfortable.

www.pauljamesknitwear.com/products/womens-100-cotton-v-neck-jumper?currency=GBP&variant=23298873393233&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gc_id=13442506491&h_ad_id=526493044446&gclid=CjwKCAjw2vOLBhBPEiwAjEeK9ga-c2sLnPNCRuHIq54CxRRO6joZteyEFXz3EJYapUb5TSPySEG6BRoCicoQAvD_BwE

Charity shops are awful near me. I do not have the confidence for anything like a biker or leather jacket, just not my thing.
I do have a leopard scarf that I like. Might dig that out.
Yes definitely want different shoes/boots.

That Paul James jumper looked like a good fit rather than my usual go for something shapeless cos it's cheaper!

The plain jumpers are fine in neutral colours like navy, black and grey. I don't like the pinks and purples.

Do you want the boots to wear with dresses/skirts or with jeans? What kind of jeans do you like?

Yes I agree I don't like pinks and purples. Was posting just for the shape and style.
I do actually have three pairs of knee high boots so looking for casual mid length or ankle boots to wear with jeans. I like skinny jeans. Have several awful pairs of mum jeans that probably don't fit me properly!

These are nice irl and would work fine with the plain jumper and a leopard print scarf. What kind of coats do you have/want to wear?

I have a navy Teddy bear coat at the moment. I love it.

Like this. That's a great look btw!

I am same age. Your first pic is fine for sitting around the house but not so much for going anywhere you want to feel good.

I did however go out in skinny jeans (grey) with a long grey cardi today so I felt for you saying you're frumpy.

I'm a bit frumpy too but have recently retooled my wardrobe towards a hush like look. I don't necessarily spend a fortune. I have a lot of cuffed cotton trousers from gap in different colours. I wear them with clunky Chelsea boots I got very cheaply from asda. I have few cosy sweatshirts in animal print and camo. I'm going crazy for khaki and animal print at the moment.

Have you tried a big tesco extra? They have some nice things cheaply.

Get a pair of joggers preferably not actually flannel if you can find in a normal fabric

Try an animal print top or something a bit bold, maybe plain but not pastel or wishy washy?

Maybe try and find a pair of straight jeans you can roll up above your boots.

Buy some socks you aren't ashamed to see above your boots.

Get a chunky clunky pair of boots!

Get a pair of leggings and wear with a bolder but loose fitting sweat shirt dress. Or shirt dress?

John Lewis have some sweat shirts in at reasonable prices. They have a new basics range that could be worth trying for leggings and joggers. They had khaki joggers with a stripe down the side and a khaki sweatshirt with like zebra print on it. Could look really good with a pair of black Chelsea boots.

I like boots with a cuffed trouser as I think it's too cold in the winter for trainers.

Try copying that, if you like it? But not the rips!

@wombwithawiew what’s wrong with skinny jeans and ballet pumps? Thought I was quite stylish but now worried I’ve missed the fashion change

I’m a little bit older than you and 5’2”, just over my healthy BMI. I wear a lot of neutrals like black and grey, I don’t do much colour, the odd bit of khaki or burgundy that sort of thing. That’s fine if those colours suit you.

Shape of clothes is very important in not looking frumpy, I personally am apple shaped and shapeless sacks look good on me. H&M is great for picking up cheap but modern pieces. I like to wear subtle but edgy touches like boots or jewellery. I love the wool biker linked above, I don’t think it’s too young at all. I often shop at the same shops as my teenager though. Your current style is more like something my mum in her 70s would choose. I wear cardis on occasion, but not fitted or buttoned ones. Just under bum length is good on me, and longer and I’m swamped, shorted and it looks matronly. I mainly wear trainers, DM boots or flat cowboy boots.

[quote Happyhappyday]@wombwithawiew what’s wrong with skinny jeans and ballet pumps? Thought I was quite stylish but now worried I’ve missed the fashion change [/quote]
Nothing wrong with skinny jeans and ballet pumps AT ALL !!! Don't let anyone tell you orherwise.

It's what you wear with it that can make or break the look

This is my current favourite cardigan, it was about £12 in the sale at H&M

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Try copying that, if you like it? But not the rips!

Yep not the rips!

Like your mum in her 70s. Ouch!!

Thoughts on these?

Like this and with the boots

The first 2 (depending on fabric) are quite nice. They'd both look good with a biker jacket!

Sorry.

Not keen on the dress. My mum loves Roman. Sorry again.

Do you wear a lot of dresses? I live in jeans most of the time.

I think the jumpers you linked to are all fine knit. What about slightly chunkier like the one linked? Or a sweatshirt!

I went into Roman once. I'm afraid I thought it was all dire, but I have friends who wear some stuff from there - only for work though.