How to dress size 16/18? I hate my clothes!

[Mrsbrownsbuoys]

I'm size 16 on the bottom, 18 on the top. I'm so fed up of my clothes, but have a very low budget, mainly shop on Ebay. I'm in my 50s. Currently wear mainly leggings and long tops. Can't stand anything tight anymore. I just look scruffy all the time. I know I should try to lose weight (I was size 14 8 months ago) but suffering with depression and it's not going to happen at the moment, but in the meantime I feel rubbish about myself. I've looked on Instagram, but they're all too glamorous or too expensive. I don't go out to work, don't go out in the evening, just want casual wear that will make me feel a bit better about myself when I meet up with family at the weekend. I've dark hair and eyes and look better in bright colours. I can't stand myself in high necks, as I've a large chest. I get a lot of static problems in polyester, tend to stick to cotton blends or viscose, can't wear wool as I have very sensitive skin. Any suggestions?

Switch to Vinted. I am heading back to work after twins and bought a whole new wardrobe of lovely drapey things from East, most with the labels still in, from £7-£12.

Much nicer seller experience too. Made shopping fun again, like eBay used to be before it became so professionalised/all about getting as much cash out of you as possible.

Great, thanks, I'll have a look now!

I'm the same size and age as you. I'm satisfied with my slightly boring look of M&S high waisted jeggings in nice colours (only £15 and good fit for apples) with hip length or longer tops. Have a look at veratuccioriginals.co.uk/ for colourful non-restrictive clothes in natural fabrics. Great value but sadly closing down in December.

@grownup2

I'm the same size and age as you. I'm satisfied with my slightly boring look of M&S high waisted jeggings in nice colours (only £15 and good fit for apples) with hip length or longer tops. Have a look at veratuccioriginals.co.uk/ for colourful non-restrictive clothes in natural fabrics. Great value but sadly closing down in December.

Thanks for the recommendation. What sort of tops do you wear? Most of my wardrobe seems to be grey I need to inject some colour.

Good bras, not necessarily expensive. I have seen Tu £8.00 bras highly recommended. I am the same size and I look for longer length non boxy sweaters in fine wool. Men’s merino works very well. I like straight cut jeans, midi skirts or slim cut joggers/ harems. Plain colours. I wear plain leather ankle boots or unfussy trainers. 1 thing I have found that really helps when I feel shit is to take extra care on those days. So I will shower, deepcondition my hair, slather myself in moisture, cut my nails and pluck my eyebrows and chin. I will not stay in my nightclothes or wear yesterday’s clothes off the floor. That kind of slobbery is for confident days. If you have had I crappy coat for a very long time, get rid of it and find one you forgot about or invest in another. Bad coats really drag you down. Hope you feel better soon.

Colour, find what you love, I love soft mossy greens and blues. I loathe cobalt , purple, coral. I like charcoal but mid grey is a blanket of doom unless it’s silk or cashmere. If something makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t fit or is dead, get rid.

Thanks. I do need to get rid of loads, they just drag me down. I love a dark grey and also dark teal, dark pink. Can't stand old fashioned floral patterns, but sometimes like a bit of pattern. Mainly have plain though.

I have some quite good bras although they feel a bit uncomfortable at the moment, but they support me well.

I've looked on vinted but they don't tell you what the material is and I can't stand acrylic SMS can't wear wool.

Good underwear. I don't wear clothes in an attempt to look slimmer I just wear what I like and what is comfortable.

The format takes a bit of figuring if you are used to eBay but the info should be there. I reckon I may have cleaned them out of East though

I wear high waisted jeggings from M&S. Charcoal or black

www.marksandspencer.com/high-waist-jeggings/p/clp22468863?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-22468862

I then wear a longline black strappy top from
Next

www.next.co.uk/style/st043819/870694#870694

Then I wear coloured tops/cardigans/jumpers on top.

Just bought this one from next in Berry and
Pink. They’re a nice cosy stretchy marl like fabric. I undo the tie so it’s not cutting me in. It has an under control top in cream with it.. I personally don’t wear it but it might help you with your boobs.

www.next.co.uk/style/st760264/920711#920711

I then have these long super soft cardigans from H&M

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0863595009.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0863595007.html

I wear a light grey coatigan from next with big soft patterned chunky scarfs

I’m a 16 on top and 18/20 on bottom Curvy and very wide thighs up top.

I live in vans mostly these days. Prefer a
Cosy/active/ layered like yoga style these days

I recently bought this one in purple veratuccioriginals.co.uk/products/catanzaro-12015-italian-pin-cord-artists-top?_pos=1&_sid=97cb1570a&_ss=R and feel cheerful and comfy in it.

@Vickles20

I wear high waisted jeggings from M&S. Charcoal or black

www.marksandspencer.com/high-waist-jeggings/p/clp22468863?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-22468862

I then wear a longline black strappy top from
Next

www.next.co.uk/style/st043819/870694#870694

Then I wear coloured tops/cardigans/jumpers on top.

Just bought this one from next in Berry and
Pink. They’re a nice cosy stretchy marl like fabric. I undo the tie so it’s not cutting me in. It has an under control top in cream with it.. I personally don’t wear it but it might help you with your boobs.

www.next.co.uk/style/st760264/920711#920711

I then have these long super soft cardigans from H&M

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0863595009.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0863595007.html

I wear a light grey coatigan from next with big soft patterned chunky scarfs

I’m a 16 on top and 18/20 on bottom Curvy and very wide thighs up top.

I live in vans mostly these days. Prefer a
Cosy/active/ layered like yoga style these days

Ok, that's similar to my look. I wear long black vests from papaya underneath with leggings. I need to find comfy jeggings. Maybe I should try the M&S ones. The cardi you linked to is nice but contains wool.

You only need a couple of 'nice outfits to wear when you go out and invest in some new leggings and tunic tops. I'm a size 16 having lost 2.5 stone an before this hated jeans etc so know how you feel. And I was in the same position last year (pre weight loss) I stated buying two oirfits from Asda.

Yesterday day I wore mint velvet straight leg jeans (2.50 from vinted) an Asda roll neck (£6) a falmer body warmer ( £2 vinted) with some converse high tops (£57 present but primark similar ) I felt really out together and not scruffy. I was shopping.

In find shoes and coats are what i never bought because of the price so maybe a new coat or pair of shoes.

Last night went out for dinner (rare event) and wore a knee length dress in a muted animal print with an elasticated waist (£13 from next outlet) Black snag tights and a pink double breasted coat from principles before it shut and some new leather boots from per una at m and s (£85 with 20% off).

A good starting point would be to work a budget out that you can regularly spend so you don't end up feeling scruffy again. I do shop budget store like Tesco primark and Asda. But its still expensive.

How much can you afford right now?

Some good bargains to be had in vinted but find it's slow to search for buy things.

Also have a good sort out of the wardrobe. Good luck!

Thanks @cherrypiepie that's really helpful. I'm finding vinted slow to search on to. I've reverted back to Ebay. Today I bought a Per Una grey winter wool mix coat on there which I'm pleased with. I'm also bidding on some m&s jeggings and a jumper.

So my budget is really low, probably about £25 a month. I've no big Tesco nearby and they don't seem to sell online. I look at sainsbury's every couple of months but don't find much I like.

I have got a couple of Jersey dresses but just feel fat in them unless I wear a long cardi over. My cardi is getting a bit scruffy and can't find another long one on Ebay to replace it, but will keep looking. I've one pair of grey jeggings and a few sloppy grey jumpers. The rest of my wardrobe I barely wear.. really need a sort out SMS yes, maybe slowly build up a new wardrobe of clothes, buying one piece a month.

Congratulations on losing 2.5 stone btw!