Dressing to suit shape (short, narrow shoulders)

[WelshTiger]

I've been a stay at home mum for the past three years, and combined with all the lockdowns and restrictions, I've lost all sense of style. I'm starting back at work in the next few weeks (working at a school, but not as a teacher) so need to look professional but still be comfortable.

I'm a size 8 on the bottom, 10 on top, with very narrow shoulders, 32C bust and 5ft1. I find it really hard to find clothes that don't drown me but at the same time are comfortable but still look nice enough for work. Things like shirts/blouses/button down stuff, I almost always have to choose between them gaping open or being too big on the shoulders. I bought a few blouses without buttons from Muji but I never feel they look quite right.

I've tried so many places. Uniqlo and Muji are ok length-wise, but most of their stuff has this kind of baggy, loose fit that makes me look like I'm a child wearing my mum's clothes. Cos is absurdly long. H&M - some stuff is fine in terms of fit but the quality is just so bad these days.

I suit circle skirts so have a few of those, generally vintage but I don't have the time/energy to go schlepping around vintage shops these days. I have a couple of pinafore dresses which I wear with a jumper underneath which everyone always says look good. And I have one pair of Uniqlo trousers with cuffed bottoms that look and fit nicely

I'm looking at a kind of classic style, but still modern (does that even make sense?) I like black and navy but with some bright colours/patterns mixed in. Kind of 50s style but not getting into too much 'obvious' 50s style (massive petticoats or whatever).

I'm not rich by any means, but ok with spending 100/150 or so pounds on something that is good quality and actually lasts.

I would welcome any advice for shops or specific items/outfits that people recommend!

Bump

I don't have any answers but am interested as I have narrow shoulders and a short body so similar issues, though I'm fatter.

No suggestions??

I'm not quite the same size or shape but I have disproportionately narrow shoulders. I agree it's a pain - can't post any more at the moment but will come back later.

I'm a similar shape, I share your pain. It's easy to end up looking like cocoa the clown, with stuff swamping you.
I find the key is shortish tops which are fairly fitted over the waist, that way you avoid the barrel look. I've got on quite well this year, as there are a lot of cropped (ie waist length) cardies around, which would work well with your circle skirts. Phase 8 had some decent knitwear this year (not a fan of their prints, but happened to see some stuff when browsing John Lewis).
I don't really do shirts for the reason you say, and if I do there's a safety pin for added safety at boob level (apply from the inside)
Trousers and jeans, I like Zara, Uniqlo, M&S, hush, just choose what's meant to be a cropped style and you're good.

I'm 5'3 and about a size 10 but more like a 6 at the shoulders. Bravissimo put me in a 28FF.

I start from the basis that I prefer something to be too big rather than too small or tight. Obviously I prefer neither but if I have to choose, I always choose too big. I also quite like the oversize, slouchy top look and it sounds like you don't, but I think there are ways of counteracting the clownish tendencies, eg. if a top is big and or boxy then, as Eunace says, I make sure it's cropped at the waist - I sometimes cut a couple of inches off the hemline. Or tuck or half tuck.
I also like wide leg trousers cropped at the ankle.

A dropped shoulder or raglan sleeve also works well for me.

For shirts I go for a oversize but in silk or a similar fluid fabric so shoulder fit is less crucial. (I mostly buy silk shirts in charity shops).

This next bit probably isn't helpful as they're so hard to find now but vintage 1950s/60s jackets often fit me well on the shoulders - sometimes less well at the bust but I don't fasten them anyway.

For jackets and blazers I also look at teenage sizes. I've recently found a teenage boy's blazer in H&M that fits brilliantly.

I'd suggest getting things altered but I've found seamstresses are reluctant to do major shoulder alterations or, if they do, they charge a lot. Having tried to do them myself, I understand why - it's a mindfuck cos you end up with a bigger armhole and a sleeve that doesn't fit.

I'm making more of my own clothes because ultimately I think that's the only way for me. But patterns are still in standard sizes so I'm having to learn how to alter them too, so it's not a quick fix.

@floisme

Thanks for your suggestions. Sadly, it seems like all the stuff you suggested is all stuff that looks hideous on me. I had to google dropped shoulders and raglan sleeves, but that is exactly the type of thing that drowns me and I spend all day hauling at my clothes.

Wide leg is also a massive no, they make me look dowdy and even shorter than I am.

I think finding more cropped things might work, but I would then need to also find high-waisted stuff, which all seem to be wide legged.

I've also thought about making my own clothes, but just no time.

Silk shirts, I definitely love them, but not seen any in the shops and charity shops are a bit rubbish around here.

"Zara, Uniqlo, M&S, hush, just choose what's meant to be a cropped style and you're good."

Maybe I'm blind but I never seem to see cropped styles in these places anymore. And if I do, the fabrics are horrible.

Sorry for being so picky everyone, I'm getting really frustrated these days with how hard it is to find things for work. I actually look so good in bodycon/clingy stuff, and it's easy for me to find stuff that fits, but that's not for me at work.

Yeah I had a feeling we probably had different tastes WelshTiger! No worries and don't stop being picky - that's how you get things right.

If your charity shops won't oblige with silk shirts then Uniqlo and M&S normally have them in the spring / summer at high street prices. And Boden - pricier but there's normally a discount knocking around.

After I'd posted, I thought 'Jersey dresses'! I rarely wear dresses these days but I did like them, especially the ones with ruching, because they were fitted but at the same time, not fitted. They may not be around at the moment but I'm sure they'll be back.

@floisme Do Uniqlo usually have silk shirts? I have never seen them in there, will have to take a look.

Jersey dresses are good too, that's something I'll have to have a look at, I think I do have a couple somewhere, but I wore them a lot while heavily pregnant so they might be stretched beyond wearing now!

They probably don't have any in just yet but I'd expect them to have some in for spring, e.g. I think the Ines de la Fressange range next month, have some in their preview, although whether or not the colours are right is another ball game!

I just googled "zara ankle grazer trousers" and loads came up. I guess it depends how smart you want to be. This outfit from H&M would be verging on over-dressed in my office. The Karen Millen ones (second image if I can post it) would be power dressing!

Oh yes, jersey dresses and dresses in general, try Other Stories.

Can't copy the pic, but here's the link to the KM ones.

www.karenmillen.com/essential-techno-woven-trouser/AKK00162.html?color=186