6ft tall and scruffy with no style - help!

[Jellybel]

Hi ladies, I'm in my early 30's and have lost 10kg of baby weight with another 10kg to go. I need a completely new wardrobe desperately though and it can't wait until I've lost all the weight so am off on a shopping spree on Sunday. In the past I've had a very limited budget so only bought the odd item here and there and never knew what to buy and hence always look scruffy with no style whatsoever. Even if I make an effort I end up looking very boring and frumpy and have no idea what suits me or what people are even wearing these days. E.g. are ankle boots still fashionable? And what sort of jackets are fashionable these days? No idea. I just don't know how to shop! To top that off I'm 6ft tall so struggle to buy nice clothes in my size that don't make me look ancient. Can anyone give me any ideas as to how I can put together a wardrobe with some good staple items plus things to mix and match so i don't end up spending a fortune on my new wardrobe before I've lost all the weight? Happy to spend a bit more on more expensive items once I'm at my goal weight.

I'm very tall and a size 12 with broad shoulders, big boobs and big bum but skinny legs and ankles. I used to have a waist but since having DC I have a mum tum. Lifestyle-wise I have a toddler but have an office job in london so need nice casual stuff for the weekends but smart-ish for the week. So u can see how terrible I look I've attached some pics showing how i dress at home...when I'm out I wear the same top but just with jeans instead of leggings . For work I always wear a top with knee length skirt and cardigan with ballet flats. Oh and I always wear black, navy or grey because I've always thought it's slimming
Thanks for your help xxx

No advice as I'm much shorter than you but I think you have a great figure - make the most of your long, slim legs. I see lots of people in ankle boots and I wish I had long enough legs to wear them well.

Ahh thank you. Been feeling very down about my postpartum body so this is so lovely to hear. I'll add a couple of pairs of ankle boots to my list.

First of all i think you have a banging figure :-)

I'm 5.10 but currently wearing a very tight fitting size 14.

My fave highstreet shop is Zara, they surprisingly have naturally long length trousers. Also recently bought some thick trouser/leggings from h&m that with a side ankle zip. Think they look smarter than the average asos tall range leggings I'm currently sitting in and looks like you're wearing.

Oh god I would kill for your legs 😍

I am the same height as you with a very similar shape. I mostly wear skinny jeans (I know they're not particularly fashionable anymore) because I think they suit my shape best, with jumpers to cover my mum tum. I either wear DM style boots or trainers. If I'm making an effort I might stick some heels and a nice top with the jeans.

I buy a lot of my stuff from asos as they have a good tall range and it's pretty affordable. Sometimes it's a bit young for me though.

You have an amazing figure

I’m also 6ft tall and a size 12 and feel like a frump too. It doesn’t help that everything in the tall ranges come in limited sizes, I look awful if I wear jumpsuits/maxi dresses (better in separates), any frills/bows/print….
I’m the member of what’s the tallternative FB site that is quite good.
Sorry I’m not much help but you’re not the only one!

Thanks ladies for all your lovely comments ☺️ definitely feel better. And I'll try the shops mentioned. I've also joined the Tallternative Facebook group.

I'm 6ft 1 and size 12. I buy most stuff on line from Asos Gap and Next (you have to sift through some of the stuff with Nect but good for basics). On the high street I've found Cos really suits me frame. Second the pp who said Zara, I've recently found some surprisingly long trousers in there too. I also love 8n my DMs and trainers. Good luck!

Brilliant, thank you. Never thought to try Cos...always good to get ideas of different shops to try.

You have a lovely figure! I suggest some dresses from the Next Tall range, show off your legs!

Thanks c string. Gosh I hate my skinny calves....but I guess we are our worst critics!

I sympathise. I'm 6 feet, size 14 and shopping is a nightmare. People say " ooh you're lovely and tall"....but 35 ins inside legs are hard to clothe!
I buy from Next tall ( they also sell Long Tall Sally online). Quality is variable. I wish Cos did longer lengths as I love their clothes, and I have some favourite pieces from there.

You have a fabulous figure! Being tall has some advantages for clothes I think (I'm no expert though) - you can carry off cropped trouser styles, separates that don't have to match, all types of boots etc

I would include a smart-ish jacket or blazer in your shopping trip, and a shirt or two, plain knits and some coloured scarves for a smart-casual look for work and weekends. I think trousers give a better look than leggings, esp for work.

Then dress up for evenings with different scarf and jewellery etc

Might not be your style as such, but so easy to achieve and adapt. And think about colours which compliment your skin tone - do you look ok in creams and beiges, or deathly? That starts to point direction for colours to go for.

Thanks @AuntieMarys - agree that it's so hard. I meet friends for lunch and then afterwards they always want to go browsing around the shops...I probably look really odd because I just walk around without actually looking at anything because what's the point if nothing will fit well!

@Thamesis - thanks! Great idea re the smart jacket. I only have a winter coat and autumn coat which make me look ancient...no light jackets or smart jackets. Will have a look around for one. Thanks for all the other suggestions too. Want to as a starting point build a basic wardrobe with essentials that I can mix and match so I'm not wearing the same outfits each week x

Look up capsule wardrobes on Pinterest - lots of examples in different colourways.

@Thamesis - this is great! Just had a look and know what to go for now. Exactly what I needed - thanks so much! x

Good luck and have fun shopping

I'm 5 foot 11 and a size 12/14. OP you look perfectly slim to me.

If you are on Facebook there is a Long Tall Sally buy/sell/trade group where you can buy and sell second hand tall clothes (some are like brand new and not all LTS) and get recommendations. Someone on there recommended Marks and Spencer for longer length trousers and jeans. The fit isn't very good for me but you never know it might work for you.

I’m same size and 5’ 10” and agree using Pinterest is fab for ideas….then getting a good fit so they look as good as the photos is the challenge. I try A LOT on and send a lot back. But when you get it right, buy multiples!!

I actually agree with @tuesdaywednesdaythurs : you don’t need to lose anymore weight. Op you look great. Why the plan to lose another 10kg? Possibly you might want to tone up IF you feel that’s an issue after the baby, but that will happen naturally.

We women are far too harsh on ourselves! Dressing well after a baby can be tough for everyone. It’s an adjustment. I think I lived in jeans and tops. Possibly quite mumsy ones… maybe that’s why they have that name! I got my style back once the kiddos were at school. However I still wore nice accessories (pre kids) and got my hair done at my regular (central London) salon and that helped! In your basics you look absolutely great. Honestly just chuck on some relaxed stuff and look after your hair and skin, tho even the latter can be a challenge with small babies I know!

Sorry Jellybel, no style advice here but you really do have a great shape.

Don't lose any more weight. You don't want to look gaunt and hollow cheeked.
I would suggest getting measured for a new bra. Your boobs may have changed shape, and to br honest you can spend all the money in the world on fashionable new clothes but if the boobs aren't in the right place it's a waste of money.