Personal shopper/stylist- AMA autumn winter edition

[frillseeking]

Following on from the previous threads, AMA wardrobe/ style related and I will endeavour to help!

Thank you so much for those coats @frillseeking! Very kind of you. I love the Hobbs one - it’s the Tilda - is that right?

Trying to decide between the plum and the green ………………….

That's the one and they do it in the lovely burgundy colour which would also work for you

@elastamum a few ideas at the pricier end and a little variety depending on how formal the wedding is and venue type etc

rixo.co.uk/products/juliette-poppy-leopard?variant=41085013033005&currency=gbp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjcXTjpqd-wIVR-R3Ch3RlAV9EAQYAiABEgIgIvD_BwE

www.self-portrait.com/products/navy-metallic-boucle-tailored-midi-dress

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/ronny-kobo/dresses/midi-dress/astrid-ruched-satin-jacquard-midi-dress/1647597291156012

Great thread!

I've been looking for a good pair of flat wide fit shoes that work well with dresses that are either at knee length or just below the knee (so kind of midi-length)

I really enjoy walking so would be interested in more durable shoes than ballet-style shoes.

Could you please help point me in the right direction?

Possibly the most interesting thread, I'm loving reading the posts.
Can I ask about my 20
Year old daughter please. She is 5ft 10, size 14, it her lower tummy is way out of proportion with rest of her body.
Just below her belly buttons she always had a small protruding belly bit now it's very extreme. She put weight on throughout Covid so her tummy is like that since then. No matter what she wears, she cannot get anything to flatter tummy area. She was size 8 to 10 before Covid so
She is finding her new body shape hard to dress for. What do you suggest

Also
I have my xmas party soon.I like to show my legs as they are my best feature..anything you would suggest but I hate tops/dresses with high necks when I'm dressing up.not looking for my small
Bit off cleavage to be pouring out as I hope to have my legs on show so maybe a loose drapey round neck

@frillseeking thank you so much for those fab ideas.

@diffandproud it's difficult being conscious at such a young age and it is really tricky to dress when you're not in proportion so I completely understand her struggling with this. Obviously I don't know what her style is but I've found some 'cool girl' looks that might work. None of these styles highlight the tummy area but they do still have some shape to them and they're very much on trend. You don't want to go too oversized on top as then this just makes you look bigger all over but keeping things loose on the tummy area and then wearing a blazer for example creates a good silhouette.

Few more ideas

I’m going to my first Christmas Party since 2019 am looking for some advice on where to look for a fab dress! I am 5’ 4” and size 12. Comfortable with something above the knee! Also would love some suggestions on styling party dresses. Thanks OP!

@diffandproud a lot of the mini dresses at this time of year are high necked but there are a few options:

I love this wrap dress and the wrap isn't too plunging and who doesn't love a sequin for party season:

https://www.stories.com/engbp/clothing/dresses/mini-dresses/product.sequin-wrap-mini-dress-rust.1024481001.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxvDvpJaf-wIVE7LtCh3TqQ0zEAQYAiABEgKPivDD_BwE

The colour of this warehouse one is divine if you want to make a statement:

www.warehousefashion.com/belted-sequin-mini-dress/AWW02534-130-24.html?istCompanyId=9875fbb9-8403-4ba5-a198-ed8f594c95e5&istFeedId=da0f5c51-3435-4ead-bbfe-845651be6b20&istItemId=rtqmxaatr&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgemh05if-wIVGMbtCh3ShAWrEAQYFSABEgIQvvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Another look that is sexy yet subtle is the tuxedo dress such as this style:
www.coastfashion.com/tuxedo-tie-waist-mini-dress/ACC02466-7.html?color=157

@Dessertqueen85 it's great to hear so many people going to Christmas parties this year for the first time in so long. The high street has definitely recognised that party season is back and there are so many great options out there. Without knowing specifics such as age and budget etc, I've picked three looks. The third style is long but it's sheer so shows some leg. I think they're styled very well in the images already but I'd go for a gold platform with the leopard dress and I'd love to see the green sequin dress with a spot tight and pointed stiletto if you were really going for it.

@JamTartLover glad you're enjoying the thread.

Quite a tricky one as a lot of typical flat, walking shoes are very clunky and old fashioned. What about a brogue?

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Hamble-Oak/p/20346713
These are v highly rated in reviews and lots of customers commenting that they work with a skirt and dress too.

Or a Chelsea boot?
www.johnlewis.com/gabor-newport-wide-fit-leather-chelsea-boots-black/p5099409

@whatthefunkisgoingon skinnies are fine, just make sure they're good quality and have a good elastane content and aren't too spray on- that's why I would avoid jeggings. Mum jeans can definitely be flattering if you get the right pair- the M&S ones are good as they don't grow too much when wearing them and they're quite neat through the leg. I'd also suggest trying a slim, straight leg if you love a skinny as they sit in the same realm but are slightly more modern and can also work really well for bigger thighs

I love this top - www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-pleated-balloon-sleeve-blouse-cobalt/p109255408?s_share=jlappdroid

It looks great with skinny black coated jeans and heels. As these seem out now, I wondered if you had any idea what else I could wear it with - as it's quite voluminous, it feels like it needs something not so with it?

Thanks for this thread - some fab advice!

Some really great suggestions on this thread, thanks so much OP!
I have two requests. One's a smart lunch dress for my DH's birthday on Boxing Day in a nice pub. I'm 5'4, 41, flat chested, would like a midi. I like my shoulders and arms but not finding many midis without sleeves and not high neck at the moment.
Really love that pink Ro&Zo dress you suggested upthread but the size 8 is sold out!

The second request is for a theatre night out in January, I want to be warm walking around London so probably not a dress... how do you do 'jeans and a nice top' now skinnies are out? Maybe a black faux leather trouser... ?

@frillseeking i bought the Tilda coats in both green and berry - thank you so much!

Please can I ask one more question? I’’d like to find a pair of shoes to wear with this dress during the day. They must be vegan. I found these but sadly out of stock at the moment in my size.

Hi, OP - I'm really struggling with shoes/trousers for autumn/winter. Objectively, I can see that ankle grazing trousers look lovely, and I can see that a variety of shoes, boots and trainers look great with them.

But - all the inspiration photos I see have naked ankles on show. It's November, and getting wetter and colder. Plus, ankle boots against bare skin can chafe horribly.

What's your advice for being warm, dry and practical as well as looking good?

@QuantumWeatherButterfly yes indeed- a quick look on various retailers will show wide legs styled with bare ankles and even sandals, which are totally impractical now we're entering the colder seasons. However, there are lots of options to take them through to A/W.

The sock boot is a great option to keep your ankles warm and gives a really nice, smart neat look. If you've got a wider leg crop, you could even try a knee high boot underneath if you want some real added warmth.

You can also wear with a sock or tights. I think this feels a little alien to some of us but the inspo images show that this really works. Socks and brogues are huge for this season.

For chaffing, I love a short tight sock, which I refer to as a popsock but I think that's an old fashioned term. They're great as a thin layer under boots and this is what I always go for if I'm wearing a long dress and ankle boots but don't want to wear tights. They're super handy and come in lots of funky designs that will jazz up your outfit.

Few more images for inspo and the anklet style socks

@Wheelyweddingwipedout fab, sounds like you're covered with your coat options now! Love the dress, where is that from? These look pretty similar
tinyurl.com/bdhnpph4

I love this style from immaculate vegan tinyurl.com/bdekw7vy

Also look at Matt and Nat

@WanttoFindWorkLifeBalance I think if you feel the outfit looks great then go for it, you don't have to be a slave to the trends. However, if you are happy to buy something new, what about a velvet or leather legging/ trouser? https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/products/black-velvet-skinny-leggings?variant=42128744120479&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ve5x6qh-wIVTNPtCh37wQXOEAQYASABEgIGvfD_BwE

Or these from the Gap which are straight leg so quite current with the 90s vibe but still a slimmer bottom shape https://www.gap.co.uk/style/ls322165/r82588?gbraid=0AAAAAoodjJLdHeLn0reRrcFmrteS6I-l&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhczQQqqh-wIVV4BQBh0QzQlCEAQYASABEgJzyPDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#r82588&gbraid=0AAAAAoodjJLdHeLnn0reRrcFmrteS6I-l

@Featherstep I love that Ro and Zo dress too, they have some lovely pieces and they're still quite under the radar which is always good! They've got an 8 in stock at John Lewis x

Please could you suggest some flat (well, chunky) leather lace up ankle boots? I used to love Dr Martens but I'm not enamoured with any of their styles right now and also I think the quality's gone downhill. I especially love the ones in the top middle row of your collage here!