White Stuff- have a succumbed to frumpdom?

[HamHand]

I was a big big fan of White Stuff 20 years ago. Went to a posh uni (very much not posh myself) and it was aspirational for me then, and I bought some beautiful things I couldn’t really afford but I still wear now. I’ve not seen anything I like in there for years, but went in yesterday tempted by 20% off and came out with 5 dresses for the summer. Now, I have lost my way MASSIVELY since my littlest was born 4 years ago and I’ve not had time to really appreciate or think about what I’ve been wearing, and I’m very much heavier than I want to be. At 39 and far from svelte, I’m struggling to know where to shop but I really like what I’ve bought. I went to check out the website and the things I’ve bought look like absolutely NOTHING on the models. I’d not have looked twice if I was buying online. In that vein, I’m taking a day to go shopping in resin next week. I find it amazingly easy to find clothes for my younger, thinner sister, but really with being self critical when shopping for myself. Where can I go to look? I’m a 14-16, 5’7 and have a tummy I’m very self conscious of. I’ll link to the things I’ve bought so you can see what I liked:
Here
Here
Here
Here
And this one
feel free to tell me I’m a frump, I can take it. None of these fit me in the way they do on the models, my boobs make them look much more fitted and I quite like that.

I like them but at 5 3 they would swamp me. With your height I'm sure they'd look lovely.

I think it's all going to depend on how you accessorise them. Some are more frumpy than others.

If you want honest opinions, why don't you post photos of you wearing them - blur the face out, obviously! I'm sure you look lovely, but it really isn't easy to say how they might theoretically look on you, based on the marketing photos.

The thought of putting up pictures horrifies me, but I have the legitimate excuse that I’ve thrown my back out today and can’t currently stand straight. I may well do when I’m all fixed

I don’t like the first one but I like the others. The first one is too ruffly for my liking, not frumpy per se, just I would feel over dressed with all those frilly bits. I think it will make a big difference what shoes/sandals you wear with them.

I also used to like White Stuff, and they do sometimes have nice coats etc. But my God, the endless PATTERNS. I wish they'd just chill and make lots of nicely cut clothes with no bloody patterns.

I think that’s a pretty summer dress, perfect for the holidays after a day on the beach or a wander round some markets.

The last one.

If you like it, you should wear it.

The one thing I'd say is they're quite similar, maybe because so many are blue? I liked the first one the least, but that's just going off the model, it might look better on you.

I don't like the word frumpy, it's a shaming word. I never think anyone can explain what it means without sounding misogynistic, or ageist, or both.

I’m not a fan of White Stuff, it’s too middle aged/middle of the road. Too many soft colours and hideous patterns. Nothing remotely stylish or well cut.

I'm 52, a grandma to 4 as well as mum of 3 and the bulk of my wardrobe is white stuff and seasalt.

I'm a walking MN cliche, but it fits well, washes well and I feel comfy in it. Nothing else really matters at the end of the day.

I liked and tried the Addison one on in store and it looked horrific on me.. certain styles look awful on me and I can tell all the other ones would make me look frumpy too. I’m a 12/14. Anything tiered or unstructured looks rubbish on me. It’s not you.. it’s the dress! You’ll find ya dress. Go an try a load of different styles on. Hope you find something x

i like the 2nd one a lot

bjt as a general observation you post as if you are old and no longer attractive when actually you are so young at 39 and I’m sure you look great

They look nice but a bit all the same, have you tried Fatface and Seasalt that do similar dresses, you also might find some trousered and tops that fit well

I don't like them. They look a bit like shapeless in a bad way, and patterned weirdly. I do think frumpy unless you are super cool and will style them out.

I like the second and third dresses.

It really could be the pattern. I've learned that larger, regular patterns near my face look terrible on me; I look better in block colours, smaller 'ditsy' patterns, or some smaller florals.

I'm a similar build to you and wear a lot of jumpers with pleated skirts or dresses over Doc Marten boots.

I absolutely recommend going into a big department store and trying on LOADS of very different stuff. Experiment with colours and shapes and see what you like.

I think the dresses lack a bit of shape. Do you like East at all? This dress has a bit of the boho style but more shape
https://www.east.co.uk/products/samara-woodblock-mint-bci-cotton-dress

i used to love WS when they did all the wonderful kaftans years ago but now? Sometimes it's the pattern but often it is the cut and the thick jersey stuff they use. They are marginally better than Seasalt but so often they cut dresses at a really awful point and have gathered thick jersey right where you don't want it!

After saying that i do like 2, 3 and 4.

Which one do you think looks best on you?
Do you know what body shape you are?

You mention a tummy you want to hide (I have one of those too) so I am wondering if the dress with the V-neck was your favourite and if you are apple shaped? Could having a look for suitable cuts help. Patterns are actually better than solid colours as they distract the eye from any lumps or bumps.

They are sort of intentionally frumpy, which is fine if you value comfort over style. I would wear the third one in hot weather, I would send back the ones made of Lenzing viscose because, while it may be eco friendly, I draw the line at paying over the odds for a cheap looking fabric which also holds smells tenaciously.

I hate the word 'frumpy' but I don't much like White Stuff either, largely because nearly everything in there is blue and I don't like blue except denim and chambray.

I'm early 40s, young child, much heavier than I used to be. I'm 5'3 and a 14 with a tummy so probably similar to you.

I'll be honest, I do find white stuff frumpy. Fat face occasionally have some ok things but I think of those 2 and Next in the same way - affordable in the main but 'safe'.

I like John Lewis for a good variety of brands - Hush, And/Or, Anyday, Mint Velvet etc.

I still find good basics in H and M too.

If you can afford it, Sezane and Anthropologie also do gorgeous things.

@ChillyB my favourite is probably the one with the tie at the back. Someone else said it’s frilly but it’s really not in the flesh, it looks far too big on the model, especially on the sleeves. I do love the blue v neck though, again it’s much less baggy on me. I’m definitely a pear, the women in my family are destined to hold weight on the tummy and saddlebags unfortunately, even when I was a size 8 I still has those. My stomach is my personal hang up, I had HUGE babies and it sags. There’s also a bit too much of it atm.

Fwiw, I’m self employed, ironically I sell secondhand clothes. I have a great eye but a real block when it comes to myself, mostly because of my body hang ups I think. My days consist of scouring markets and second hand shops for hidden gems and lugging them about, quickly because I need to do school runs still. Lots of washing, ironing, taking pictures and running to the post office. These looked like good options to just chuck on in the morning, maybe with a denim jacket over them, and looked easy to care for. I’d wear them with my Saltwater sandals and discreet jewellery, though I like to go bigger with my earrings in Summer, maybe a straw bag. I have no office to get to, no one to impress, I just need something I can feel good in. I’m not looking to set the world on fire but I normally hate trying on clothes, and these made me feel good for once. I had a nightmare when I tried similar on in Seasalt a few weeks ago, I realised I was trying to pick clothes to hide things rather than actually pick out something I thought was nice. Maybe White Stuff just have better mirrors??!

@Isledelaray now Anthropologie I do love, but I feel they’ve overpriced and selling a lifestyle I just don’t have. I bought their Somerset maxi dress last year and I love it but I’ve got nowhere to wear it to. It’s a bit ‘big’ for my everyday.