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Original poster

White Stuff- have a succumbed to frumpdom?

42 replies

HamHand · 02/04/2023 17:05

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.

Connie Eco Vero Midi Dress (Blue Mlt) | White Stuff

The blue hues and geometric patterns on this EcoVero dress remind us of Mediterranean pool tiles, sun on olive trees and pretending to enjoy the lawn games you're having to play every afternoon before dinner.

https://www.whitestuff.com/action/ViewProduct-Start?SKU=438699105&xnpe_tifc=4fPsxF17bDBNOIbJhk4_4MpsafeWaeiWhFWdRf4gRC8NbfE9nkLvEkJLRfXcbdiArF4.OIx8OIQL4kYJx.HJxI1T&utm_campaign=TransactionalEmail&utm_medium=email

OP posts:
Nimrode · 02/04/2023 18:31

@HamHand Numero Uno - Definitely frumpy!
The others are middle of the road frumpy depending on how you dress them up.

WonderingWanda · 02/04/2023 18:31

I don't like white stuff. I find it all a bit shapeless and unflattering on me (5'8" size 12/14). I really like Apricot, Silk Fred and some dresses from Roman. The fabrics aren't always amazing but they are very flattering. If you search on Instagram you can often find people modeling them so you can see how they look on different sizes rather than on super slim models.

Windingdown · 02/04/2023 18:39

I used to love White Stuff 20 years ago and still have some of their things from then e.g. bags. I don't shop there now as the quality is nothing like it used to be and this isn't reflected in the price.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/04/2023 18:53

I still like their knee length A line winter skirts, although I will not pay £60 for them.

riotlady · 02/04/2023 19:08

I really like the 3rd one, would be tempted to get it for my holiday if I wasn’t pregnant + massive

Itstillgoeson · 02/04/2023 19:13

They are nice, but if you have a lot may be difficult to accessorise. I would look for a solid colour too and get it tailored to fit really well.

BrandyandGinger · 02/04/2023 19:15

I really like the second and the fifth dresses. The maxi blue one is a little shapeless but looks like it would be comfortable on a hot day.

nodogz · 02/04/2023 19:23

They are all good everyday dresses. Yes, not the most, exciting edgy purchases but will you wear them loads and look nice - yes you will.

I think they've got the styling a bit wrong on the models, these dresses require someone with more "width" (not fat or size just someone with a more angular shape at the top).

I've had some success with sugar hill boutique as someone as a similar to you, in a body that would look nice in those dresses. But you have to sift through the prints to find the right ones.

Undertheoldlindentree · 02/04/2023 19:24

Yes, I too like the second and the last. Enjoy wearing them all. A great summer wardrobe and sounds as if they've made you feel happy!

h3ll0o · 02/04/2023 19:26

I placed my first order last night so can’t comment on what their pieces are like IRL but Sezane have a number of items similar to dress one and I’ve been led to believe theyre high quality

slowquickstep · 02/04/2023 19:26

I love them all but being so short they would trail on the floor

YukoandHiro · 02/04/2023 19:26

Dress 2 is nice, and likely flattering for most shapes.
The others are all v frumpy IMO

TheOGCCL · 02/04/2023 19:52

As controversial as the word is, I think a lot of us have an idea of what that is. I don’t think these are frumpy. I think many women in their thirties and forties look very nice in long dresses. It’s far from the height of fashion but they are practical as you don’t have to worry about a top and a bottom. What’s wrong with wearing a bright, pretty, affordable dress and not trying to dress younger or more fashionable the whole time. I can also imagine most of these would look better on a fuller figure.

I think the ‘frumpier’ stuff in White Stuff are things like this:
https://www.whitestuff.com/womens/tops-and-tees/navy-multi-annabel-stripe-tee/
https://www.whitestuff.com/womens/tops-and-tees/brown-mlt-mabel-mix-top/
https://www.whitestuff.com/womens/tops-and-tees/white-pr-weaver-jersey-tee/

ANNABEL STRIPE TEE (Navy Multi) | White Stuff

A dreamy crew-neck tee made even dreamier with soft cotton and stripes. Something of a wardrobe staple.

https://www.whitestuff.com/womens/tops-and-tees/navy-multi-annabel-stripe-tee/

LoobyDop · 02/04/2023 20:10

The third one is really nice, I’d wear that. Not a fan of the others, sorry.

TottyKnickers · 02/04/2023 20:11

HamHand · 02/04/2023 17:05

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.

Sorry. Frumpaliciois

Rollercoastertycoon · 02/04/2023 20:35

None of them are to my taste. I'm 43 and I think I'm too young for white stuff! I'm also a size 18 currently, so technically their target audience.

I hear you on wanting something quick and easy to throw on with a dress. I've always loved dresses for these reasons. My all time favourites are some Jersey maxi dresses I got from Dorothy Perkins before they went defunct.

For the price of those White Stuff ones you could buy twice as many more stylish ones from somewhere like New Look. I got some nice Midi shirt dresses from there this week. Similar to this one. They're really versatile.

Blue Zebra Print Button Front Midi Shirt Dress | New Look

Shop Blue Zebra Print Button Front Midi Shirt Dress. Discover the latest trends at New Look.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/blue-zebra-print-button-front-midi-shirt-dress/p/854894949

BibbleandSqwauk · 03/04/2023 08:31

I hate how "middle aged" is a bad thing. It it means knowing what you like and what suits you then I'll happily embrace that. I'm fan of fat face, Joe browns etc. Also short and 14/16

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