No style, no ideas.

[ElmtreeMama]

Sooooo I need HELP!

I am 36, size 22, 6ft.

I have no idea what to wear any more, it has been so long since I have any enjoyment in clothes or ideas of what I think looks good..
I have a couple of nice dresses for going out from Nobody's child and Simply be.
But day to day I'm wearing black leggings and black tops, they are all stained and have holes in so i desperately need some new clothes and have realised I don't know where to start any more!!
I used to like fashion but since being chronically ill, gaining lots of weight, having a baby I now don't ever see anything that I like.
I've just spent an hour scrolling and haven't seen a single thing.

I want to be comfy day to day, I want to look even a little bit more 'put together', I want to be mostly covered up but cool in summer.

Any ideas on where to start would help.

I'm also 90% tummy and boobs!!

If you like leggings and t-shirts, then wear leggings and t-shirts - but nice ones, that make you feel good. Value yourself - stained, holey clothes send a message that you don’t think you’re worth any more - and you are!

Use the black top and leggings as a canvas while you build your confidence with accessories. Nice shoes, a cool bag, jewellery, a slash of red lipstick.

Eventually you might start experimenting with different shapes and colours of tops - going for tunics, etc.

Easy does it.

Hello!

I would suggest for summer:

Linen tunic style tops and good quality leggings or (when it’s really hot!) some linen trousers. Nice quality fabrics make all the difference and can make you feel put together and smart.

You could also do Oxford shirts - H&M do really nice ones in all different colours. Match with some leggings and that’s a nice look! Pair with a nice pair of white trainers (take a look at Common Projects as an example of a nice classic pair - you can get dupes for these in high st stores).

I find midi/maxi dresses helpful - it’s one item of clothing to think about and you are dressed. You can pair with the style of white trainers I mentioned above ^.

This brings me onto accessories - do you wear jewellery? For me, it’s a huge part of my personal style and I have curated a lovely collection from travelling and Etsy! I think it can really elevate an outfit.

Shoes/bags - nice leather, something you can walk in. Again, you can find lovely items on Etsy.

Essentially, wear what makes you happy and feel comfortable. I would always stay away from trends and go for colours and styles that suit you. X

I'd say start with basics - and as Luna said that includes nicer versions of what you already wear. Treat yourself to some nice leggings and teeshirts - don't skimp on these because actually, you'll probably find you wear them a lot, so think "cost per wear" as opposed to baulking at spending a lot on 'just' leggings.

Instead of scrolling on shopping sites, start with pinterest or instagram and find ideas you like and can then copy. Oat had some good ideas above. Just dive in like here pinterest search on apple shape plus size and start to see what you like.

And the best tip I've ever had from MN came from the 'elegance' thread - start with the scenarios of your life and what you would like to wear for each of those - school run/mother group, night in the pub, walking the dog or going to the shop. When starting from scratch, it's easy to get distracted by seeing something nice, but then you won't actually have a scenario where you'll wear it. For most folk, they need clothes that make them feel good on a day-to-day basis.

Thanks all, some really good tips here and I'm feeling more positive about where to start now :)

I am the same height and size as you so feel your pain but I am older (so will have different tastes). But I know its not always easy to find clothes that cater for tall
and plus size.

I would maybe try some new leggings and a T shirt with a new jacket. Or perhaps a long linen shirt. These fit tall and do size 22 https://www.longtallsally.com/search
Jumping Ships cater for tall up to and including a size 22, as does Asos and Boohoo.

Maybe also join Tallternative Retail on Facebook and search plus size to find other recommendations. Or maybe follow one of these they all wear very brightly coloured clothing the first is 5’11’ size 18-20 and the second is 6’1’ size 22-24 and the third is tall and about a 20. https://instagram.com/fabfatand40plus?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://instagram.com/clarawheelie?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://instagram.com/tall.lika?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Some clothes I have found that I wear are some apartment pants from Saint & Sofia (stretchy but smarter than leggings and go up to a 22 but you might get away with a 20). It says they go up to a 34 inside leg but I am a 35 and they are fine with trainers or flats). Some Le Joggers from Llama Leisure in black and navy (very comfortable). I recently bought a denim shaket in Mataln and a blazer in Sainsburys (both were fine on sleeves).