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Original poster

What has replaced skinny jeans and a nice top?

125 replies

Mushroo · 15/04/2023 21:26

Friday night at the pub is just one example, but I guess what I’m after is what has replaced ‘skinny jeans and a nice top’.

I’m ok with casual, and I’m ok with properly dressy, but I really struggle with the in between.

Im early 30s, busty, size 10, short with a stomach that means anything cropped is out.

Don’t like wearing heels, a heeled boot is ok.

All inspiration welcome but generally prefer lowish budget, I’m lost!

I’ve looked on ASOS but can’t even find a ‘nice top’ they would go with mom jeans.

OP posts:
MysteryBelle · 17/04/2023 21:25

Straight or subtle wide leg are my favorite cuts of jeans and trousers.

Skinny cut is always good and necessary for high boots. Big fan of skinny for that purpose but not anything else. I think skinny jeans were everywhere for so long, usually paired with a grungy oversized top or tight tank with long shapeless cardigan or olive green military style jacket, that we’re all tired of seeing them.

Crayfishforyou · 17/04/2023 21:49

BansheeofInsherin · 15/04/2023 21:56

Where are all these nice tops you speak of? All I can find are polyester floral sacks which make me look like a shower curtain.

Yes
Or they are cropped. Being 42 and dd having been a massive baby, I really don’t want that area revealed.

Justalittlebitduckling · 17/04/2023 23:01

JaneJeffer · 15/04/2023 22:14

Nothing. Everyone still wears them.

Thank goodness someone said that, I was beginning to worry!

NojudgementGem · 18/04/2023 01:47

There are brilliant Instagram accounts which help with fashion and styling advice. My recommendations are:
This Girl Loves High Street
Gals Love High Street
These have helped me loads since I had my baby, lost confidence, etc. I sometimes buy the items they share but usually it’s just inspiration and I can put a similar look together with similar items I have or I find cheap on Vinted

Instagram

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

MoonWanderer · 18/04/2023 03:09

OOlivePenderghast · 15/04/2023 22:02

Im a very similar age and build. I’m really enjoying all the ideas but wondered if anyone had any pictures (or insta accounts) of what they’re describing. I’m finding it hard to imagine the type of tops which would go with wide leg jeans.

A cropped crocheted top with bell sleeves with a cute bralette underneath looks banging with mid/high waisted wide leg jeans!

Sadik · 18/04/2023 06:54

'everyone still wears them'.
Not round here they don't! Definitely not to go out, maybe for schlepping round the shops on a Saturday morning.

Sadik · 18/04/2023 06:57

But not to get into that argument, surely it's fine to have a thread for people who don't want to wear that to talk about nice alternatives. (I only had one pair of skinnies about ten years ago long since worn out as I don't really find them comfortable so very happy that lots of nice other options around!)

Yerroblemom1923 · 18/04/2023 06:58

Floral maxi/midi dress with either chunky boots/Converse teamed with either a denim or leather jacket.

PiedPipa · 18/04/2023 07:54

OP I'm struggling with this too. I'm 5ft3, and 'petite' hourglass, so small waist, proportionately big boobs, and v.small feet. Tops can easily drown me or add lbs- but somehow even with far bigger trousers becoming the 'thing', I still can't find any nice, pretty tops that are fitted around the waist- unless they're completely plain tees.

Wide leg and boot cut jeans feel frumpy and like they're wearing me, and combined with trainers I just look dumpy.
Smaller feet look ridiculous in those clumpy, heavy shoes (and for me anything with chunky, inflexible soles gives me blisters on my heels).

@Mushroo have you tried a shirtdress? I have a few and easy to find on Vinted. You can dress them up or down, great with opaque tights and boots in the winter or bare legs and comfy wedges/sandals/trainers in summer. There's some linen ones in shops atm that keep you so cool in summer.

DorritLittle · 18/04/2023 08:01

What about other jeans and a nice top? Bootcut or flares? With trainers.

MorrisZapp · 18/04/2023 08:12

The shops are still full of skinny and slim jeans, and a million blouses.

I love a slim jean and a killer blouse. I don't want to wear trainers or those chunky black boots on a night out so I wear heeled sandals.

Maxi dresses in summer, again with the heels.

I bought my most recent killer blouse in TK Maxx and my current fave jeans are from Stradivarius.

SirChenjins · 18/04/2023 08:45

What’s a killer blouse? Confused

LadyMuckingabout · 18/04/2023 09:24

A killer blouse for me is one with an itchy label…

I have zero shoulders and short fat arms. The 3/4 sleeve will never die for me. Also if a top is not fitted I look square.

MorrisZapp · 18/04/2023 09:27

SirChenjins · 18/04/2023 08:45

What’s a killer blouse? Confused

Just a really good blouse 😂 For me this is quite floaty but front tuck-able, a print (usually floral) a shoulder detail of some kind (mini puff or gather) a split, scoop or v neck and sleeves no shorter than halfway to my elbow, sweet spot two inches above elbow.

But there are a million varieties out there and once on, I can't tell cheap from high end. I have a couple of expensive ones and a heap of high street/ charity shop.

MorrisZapp · 18/04/2023 09:29

Don't know if you watched Magpie Murders but Lesley Manville's character has a world beating blouse game in that. Amazing skirts too.

minipie · 18/04/2023 09:32

somehow even with far bigger trousers becoming the 'thing', I still can't find any nice, pretty tops that are fitted around the waist- unless they're completely plain tees.

Don’t look for fitted tops - there aren’t many, except super skinny ribbed things aimed at teenagers. You need to tuck the tops in for a fitted waist look. I have a similar figure to you and now wear almost all my tops tucked in (would have been unthinkable a few years back but things have changed) - even jumpers get a “French tuck”.

Mirabai · 18/04/2023 10:19

PiedPipa · 18/04/2023 07:54

OP I'm struggling with this too. I'm 5ft3, and 'petite' hourglass, so small waist, proportionately big boobs, and v.small feet. Tops can easily drown me or add lbs- but somehow even with far bigger trousers becoming the 'thing', I still can't find any nice, pretty tops that are fitted around the waist- unless they're completely plain tees.

Wide leg and boot cut jeans feel frumpy and like they're wearing me, and combined with trainers I just look dumpy.
Smaller feet look ridiculous in those clumpy, heavy shoes (and for me anything with chunky, inflexible soles gives me blisters on my heels).

@Mushroo have you tried a shirtdress? I have a few and easy to find on Vinted. You can dress them up or down, great with opaque tights and boots in the winter or bare legs and comfy wedges/sandals/trainers in summer. There's some linen ones in shops atm that keep you so cool in summer.

I’m roughly same height. I find there are loads of form-fitting tops and blouses. I agree it’s easy to get swamped - I never wear loose tops or large florals as a result.

Nor do I ever wear wide leg or bootcuts. If you wear skinny jeans try skinny flares - ie skin tight to the knee. They give you more height than skinnies and you can hide heels under the flare - lengthening your legs.

BansheeofInisherin · 18/04/2023 11:39

If I have a menopausal tummy, can I do the French tuck? I thought not, but I have been seeing women larger than me do that.

xogossipgirlxo · 18/04/2023 11:46

BansheeofInisherin · 18/04/2023 11:39

If I have a menopausal tummy, can I do the French tuck? I thought not, but I have been seeing women larger than me do that.

Sure you can.

BansheeofInsherin · 18/04/2023 11:48

I think there are a lot of videos on You Tube showing how to dress for apples, but I just get so bored that I haven;t got to the French tuck stage. I suspect I will look better doing that though.

DorritLittle · 18/04/2023 12:15

I am 5’7” and look terrible in most blouses, especially ones that French or otherwise tuck, and anything loose and high necked which is most things in the shops at the moment. When going out I wear a probably deeply unfashionable fitted wrap top from Boden.

Stickykidney · 18/04/2023 15:14

Ok this is my problem. I went into town today to try and fix it. With my mother
I like what I like. Skinnies and a 'nice top' according to my mother (who is much more on it than me) I'm aging myself tf. So. I tried on crop tops with high trousers (12 stone, 5ft 5, massive 36g boobs) it's not a look. The top barely covered the tits. But my mum made me so I had to... She quickly made me take it off.
My mind obstacle is it's like... 90's fashion.... I just can't seem to prise myself into it. Today I bought a few vest tops and that's it. I think my soul left my body at one point trying on highwaisted 'baggy' jeans. I love the look... But old me CBA with wet hems.
Let me know how the rest of you get on...

JaneJeffer · 18/04/2023 15:20

DorritLittle · 18/04/2023 08:01

What about other jeans and a nice top? Bootcut or flares? With trainers.

Last time I went out I put bootcut jeans on and then at the last minute decided I just couldn't do it. I looked like a saddo who was clinging on to the noughties. I changed to a pair of slim fit instead which are only a tiny bit less clingy than skinnies.

BansheeofInisherin · 18/04/2023 15:29

I am going super minimalist for "nice tops". Just ordered this from Massimo Dutti ( they also have some lovely dresses). I don't really like floral or puffs and gathers and yokes. https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/relaxed-shirt-with-knot-detail-l05113882 Will wear with indigo slim jeans and dress it up with jewellery.

DorritLittle · 18/04/2023 15:45

JaneJeffer · 18/04/2023 15:20

Last time I went out I put bootcut jeans on and then at the last minute decided I just couldn't do it. I looked like a saddo who was clinging on to the noughties. I changed to a pair of slim fit instead which are only a tiny bit less clingy than skinnies.

Show quote history

😂 I have no doubt I would too. I haven’t gone back down the bootcut route myself yet. And I was probably one of the last to ditch them.