Tops with jeans - feeling frumpy

[way2serious]

I am an apple size 12 and feel really frumpy at the moment. I have quite a square shape and any tops or jumpers that I wear with my jeans just make me look (and feel) really old. Can anyone just anything to try that might compliment my shape a bit more. Preferably with some direct links. I am 55 if that is relevant.
Thank you

what style of jeans are you wearing? What are your legs like? I’ve switched to crop bootcut. My legs are good but I have a rectangle waist so the bootcut gives me curves.

What about a shirt? Collar tends to add a bit more crispness.

Am currently in straight legged but am conscious that may not be helping!!

Lots of tops to go with jeans on this thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4790516-which-top

It’s hard to know without a photo but maybe try some different styles of jeans/ shoe combinations. Follow some people on Instagram for inspiration.

Must you wear jeans with jumpers/ tops? Perhaps, just temporarily, other clothes might be more satisfying to wear?

This dress, for example might work well for your current shape.

Or this printed dress from & Other Stories

Alternatively, lighter, looser trousers and a longer shirt, like this, which is still denim.

If you want to throw money at the issue - one of these silk shirts could be an easy win. I’ve linked the navy because jeans, but it also comes in ivory, red or black. Very luxurious, long, roomy. Roll up the sleeves, unbutton as far as possible, impossible to feel frumpy. (I have one no longer available in cotton, the older it gets, the better it looks.)

I love those dresses. Jeans are not obligatory.

I’ve just bought this vest to wear with jeans, with a kimono or unfastened shirt/jacket over. They’ve got a silky one too, which I might try on next time I’m in town.

I wouldn’t wear it on its own but it gives a bit of shape under a looser shirt.

I was going for jeans for a casual look.

@CapaciousHag i love the dresses but probably out of my price range.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie love the top but like you would definitely need something to wear over the top

There’s nothing casual about feeling unhappy in one’s clothes, unfortunately. Sometimes it’s necessary to adapt to something that works better. Chinos (lightweight, flat fronted) might be easier.

If you give an indication of price range I’m sure we could suggest some other dresses you might like. (Although buying less but better is never not good advice.)

I’d say this dress is just as casual as jeans …

OP - if you want to stick with jeans have you tried shorter tops? I don’t mean cropped but tops that are slightly too long often add to feeling frumpy I think. I was doing this and - even though my stomach is quite large atm filling an operation - I still look significantly slimmer with slightly shorter tops as opposed to trying to cover it. Similarly a lovely shirt with the classic French tuck.

other think is maybe try turning your jeans over a bit so slightly shorter and trying different shoes? This can help change the look.

Something like this perhaps?

https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-tops-tees/products/cotton-oxford-easy-shirt-chambray

I'm 50 and a similar shape and have been wearing Adler Wide-legged jeans from Jigsaw recently- I have felt really good in them- the wider leg seems to make me look slimmer at the waist and a looser blouse tucked into the high waist looked good I thought. They are fairly long- I'm a 32" inside leg and they sat well with a platform trainer.

If you fancied a change from jeans, you could have a look at chinos. Primark have loads at the moment, in many colours - £15 rolled up ankles. I've got khaki and a pale pink pair, just looks a bit more "put together" than my usual jeans/top combo. They are really comfy too. I like to wear them with open shirts and a vest top/plain T-shirt (Next rolled sleeved ones are nice)

what type of top are you after and for what ?
I don’t think “ a top” with jeans can make you look frumpy, it’s probably style of the particular top and colour. You can buy an expensive silk shirt in one colour and look nice but the same shirt in a different colour will look dreadful.