Help me find my style

[justlass]

I've just seen a photo of myself today and I'm horrified! I know I'm overweight, I'm size 16, no waist, apple shaped, large tummy, legs ok ish, but big calves I guess, size 34/36ff or g bra size, dark below shoulders curly hair, brown eyes, 5 foot 7.

I tend to wear jeans with vest tops and cardigan in summer and jeans with quite long hoodies or jumpers in winter, with either Converse or ankle boots.

I thought I looked ok until I saw the photos. I'll try and attach one. My stomach looks huge, I look scruffy.

I tend to buy things off eBay or Vinted because I'm on a very low budget, the disadvantage is of course that sometimes clothes are too small or awful condition etc.

I don't have many stores nearby, so mainly shop online. I can't get to John Lewis or Debenhams for a consultation about what suits me and I can't afford to have my colours done.

I've tried looking at influencers, but can't find anyone who wears the sort of clothes I wear. I don't need going out clothes or work clothes, just casual wear. Plus they're all slimmer or larger.

Any ideas or advice? Just been feeling really down about myself recently and feel I need to change something but want to still feel comfortable.

More Michaela Strachan, or Julia Bradbury doing Countryfile then.

Ah, see, you've lost me again 🤯😂 I think I need to read through all this tomorrow and see if my head works better 😂

I'm not very good at reading blogs because I lose the tabs on my phone. I don't use Pinterest much, never really look at YouTube, I'm much better at following things on Instagram or Facebook, although then it gets confusing because they don't show posts in chronological order 🙄 Sorry, I'm not being lazy, just realistic. I know I'll manage once or twice and then forget.

Does it bang around every time you shut the door?

It comes with sticky tabs but I dont slam my door tho lol

Ha, no worries! Everyone is different - I need the short focus of a blog post as I can’t get on with Instagram. I just end up doomscrolling for ages and ages before forgetting what I came for 🤦🏻‍♀️

@justlass
Do you know the reason why this post is so popular? Because everyone has had a photo taken of ourselves which we’ve been disappointed about. Our tummies looked bigger, we weren’t giving off the effect we were aiming for and our outfit looked thrown on. It’s hard to get it right so don’t beat yourself up.

I guess that's true! I hate seeing photos of myself, I can cope with photos of my face but not my body!

I have photos of more clothes for opinions!

Black and white jersey dress
Pink sun dress
Blue and white tie blouse

Glittery going out vest top
Black and white skinny jeggings
Black coated skinny jeggings

Sorry, that was black wide leg jersey trousers from M&S, not coated jeggings.

This is the photo of the coated jeggings.
Also red floral T-shirt material dress.
Blue and white part linen next shift dress.

Blue and white bias cut linen dress m&s, ja this years and love it.
Pink jersey sun dress
Multi coloured wrap dress from Next, had it years too, but feel less a bit on the small size now.

I've got a massive pile to send to the charity shop , I've realised I don't wear half my stuff and don't really like it.

That's yet more in the other wardrobe 😬😳

Sorry, not the pink sun dress, it's a pink white and black dress from Phase Eight, my "best" dress for posh dos 😂

I'm not sure about the red dress, it's a bit too busy, but I bought it last year and think I just wanted some colour in my wardrobe!

Also I haven't worn the blue and white Next dress this year, it's above the knee and just doesn't look quite right to me. I think it has shrunk though and maybe that's why. A few years ago I felt good in it!

I like that. You don’t need many blazers and indeed I don’t wear them loads but say if I’m out and about with my nephew having lunch out, eg my bright pink blazer jacket pulls my more casual top, skinny jeans and trainers together and makes me feel a bit smarter.

Tu at Sainsburys had a nice sort of jersey almost casual tweed (soft) blazer about a year or so ago, prob find it on eBay, in mustard and navy etc. I got mustard but wrong colour for me. It felt really nice on and you could easily wear it out and about.

Your other clothes and dresses. I like the red one actually. Not keen on the going out one but only because it’s not my style!

I’m thinking of someone I used to go to school with, friend who when I saw her photos on FB and in real life her figure looked great. But she could wear things I never could and they looked good on her. Put her in an eg Toast jacket or top end it wouldn’t be her. Some people do suit different styles.

I know .. getting the Phase Eight dress out this morning, I didn't like it either 🤷‍♀️ probably needs to go!

The red dress just feels very fussy with tiny flower pattern and the tie neck.

Can you get some clothes delivered to your New Look to try on - Looking at their sale page for a size 16 I think these might be worth trying - not suggesting you should order all of them but see if any appeal and order say one pair of trousers and one top to see what you think.
Trousers
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/quiz-black-button-front-wide-leg-trousers/p/878529501

THese also come in black but navy probably better with your current wardrobe
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/quiz-navy-buckle-wide-leg-trousers/p/874851341

Only £10 and look at how they're styled on the model as that might work for you.
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/tall-black-ribbed-wide-leg-crop-trousers/p/868234901
Tops
£13 Should be a good colour for you give you a bit of a waist - wear over a white or turquoise vest.
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/bright-blue-long-sleeve-v-neck-wrap-blouse/p/841930443

Shorter length to emphasize the waist - again try it over a vest
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/black-animal-print-long-sleeve-wrap-shirt/p/857466609

Skirt
Not in the sale but worth trying on or keeping an eye out in the charity shops to see if they have one.
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/skirts/urban-bliss-blue-split-hem-midaxi-skirt/p/864123640

THis is a very very short video showing the bangle hack
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/no-sew-hack-help-dress-212701358.html

Quick question; are you really a print person? I am not. When everybody bought a floral dress, I didn't. I wear colour, but block colour. No need to follow the trends if you don't like print and frills and poufy stuff. Maybe that's why you are confused. Personally I think all those huge loose oversized dresses and tops in the shops are death for apples. I try to define my waist, always.

I don't read blogs or Insta because they are all about the trends, and I don't do trends. I just try on relentlessly ( and I appreciate it's hard for you to do that).

Thank you everyone 😊 I've ordered some clothes from New Look, got 25% off non sale items too 😊

No I'm not really into prints or fussy stuff, but can cope with bold patterns.

Thank you I'll check that out! 😊

Thank you for going to all that trouble. I've ordered most of them to try on, although the cropped ones were out of stock. I'll report back! 😀

See I can do prints eg florals but less so bold prints.

I actually thought the Phase 8 dress was quite nice if a little dated but with the right accessories it would look good. It was the glittery going out top I wasn’t keen on!

I think if you have a style you like and suits you then stick to it. My hairdresser is tall (5ft 9 or 10) and also at a guess a 14-16 but she suits black longer sleeved and baggier open shirts a x trousers and sort of a bit glitzy stuff and she has some really nice bespoke silver jewellery which looks amazing. She also suits a tan but don’t think she’s into sunbeds.

Another friend of mine I saw on her birthday on Saturday, she looks good in skinny jeans, a long line too (navy) with a blazer and jeans but she is on the slim side. Another friend likes blingy jeans and is curvy so wears those.