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.

I'm bored of it all too. I'm mid fifties. Hope the thread helps. Feel free to post photos too 😄

I looked on the John Lewis website but they don't seem to be offering the virtual consultation anymore. Also someone mentioned having colours done on Facebook for £30 (?), could someone link to the fb page for this, as I can't find the post above? Thanks 😊

I sometimes wear Tshirt dresses in winter with thick tights, I just struggle to find them with the right neckline.

I have this too and I love jumper dresses. I know you said you don't often wear scarves, but my trick is to wear a scarf tied at about my waist (or use a hair band to avoid a knot) to give a really deep v shape. You could also try a pendant.

Looking at the first photo of the top you posted (which I love), it's quite a square shape, especially with the short sleeves, so how could you balance it?

Tucked in to trousers or a longer skirt would give you shape at the waist. Or you could wear it over jeans, and wear a belt over the top. Don't be afraid of belts. I can always hear my Dad saying "Dino looks like a sack of spuds tied in the middle", but most women shaped women look better when they accentuate their waist rather than hide it.

A jacket that does up at waist level would give you the v to reduce boxiness, or alternatively, a longer fitted coat to perhaps just above your knee would give you a longer line and allow you to show off your height.

A lot of your blue things look immediately very wearable, OP, just by adding white. The white linen shirt is good - could you not just tuck that in with the bird skirt and pull it about a bit until it works? Or can you tie it at the front, maybe with a white vest underneath? I would also wear the white shirt or your striped navy shirt with the jeans turned up to look more summery. What would the white shirt look like with maybe one button done up, half tucked, or tied with a white vest and your short denim skirt? Your oversized grey shirt looks like it could be worn loose like a utility jacket with black and white or a colour? The shirt dress also looks very wearable with flats?

Your pictures look like a good range of colours and shapes there
You underestimate yourself
I think you just need to play about with the things you have for now
You could wear the shirts as a shacket rather than think of a blazer
Cigarette pants or wide legged black trousers would look nice with your black tops and I think
It's a safe bet to buy tops from Vinted brands such as M&S, next or Joules
You have a lovely shape, and it's just changing the way you " dress" it

My head is 🤯😂

I don't have a white vest but can look for one. Not sure the linen shirt will tuck into the skirt with birds as the waist is very loose, just jersey fold over, but I'll try it.

I'll attach photos of my jackets, a denim one, a leather one and a loose long line jacket.

Here is the John Lewis link

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling

I got my Lily jeans in the short leg so no need for me to take them up. I would think at your height the regular length should be ok for you.

My white linen shirt I wear undone as a cardigan replacement :)

I do love a cardi but now keep them for home or as an extra layer when it's freezing cold in the office and where we are all wearing a trusty cardi 😄

Will the shirt look something like this, OP?

How about this blazer? Less shapeless? It's denim.

Thank you, when I click on it it just says no available appointments, try another shop.

I think if the skirt had a firmer waistband - and I was several sizes smaller! - then yes.

What's wrong with the denim jacket you've got? Does that not suit you?

LOL, but the same general idea? Like this pic? I think it might look really nice.

Sorry, I was trying to reply to your message about the shirt/skirt.

What are you wearing today OP? Have you had a go at anything?
If you don't have an actual belt, do you have one off a dress or something that you can use just to try on an outfit and have a play?

That first top, looks big at the top. So in my eyes, I would aim to come in at the waist, by tucking it in, and I would want a bit of width at the bottom, so either a short a line skirt or wide trousers. My first thought would be navy linen trousers and a tan/ raffia belt, you can wear those with tan sandals or white trainers.

Just as an example of the difference, this is a top in a similar ish shape for sale (not recommending, just using the pictures). You can see the difference in the shape of the woman just by tucking it in and wearing shorts that finish on her natural waistline. So any trousers or skirts that you buy will look most flattering if they sit on your slimmest part too.

Whereas your denim skirt is quite slim fitting, and it sounds like it would show off your legs, but I think if you don't create some shape with it it could look like a rectangle. So personally I would look at a form fitting t-shirt, tucked in (seeing a theme here 😂), and one of your shirts open loose over the top, or possibly knotted at the waist. Roll up the sleeves so that if you're stood with your arms down, where your slim part is, that's where they end. Or if the shirt is slim fitting, you could have it buttoned up and tucked in/ belted.

Hi OP, here's a link to a stylist who has a youtube channel, she does styling tips for all kinds of body types and different shapes - some of the clothes are dressy and some more casual.
Maybe it will give you some inspiration.

https://www.youtube.com/@mmpersonalstyling/featured

So what jumped out at me straight away from your photos was pink t shirt over navy vest with the long blue skirt (I'm assuming that the skirt falls quite straight). White vest under the grey (?) drapey neck top with rolled up jeans. Also as the blue and white shell patterned top has buttons could you wear it over a navy or turquoise vest with the denim skirt but instead of buttoning it tie it at the front to pull in the waist a bit?

The denim skirt looks a bit straight, a more Aline one might work better.
Can you try the denim skirt with the shell print top and one of the linen shirts either open or tied in front?

You definitely have some good items in your wardrobe already OP and it's coherently blue and white.

Linen shirts are bang on trend this summer I hear.

No I love my denim jacket!

When I bought the denim skirt I thought it was A line but it is indeed more straight. It's also a bit tight 😳 it's a size 14 so I'm not sure if tucking in will work but I'll try.

Today I'm wearing denim shorts, white drapey vest, so not tight fitting , but loose and longish, with the blue linen shirt open over, tied at the waist, with grey converse.

It looks nice - I don't think spending on a denim blazer will necessarily fill a hole in your wardrobe when you've got a denim jacket.

@MarciaSaysANumber is spot on. That red cc dress is amazing.

No I agree, I was just trying to find a casual blazer I liked. 😂

Op I'm exactly boat as you but I'm really short so look like a barrel ! I hate seeing photos of myself