Style crisis- I'm no longer sure what suits me!

[Victoriaplum1]

I guess the best option would be to go to a stylist but seems a bit extreme to do that for what I need so I am posting here for hopefully some help.

So, I am late 40's perimenopausal, petite 5ft 1in with a medium/quite stocky and curvy built and nothing seems to suit. I have a perimenopausal stomach that I'm desperately trying to shed a bit of. Dress size is usually a 12 or 14 in some dresses. Fed up with wearing jeans, jeggings I think make me look even stockier...and what shoes do you even wear with these?! Love midi dresses, am not fashion conscious and tend to stick to boho/surf looks with colours I love. I like Joe Browns, Next, Animal, White Stuff, Fat Face so nothing that looks overly trendy. Anyone the same???

John Lewis personal styling. You've got nothing to lose.

What about a style analysis from someone like styled by susie? I’ve had one and it’s the best thing I’ve done. It’s £35.

Can I just say, size 12/14 isn't 'stocky'. I'd search around for similarly sized/shaped people on Instagram (or tiktok I guess) and follow them, see what they're wearing. I've learnt lots if hints and tips, the 1st being to try not to be so harsh on yourself. X

@Seaside3 , OP said "medium/quite stocky and curvy build". That's not being harsh. A size 12/14 could be stocky, overweight or skinny.

@WhoppingBigBackside to me stocky has certain connotations. The op is not a horse or cattle.

They might have wide shoulders, be pear shaped, a longer body and short legs or any ither version of 'stocky'. Stocky isn't particularly helpful as a description. I'm just very aware that how we talk about ourselves can knock our confidence, and loose our way with style. But I'm fully prepared to accept the op may talk about themselves more kindly, or not have an issue with the word.

That's you, @Seaside3 , but OP can describe herself as she likes.

Brilliant replies and thanks @Dogpoodogpoolovelylovelydogpoo and @WhoppingBigBackside I will check those out. @Seaside3 I call myself stocky build, I am reasonably slim but pretty solidly built. Agree stocky can mean lots of different things to different people though

Curvy does too. It gets used as an euphemism for noticeably overweight, which is a bit unfair on those of us who are curvy without being overweight.
Petite is pretty much used only as an indicator of height these days, but it can mean small and delicately built.

Thanks for the reply @Victoriaplum1 . When thinking about style, which I've recently started reassessing, I've found saving lots of pictures of the styles I like helps. I'm mid 40s, short, size 18. I'm learning that I can't magically look 'thin', but I can wear clothes in styles I like, with a few tweaks to make me feel more confident. I'm also getting rid of clothes that i don't think reflect or suit me anymore.
It's a process, but it's actually quite enjoyable once you've found a style you like. As above, I also follow people who are smiling in build, also those whose style I really like, I hope it helps you too.

I think @Seaside3 I really need to find a style that suits. I've worn the same style for years since then I've had DC and now supporting a menopausal belly! I'm comfortable and confident who I am in my own body I just need some styles to suit. I have had a look at the Styled by Susie website so I may try there. I don't have a great deal of cash to spare on clothes so having an idea what suits should save money in the long term!