Ideas please for a bit of an update

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I am little and a bit fat (14) and quite old.

I’d like to buy one or two nice things to freshen up my wardrobe for spring. Not a coat or boots or a bag.

Ideally these one or two things will be able to take me to the pub or out to a nice restaurant, without being too dressy.

I wear a lot of black, so maybe something that isn’t black might be nice. I suit slim flare or rolled up jeans, various dresses and pencil skirts. I hate belts. Think I’m somewhere between an apple and a fat hourglass. I quite fancy something red, maybe, or some going out trousers that aren’t jeans.

Any suggestions very welcome to force me to look at things I wouldn’t normally look at. I hate polyester and have mixed feelings about viscose!

The Me & Em wrap is beautiful, but I can't afford anywhere near that, I'm afraid.

I don't like the libby one - the colour is better, but the style isn't quite right.

I'm too fat and poor for Sezane.

Wolf and Badger has some interesting tops, but it seems we can't get away from viscose or nylon. Balloon Sleeve Wrap Top In Dark Green | PAISIE | Wolf & Badger (wolfandbadger.com)

I have this but in a plum colour, it's such a lovely blouse. Unfortunately it looks like my one was autumn season. I'll be getting the cream one at some point

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-collared-shirt/p/clp60648552?color=IVORY#intid=pidpg1pip48g2r5c1|prodflagg_submsg-New%20and%20Improved%20Fit

I ordered these three tops, the black to wear with loose cropped black jeans boots now and Birkenstocks in the Summer, the blue to wear with white flared linen trousers and the patterned to wear with blue jeans. The H & M ones are 100% cotton muslin. I've never ordered from One Hundred Stars before, but at £26 in the sale, it's H & M prices.

Sorry none are red or going out trousers so probably not much help.

https://www.mahsa.co.nz/collections/top

ok, this is a small Nz label, the most beautiful clothes, simple, designed for longevity.

i wear these blouses tucked in with wide leg jeans and boots in winter, sandals or birks in summer

i stack up the jewellery, either bracelets, necklaces or earrings, not all at once

super Spendy, but so worth it. Honestly the tailoring is exquisite, I buy one every couple of years and they are all still going strong after a good few years. Work in summer or winter

Remus I always really enjoy your posts and admire your style a lot.

Like you, I’ve been searching for some red for spring but not bought anything yet. I am very tempted by this as the colour is perfect, but the reviews are mixed https://www.whistles.com/product/essential-ribbed-crew-38051.html?xnpe_tifc=OfxlxuoX4FQ.4DHZ4ubpbMpsafeWaeiWhFW5adQWhMEWakpWVlB8bfLvaZ8.adJSOIxZhF4sOIbDhuxDxDHdxXTT&utm_source=exponea&utm_campaign=uk_bau_2402_saturday_product_newin_dynamic_salebanner_highlow&utm_medium=email

My general obsession at the moment is Ninety Percent. I have bought a few tops and the most beautiful pleated bubble hem skirt, the fabrics are lovely and the styles are just a bit different.

Thanks all. Still feeling a bit uninspired and confused. Definitely don't want dressy or super £££.

@BangingOn That's very kind of you, but I definitely write better than I look!

I struggle with Whistles - I do like some of their stuff (bought the same dress in two colours in the sales last year for example) but their quality is often patchy and the sleeves are generally made for orang-utans. That jumpy is too fitted/high necked for me.

Have a look at Next OP. I always find something to suit me and I'm the same size and age as you.

I rarely find anything I like in Next tbh. I used to get a lot there, but that's going back twenty years at least.

Although I did buy a crazy sequin jacket there quite recently!

I discovered this brand today and browsing the website, these might fit your bill - https://www.makemylemonade.com/products/pantalon-noe-bordeaux. I think I'm a similar height and shape to you and they would work for me. The first photo also has them turned up for a bonus look. Downside is they are both polyester and viscose, but the outfit I saw today (and accosted the owner to identify the brand) looked like good quality fabric.

Like @Lentilweaver I've been living in wide legged cords. The black M&S ones are brilliant. Velvety and wash really well with no colour fade. The Uniqlo green ones get compliments. Both pairs seem really robust - none of that wearing thin in places that old style cords used to be guity of.

I wear them either with chunky slightly cropped chunky jumpers - Nordic yoke necked fairisles are very fashionable right now but also classics so won't date - but chunky knits give fattening silhouettes, so mostly I wear long soft merino/cashmere tunics - very flattering.

Thanks for these. I’m going to try the M&S cords on.

That’s is NOT quite old!! You’re in your prime!

I can’t afford the Me+Em top either but god it’s getting hard to find decent quality on the high st, it’s so depressing - I’m trying expensive things on then stalking on eBay, Vestiaire etc. Also a 14 is def not too fat for Sezane and a fair amount crops up on Vinted (though beware fakes).

Cords - I have these barrel leg ones from ASOS in black and grey https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-cord-barrel-leg-trouser-in-grey/prd/205010380?ctaref=more+colours+swatches&featureref1=more+colours+swatches. Size down. I’m still in knitwear on top though and nothing very new.

You liked something upthread from H&M I think - I often find things with very similar cuts across the H&M brands but in different colours and fabric compositions. Have a look at Monki, Cos, Arket and &Other Stories.

I think some wide cords might well be what I’m looking for. I’ll have a pootle in town tomorrow.

Arket is one of my go to shops for tops, but I haven’t seen anything recently. Cos stuff generally doesn’t work for me.

I like those barrel legged cords too.

I'm another recommending the M&S wide legged cords. I'm small & they make my legs look longer & fit really well.
What about a silk top/camisole?
M&S Rosie currently have a beautiful one in claret.

Do you have links please?

I’m in town tomorrow so I’ll check out the cords.

I’m far too busty for a silk cami these days and have never been fan of cleavage.

@Pushmepullu

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/products/proteastoneeracheltop

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1202483004.html

I really like the shape of that & Other Stories wrap cardigan. The others all look a bit too fitted and back-to-2004 for my liking - even the Me and Em one - but Stories have managed to make it look fresh again. If I couldn't find a better version then I'd go for that and put up with the colour and fabric. But then I'm a bad person.

Thank you. 2 purchases for me!

@AmaryllisChorus

I wear them either with chunky slightly cropped chunky jumpers - Nordic yoke necked fairisles are very fashionable right now but also classics so won't date - but chunky knits give fattening silhouettes, so mostly I wear long soft merino/cashmere tunics - very flattering.

May I ask where you're buying your long soft merino/cashmere tunics please? All the ones I find are a bit short or skimpy in their sizing or thin and bobble on sight.