Help with new wardrobe -pic

[Helpmedress3]

Hi, wondering if anyone fancies helping me pick out some new clothes?

Ideally from Vinted!

I'm 5'4, always used to be a 14 but now easily a 16. Big bum and boobs (which i like and don't mind showing off), used to have a waistline but that's hiding. Hair getting more and more grey, greeny hazel eyes, very pale Irish skin.

I work in tech, so no dress code but want to have a few options to meet clients so smart casual. Most people are in their 20/early 30s, I'm early 40s.

Things that look good on me - wrap/tunic dresses and (high heeled boots)
Wide leg trousers
Long or 3/4 length sleeves
Slash necks
Scarves

Things i wish looked good on me -
Jeans (can't find wider leg ones that look smart ish and straight/skinny leg don't really look good)
Shirts (always think i look frumpy)
Tight tops.

Things I'm not keen on
V necks
The current calf length billowy dresses

Also generally no clue about fashion. Layer ideas would be great.

Oh, and I really don't want thin plastic materials. The better quality the better. I go for Vinted for sustainability reasons

Grateful for any links for outfits I could put together!

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/3709525711-green-wrap-dress

Love this! Going to be brave and go into an actual shop to try things on and see what shapes work.

Normally I'd avoid that length as it would end at mid calf on me, let's see...

I'm an hourglass, 10-12 but very easy to look larger if I don't have fitted clothes. There is nothing on the highstreet.

Bravissimo/pepperberry was the only place I could buy fitted cotton shirts and tops. I've pretty much given up and wear fine knits with stretch most of the time. I find Phase Eight quite nice for skimming fine knit tops.

Wrap dresses from white stuff and boden, I'm not a fan of the bold patterns but there's often a more neutral colour option, and I have occasionally dyed things!

I do like a blazer for work. I prefer a one button fitted one fastened up but you need to try a million to find one. Whistles do a stretch jersey blazer which I quite like but find the shoulders a bit wide.

Jeans, again you need some stretch and I think even wide leg needs to be fitted through the hip with the width just enough to slim the thigh. Softer wide trousers with a good drape are easier.

For summer wide leg linen are my go to, they need to be really well worn and washed so they've become drapey and not stiff so vinted probably a good option.

None of the above are fashionable but you can work with colours and accessories and footwear. I have accepted I don't have a fashionable shape, I'm built for cocktail dresses!

Thank you, going to check out all your suggestions.

If hourglass ain't fashionable, I i don't want to be fashionable! ⌛

Wide leg trousers from M&S - if you buy a basic black pair they will last years and won't cost a lot and are super useful (they are popular so you might get these on Vinted)
Wear that plus plain fitted smart tshirt and a blazer, plus white trainers - the blazer would enable you to look smart enough to get away with trainers for site visits and still be practical.

And the easiest shoes for work that balance comfort and smartness are loafers - they go with trousers and dresses and you can find lots that are genuinely comfortable and practical (slightly chunky sole)

I don't like this look at all. Who does it look good on? It's like something you'd wear to get dressed under at the beach.

I have just decided I don't want to look contemporary or up to date, if it means dressing like Chloe Sevigny on Big Love.

The suggestions on this thread are proper making me laugh.

I wouldn't be brave enough to order on Vinted unless I was very sure it will fit.

I think you could lose money this way, OP and agree that you should go try on outfits in store first.

I have no issues with Vinted, I i can generally tell if something will fit (usually just order new online anyway) and you can also see if it looks a bit grotty and scroll on by 😅

The & Other Stories dress that @Peaceandquietandacuppa linked is absolutely gorgeous!

M&S do really good slash neck tops that make a good wardrobe basic with a pair of wide-leg trousers: https://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-cotton-rich-slash-neck-fitted-tops/p/clp60574696#intid=pid_pg1pip13g4r1c1|prodflag_plp_ts_QPH_18

A cropped cardigan would layer easily with trousers or jeans for more casual days: https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc142917818

A shirt in a less fitted/more relaxed cut that you could layer over a white or nude vest: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/100pct-premium-linen-shirt-455749.html?dwvar_455749_color=COL53&cgid=IDw-shirts-blouses

Soft, wide legged trousers are my new favourite thing. I have 3 pairs from The White Company. 2 with side stripes and 1 pair of black jersey with a roll waistband.

Paired with a basic top, fitted blazer and white trainers.

Hi Op,

I completely understand, I'm a short hourglass and anything baggy looks incredibly awful!

My firm rule is that what I wear must show my waist.

The M&S ones above look similar (but cheaper!) but I just bought these and they are a revelation!

Designed to be looser but I've gone down a few sizes so they fit like a glove on the waist and hips. Unbelievably flattering and I'm thinking about getting the linen version too which felt amazing in store!

I wear with short close fitted jumpers french tucked into the waist.

www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/the-denim-colette-full-length-wide-leg-jeans-by-maeve?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=091&searchparams=q%3Dcolette%2520jean&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Instead of the shirt with jeans would you wear a good quality white tshirt with a blazer or jacket?

Yep, totally open to that. Just don't want my fat rolls on show with a skin tight t-shirt and a loose one kinda defeats the object

Have a look at Ralph Lauren " Judy" tops. Slash neck, knitted fabric, plain and patterned, more substantial than the m and S ones ( which I also have, a real hourglass staple). The Ralph Lauren ones are a good length to wear with skirts or trousers and show off the waist.

Just realised I'm the same height and similar size. I like slash or boat necks too. M&S Harper or Sienna jeans for me. I recently bought some smartish trousers from Zara of all places and M&S do some good ones. I spent a Saturday morning trying on lots of stuff in there and deliberately trying things I wouldn't normally. Crew Clothing seem to be good quality stuff and have a sale on. Look for brands like Hobbs on Vinted.

Not vinted but h&m does good wide leg trousers.

If you're into blazers, I like whistles slim jersey ones (oversized don't work for me either) and I've bought few of them from vinted, with tags on.

This is lovely

Black kick flare trousers are flattering and fashionable at the moment, M&S have some good jersey ones

I like some of these Baukjen shirts. Women's Ethically-made Shirt's & Blouses – Baukjen

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies! I've ordered a couple of things off Vinted and if I'm feeling brave may update the thread with some pics...

Do we think something like this would work for me? Maybe with tan ankle boots? What else does it need as an outfit?

It's difficult to tell what that would look like on as it's so wrinkled and crumpled. Is it roughly the shape of the &Other Stories dress? (which sorry, I think is very ordinary and a bit boring)

I don't like the colour of this dress.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/3996995864-asos-design-wide-leg-jeans?referrer=catalog

Wide leg jeans

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/4088343414-green-wool-jumper?referrer=catalog

Jumper

I wear stuff like this with nice jewelry and trainers. It's fine to be casual. You could swap to wide leg trousers if you wanted to be smarter.

My friend who has a similar figure to you looks great in a jumpsuit

Do you know what colours suit you? That dark khaki shirt dress could look great or terrible depending on your colouring.

Oo thanks for the links! Yes, I i love a jumpsuit as it gives me longer legs but they are a pain going to the loo. Still, if i know it looks good it could be a starting point. Usually i wear them for going out out but maybe I'll look for work wear ones...