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!

The khaki colour is a bit drab.

I want to say this colour works on me as I love it and matches my eyes... Thoughts? Decided to show my face as I've name changed anyway

I'm ok with drab 😅 fading into the background is ok.

I don't believe in colours suiting or not suiting- that's just not a nice colour - although, to be fair the dress might look better if it were ironed. It looks as if it's been used to mop up spills

I like that top. It's 2 nice shades of grey. I'd like that top on anyone - it's just a nice piece of clothing.

I don't know if the colour "works" on you as the whole colours thing for me is , as a poster put it on another thread, "astrology for clothes"

I agree the khaki is not a nice colour, but I can't wear beige/grey/camel/soft pink. I look like death warmed up. I do suit strong jewel colours.

Have you looked at hobbs? they do great shirt dresses, if that's your style, also plenty of fit and flare, which is very flattering. lots of choice on Ebay/Vinted.

I like the grey top too, especially the subtle stripes. I don't think you need to be flamboyant, but you don't need to fade either. Perhaps a little more colour?

I'm slightly shorter and a size or two smaller, you are a similar age, size and shape to me.

When I have previously asked for recommendations on MN posters always suggest baggy, Cos-style wear. Which makes it look like I'm wearing my Dad's clothes. Badly. Wrap dresses make me look mumsy and I run the risk of breast escape.

Sorry to be blunt The khaki washes you out, IMO navy as a base colour would work, or dark grey.

Ted Baker skater dresses work for me, French Connection shorter jersey dresses are good, Boden petite are useful staples. M&S occasionally have wide leg trousers, you have to be quick to get them. Saint & Sofia wide leg trousers are a good fit too, though they are expensive for what they are.

I can wear quite straight but flowy midi skirts with a tighter plain t-shirt. I've found that either the top or the bottom has to be fitted or I look fat, rather than shapely. I like that white top and I understand why it appeals.

Wrt jeans? Flares look better on me, especially ones designed to flatter my bum. For smart casual I wear black or dark blue.

As someone who is shapely, well-fitted underwear is key. That's where it's worth splurging.

Agree with all of this, thanks. Gutted on the khaki opinions though! I generally do go for navy which I'm confident does the job.

I'm also growing into my grey hair which i suppose doesn't really help the washed out thing. Not drinking enough water for the last 40+years ensures i always have dark circles! Here's some of my other colours...

I like your hair. You look fine. I also like that shade of blue.

Finding semi-fitted clothes these days is tough. It's either massively oversized or horrible clingy body con. I struggle myself to find something in between. I usuallly do what pp above suggested, wear a fitted top with loose trousers or vice versa. Loose throughout makes me look six months gone. I am a 12 apple.

I am shorter than you, size 12/14. Very curvy. My favourite wide leg jeans are from Toast. They have a side button fastening, so much flatter stomach, and the waist doesn’t create the doughnut ring around the top. Big easy access pockets. They do cropped or full length ( the cropped are almost full length on me). I wear them with really chunky DM style boots, slouchy socks and Birkenstocks, chunky sandals. Then on top anything works for me. I have tiny shoulders and large bust, so I go for A shape blouses that fit on the shoulders and have enough material to skim bust and hip, or a top that I tuck in at the front or one side only. Also fine cashmere or silk jumpers, shorter length if poss. This all looks good with a biker jacket, or soft blazer, chunky coat etc.
Im not sure the link will work. I think they are called Annie jeans? Not cheap, but cost per wear so far, about 20p!
https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-jeans/products/annie-organic-denim-side-button-jeans-indigo

I hear you, OP!! IM a similar shape but taller, 5ft7ish, and I'm a fan of midi shirt dresses for work, worn with a belt. I usually find good ones in M&S Autograph, Boden and Zara - worth looking for those on Vinted.

I also wear black wide-leg trousers with drapery utility-style shirts, tucked in, and round-neck tops with a bit of pattern are very useful under a blazer. Harder and harder to find ones that aren't polyester now though.

In the summer at work I live in slightly cropped drapery tailored wide-leg trousers (Next) in grey and navy, which are very flattering, and sleeveless v-neck blouse tops as I get hot easily!

In M&S yesterday there were some lovely tapered leg black trousers - sort of high-waisted, nipped in at the waist and then back in over the hips - I thought they were really flattering. Alarming number of tailored short waistcoats though 😳

Finding the right wide-leg jeans is deffo a challenge - I know exactly what I want to look like in them but cannot recreate it!

Jasper Conran has some lovely shirt dresses in the sale. Also some lovely sheets! ( haven't looked there for years) https://www.jasperconran.com/collections/sale

This is beautiful 😍

This place makes me laugh. OP states she doesn’t want calf-length, billowy dresses. So immediately someone suggests calf-length, billowy dresses. Why anyone would want to dress like a peasant farmer is beyond me.

Helpme, I would say you look nice in v-neck tops; they tend to elongate you. having a large bust, rather than button up structured shirts, I would go with a bit softer draping v-neck blouses with wide (but not too wide) legged trousers, and blazers or wrap sweaters that nip in at the waist.

I also see you like florals, but I think they can be aging. Try to find some geometric patterns.

here's a v-neck soft blouse; a bit boring but a good staple.
https://www.johnlewis.com/saint-tropez-campanula-ecovero-v-notch-neck-blouse/ice/p111413492

I also hate the huge baggy clothing look. Has anyone watched Fisk on Netflix?

hey @Helpmedress3 you have a lovely figure and beautiful features! I would check out Melissa Murrell on YouTube she is brilliant for every day dressing and has great suggestions to suit different shapes. I reckon you'll get some good Inso for basics that you can create good outfits from. I reckon you would suit navy better than grey as I think it would complement your hair colour. I also reckon you could rock a jumpsuit ....

Arket do a really nice white T-shirt, it's around £35 but not see through and keeps its shape well. M&S for wide leg trousers and jumpers that you could wear for business casual, always loads of M&S stuff on vinted.

@Helpmedress3 this would be really versatile could dress up or down ...might come up too big but could look for smaller sizes elsewhere. This would be a good shape on you [[https://www.very.co.uk/evans-curve-jersey-jumpsuit-navy/1600978243.pr

@Hereforthedramaz pray tell where you find these 'I wear with short close fitted jumpers french tucked into the waist'!!

(Sorry for jumping on your thread, OP - a fellow short hourglass here!)

Also these boots are great, I wouldn't wear them with wide leg trousers but they go well with dresses and jeans plus really comfortable

I don't have much of a waist and find many shops (inc M&S) are too tight for me to wear their trousers/jeans. It depends on your shape but I always buy from Gap - something like these?

https://www.gap.co.uk/style/ls399188/p96389#p96389

The problem is their shops have closed so you can't go and try them on now before looking on Vinted - but could be worth a gamble? They do so many different styles and lots of looser cuts.

Shirts I can't help with - I've had the same problem for years! You used to be able to buy tailored styles that fitted into your back instead of hanging like a sack of spuds, and could be worn outside your trousers. Where have they gone.......?

@HBGKC
Hi, do you mean where do I find jumpers that fit that description?

Generally via a lot of Vinted browsing so I can buy nicer ones!

It also helps that things that are supposed to be cropped are nicely short on me!

In the last couple of weeks i found a few really nice cashmere short jumpers on Vinted for really reasonable prices and in perfect condition.

I avoid anything with a boxy shape and often where things designed to be looser (but still with a nice shape) in a much smaller size.

Yes, @Hereforthedramaz, thank you! I too look for 'cropped' cuts, as I'm so ridiculously short-waisted (and short, and size 6-8 on my top half) that all normal length tops are far too long on me, and end at my widest point (hips, as I'm pear-shaped).

I shall spend more time hunting on Vinted as per your suggestion - thanks again.