33 and lost my way with fashion

[IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday]

Hi all,

I'd love some advice, please, as I've really lost my way with my wardrobe.

I'm 33, 5'6", size 12 (no real waist, carrying some weight on bum, hips and tummy).

I'm making the classic mistake of covering myself up with shapeless and high necked jumpers/tops/dresses but as a 34D on top with slightly broad shoulders, its just making me look even bigger. When I was a size 10 I was more comfortable wearing more fitted clothing, but now feel awkward about my stomach and lack of waist.

I used to shop a lot in Oasis and Warehouse before they were bought by Boohoo and now the quality is poor/I'm less keen on the styles. I've spent hours in the last week trawling ASOS and Debenhams and can't see anything I like. I expect I need to spend more (which I can afford to).

I've always been a bit more of a classic style rather than following the latest fashions, but I don't want to look too old either.

Can anyone share some ideas that might suit me? I can dress casually for work so just looking for work/social outfits e.g. Nice tops to wear with jeans, dresses to wear with boots and tights etc.

Thanks in advance!

Surely rather than ideas you just need some new places to shop? Oasis, Warehouse and Debenhams are places I remember from a previous century - they’re hardly likely to be offering much that’s fresh and contemporary now (though Warehouse had one or two cheap but impressively pretty cotton dresses last Summer).

Have you looked at the obvious triumvirate of

& Other Stories
Cos
Arket

They’re all very popular and carry most of what’s currently fashionable on the ‘High St‘.

American Vintage
Asket (different to Arket)
Community Clothing
Goodhood Store
Massimo Dutti
Plumo
Uniqlo
YMC

are all worth regular browsing to see what sort of styles appeal to you. The important thing is not to decide what you want before you open the website. Browse with a completely open mind and a tape measure. Observe how things are styled and then just follow your own instincts.

I buy ‘old’ Oasis and Warehouse and Vinted.

body shape and colour analysis is really useful. I was an apple and a winter in colouring and it helped focus what I needed. I look horrible in oversized things, and midi is not a flattering length on me.

Scamp and Dude is a brand I love- their dresses look great with a denim jacket and trainers and well as heels.

Depends on your budget. For classic shapes you could try these brands:

Sezane - French, really lovely
Emily and Fin - lots of lovely cotton dresses, classic and colourful
Boden - great styles for all shapes. fun colours
White Stuff - White stuff seem to get better all the time

I've never followed fashion trends. I tend to go down the Trinny & Suzannah line of thinking, wearing what suits your shape and complexion.
You sound a similar shape to me, I find I can't go wrong with a midi wrap dress. They work wonders hiding a belly.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I like the idea of browsing with a tape measure (usually wait until I need to replace something or have an event to go to and then I'm in panic mode, so maybe need to reframe it as a little exploration activity for a lazy Sunday afternoon!) I'll have a look through all of these brands, thank you so much for sharing.

@Alittlecappuccino I struggle to find wrap dresses that show the right amount of cleavage sometimes. Do you have any go to brands? (Appreciate your preferences may not work for me but worth a try!)

My tape measure lives on the sofa I usually browse from. It’s a good idea to have your own measurements to hand, and also those of a favourite t shirt and pair of jeans or whatever - as some sites will use the former and some the latter for their sizing. But you’ll always need to check sleeve and dress lengths, etc.

Yes, waiting until you need a new item is the worst way to find one. Just browse, regularly. Sign up to mailing lists, save sites you particularly like to your phone screen and spend a few minutes with them (maybe just checking the new stuff) every week. That way you’ll find your feet with what’s current in all styles. Don’t only look at what you can afford. Get to know the work of new and emerging designers - it will help you to judge the effort, or lack of, made by run of the mill places.

Have fun!

Working out what colours I suit by finding my 'season' and working out my kibbe body type has been really helpful for showing me why some clothes styles I like looked lovely on me and some looked awful. I did a few online quizzes and watched YouTube videos and definitely make less expensive mistakes than I used to.

Similar age and stats to you, I recently found some nice bits in Mango but also M&S is really great at the moment. Have you been on Pinterest and searched for key words that describe the style you like/are aiming for and then looking online to find pieces to recreate the outfit? I find that much easier than just browsing aimlessly looking for inspiration on clothing websites!

@IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday I get most of my stuff from SilkFred or Traffic People.

Fab thank you so much, I've spent a few evenings browsing and haven't spent a penny yet but am building a list of maybe items.

Really appreciate you all taking the time to share your wisdom, thank you.