Help me style my new trainers!

[CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair]

Inspired by a thread on here I’ve ordered a pair of trainers that have arrived today and I love, the colours will go with lots in my wardrobe (I’m a light summer, if that helps).

The problem is that I’ve never felt that I can pull of trainers properly, except for plimsole style ones. I am 5ft 3” with short legs and was an hourglass who’s now definitely more apple shaped and currently a size 18.

I’m currently on maternity leave and would love to pull off that athleisure look but I always just end up feeling like a slob or really dumpy. My proportions aren’t right to wear trainers and skirts/ dresses, unless it’s short and it’s too cold right now!

Please help me not look like a dick! I’ve struggled to adapt my style to my new non-office life and increased weight and just want to feel more put together without being too try-hard.

https://www.offspring.co.uk/view/product/offspring_catalog/2,20/4866688098070?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=20552984536&cq_med=pla&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU7yEY0nm5dNG-O7CsOhAbYqQF-qLjKMKM6DcqS3-LLj9YNzDJq6n3txoCnscQAvD_BwE

What about some twill cargo pants or pull on cargo trousers which still have an athleisure vibe without being joggers? I love wearing white / off white trousers.

And then a cropped batwing sweatshirt In one of your colours - something like this https://www.riverisland.com/p/navy-crop-plain-sweatshirt-905237?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU7-gPTEuNJokg9l4eydzf9F-EOkbFN_G5wOQYy3PPm465Rxcka3QqbhoCbmEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I like this but probably too long for you?

www.riverisland.com/p/blue-oversized-sweatshirt-901380?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU70e5Cz31KZGJbRnCZxyVTbVxsCYGnNJjlgA6ejvQqO6jN3fDcTF3bBoCWi8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I love those OP! I’m a similar size and height so watching with interest

Can’t ever go wrong with black skinny jeans, and a longer looser top to hide lumps and bumps.

Thanks. Have you got any pics of the types of trousers you mean. I really like the shape of the first jumper and the colour of the second. I actually don’t mind a longer top. I think as I have a long body it works quite well, but the trousers need to be a bit more fitted.

Hopefully we both find some good ideas!

Forgot to say that white is a no-go. I’ve got a 2yr old and a 6month old. I’m lucky if I make it through the door without being covered in something (plus I’m naturally messy 😬).

I do wear a variation on this sometimes and think it looks ok with jewellery, hair styled, makeup etc but I find it actually takes a lot of work for me to pull this look
off as it just looks slovenly.

Just do what I do and wear them with leggings (in your case maternity) and sweatshirts or T-shirts in summer. You could wear them with wide leg striped M&S trousers, you know the ones. And of course jeans.

I was similar to you, not really a trainer girl outside sport though I did have Travel Fox and Air Jordans in the 80s as a teenager, then Converse high tops later on and NB £
just when they were getting popular in England.,

You can tie your hair in a ponytail and do light makeup.

I have similar trainers but more colourful. I wear them with blue girlfriend jeans turned up so the hems don’t hit the top of the trainer. I then wear a crew neck tshirt and slightly cropped cardigan or a slightly oversized crisp cotton shirt and add a knitted vest if it’s cold.

I think if you want a more athleisure look without it looking slobby you could wear them with really good thick gym leggings and then a decent wool jumper + good jewellery. I find if I do a sweatshirt + leggings it always looks too much like Sunday clothes iykwim. I also quite like sweatshirt + tube skirt + tights (non black) + trainers but that depends on your vibe

BTW I wear all this and am fatter than you ;)

Hate the name but 'mum jeans' rolled up a bit so you can see your socks, with a long sleeve black (nursing?) tshirt (or stripy), with trainers like this, is basically my mum uniform

Or some comfy good quality leggings (I like Oysho or if you have the budget Sweaty Betty or Lulu lemon) with a tshirt and a half zip fleece is nice for this weather! I like the fleeces from Passenger (or Varley if you have ££), or actually M&S have some nice ones. You can chuck a raincoat over it for a casual look or if you have a trench coat or a longline wool/blend coat that can dress it up a bit.

I also think if you're having a bad hair day (for me, approximately 5 days out of 7) if you comb it into a mid-pony and wear nice earrings you immediately look and feel more pulled together.

These are all good ideas, cropped cardigan etc - I'm sure the Primark one I got recently comes under the banner of cropped.

On mat leave I mostly wore Lululemon align leggings, oversized black jumper from Cos or Arket & trainers such as that.

I know exactly what you mean about feeling slovenly dressed like that when some of the Instagram pages make it look so great!!
I’m seeing a lot of them put blazers over jeans and a t shirt maybe try that?
I’m also seeing a lot of smarter wide leg trousers be paired with a t shirt and blazer with trainers (admittedly more like sambas) but might be worth a try