Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Help with styles please

4 replies

EdevaBrewstere · 22/06/2024 09:00

I am really struggling with finding anything which suits me. A bit of background... My weight and fitnesss/tone has fluctuated hugely over the years. I used to be a very fit, muscular early 20's. Worked in very physical jobs with a lot of upper arm strength. Then went into a sedate job, got fat and lost my muscle. Had 2 kids... got fatter. Went up to a 22. Then lost 6.5 stone 5 years ago. Was a size 10/12. Put 4 stone of it back on over covid and now have lost 2.5 of that again. I am currently a size 14. However... I am only 5ft tall and have horrific arms. Massive bingo wings down to my elbows, (I think due to them being so muscular in my earlier years) a big, flabby belly which even with weight loss I still look 9 months pregnant, flappy thighs (despite walking 4 miles a day and riding horses) skinnyish legs and a small face! Menopause isn't helping my belly fat. I hate any form of 'structured' exercise and refuse to go back swimming (after someone threw up in the pool when I used to go!) and certainly not the gym. I am fairly physical anyway with dogs and horses and running a smallholding. I have quite small, droopy boobs. think my shape would be described as 'apple on legs' but not sure. I don't really conform to any shape! Going clothes shopping is my worst nightmare... I hate it, get bored and need to get home within an hour! So everything is bought online. I live in t shirt and leggings normally at home and running errands. I have a small folk festival in a few weeks, and want to wear something nice for that. But I just don't know what would work? Requirements are... upper arms have to be covered, preferably nearly to the elbow. Nothing puffy or restrictive. Clothes have to stretch or I get claustrophobic in them. Happy for strappy things, providing a cardigan or something to go over. Don't mind my legs out (like the freedom) but to only just above the knee. Nothing below the knee. Bear in mind I am only 5ft and so most clothes shown above the knee on models are ankle length on me! I think I prefer dresses to shorts, which tend to ride up on me and go between my very flat bum! Due to my boobs I wear Miss Mary bras which give a great shape, but tend to be quite chunky and often show under anything other than my t shirts. Colours are black, blues, purples and greens. I quite like some pattern, but certainly nothing that draws too much attention. Maybe a bit 'alternative' but not too florally etc. So... any ideas please?! Good online shops? styles? Any help!

OP posts:
RandomersAssociation · 22/06/2024 11:06

I have searched - and come to the conclusion that you might start with something like this in whichever colour you prefer:

https://www.americanvintage-store.com/gb/en/ZOL19BE24-ABSINT.html

which then gives you more freedom to play around with what goes underneath. As you only want stretchy things it’s worth browsing the whole American Vintage site, particularly while they have a sale. (Their sizing is madly generous btw.)

I’m sure a million people might disagree - and I don’t know where you’ve been shopping up to now) but I think if you’re prepared to spend a little more than basic high street prices you may find more joy. Purely as suggestions of places you might not have looked and where you may find styles you can build on:

YMC (all the cotton jersey things are beautifully cut).
Beyond Nine
Community Clothing

Women's cardigan Zolly - ABSINTHE 35 Long sleeve Green - E24 | American Vintage

Shop our Women's cardigan Zolly - ABSINTHE - Green - 36% wool, 35% polyacrylic fibre, 15% alpaca, 13% polyamid, 1% elastane - line on American Vintage. Returns within 30 days.

https://www.americanvintage-store.com/gb/en/ZOL19BE24-ABSINT.html

bridgetreilly · 22/06/2024 13:44

bridgetreilly · 22/06/2024 13:41

Assuming we don’t suddenly have a heatwave, how about this crochet dress?

If it’s too long, I think it would be very easy to turn up the bottom border.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread