You know when you really love an item, but it just doesn’t work….

[Newmeagain]

It’s so disappointing!

I spotted a cropped suit jacket at M&S that I thought would really suit me as I am short. Really wanted the matching trousers and there were no sizes online or near me so I made a long trip to track them down. Visualised myself wearing the suit to work and looking really cold and professional.

Alas - there is just too much fabric in the wrong places in the trousers. I tried them on about a gazillion times, trying to convince myself that they looked good - but I had a to accept that I looked like Charlie Chaplin. I am just glad that I did admit defeat because in the past I have bought things against my own better judgment. (I did keep the jacket - I think it will look good with other things.)

Here are the trousers in case anyone is interested:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/wool-blend-pinstripe-tapered-trousers/p/clp60682762#intid=pid_pg1pip9g4r2c3

I like bright colours. A few years ago, when I was younger and slimmer, I fell in love with a summer dress, with orange, yellow, pink and lime green pattern. I tried it on and it fitted perfectly BUT the bright colours, particularly the lime green made me look washed out and aged me about 50 years! ( I don’t think the lighting in the changing rooms helped!) It was such a shame. I loved the dress but it didn’t love me.

So OP yes I understand your pain!

I always wanted a boho look when I was at 6th form college and it just doesn't suit me. Maybe I could only picture the self I'm after if I was tall and willowy. And I'm really not. I try every now and then, all these years later, but I still look like a short person in a crap wizard dressing up outfit. ☹️

Oh and Menorcan sandals. They just don't fit my feet.

Similar to this, I've got a couple of friends who wear a real mishmash of second hand stuff, vintage styles clashing prints etc, and always look stylish and arty.

When I've attempted anything like it I just look like I've got dressed in the dark.

I remember wanting a pair of leather trousers once. I was wealthy enough to be able to afford real ĺeather. I found a pair in Next which I loved but were the wrong size. I drove an hour away to get them in my size. But when I tried them on I realised there was no way I could carry them off without looking like I was about to jump on a motorbike. In my head I was going to be edgy and stylish. In reality I was short and dumpy and they aged me 20 years.....
Also a dress I wanted for a ball at University. It was in the window of a local shop. Metallic silver. Shiny. Tight. Long. I struggled into the tube to find I had just metamorphosised into a drag queen. My housemate and I both agreed!!

I've always wanted to be able to wear high heeled pumps. They fall off my feet and it's impossible. I need Mary Janes but they just are not the same

This is me and ditsy print.

I am also short and like that sort of 'grandad' style of trousers, but they are tricky to pull off specially if they have pins at the front. I have had a fair bit of success with that style from Hush, who offer short lenghth and mid-rise in some of their styles, and Hollister, who have low-rise, although their quality is not that brilliant, but then again, neither is M&S's in my opinion, and even though they offer some of their styles in different lengths, they don't seem to grasp the concept that the real issue for shorter people is not the leg lenghth, which can be easily adjusted in most cases, but the waist/crotch ratio.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.the-silk-scarf-dress-beige.1158981002.html

Desperately wanted this very chic silk dress. I look like a sack of spuds in it.

Get them tailored to fit. Most off the rail clothing benefits from this approach tbh.

Dresses. All of them. I look like a knob in a dress. I am a size 12 so you’d think there would be something out there but there isn’t. I have very occasionally managed to get a shift dress for work but I dream of picking up summer dresses for holidays. They just do not work on me.

I love Emilia Fox's look in Silent Witness with tank tops or jumpers and a slightly longer shirt. I tried it and it made me look like a scarecrow.

Sweater vests / tank tops. I love them but look like a 90 year old Granada in them.

Skirts. Especially midi ones with lots of volume and a fitted waist band. Love the look but I’m short waisted and they make me look dumpy.

I’m not short but I’m quite pear shaped and I can’t make trousers with pleats at the front work on me at all. It always looks like I’m wearing a nappy with fabric everywhere. But if they are flat fronted, no pleats they are fine and flattering. If they have a similar style of suit trouser but flat fronted you might be able to get a pair to make your suit work.

My other cannot-wear is loose, shapeless flowy dresses. I always think they look so cool on the model and I’m really drawn to the vibe. As soon as I put one on I triple in size and look like a giant potato. It’s so annoying. Counterintuitively I look better in fitted things.

When I was younger I like the look of the short dress/opaque tights/doc martins look but it didn’t have the effect I was hoping for (willowy). I guess my legs just aren’t long enough.

Its slim fitting trousers for me. Id love to be able to wear a pair of lovely tailored cigarette pants but sadly my giant calves would be bursting out of them like the Incredible Hulk!

Same here. I look better in dresses or wide leg trousers.

I got one of those large collar blouses hoping to look all feminine and romantic but, in the words of Boris Johnson: alas! I just put it on and couldn't stop laughing at myself. I can't pinpoint why it's so wrong on me, but it is! 😭 I nearly posted a pic on here for comedy value, in fact I may do that one day.

Edit: I also can't work with this nappy cut of trousers and shorts, it's a very difficult look to work with, imo.

I have a beautiful soft leather biker style jacket from All Saints which instantly transforms me into a Brosette! Everyone else I know wears them effortlessly.

Roll neck jumpers just look so cozy but don't work with my short neck and thick hair, it looks weird

About 15 years ago I aspired to the then fashionable Boden denim skirt, opaque tights and Fly London boot ensemble. Half the women in the ante natal group wore it. I bought the constituent parts but it just looked weirdly shit when worn together. I gave up and tried again over and over before finally moving on. I don't know why I couldn't wear that look, I just couldn't.

Agree, the same happens with long length, they adjust only the legs, but not the body length.

I could say a lot on this topic but another one for me was, sadly, puffer jackets. I just look like the Michelin man in them. I always look on enviously at those women who not only normal sized, but actually chic in them.

I love jumpsuits. Love them!

But every single one I've ever tried on, no matter the material or style, I look like a right knob.

My body is too long and my arse looks like it begins at my shoulders.

I'm very jealous of anyone who can wear a jumpsuit