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

My issues have been more with hair than clothing. The worst was the pixie crop in the late 90s. I have frizzy hair and my features are not delicate and gamine. I expected Winona Ryder but got Helen Shapiro on a bad day.

I'm another one who wants to look all 'boho' and casual, but whenever I try to dress in a 'quirky' way I look as though I've run through a series of washing lines. I'm sticking to walking gear and wellies from now on for every single event. I'll look ridiculous but at least I'll be able to walk the dog.

I have 2 looks i want one is past other is just a wish.
years ago I wore straight knee length skirts high heels fitted tops bit office-y but wow i looked smart! i felt mega confident and a Victoria Spice haircut I could even run in the heels. now i am broke way over weight riddled with physical injuries and mh problems so i slop round in leggings and 2nd hand baggy tops from jumble sales plus cheap trainers i hate how i am but i have given up
the other look is the boho look one lady i know must be in her 70s now has all those sort of Indian style clothes very boho and edgy she buys a lot when she does go to countries like India she looks gorgeous even wears hats uses big straw bags marvellous.

A couple years ago I (60-ish, 4'10", paunchy) wanted to emulate Stevie Nicks, so I purchased some burnout velvet kimono-type things, previously owned, on eBay. Figured with faded jeans and black suede ankle boots, or sandals in warmer weather, I'd look all boho and swirly and vintage-elegant.

Yeah. I looked like a wheelie bin someone had dressed up as a Halloween decoration.

At least I didn't succumb to a black velvet top hat, too.

Same here. My sister gave me a knee-length belted trench coat in a sort of cream/black giraffe pattern. I thought it looked so smart till I caught sight of myself in a mirror while out and about. A sack of potatoes would wear the coat with more panache than my short-legged stocky little bod.

Does anyone else think that all we stocky people should stick together? It doesn't seem to matter what your body shape is - if you have short legs you always look a bit overweight and a bit dumpy, and it frustrates the hell out of me! I'm a size 10, with a well defined waist but look at me with clothes on and I look like a character from a Cissy and Ada sketch.

Nothing ever beats Suzi Quattro’s fat Nan

Yes, it's frustrating. Even when young and slim, my attempts to be elegant/boho/whatever always backfired.

Now with a huge bust, no waist and the same old short legs, it seems hopeless.
I went bonkers a couple of years ago and bought a wine-colored faux fur coat that comes to a little above my knees. Again, figured it would be sassy and cool with faded jeans, boots and a velvety top.

Wrong again.

I’m five foot seven, so pretty tall, but I have short legs, so unless I’m particularly slim (which happens for about three weeks every ten years), I look stocky.

They look much better on me since I started swimming a lot. They seem to need wide shoulders, narrow hips and height

I recently was eyeing up a petite leather car coat. Suzy Quattros nan saved me from yet another purchase against all odds

@Tracystubbs thanks for your wonderful post, it’s an actual poem. Beautiful!

Mr Blobby’s nan 🤣

I'm always a bit suspicious when they don't show things on models.

I once bought a long flowy broderie anglaise white dress
in my head I was channelling stevie nicks cool

in reality I looked like miss havisham !

Elegant cashmere wraps. Unfortunately they make me look like Paddington’s great aunt lucy

I also bought a blue teddy fur jacket. The DDs kept referring to me as the Cookie Monster

Tbf, the model looks awful in those M&S trousers with the way they styled them with those awful ballet flats and socks.
Unbelievable.

Anyway. I’m relatively tall (5’8.5) and I’m slim. I look awful in anything midi length. A completely frumpy length for me. I have to go longer or shorter. I also look like a shot putter in anything strapless.

Many years ago, I tried on a Jaeger swing raincoat. My mother and sister were asked to stop laughing or leave after loudly declaring me to look like Windy Miller. Sadly, they were right.

Sometimes I think about the woman who had a perm and was greeted by her BiL saying "Bloody hell, it's Colonel Gaddafi" and I laugh to myself.

I first read that thread at work and I couldn't stop laughing, it's genuinely hilarious.

Me too. It's tragic. I really relate to the 'wizard costume' comment too. 😆

Same prob, short legs...um....practical calves. 😉

I'm 'slim', size 10, take plenty of exercise, eat well etc but at 5ft 3 with my proportions and stock, I never look elegant or whimsical. Boo.

🤣🤣🤣

I've got a magenta boilersuit which I wear to work. Ds1 told me I looked like a plumber.
Someone else said I looked like I was about to parachute out of the place. 😆

I don't care though, I've had loads of compliments and it really is the most practical item for the work I do. Loads of pockets, comfortable.
I am the purple plumber.

I'm crying laughing at this one!

i am tall, (very) fat with short legs, long rectangle body (and small boobs - just to compound the horror🤣) and anything with any kind of gathering or pleats around the waist especially with material around the groin - like these trousers just looks horrific.

I don't think they look particularly nice on the model, but i certainly think they are trousers for someone who is willowly - long legs, slim. it's not you it's the trousers!

i have given up with trousers - when i find an ok pair (wide leg suit me best) i buy several pairs

Jumpsuits.

I look like I’m there to service a boiler.