What should I be wearing?

[Footsontheotherboot]

I know I look a mess, I'm a size 16, post menopausal with a belly to match (but young) and my uniform for home and work is such a mess whenever I wear something new people compliment me and put me off wearing it again.

I have had a bit of extra money come my way this month thanks to vinted (only £200, not a huge amount) and want to start making myself look human in clothes that fit, what brands do I need to go for?

My general style is Art teacher meets social worker with a dash of Jo Brand thrown in. It's where I'm comfortable. Are there any nice brands that make this style that will make me look a bit less homeless?

Nobody's child
Damson madder
Free people
Joanie

Vinted is great for all of these!

Second free people for you. It definitely has that art teacher vibe.

M and S is always worth a browse for basics.

Why does being complimented on an outfit put you off wearing it again? I don't understand!

Fatface/ white stuff/ seasalt would all fit your brief I think.
And gudrun sjoden if are brave enough!

Kemi Telford. Check out her Insta page or #kemitelfordstyle to see how fabulous women of all body types look in her clothes. Plus, her skirts have elasticated waists and pockets. Not so cheap now, but might find a bargain on Vinted.

I'll have a look at these brands thank you. I don't like compliments they make me feel self conscious, like what I'm wearing has made me stand out enough people feel the need to pass comment and I don't like that.

Omg Gudrun Sjodren is lovely!

Oh gosh! Please don’t hate me but your style sounds messy - and pretty much all the brands people have recommended will (regardless of their inherent merits) make you look messier still.

If you’re happy with that - press on. But so many prints, so many ‘quirky’ shapes and bits of quilting and droopy skirts … (I love Damson Madder for instance but it isn’t going to make you look svelte and sophisticated if that’s the direction you were hoping to travel in.)

How do you feel about Toast? Only the plain pieces, no patterns. They make immaculate denim - jeans, skirts, dresses - which would work well with plain shirts and workwear jackets. Probably lots pre-owned as it doesn’t wear out.

Hmmm. I don’t agree with many of the suggestions here tbh. Droopy stuff like that Gudrun doodah would be a disaster imo. Also, some of the brands being suggested are really expensive and OP needs a quick boost with limited cash.

I’d be trying on every pair of jeans in somewhere like Marks or Next, until I found a pair I like and that fit well. I’d then be looking for 2 merino or cotton jumpers to take said jeans into spring, and then perhaps a nice trench coat or lighter weight jacket and a pair of trainers. Most people outside of MN don’t wear expensive brands like Toast or Kemi T imo.

What sort of coat would be good that would serve me well for this cold and wet as well as spring? That is definitely something that would be a quick fix

Good question! In an ideal world, I think you’d need two to bridge from now to spring. I’m still in my long ugly duvet coat at the moment. I’ve got a trench coat for milder days but it only goes with a few outfits so I don’t get loads of wear from it. I get more wear from my leather jacket. In spring I also wear a khaki cotton jacket a lot.

Hopefully somebody can suggest one that will be useful!

Actually I'm inclined to disagree with some of the advice here & think that if the op's natural inclination is for slightly quirky, art teacher vibe then jeans & jumper & trench coat will make her feel like a fish out of water.

I think the way to go is to lean into it! Study the websites of Gudrun Sjorden & see what appeals & how outfits are styles & put together. For instance a pattened beautifully cut coat paired with plainer trousers / top but still interesting.

Or a dress with a cool scarf or costume jewellery etc

I'd also look at Danish brand Noa Noa as they often have beautiful coats & dresses. I used to buy a lot from them but sadly the shop in my city shut down. He quality is fantastic.

Plumo / Toast / noa noa / part two are all good brands to look at & once you identify what you're after you can then have a look on vinted etc

It might be worth making a wish list, starting with the basic building blocks you need - tops/ trousers/ dresses etc & then adding the interest & detailing to each outfit with a more unique element.

Not forgetting to consider things like shoes/ boots/ bags/ scarves.

Once you have you style you can refine it & add to it over years.

I totally agree with @HereComesEverybody embrace what you love! Don’t start wearing smart jeans and jumpers if they don’t sing to you.

Also, once you start dressing more nicely people will get used to it and won’t compliment you so much!

Ah I didn’t read the full OP and missed the Jo Brand crossed with an art teacher vibe. In that case, I’d maybe substitute jeans for a couple of midi dresses, but they are harder to pair with coats.

Or I’d blow my entire £200 on a sale leather jacket from All Saints!

Jesus wept

@Exasperated24 so supportive. Go away if you can’t say anything helpful.

On that subject @Footsontheotherboot I do know exactly what you mean about not wanting people to comment. I think it’s been a menopause thing for me. I don’t like people looking at me. But I seem to have come out of the other side now that my HRT is kicking in. I have vowed to start wearing all the lovely clothes in my wardrobe and trying to stand out (a little) not just blend in. Maybe try it a little bit at a time?

Brora sale or Palava sale might be possibilities.

Brora sale
Palava sale

I agree that Toast could be what you’re looking for. I love their stuff. It’s expensive though. They do good sales if you sign up.

You don’t need to sign up to buy in the Toast sales!

(You may get a few days of early entry to the sales but it really doesn’t make much difference - particularly since the biggest reductions come at the end of the sale period.)

Have a look at the Seasalt outlet on eBay, there can be some great bargains on there, and some of the styles might be up your street. I like their knitwear and some of their plainer workwear type pieces.

Don't be so spiteful fgs

I agree Joanie sounds like it might work for you, and they have good sales.
Their clothes are fun and colourful but fairly structured and flattering.

Joanie is great if you like quirky or retro styles (I very much do!). Also seem to be cut well for fuller figures.
Joe Brown also has that art teacher vibe about it, usually quite cheap on Vinted too.

I absolutely love toast but it's very expensive and the OP only has £200 to spend which would buy one jumper and a pair of socks.

Had never heard of Toast - £145 for a smock top and £45 for an average t shirt - bloody Nora!