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?

£200 will get a couple of dresses in Brora's and Palava's current sales.

Possibly OP might not be aware of the brands suggested and save for a future purchase.

That's a lovely example of a more expensive brand being affordable in their sale.

You make a good point, @BeetledBrow, which would be better if waterproofing sprays & washes didn't exist!

For a coat in this cold and wet, I would spend all of it on a lined raincoat from Protected Species which will be versatile, last for years and looks chic ( in my opinion anyway). I always think coats are worth spending on.

I would spend all my money on NRBY if I had any. It rarely comes up on Vinted though.

I'm a similar size to OP and have been going crazy for M&S wide leg jeans and trousers lately, with patterned shirt and sleeveless sweater. I get lots of compliments for this look though, so it might not be for you!

Plumo sale. Jackets there under £200.

Plumo sale

I think perhaps instead of new clothes you might need new "guidelines"

I am a size 16, short and like a bold print and my self imposed rules are:

• Only one loose / oversize item per outfit. If I have an oversize shirt then the bottom part of my outfit must be fitted and vice versa.
• Generally just one bold print per outfit
• if more than one print then they should be from the same colour / tone family
• Consider tucking in my top and adding a belt; often elevates an outfit

Also good hair has a really high impact on overall style so consider a hair restyle ahead of a wardrobe refresh

Sensible coat for someone who walks around in a UK winter
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/clothing/jackets+coats/black-hybrid-quilted-coat/p/09415094

These are great rules. It's amazing what belting anything does, even jackets. Gives you a waist.

Tbh the cheapest way to update your look is earrings and belts. Things that you don't think work, suddenly pop when you add earrings in the same colour. I wear a lot of vintage and second hand, and charity shops are great for belts in particular.

Okay, I will.

And Joanie's.

I don't think I'm being ridiculous. Just see them mentioned over and over, whatever the question.

Also the OP has £200 which represents a significant figure to her, by the sound of it. No good recommending super-expensive sites, even if they do have sales.

Thats because for some of us a new dress from Joanie is the answer to many of lifes problems!😁

Hilarious isn't it?

Because Joannie sells interesting, easy to wear, quirky clothes often made in natural fibres at affordable prices.

Joe Brown, Phase 8, Roman and Kettlewell are endlessly suggested on here. I don't like their clothes but I don't think any one suggesting them is being paid to.

I suppose I am "promoting" brands like Joannie, Palava, Colenimo and Klements. because I think they do what they do well and they are an interesting and often ethical alternative to big high street brands.

That's for the OP to decide. The OP has £200 to spend. I suggested, and it's merely a suggestion, Brora and Palava because for around £200 she could do very well on their sales. Why not take advantage of getting something which is otherwise out of your price range?

I guess I'd just seen them repeated a lot in a few threads. Inevitable if the same people are posting, for sure.

I recommend Phase Eight jumper dresses, because they work for me for work, but I don't like much else of theirs. Palava stuff is lovely, but it's expensive, very much a specific theme, and not generally suitable for schlepping around in Birmingham in the rain in January.

This was a general comment, which others have also said. It wasn't directed at you.

I schlep around a northern city in January in the rain in Palava dresses. They're a niche style granted, but they're very wearable.

Joanie isn't so much my style but I have found them good quality, well cut and sounds like they would work well for this OP. Not being paid to say that!

I'll also say Sugarhill Brighton for fun patterns and flattering cuts.

Well, if it's a look that works for you, that's great. I generally think of pretty dresses like that as more of a summer look, because of footwear/coat issues.

not generally suitable for schlepping around in Birmingham in the rain in January

Palava isn’t my style, but I admire the execution - and as far as I can see loads of it would be great for a cold rainy city.

I was a social worker and from day 1 vowed I'd never dress how people imagined social workers too........and I never did lol

I think my style and shape are similar to yours @Footsontheotherboot and I just yesterday discovered Sainsbury’s jeans, £22 and so nice I started a thread about them 🤣

I’m using Vinted a lot and I have found some nice things on there from Toast and Lucy & Yak at much less than RRP. Also Seasalt and Free People/ Urban Outfitters.