How would you style this body shape?

[cerisierblossom]

I've lost a lot of weight in the last year. Still massively overweight but short of chopping a leg off I'm not sure I can make it come off much faster!

I'm currently sat around a size 18 (M&S) and I've got a big tummy and thighs. As it hopefully gets towards spring and summer I'd love to give my wardrobe a little revamp, but I've no idea how to style myself. Any tips?

Congratulations on the weight loss!
Have you had a look at Kibbe body types online?

I’m also an 18 at the moment, mid-weight-loss. I’m 5’9 and I’m a Kibbe ‘soft dramatic’ type, which means I suit long length and draped / curved shapes.

It's hard to see your shape under loose clothing, do you think you are an apple shape or do you have a waistline smaller than your hips?

Do you wear casual or business, or do you need both?
How about a long denim skirt, loose t tucked in, and a hip length boxy jacket? You can wear short boots and tights, or leave legs bare with trainers.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/ca/denim-split-front-maxi-skirt/p/P60628740.html?dwvar_P60628740_color=QQ&dwvar_P60628740_size=18-SHT&pid=P60628740&quantity=1

and this jacket is nice,,, oh I just realized it is out of stock in your size, but maybe something similar
https://www.marksandspencer.com/ca/quilted-lightweight-collarless-jacket/p/P60709964.html#index=0

Goodness, are you really a size 18? You have what used to be called ‘a lovely figure’ and look perfectly nice in your loungewear.

How would you like to be dressed? Cute and quirky in Damson Madder? Or contemporary vintage in Palava? Bold in Kemi Telford? Mainstream in Never Fully Dressed or Nobody’s Child? Sleek and superior in a long black Skims dress? Do you want excellent casual wear from Community Clothing or Lady Who Lunches frocks from MaxMara or Marina Rinaldi? Have you looked at all of those and formed any sort of impression of whether any of them is ‘you’, or not?

I think I would choose styles that emphasise your waist but skim the tummy and hips, bias cut dresses or skirts with a slight a line, fitted tops with maybe a v neck line, tucked in or slightly cropped to show the waist line. Maybe wide leg jeans or trousers with a bit of structure in the waist but looser and draped on the leg. Just remember to consider your overall proportions and then choose items that balance your silhouette.

Definitely a size 18! I've never been told I have a lovely figure before hahaha

I'll check those out, thank you!

Hi OP congrats in the weight loss ♥️ i find it v hard to lose weight! I'm currently an 18/20 too with a big tummy and hips find these very flattering and comfy they're about £16/17 from tik tok shop xx

They define the waist and skim over the hips and stomach

Try to add some volume to the shoulders, which can be done with good pleating, frills, a shoulder pad etc. Avoid dropped sleeves. This will balance you up top and give a more hourglass effect. Its hard to see your figure in the loungewear properly. But try something in a wide leg. Don't go for oversized looks, just items that skim your stomach, rather than cling.

Congratulations op, looking good!

I think that some of us treat getting dressed a bit like a mathematical problem - working out how to balance different body proportions - while for others it's much more to do with self expression.

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm in the second camp, and I suspect @GhastlyGoodTaste is too. When push comes to shove, I'm still a child at the dressing up box so I'd start off by asking myself silly questions along the lines of: 'Would I rather be Audrey or Katharine Hepburn? (definitely Katharine albeit with a dash of Grace Kelly). Or which fictional character would I like to be?'' (Jo March but with Amy's wardrobe) Or, if money was no object, which designer would I wear?'' (Margaret Howell mixed with Vivienne Westwood). (They're just a sample - you might have other and better questions.)

Then and only then, would I start factoring in stuff like my lifestyle, budget and the width of my arse compared to my shoulders.

I'm not arguing that either camp is inherently better than the other but I do think it's worth figuring out which one you're in (or whether you have a foot in both) because it'll affect the way you approach this.