Spring 2025 - Which jackets? Which shoes?

[BBQHulaHoops]

Please advise wise and stylish women of Mumsnet!

I really need a new jacket. I no longer suit blazer type jackets and no longer fit in my denim jacket - so what to wear? Everything is so boxy or oversized and I am not keen to make myself look any larger. I love quilted jackets and the kimono style but I look like an upholstered armchair in them as they hang down from the shoulder, but most jackets that are waisted hit in the wrong place because I have a long back.

This is most lovely thing I have seen so far but it's so expensive: https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-coats-jackets/products/garment-dyed-cotton-linen-neat-jacket-slate and I am not sure how well it would look over my DDs. (what I would really like is someone to tell me that it is a great investment piece and worth the money and it will be 0.3p per wear for the rest of time).

Additionally I am sick to death of always wearing chunky boots, but I struggle to find something a bit more elegant and am not good at proper lady shoes. I have a tendency to wear Dms in winter, trainers sometimes and birkies all summer.

I saw some clogs with heels - but I fear my penchant for ugly shoes is leading me astray. What are the alternatives right now?

My style is a sort of cheap version of Toast/deconstracted linen and layers/artsy older lady, but a bit more urban. Size 14-16 on top with broad sholders and big boobs. I just want to look a bit more put together, less clumpy and dumpy with giant clown feet!

@upsofloating is the Whistles jacket true to size?

A bit big, I'd say. I'm normally a 10 but have 8 in this jacket.

Raghu why did I look at this thread?! I have so many jackets and now I want the Whistles one 😂

Yeah I tried one & looked silly 🤦🏻‍♀️ I think I feel uncomfortable in smart jackets (which in my head are wool/blend, have buttons & a collar). I think that’s why I’m having a wobble over my Zara one I linked to at the start of this thread. I tried on about 10 different jackets today & still no joy.

I like this toast jacket a lot (though it is £££) and it sounds like it would suit you.

I find a slightly longer shaped-but-not-too-fitted utility jacket suits me- long body, big bust and not much waist. I have a toast utility jacket which is a bit longer than most current shapes and I have worn it to death over the last decade. I also have a little wool one in a similar shape that gets loads of compliments. Both unlined but I don't think it matters in summer.
I reckon look for one that's as least as long as ( or little bit longer than) the sleeves for the most flattering look on a long body when wearing trousers. Shorter is ok with frocks/skirts. I recommend a collar rather than collarless and leaving the top unbuttoned to avoid what as a child i used to call 'sofa bosom' (ie looks like a big cushion up your jumper)

Uniqlo and M&S sometimes have nice summers jackets at a good price ( i have one from the old Ines de la Fresinage line) though need to be careful as Marks are often rubbish at sizing- bigger sizes can be wider but not longer which makes them look wrong.

And i love clogs. I already have two pairs of lotta from stockholm and am eying up some yellow moheda ones, but they are not great for being on your feet and walking around all day. Great for pottering about. I have reverted back to converse or birkis for walking about.
good luck

This asos jacket came and is going back, was so oversized I could have fit two of me in but even at a smaller size it’s an odd length on me as I’m short. Shame because if the fit had suited me more it’s nice and seems decent quality.

Who cares wear what you like. Don’t be a sheeple unless you like that kind of coat.

I don’t think just one jacket will do the job, because the weather is so variable and because different jackets work with different things.

My most worn/useful ones are:
All Saints biker
A khaki Hush cotton utility jacket
Faded black DKNY denim jacket via TK Maxx

I had a charity shop Toast one similar to the one in the OP and returned it to the charity shop after wearing it twice. It felt thin and droopy and faded and depressing.

I found the clogs! https://calou.se/en-gb/products/tyra-green?_pos=9&_fid=deea37378&_ss=c I am probably just suceptible to instagram advertising but I do love them - they are also £££

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - disappointing to hear about the Toast jacket. And you are probably right about needing multiple jackets. I do need a denim one too.

Oh they are gorgeous. Are clogs comfy?

I got a utility-style jacket from Baukjen a few years back. It had an upright collar and was navy but was otherwise similar to this. I still wear it a lot

www.baukjen.com/collections/jackets-coats/products/drake-utility-jacket-deep-khaki

I've never been able to wear clogs - I do love the look of them, but the inflexiable sole isn't any good for me sadly.

I think the clogs will be killing! But that company advertises flexible clogs - unfortunately I don't think these lovely ones have that feature.

just jumping in, I read most of the thread. I think a bit of a fitted jacket is what you need; I agree the boxy shapes that are in right now don't do favours for every shape, especially busty women.

the Baukjen jacket from two posts above that pigstailandall posted is practical, and you can cinch in the waist for a bit of shape. I have a similar one.

I also love clogs... those are lovely, but a bit high. Dansko is a classic and they have lots of styles. Would you consider a clogish mary jane?
https://dansko.com/products/lilah-tan-oiled-pull-up

I’m a similar shape and size to you (big boobs, broad shoulders) and I get a lot of compliments on this jacket (which can be a cardigan as well depending on the weather). I’ve had it since about September and have worn it a lot- it goes over everything and under bigger coats when it’s cold. I’m really tempted to get another one. ETA they’re now making them in boiled wool as well as the quilted cotton!
https://roake.studio/shop/customnicolejacket

I just got this and it’s very nice. https://www.zara.com/uk/en/water-repellent-quilted-jacket-p08372023.html?v1=421183762&v2=2420277

That is really nice, but possibly i need more tailoring. I tried in something v similar which i loved, but really didn't work. I am too wide!

@BBQHulaHoops - those clogs are by a Swedish company called Calou and they're actually really good to walk in because the soles are synthetic, not wood, so they're all sort of flexible. I have a pair in a different style and they're really comfortable for the height

this is stunning!

I love a shacket, for me I need something that sits just on the hip or slightly above. I have a checked one from Zara that I got on vinted and used to have a khaki one.
However this year I'm seeing more and more quilted jackets, mint velvet had a very cool one in that I'm tempted by
https://mintvelvet.com/products/khaki-quilted-print-jacket
And also absolutely love this
https://mintvelvet.com/products/navy-washed-quilted-jacket

Shoes, I'm a classic white trainer type. Never goes out of style and I wear them to death on various spring/summer trips to zoos and parks and then usually buy a fresh pair each year if I've only spent £30/50 on them.
Next are pretty good, as are dune or Aldo

This is the closest to what I want I think and it comes in a nice navy too! Thank you

The less spendy version of the chore cotton/ linen jacket might be this Seasalt version @Linen jacket
several colours and a couple of variations in the website

Oh that is nice. Not keen on the colours though. I am v conservative - I just want navy or an inky blue.