Can’t find ANY clothes to suit my body!

[Verbena17]

Having a nightmare - worse than most springs when I’m worrying about the summer and what to wear.
My body is not great and I’m also currently feeling like I’ve gone off every single possible item of clothing there is out there!

So traditionally, I’m a pear shape but in recent years I’ve being just plain round!
I’m pinning a photo of what I think my body looks like but I have less fat on top of thighs, bum and back. Pretty sure though I have lipoedema so I have large arm tops and my knees have too much weight around them.

My thighs are large and my calves are too. And now, it’s not just a tummy pooch I’ve got, it’s the top of the tummy under my bust too! So from the side, to me it looks like my cross section from tummy to bum is huge! For that reason, I don’t like wearing dresses.
I used to be curvy but I now I just feel blob-like.

Any good ideas for hiding (everything)?
I live in jeans and basic plain tops with 3/4 length sleeves.
There are some pretty tops about but none look or feel right to me.
I order stuff online then send everything back.
I’m currently a size 18, sometimes 16 in looser tops.

I usually shop at Next, Fatface, Weirdfish (tops too short) Seasalt etc but I’m not really loving of their stuff this spring.
The other issue is I don’t work and so I’m at home mostly doing house work and walking the dog. That’s basically it so apart from the odd meal out now and again, I don’t need anything super lovely. I just want to look slightly better put together and not as boring. I don’t like patterns or colours that would make me stand out - I’m an introvert for sure! I just want to blend in but look nice, so nobody thinks blimey, what’s she wearing!?

I like wearing loose, comfy trousers that are well cut and hang nicely but I can’t find any. The wide leg trousers actually make me look bigger I think and the ankle grazers cut off my not particularly long legs. I’m about 5ft 5”.
Help! 😂😬 any ideas?

I’ll check out the jeans for sure. I do love broderie anglaise too but not if they’re too short.

How about a jumpsuit? I’ve got this Levi’s one and it’s sooo comfy but also looks flattering, it’s got a hidden drawstring waist so can pull in as much as you want, it’s very soft light material but hides any lumps and bumps. I got it when they had a half price day so got it for 60 quid which was so worth it, double the price at the mo. But Levi’s stand the test of time so worth the money. https://www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/dresses-jumpsuits/iconic-lightweight-jumpsuit/p/A59300006

Thanks but jumps suits are defo not for me - need the loo too many times in a day! 😂

The best shape for me when I was more of an apple was a ‘tulip’ shaped dress with a belt or tie detail on the waist. This kind of shape.

I am much the same shape and share your frustration at most of what it in the shops. Tops mainly too short, wide trousers too unstructured. And everything assumes we are going to have a heatwave all summer.
Some things I have worked out, elasticated trousers loose through hips and thighs but tapered in to the ankle are much smarter. Ditto pleat front trousers or chinos. Midi length is often almost at my ankles so suitably covering. Long tunics or linen shirts work well and skim rather than cling, men’s shirts often longer and sometimes cheaper. 1970’s style indian print dresses with a yoke are excellent for hot days.

Thanks so much for the ideas @eatreadsleeprepeat don’t suppose you could link me anything like the shape of trouser you mentioned and also the Indian dresses?

@eatreadsleeprepeat this sort of thing?

Or this?
https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5406/Abigail-Embroidered-Dress/PINK_MLT?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACZTmvboruK0va1PketXtRziqCTHM&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMKF8-GFjQMVqs1EBx1HvSe6EAQYASABEgK1P_D_BwE

I'm a very similar size and shape OP and think some of the suggestions here are spot on. The Dorothy Perkins print dress is very much the type of thing I wear - I'm not particularly body confident but do think a dress gives me a boost.
I've had a few nice dresses from the White stuff sale - I think a half shirt style dress without too much skirt fabric works best on my body shape. I've had lots of luck at M&S, George at Asda unusually and H&M this year too.
I've recently bought this dress which I love with Birkenstocks.
https://www.fatface.com/style/su409596/ag8978#ag8978
For very casual/ work from home I wear things like cuffed yoga pants with a vest and open shirt.
Day to shopping, lunches etc are either dresses like the above or wide leaf jeans/ linen trousers with either a tucked in t shirt or oversized linen shirt. I quite like a broderie anglais type shirt with jeans - like this one (I have these jeans and love them) This is very much my type of casual outfit and surprisingly flattering as I'm short and fat. I'd rather stay inside than wear a dress with leggings! I know some people like it but it just screams 'overweight and no confidence' to me which isn't the look I'm aiming for!
www.fatface.com/style/su255509/n71876#n71876

Just realised @PurplGirlalso recommended the Keswick jeans from Fatface. Honestly @Verbena17i know you said you don't like crop but these won't be a mid calf crop at your height and they are super flattering, I'd give them a try. And don't rule out tucking tops in, I think it's more slimming than having them hanging out as it gives you a shape.

Are these the sort of trousers that you mean you like? I was also struggling to find a decent pair, so have tried this site. They've not arrived yet, but am hopeful. It's sort of boho without being too out there, like Fatface. I shop there too, we might like a similarish "look".

uk.buddhastoneshop.com/collections/womens-wide-leg-pants/products/buddha-stones-casual-cotton-linen-high-waist-lace-up-wide-leg-pants-with-pockets

They have some nice tops too, and look to be quite airy fir the summer.

https://uk.buddhastoneshop.com/collections/top/products/buddha-stones-casual-womens-v-neck-three-quarter-sleeve-design-plain-cotton-linen-shirt?variant=50425215549759

Thanks for posting this thread OP - I have found it really useful to read all the input /suggestions. I’m a similar shape to you - take a look at this retailer - a British company, a lot of the clothes made in Italy. They cater for mature women who have curves:
www.tillettsclothing.co.uk

I tend to wear looser tops and straight or boot leg trousers. Have just ordered some wide leg trousers too (but not too wide as I’m short in height). I love a nice dress from Roman too, as others have recommended.

Are there brands and shapes which have previously worked for your body shape? If the problem is that the clothes currently on sale in your preferred stores are not the right shapes and colours for you, would some time on Vinted oolong for things you know work for you be time well spent?

Thanks @TunipTheVegimal24 thanks, they’re really lovely so I’ll have a look at those.

@CalypsoCuthbertson Aren't all women shaped like women?

I like the look of that one! Wearing a cheerful colour can really lift you, and it’s not a waste of time to wear half decent clothes! Wearing shapeless unflattering blah clothes is SUCH a downer! Personally I’ve been buying quite a bit on Vinted because it’s cheap, and the circular economy is generally a good thing, much better than landfill cheapo clothes.

Also - if tops always seem a bit ill-fitting - when was the last time you were measured for a bra? Proper bras the right size make a massive difference to not looking like a sack of spuds (for me at least).

I think the problem is that I don’t buy clothes very often and so if I loved a certain style or brand, by now they won’t be doing them anymore (and I’ve put weight back on 😬).

Today though I ventured out in public with my arm tops on display and whilst I felt awful, I still went out and had a nice morning with DD.

Thanks - yes, that colour is one that really suits me I think.
The thing is, I like very plain, comfy clothing and so don’t go very adventurous very often - if at all!

I noticed this year, places like Weird Fish, Seasalt and White Stuff have some very bold geometric type patterns that I would never buy. So the choice is smaller I think.

Bra-wise, I haven’t been measured for a bra in probably 24 years (I find it extremely awkward) but I’ve always found M&S T-shirt style, non-wired bras fit fine. I don’t have a huge chest so tops always look ok and I make sure the back is level, sturdy straps, not too tight etc.

@Verbena17 Have you looked at Sugarhill Brighton? They have a lot of fun prints, they use actual full figure models and their clothes are well made and comfy (and have pockets). You don’t need to be invisible!

I really feel for you and all the posters who are struggling with finding flattering clothes. I know exactly how that feels, because I used to be a bigger size than you. I have been taking weight loss injections (Mounjaro) for the last seven months, I’ve lost over 7 stones (45kg) and it’s completely changed my life. I am so much happier, have more energy, sleep better, and I don’t have the constant shame of being overweight/obese and taking too much space. I’m now a size 10-12, I can wear shorts and all sorts of other clothes that I wouldn’t have considered possible a year ago.

Thanks @Swalwey that’s brilliant on your weight loss journey! It’s clearly changed your life and you now feel much happier 😊
I’ve seen Sugarhill Brighton advertised so will have a look.
Edit* just had a look - not keen on the prints. Bit too out there and bold for me 😬

I have lipodema on my stomach and upper thighs/knees, nowhere else. You don't have to have it full length of your leg. 75% of my legs are normal with lipo on my knees and thighs.

I bought this jumpsuit last week, the most incredibly flattering thing I think I've ever bought. I have received so many compliments. I'm thinking of going to a dress maker to see if I can get a couple made in different fabrics.

That’s a very nice jumpsuit @roycroppersshopper but sadly on me, I think it would cut me off right at the widest part of my calf.
And going to the loo - nightmare! 😂
What do you do if you’re out somewhere? Get naked in the public loo? 😬

Very much the kind of thing you show. I got one from Katie Barton but they are pricey. This company looks more reasonable!
www.roohlondon.co.uk/collections/blockprintdresses

this lady was asking for clothing advice wtf has her mental health got to do with this???