Skirt/ jumper look. Am I too big for it? Or doing it wrong

[pontipinemum]

Honestly, I like how this looks on other people but I am not sure if I am doing it right.

Pics are bad, we only have 1 proper mirror pushed into the spare room at the min. That's just the dress, jumper tucked and jumper untucked. Then in the wild.

I'm just not sure I pull it off.

None of them are right for your shape - think fitted v neck (with a vest underneath to stop you looking Bet Lynch) and bias/straight skirt or jeans/leggings and a longer top

THis is the sort of shape ou should be looking for - v neck and fitted at the waist - I live in these (also big busted) but I do recognise they are pricey for a top https://www.lyst.co.uk/clothing/conquista-ink-long-sleeve-faux-wrap-top/?product=CREDVML&link_id=962353619&_country=GB&size=EU+42+%28Womens%29&show_express_checkout=true&atc_medium=cpc&atc_content=UK-PLA-Conquista%2BTops-Clothing%2B%2526%2BAccessories%2B%253E%2BClothing%2B%253E%2BTops%2B%253E%2BSweatshirts-CSS%2BVacherin-yes&atc_country=UK&atc_source=bing&atc_grouping=Bing-PLA&atc_campaign=UK-PLA-AllBrands-EC&sem_id=A7746993695&msclkid=8ad4f9bcd8551d362f4990ba512aa837&paid_session_id=4d065199-5265-44cd-b2d4-cd6ff4389e59

Something simple? Wear it with black top, chunky belt, leggings/thick tights and boots?

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-curve-burgundy-red-check-pinafore-dress-p?ltiCountry=GB&ltiCurrency=GBP&utm_id=741904018519&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22379318774&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22379318774&gclid=Cj0KCQjw35bIBhDqARIsAGjd-cbvUuVMLShhdOm1kJsV2l11IUL1IdDFsBkbT7ooUfUfuj8XGk3BGF8aAsKMEALw_wcB

I think you could do better.

Beautiful dress! Definitely need a more fitted jumper 😊

Can you get to a Levi’s store? I’ve usually found their assistants to be really good at knowing what jeans to suggest. Yes they’re expensive but once you know the style and size you can pick them up on Vinted. It just saves the headache of trawling around loads of shops getting frustrated.

OP you keep getting drawn to the same shape of clothing. It doesn't suit you. The dress from Yours that Hakunamatata has linked is much more flattering, looks great with leggings or black tights.
You need to move away from the slightly too high waisted styles with all the fabric gathered over your hips and tum.

I think in the outfits you’ve already shown it’s the proportions that are wrong. Wherever there’s a distinct change in colour, texture or fabric, that is where the eye is immediately drawn to. Think of a white square on top of a black square, you don’t look at each square separately, your eye will go to the point where they meet.

On your own body there will be parts that you might be self-conscious about so drawing attention to them with clothes won’t make you feel good. If you think about wearing a white t- shirt and black leggings for example, if the T-shirt ends at your middle section that is where the eye goes straight to and it will highlight that part. If the T-shirt is longer and ends at the top of your hip it will draw the attention there.
If there is no break in colour or fabric then every part is equal if that makes sense?

I don’t like my waist (or lack of it) so I never wear anything that ends right on my waistline or anything belted. All my tops and jumpers end lower, and I want the highlight to be higher up near my face and neck so that’s where I would change something ie a V-neck jumper with a white crew neck T-shirt underneath.

https://www.roman.co.uk/corduroy-tunic-shirt-dress-14279034

https://www.roman.co.uk/corduroy-zip-detail-midi-dress-14799675
https://www.roman.co.uk/soft-knit-longline-cardigan-16148518

Maybe a nice cardigan, but not that huge sloppy sweater.

Not too big but the cut/shape isn’t quite right. You suit the cardigan with the belt most.

for the jumper look, try a faux collar or bib underneath to pull it together a little.

I think tunic dresses with black tights and chelsea boots would be a great starting point for you OP.

@ThatGlimmeringSea perfect

The checked dress is fine. Rather than wearing something over it wear black opaque tights and a tight long sleeved black top under it

Can I make a suggestion. Rather than trying to put together outfits like you’re doing concentrate on basics.

1. stick to a completely plain and neutral colour palate so - white grey black navy tan brown

2. buy 2 pairs of wide jeans which are mid waisted rather an high waisted and a plain black buckle belt. But the jeans in mid blue and black

3. get yourself 3 T-shirts: they need to be non fitted and reasonably thick cotton. Uniqlo do them with a nice thick crew neck - go for men’s and Primark (dunnes) do a dupe in their men’s section. Buy big and tuck in with the jeans and belt - buy 2 white and 1 black

to go with that look - also have a look at the £8 men’s crew neck jumpers in Primark. Buy large and that will work perfectly with the jeans and t shirt. Tuck it in and make sure it’s baggy and keep using your belt to break up the waist

Next go for the bias cut plain skirt and you can wear the tshirt and big jumper tucked into that too

re cardigans - look for a boxy style and slightly short. Buy it loose. You want it to stop at the waist, with your belt. Go for a v neck cardigan and a scoop neck vest top underneath. Again, buy a range of plain ribbed vest tops or long sleeved tops in white grey and black to work under other tops

I thonk if you do that you’ll have a basis of outfits to build on. Personally at this point don’t wear colours or stripes they’re hard to make work. When the stripes work it’s only really woth the blue denim if I’m honest

This has been suggested and ignored.

Oh well. I quite enjoyed writing it.

All really good advice too. Pare back to basics and keep things really simple for a while- it would really help, I think.

I haven’t read all the posts so this might have been covered but that red dress looks like you are cosplaying Offred, I’m surprised so many people said it was nice I can’t imagine how it could be styled to not look like you’re in a cult? Stick it on vinted if you can’t return it.

@moneyadviceplease thank you. Do you think mid-rise jeans would work? My 'pouch' is my least favourite part.

I am actually wearing a mens pennys (primark) mens crew neck jumper. It is very comfortable and I think works well for me. I was going to wear the blue cable knit cardigan but didn't in the end.

Basics do sound like a good starting point. I lost about 10lbs pretty quickly when I stopped breast feeding the 1st time so hopefully that happens again!

I'm at college today and going to go to pennys at lunch to return the stuff I bought last week. They had a lot of jeans. I liked these but didn't try them on as they are mid rise - https://www.primark.com/en-ie/p/major-find-mid-rise-flared-jeans-mid-blue-991125619510

I've also been looking at this today as a basic piece but maybe not......https://www.marksandspencer.com/ie/jersey-cosy-midi-column-dress/p/clp60737100?_gl=111bpfev_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgpzIBhCOARIsABZm7vFt4lvqUA7cz7VJUL9AzdVoVoqGNXwC5aqDnPsxqar3Czed3KKhKLAaAou6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRZLoSEf-twIMKJwcAtwthp5

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I haven't ignored it. -insert something horrendously derogatory about my ability and speed to understand, that I know I am no longer allowed to say to myself!!!

I am reading through everything. I'm just not picking it up or getting it. I happened to be in the shopping centre last Thursday and bought those other bits - since everyone has said they don't work etc I have returned what I bought online and will bring back the pennys stuff today (I'm at college so can go at lunch time). Well bar the rust dress because I wore it so I can't return it. I might try sell it on vinted. I live about an hour from anywhere with a range of clothing shops.

The handmaids tale dress is unflattering as the waistband is too high and makes you look bigger than you are.

You’re tucking your knits way too high, just under the boob, the look you’re going for is slouchy but the cropping is very dated and unflattering.

You're going for colour and patterns which don’t work. As pp suggested stick to neutrals. No blue, no green, no red. Try a black slouchy knit with the black skirt and you might be getting somewhere.

Get rid of the skinny jeans!

Those latest jeans would look better with a boxy fit jumper or boxy T shirt with a boyfriend style cardigan.

Or with chunky black boots - either Chelsea style or DM style and an oversized jumper that comes down to just below the bum.

Ok so the belt and the cardi look great - I have the cardi in black.

Go and try the M&S wide jeans with the belt and the cardi and I think then you might have nailed a great look.

Am out but will link to them when I get home

It’s called the wide legged jean and it’s £36 it hangs straight from the hips so would work great