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.

The top and the dress don’t go. You may aswell just wear a top and skirt. You need a finer knit. Personally think this look only works on petite women. This whole layering look is hard to pull off.

Ok … Take a moment and try to listen to what posters are saying.

The dress is lovely on you. Good colour and fits well.

It is clear you have either lost a considerable amount of weight or genuinely don’t know your current clothes size - all the tops and outerwear you’ve posted photos of are much too big. Not fashionably oversized - just too big. They need selling or donating or giving away.

The jeans don’t work at all.

My honest suggestion would be that you get hold of a tape measure and measure yourself at every point. If you post the measurements here people will be able to tell you what sizes you should be looking for.

I think the dress looks good on you OP. I think for a jumper to work, the jumper needs to be a bit less chunky and length-wise it should finish roughly where the waist is on the dress (wthout trying to roll or tuck it).

From your photos the denim jhcket is the best one.

Yup! Which I think explains why I have lived in leggings/ huge hoodys for so long.

@NotbloodyGivingupYet thanks, I wasn't sure if they looked a bit tight. I think they will be nice with the white jumper.

You need a skirt into which you can tuck a finer knit to get the look you are after - starting with a dress needs a crop jumper hitting the waistline of the dress exactly.

Both those things make you look super frumpy. Together or separately. Sorry but you did ask.

You need to use optical illusion to pull off the dress. Long necklace and a long chunky cardigan in a darker colour. Chunky platform boots.

Bin the jumper.

You are definitely not too big for it, you just don't have the right skirt / jumper.

The jeans are flattering but not the most current shape - if that matters to you?

Dress looks best with the thin belt (but not the ecru cardi).

Laura Adlington (former GBBO contestant) does this look really well and is size 20+ - look her up on Insta. Here is an example, the small heeled boots helped the look a lot too

That 2nd pic with the belt looks nice x

Yes this. Or a shorter sleeveless pullover might work. Also a long leather skirt with that jumper.

I think a belt is needed with tne dress but yours is too thin… get yourself a really thick chunky black belt, will look much better!

And another that worked!

This is a bit expensive but just so you get the idea of this kind of jumper with a leather skirt.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/midaxi-leather-skirt/p/clp60761873

I have this little knitted waistcoat. This could work with your dress.

https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/pale-pink-v-neck-knitted-waistcoat-381468

You and I are a similar shape and I also have a farm and an office job- it's really tough to find nice, flattering clothes that work for everyday as I'm in jeans and jumpers or hoodies at home and fairly smart shirts and skirts at work. I like the new jeans you've bought, I'm in m and s flares as they feel more modern, look ok with jumpers but are still practical. I've recently bought some dealer boots from the local feed merchants (as they are comfy and cost £50 but looks v similar to £200 High st) and am wearing them with tights, above knee denim skirts and aran jumpers like yours. I love dresses but find them hard to wear at home and hard to pull off with what I wear at home so I'm watching with interest

I love that dress!

The dress is a great colour. It looks better with the open cardigan, or with a jacket - perhaps a darker denim?
Have you tried those short ballet style cardigans that wrap around the middle?.
You're doing well to get out of the leggings with 2 toddlers and additional work!

I wouldn't say a considerable amount of weight. I had my 2nd baby last August and was mostly back to my regular weight by Feb/ Mar ish this year.

I think I have just never really had any idea of how to dress. I was a 'grunger' as a teenager and never really moved on. Even though back then my measurements were very different!!

I am not insulted, I just want to know what to look for. What is wrong with the jeans? I have the label still on those so I can return them. The rust dress can't be returned I wore it out, but I also bought it in navy and didn't remove the tag yet. The white jumper + stripe cardigan are also new and I don't think I can return them.

I just measured, I am:

Bust: 44 in
Underbust: 34 in
Waist (narrowest part): 36 in
Full tummy (widest part): 42 in
Hip bones (high hip): 40 in
Full hips / bum: 43 in

I tend to wear a 14 or 16 depending - that dress is 14, the tops are 16. Jeans are 14. According to BOB I am a 34H

Everyone else already had great input but I just want to say that dress looks gorgeous on you 💅🏻

I thought I was doing well to get out of my skinny jeans 😂I thawled the M&S website and these were one of the few in my size they had.

I have been thinking on getting some decent boots. I have a fallen arch in my foot which is really painful so I need to wear supportive foot wear.

It is hard knowing what to wear!! I have never been very good at it really. But I would like to find a few very easy to wear styles and run with those for the next 5 years 😂

Thank you :) It is very comfortable

I think the dress suits you & I'd probably keep the navy one as well.

I think the jeans look great.

I don't like the denim jacket with the dress but I'm probably in a minority for that.

I would like to have three or four basic outfits that look really put together, and work well together, for the days when I don't have to dress for mud and animals. A lot of brands are really not suitable for a country lifestyle (especially the ones that pretend they are!)- warmth, comfort and a bit of practical style would be great.

That dress wants a massive, thick knit cardi or a long line sleeveless one. Worn open so you can see your waist as you/the cardigan move. It's the wrong shape and fabric for your cream jumper.

I love a massive jumper. I wear almost exclusively enormous, bright coloured wool jumpers through winter. I like them with close fitting, but not skinny, tweed trousers or slightly cropped moleskin trousers; with short fitted wool or cord skirts; this year I have also been enjoying slim fit brown cord trousers with red and brown/caramel knits.

Mid volume can work on the bottom half, but it needs a jumper that hangs very well. Mostly, I think you need a fitted bottom half and a pleasing texture of some kind to balance out a massive jumper. I think cream can be a lot more difficult to wear well in voluminous knit wear, too. I'm not sure why, I think the colour might hide the drape a bit sometimes? It works better as a tight fit, in my opinion. Light beige/golden/caramel work better for a light coloured big jumpe.

If you haven't had any new bras recently, it might be worth getting checked/getting some new ones, as I've found it makes a massive difference to how clothes look!
Think the russet dress does look good on you, especially with the jacket!
Well done for finding a new style for you!!

Slightly gutted that the dress doesn’t come in my size, but now I have some dressmaking goals!