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.

I like the dress on you. Sorry I’ve not read the whole thread, but I think a V neck would suit you (you have a lovely figure). Not the right colour perhaps, but how about this style? https://www.whitestuff.com/p/6295/jonie-shirred-dress-/GREEN_PR

I find jumpers can be quite bulky, so prefer cardigans, how about this? - www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-crew-neck-cardigan-in-cable-knit-in-cream/prd/205944487?affid=29379&_EAIaIQobChMIwLKY7q7JkAMVwodQBh1PNTH5EAQYASABEgIiefD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=21661755838%7C%7C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21661755838&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21661806142&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBtevUM6BRS5PcUh_W9lNXqA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwLKY7q7JkAMVwodQBh1PNTH5EAQYASABEgIiefD_BwE

I think the jeans look really good.

Could you get a similar silhouette with a more fitted skirt and boots?

Forget the jumpers and cardigans with the dress completely - maybe a nice scarf with it

You should keep the rust dress: it looks lovely with nothing over it (and a similar look could be achieved with a wrap top or cropped cardigan).

I know exactly the look you are going for and I think it is harder to pull of than the magazines make it look! It is normally very tall slim models who can carry all that fabric (and who wouldn't wear your dress as well/ would look a bit shapeless in your dress).

I think if you go for a skirt that looks to be fluid but controls the fabric using a style other than gathered it will help streamline your lower half to give the bulky jumper better definition on top and create a contrast between the upper and lower sections (sorry that made you sound vaguely like an insect). I have been wondering about trying some of the lovely long kilts about this year ...

The skirt is too long, and is too thick and voluminous, pared with a sweater that is too thick and voluminous.

You generally want different textures and a bit of contrast, so for instance:

• Satin bias cut skirt with a cashmere sweater.

• An A line pleated skirt with a fitted ribbed polo neck.

• A leather A line skirt with a sequined jumper.

Dress looks fab on you without the jumper.

I wear baggier jumpers with slimmer skirts with not so much material. Balances the look overall.

I also really like the navy dress on you.

You are right that the green cardigan doesn't work with it. I'd also have thought it could work, but for some reason it doesn't Keep the dress though!! It is really lovely on you, and the dark colour helps make it look cohesive.

You modelled that dress so well in the initial photo that I've just ordered one! I agree that a cropped jumper or cardi would probably work best.

Im also totally with you on those effortless looks. I think some things just never work for me, but I think I've worked out what does work... or at least what I'm confident wearing, and I tend to stick with that! Ive just ordered a few things that are a bit different though as I have an important few days at work coming up where I'll need to look smarter than my norm... let's see how that goes 😐

I am blessed/cursed with an hourglass figure and my basic rule is that if my top half is fitted my bottom half shall be looser and vice versa. So big jumper/leggings or slimmish jeans, skirt or baggy trousers/fitted waist-skimming top. Works for me. You have a lovely figure!

Kindly (as people sometimes say when they are going to put the boot in, but I'm not!) I agree that you haven't yet found out how to dress. Rather than posting online, can you make an appointment for a free consultation with an advisor at somewhere like John Lewis? They would bring you things to try on and suggest what goes with what. You have a shapely, firm figure and lots of outfits will look wonderful on you, but not frumpy jumpers with baggy skirts!

I wouldn’t keep the navy dress. I think the waist is too high on you,

I have the navy dress and the jeans ready to return.

I never wore the white jumper or green cardi leaving the house but I took the labels off when DH said they were nice. So I might try put the labels back on!

I'll keep the rust dress. I have worn it out and I do actually like it with the denim jacket

@Irenesortof , kindly, but why use that phrasing when you know how it is interpreted?

I like the rust dress.

I think the white jumper (and the green) would work with jeans?

These dresses are great, really suit you, op. I think layering jumpers over dresses is really hard! What size dress are you in? I like the necklace over the dress, creating a nice vertical line at the top. I think you need a slip under the dress, it looks a bit transparent. Is it a light dress, or warm?

I don't want to seem like I am digging for compliments, but do you actually think I have a nice figure? I have always been self conscious and more so now after 2 c-sections and 'letting myself go'.

I would normally stick to a tight fitting bottoms and a looser top. Namely leggings and a hoody 😂

Like others said, you have a lovely curvy body so do accentuate it. A skirt and shorter/finner knit jumper tucked in would look great on you.

Zara currently has a great selection of knitwear (in my opinion). I bough this burgundy one just yesterday (and now contemplate other colors too). It's warm but not too thick, and perfect for doing the French tuck. It does come up big, so maybe try a size smaller than you would normaly go for.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/soft-knit-jumper-p02142161.html?v1=459175326&v2=2420324

I'm in Ireland, Republic, I'm close to NI though there might be a John Lewis up there.

I know some of the bigger shops in Dublin did things like that. I should just go over and ask someone to pick out my clothes.

The problem is tucking the jumper is emphasising the empire line of the dress and making you look pregnant/bigger in the tummy. It actually looks quite nice worn alone, although I think one is enough so I'd return the navy one. The jeans are fine! Bootcut is back (in fact most silhouettes are kind of acceptable now) and they give you a lovely shape.

You look like you have quite good legs. What about an a-line mini skirt and thick black tights with the jumper tucked? Might appeal to your grungy sense of style. Also you need to look up the tricks to tucking - things like wearing a belt under the jumper and tucking into the belt, or tucking into your bra. Influencers use tricks to tuck in their videos to avoid adding bulk, you need to know these tweaks or it will never look right.

You have a definite waist and a feminine bust line, which are flattered and shown off by the rust dress.

Jeans and a baggy jumper will hide that, BUT we all like to be comfortable some days, and that look definitely isn't a no-no for you.

Good, if you can’t take the jumpers back, I agree with others they would work better with less fabric on the bottom. A skinny skirt or wide led jeans/trousers that are fitted at the top.
I really struggle with dresses as I have a very low waist so I don’t try now.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/red-puff-sleeve-wrap-jumper/p/924226161?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Generics_LowPriority_Google_DV_m_AGID_142015156731_PRID_9245343&_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMI_7u_gbTJkAMVgpxQBh2u8gloEAQYAiABEgJXYfD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17148390194&gbraid=0AAAAAD2UatNlzJTHm2TBMRjws39JOjjQ9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_7u_gbTJkAMVgpxQBh2u8gloEAQYAiABEgJXYfD_BwE Something like this could be flattering on you instead of the bulkier jumper.

One thought, @pontipinemum, if you’re going to be buying more clothes - I’d suggest you consciously avoid buying any more cotton items until next Spring. Everything you’ve shown so far seems to be made of the same fabric and to be completely honest swathes of cotton in Winter are unlikely to make anyone look well dressed.

You need more seasonal fabrics - heavier wool, mohair, cord (yes cotton, but essentially seasonal), heavy silk or satin, velvet, tweed, wool flannel, suede, leather. You will automatically look more luxuriously and intentionally dressed with even one piece in every outfit, but a mixture would be even better.

The white jumper and the green cardi are nice. It's not the items that are the problem, it's the styling. I think they would look lovely with other bottoms.