What can I wear that will look stylish and put together yet will tick all my 'comfort' boxes?

[ApriltoNovember]

I'm 53, suffer from endometriosis, adenomyosis, IBS and ADHD so comfort is really important to me. I can not tolerate anything clingy, tight around the waist or with scratchy materials etc.

However, as much as my daily uniform of leggings, oversized sweatshirts and trainers feels super comfortable I never feel good about myself as I really would like to looked far more stylish and put together but what can I wear to retain the major daily comfort I require but look more polished?

I am 5'6 a size 10 and I would say a rectangle shape so not much of a defined waist.

Any advice as I am crap at styling myself and want to go into older age looking so much better and not like I am trying to dress like my 17 year old DD.

I reckon!

You sound like me!! Same height and size bust always feel cold too, just to add to the woes.
I need warmth and softness.
id look like a weird bag lady in those tunic dresses I think in the post up thread plus they look cold (or if you wear leggings and a long sleeve top - too overwhelming. The struggle is real

Top tip Tiptop 😄. I’ve recently done just that.

I have a few digestive issues but am fairly slim, so trousers that fit me on my lower half tend to be restrictive around my poor old belly. A switch to maternity trousers worked a treat.

Well yes, it is "just a jersey dress". A gigantic price tag doesn't change that.

I'm a big fan of shapeless dresses myself, but there's shapeless and there is beyond ugly shapeless, and that dress belongs in the second category. I wouldn't pay £10 for it, let alone £400.

Haha I thought the same. Could throw on a sack cloth instead and save a fortune 😂

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-drawstring-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60774902?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I got mine last year but these are quite similar, search striped trousers or pull-on trousers and there are lots - I like the ones that look like smart tracksuit bottoms too.

For comfy co-ord type stuff try The Set from Next, it’s a really nice range, good quality and not expensive.

I have a few pairs of trousers from Muji which are very comfortable / non restrictive

Halara jeans? The wide legged ones are like wearing pjs. I would suggest getting from vinted as there are usually loads on there because returns are tricky so you can get a lot of bnwt. I know M&S and next are doing similar but Halara were both comfier and more flattering for me. No waist band, no bulk. Get a medium perhaps to give you more room.

Go to John Lewis and book an appointment with a mystery shopper. See what they come up with they me make three or four runs before they get it right.

Depending on budget you could also have your colours done.

You might like the M&S (or similar) side stripe joggers. They are very comfortable and smarter than leggings, they can look very put together with a decent top and trainers. I have a few pairs of the wider leg version that I often wear with a long sleeved skinny rib top and throw on a long wool coat and feel quite smart.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-retro-side-stripe-joggers/p/clp60726382?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

perhaps transition to smarter clothes.

so smarter leggings, a shirt and a tank over the top is more put together than legging and a sweat shirt but just as comfy.

or swap the sweatshirt for a jumper dress and some boots.

I’ve never tried them but halara trousers look comfy and smarter than leggings too.

also work on grooming - sleek hair , glossy skin, smell fresh.

if all else fails big sunglasses, a nice tote bag (nothing clingy) and some bangles.

Have a look at Baukjen. I’ve just bought some lovely wide legged black trousers from there. They do shirts in a soft eco fabric which wash really well, they last forever. There are always discount codes available.

These are great (famulilly wide leg on amazon) and my stylish friend even asked me about them as she wanted to buy the same. Very gentle wise waist. Not fantastic quality but cheap and comfy and look smart.

Skims sell a lot of soft and comfortable clothing. I want comfort and I wear it.

Sorry @Tocsinbut I too, like the other posters really didn’t like those very expensive, ugly looking dresses

These are just the sort of thing I am after, thanks.

You know the mn phrase “first reply nails it”? Well in this case it’s “first reply misses the mark by 4000 miles”. Although that response did have one benefit - no mention of Cos which is the standard S&B answer, no matter what the question!

I think some pull on trousers are your friend op. I know you say you have no waist but a slightly more structured top with wide leg trousers will give you some definition. With wide leg trousers you need to get the proportions right with a shorter top. Dont be tempted to wear something long and voluminous on top as well or you’ll look like a clown. Doesn’t need to be tight, just structured and the right length.

I do have a couple of pairs of maternity jeans, lovely and comfy on the waist but I find they are baggy on the bum area.

F&F at Tesco have some decent wide leg trousers (elasticated, drawstring waists). They can also look quite smart with a fitted top.

I have some patterned ones from last summer which I wear with a plain tshirt and my converse.

Yes! Should have added that I am always cold, always. Definitely need warmth too.

The big baggy look really isn't me at all, much appreciate the suggestions but I should have been a bit more specific on my OP, shame you can't edit OP's once you hit that post button.

Wide leg trousers, drawstring waist for adjustment. Soft semi fitted t shirts, the highest crew neck you can bear, decent Lycra content. Lands End for high quality cotton maybe? The high neck looks good under sweaters, cardigans, jackets, whatever top layer you prefer.

These trousers from Uniqlo are a sort of heavy jersey - elastic at the back and very comfy.
I don’t like the styling in the photos, but with a long sleeve tshirt and a cropped jacket they look really nice.
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E475344-000/00?colorDisplayCode=39&sizeDisplayCode=003&pldDisplayCode=020

Love them.

https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/apartment-pant-black-straight-leg-trouser

ive just found a pair of these on vinted for £10 so let’s see if they’re as nice as they look! 🤞🏽

I like a similar style to you OP and agree with a lot of the posts suggesting pull on wide leg trousers, and really liked the comment on not being polite about the volume. I agree with this, going hard into what you like rather than obscuring it is a good approach. I like having a few basic slim fitting long sleeved v neck tops so I can roll up my baggy jumper sleeves to show the tighter cuff. They also pair well with really voluminous trousers. Also they look good under linen loose jumpsuits (I quite like a utility vibe, my personal style could be described as plumber who’s in the TA). Bit of fake tan drops in my moisturiser and an easy to stick on my head hairband that makes my freshly washed but unstyled hair suddenly look “curated”, and loud trainers, I feel make the look a look, rather than comfies I’ve thrown on.