How not to feel frumpy :/

[twokittens25]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping some people on here might be able to help me with my wardrobe woes!

I’ve recently put on quite a bit of weight and am now a 14-16. I hate all of my clothes and just feel frumpy all the time. I’m only 25 so I’d like some age appropriate outfits that still fit my style.
I have a £500 ish budget to refresh my wardrobe and buy some items I really like.
I hate anything that shows my tummy or clings to my tummy. I feel like everything I find is for an older woman and just makes me look like I’m trying to wear my mother’s clothes!

I love things that are loose and flowy. Also would love some jeans recommendations that don’t cling right to the tummy and highlight it!

any colours but pink is my favourite. Happy with any patterns etc etc but again nothing that makes me feel like someone’s gran.

im after personal clothes and also some office outfits as I work in a corporate role.

please please please give me lots of recommendations of anything you think I may like!

cross posted here to hopefully get more advice!

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but if you are hoping to lose weight why don’t you hold off buying loads of new clothes? It sounds like you’re not happy within your body if that makes sense unless there’s a medical reason. I dropped a stone as I had this exact same issue, especially my tummy :/

Is there a reason why you put on weight?

If there is no medical reason, I'd think of changing my lifestyle. Eat more healthily and move more. It will make you feel better about yourself in general.

It's summer, embrace loose dresses and tops - there's a thread somewhere on the Hush Liddle dress.

Sorry for the rather sensible advice, and I appreciate how disheartening it can be when clothes don't seem to fit and noting looks right.

Leave the jeans for now. It's too hot for them.

I am currently trying to lose weight but would also like some clothes that I feel comfortable in for now! Even just a few bits and pieces that can be staples until I have lost a bit! My grandmother is a seamstress so if I buy the right things she can likely tailor them smaller for me too

I would have a look at Molly Mae. The popper tops are structured and give a lovely shape. They make me feel more confident.

Yes, I have previously suffered from a very severe eating disorder. In trying to avoid slipping back into those habits I have essentially gone the other way and piled weight on. I am trying to lose some but I have to be careful about how I do this in order to not spiral in a dangerous direction

How tall are you and what shape? If you've got a waist then you could wear skater style dresses, that is, fairly fitted at the top and loose/Al-ine/swirly at the bottom. If you don't have a waist, then something looser round the middle, but it depends very much on your shape as to what bottoms and proportions.

I’ve found some really nice dresses and cardigans in New Look recently. Lots of different styles as well.
Their website isn’t as good as going in to one of their shops though which is a shame.

My nearest New Look is an hour away now! I used to have two in my town but both gone :/ I find their website very un user friendly too

I’m 5’4 and I do have a waist, I like skater style dresses but they don’t seem to be very ‘in’ so I struggle to find them many places. I find most clothes for my age are skin tight which I’ve always hated

@twokittens25 , thanks for the reply. I'd look at the changing your lifestyle gently. Walking more, a stroll at lunchtime or something. I find it helps.

There are some nice things on the Plumo website. They're not cheap but they have 15% off quite often. Sahara do flowy clothes and you could try Poetry.

At a high street prices try Primark, M&S and Matalan, and Tu at Sainsbury's is often good for linen-mix fabrics.

I'm trying to motivate myself to take some stuff to the charity shop and I feellike sitting in a hot car.

I’ve started Pilates and I’m also now going swimming once per week (which is a big change from doing naff all!). Whilst the weather is nice I’ve been trying to get out for a walk on my lunch break too, as well as packing lunch instead of grabbing something unhealthy. So I am trying hard to make small and sustainable changes. I am basically trying to avoid calorie counting as I know that will be my downfall!

It sounds like your doing great @twokittens25 . Be a bit nicer to yourself - treat yourself to a pretty dress and a stylish top and trousers.
You probably look quite lovely, so tell yourself you do.

Calorie counting makes me think about food all the time.

Thank you 💐 I don’t want to buy much as I obviously will hopefully lose some weight, hut whilst that’s ongoing I’d like to feel nice ☺️

that’s why I don’t want to go down proper calorie counting - I know it will make me too obsessive over food again 😬

I think it’s a great idea to get stuff that makes you feel great on the body you have right now. When I changed weight I got stuff from Vinted and then resold it later on. I also think Tu is worth a look at if you prefer buying new..

Have you tried barrel leg jeans and trousers?

I’m a lot older than you (er, 49 actually) but I am a size 14-16 and trying to lose weight too.. I decided to get decent fashionable clothes that fit the size i actually am rather than the smaller size i will hopefully become. Because I want to look attractive NOW!
So I get what you are saying OP.

The younger women I know on days off wear: bodycon outfits (even the curvier ones); sportswear ie hoodies & joggers, leggings etc; straight / wide leg jeans with short boxy tops; & a variety of midi to maxi summer dresses. I’m sorry I don’t know re office wear as I work in a hospital so I rarely see office workers!

River Island, Zara, H&M, JD Sport, Primark, New Look are popular locally to me. except for Primark, there’s even more choice on their apps. I know lot of younger women get stuff from the ASOS app, also Vinted obviously!

Personally although I’m curvy I prefer to wear dresses that are more fitted (although not as much as actual bodycon) because I’ve got G cups & flowing dresses just hang down and swamp me. I’m 5’4” so I buy midi dresses which always look more like maxi length on me. I never like knee length, it’s a bit frumpy?
I do like River Island’s beachwear, it’s really pretty & F&F at Tesco have done a lot of dupes for River Island clothing this year, also they have a lot of really nice office type clothing in F&F which again is similar to River Island but much cheaper.

Look on reseller sites like Vinted for styles you like that may not be in the shops right now.

I was in Fat Face today and liked some of their dresses. They are flowing however and probably not considered modern or chic.

This?

https://www.johnlewis.com/nobodys-child-christina-bow-detail-ruffle-trim-midi-dress-white/p115205606

That dress is nice, but honestly, it would look bad on someone overweight. I’d go for something with sleeves and definitely less fitted.

I think it's really pretty. This one is more my thing but not summery
John Lewis Twist Jersey Cap Sleeve Midi Dress, Black, Khaki

Orange Floral Print Midaxi Tea Dress 12
Buy Light Green Kimono Shirt Belted Dress 12 | Workwear | Tu

There's a nice fitted blazer style cream linen jacket in H&m right now which doesn't have buttons and they have various trouser styles in the same colour. I would go for wide ones that are more on trend. Wear as a suit or as separates.

Spanx; 1 size down even... High waisted, skinny jeans. Don't even bother with wide leg or flare, if you've not got a butt and hips. Soft cotton t's that are a touch longer round the back. Avoid v-neck as this is so typical of plus size t-shirts and they don't hold their shape. Mid-thigh length cardigans are a good way to lengthen the mid section...And don't avoid buying clothes you're comfortable in because you're hoping to lose weight. It's important that you feel good and are confident in all stages of weight, and you can always donate to another Mum who might need help with her wardrobe during a similar situation. Just love yourself. You may find your body never returns to what it was, and that's okay. If you really want to lose weight and have a healthy lifestyle, it starts first with food choices. Choose not to put unhealthy choices in your grocery cart. If it's not in your cupboard, you're not gonna eat it!

I'd go for lower rise jeans/trousers. And longer line tops.

A lot of stuff over the last few years has been very focussed on cinching the waist which doesn't always look good. Also avoid anything with a peplum.

Empire line dresses are great. If you wear shorter skirts or more floaty ones it detracts from stomach area.