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!

Hi I think the Fat Face Adele dresses are fab and suit any age or body shape, look on eBay or Vinted for previous seasons as they come in loads of colours. Then I’d say wide leg jeans with a nice belt and a shirt partially tucked in (a French tuck) - not everyone likes a French tuck but it does give a shape to the waist and hides the tummy. After that I’d suggest adding some fun chunky jewellery and some colourful comfy pumps. Best of luck and hope you find something you love ❤️

Go for V necks maybe like this?

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/avery-midi-dress-2613229007

This is what I was going to advise. Also, there are a lot of peplum tops on there at the moment and these can be very flattering on your type of figure when paired with fitted trousers or jeans.

My Dd got a lovely wide leg black & white satin co-ord in h&m looked nice same problrm as you. Being elastic waist if you lose weight if still fit ok. Also she bought a pink wide leg short above knee with fitted waistcoat in pink linen type mix from pimsrk also some bits from pink boutique worked for her.

Never underestimate a well fitting bra!!!

OP for the time being, depending on your body shape I'd recommend fitted tops preferably with a v-neckline, they tend to be flattering.

Tuck t-shirts and blouses etc in at the waist, this helps give more definition.

High-waisted trousers, wide fit, look really chic and hide your tummy if you have one.

Stick to a basic colour palette with your clothes - black, navy, white or cream, tan. Eg - black trousers, shoes, white t-shirt, tan bag. Or, cream trousers, navy top, black bag & shoes. Instantly stylish.

Keep jewelry simple. Same with bags.

A slightly over-sized blazer jacket will make you look smart, personally I don't wear them but you could give them a try if you want to play around with new things to wear.

The key to dressing well (whatever your size) is to keep colour combinations minimal, accessories simple, and make sure the cut and shape of whatever you're wearing is flattering on you. If you want some inspo check out Lydia Tomlinson, she has some great fashion advice. Can also recommend Nina Lee Caine as well. They're both very chic and explain really well why their outfits work, and how to put things together.

Before you even start shopping I would recommend spending £20 on this book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1529436621/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y38tpoDETSo4Q_uee-esOA.Ed30MJbhZoEgZuc6OF7P70QnsfRMSJmYyKwkhav5so0&qid=1780257246&sr=8-1

If you understand your body shape, your style preferences and the colours you are drawn to/that suit you it's almost impossible to look frumpy. You can follow fashion trends in so far as they harmonise with all of the above. That way you're not a slave to fashion but can harness it to make the most of yourself. It's a guaranteed way to boost your self confidence and a modest outlay on this book will give you all the info you need whether you are 25 or 85. Enjoy the journey!

I’m corporate and I wear slim leg ankle grazer tailored trousers with a nice belt (I have Gucci, celine, Ralph Lauren but you can get nice belts for under £20!) a silky shirt and a blazer. When I go out I wear wide leg jeans, bodysuit, blazer and a belt again. I keep my outfits quite plain and dress them up/down with shoes, jewellery, belts and handbags. I always get compliments so I must be doing something right.

COS. The maxi v neck dress in linen mix and a couple of boxy T-shirts. And barrel leg trousers.
Also, Uniqlo’s barrel legs are amazing, they skim so so well, I have them in every colour, I think the navy ones would work for work, perhaps the white ones too?
I recently got a satin slip skirt and the matching boxy top from Uniqlo, maybe try that? You can dress it up or down, it works with flip flops and a slouchy bag, I also wore them at a fancy dinner.
HTH

Go on cider.com Everything is amazing. My whole wardrobe is from there! Lots of pink too. I am a size 16.

Some instagrams that may give you some inspo :) Laura Adlington, Maisie Crompton & Steffis Style. Hope you find some things that you like! X

i have a belly. two huge babies mean that even if i was skinny i'd still have a tummy. so i go with empire line tops and dresses. this is where the tightest bit of the item is under the bust line, then will flare out from there. it gives movement to the belly area but cinches in under the bust so they are not 'tent' like. halara do some lovely sucky-in-tum jeans and trousers. look at those. i highly recommend.
also, go get your hair done/coloured/cut, even with a dressing gown on, if my roots are done, i feel much better.

Hello, if I were you I’d hop onto Vinted and buy some bargains.

Do you like graphic T shirts? That could also be an option

Regarding weight loss - just wanted to ask if you are a really good swimmer as if not, whilst swimming is great for all-over fitness and toning, it isn’t always great for weight loss. I swim four times a week at the moment, and so i have looked into this quite a lot! You need to really get your heart rate up, aim for at least 70 lengths in 50 minutes (usually manage 64 as I have a knee injury), and mix up the strokes and drills so you are benefiting the most from the exercise.

OP I’ve lost a lot of weight over the past few years and having nice clothes that fit in the size I currently was is something that I think made a massive difference to my confidence and my ability to separate my interest in clothes from my size. You can be stylish at any size. Actually the type of outfits I wear at a size 10-12 is really not very different to what I wore as an 18.

Before you gained weight tell us what made you feel good and what you liked to wear? If you can tell us that it would help.

I mostly wear shirts with wide leg trousers to work. Shirts are tricky with boobs but I invested in a few good ones- Essentiel Antwerp for some oversized but cool ones, JW Anderson for Uniqlo do some great cropped cotton shirts (sizing generous). Sezane Max stripy shirts. For day to day I often wear shirts with jeans. Blazer and tee with jeans. In winter some good knitwear. I actually really love barrel jeans and trousers and have invested in a few pairs. To make the budget go further look on Vinted for some really good quality trousers- Me&Em do classic styles with a bit of a twist and I got some pairs in a 16/18 there for literally 10-20% of the new price.

Even when I was slimmer I’ve always hated things that cling (I think due to previous ED) so I’ve never worn anything super fitted! I used to love jeans and a nice top but now I feel like all tops have my arms out and all jeans cling to my belly!

I love a floaty style dress (I have quite a few from Hollister). I’ve always liked something that can be dressed up or down so I can wear for more than one thing.

I love pink and purple and all sorts of patterns at all

hopefully this gives some idea!

I used to be a very strong swimmer but not so much anymore! I totally get what you’re saying but if the options are gym or swim i just wouldn’t go to the gym as I hate it so much, so I feel like the swimming is better than no movement :)

I have ordered a few bits from Halara to try! Thank you :)

I love love love Uniqlo but find it harder to buy from them online than in the shop! I’ll have another look at the website though thank you

Thanks fr all the lovely comments and suggestions so far, I really appreciate it! I can’t reply to everyone but I’ve made a note of all the recommendations:)

For jeans- have you tried simple wide legs/barrels? I find them remarkably easy to wear and style. Try ignore the size label. Ideally buy in person because jeans are so tricky but one or two good pairs can be dressed up and down easily. Trousers wise there’s loads of lovely non clingy smart trousers with elastic waists about now- they are smart but so comfortable. Try get some made from a quality material (avoid light ones like viscose etc). Look for flat front (not pleats) if you are conscious of your belly but I would also say you will be the only person who notices your tummy and I wouldn’t worry about drawing attention to it!

Tops wise- I love a heavy weight graphic t-shirt. I love a shirt and it’s my favourite way to add interest but sounds like you prefer more boho/romantic style so I would look for blouses. Sezane are good for that style I think and go up to a UK 18. I think shirts are more forgiving of weight changes though if that makes a difference. Again- your arms are just arms so don’t be worried about having them out if you want to. When I was bigger I was stressing about finding a top to cover my arms and my husband said “but your arms don’t look any smaller under sleeves” which was perhaps tactless but he was completely right. And I’ve genuinely never looked at anyone of any size and thought “she should cover her arms”.

I’ve always loved dresses but have moved away from them in recent years because I find it hard to get well cut ones. If you want something to dress up and down it might be better to go with a block colour that you can add pattern to with a cardigan/sweatshirt or a shirt over the top. I’ve got a great t-shirt dress (from Ro&Zo). It’s 100% cotton, rolled t shirt sleeve, ankle length with slit to knee. If I want to dress it up I add a great belt, heels, jewellery and make up. But I will wear it relaxing at the weekend with a sweatshirt and flip flops too. I bought it when I was a size 16. I wear it now at a 10-12 and it looks great at both sizes.

Apolhies for the essays but I hope you find some stuff you love and look forward to seeing them!

I think Pretty Little Thing is great for younger girls evening wear, loads of loose floaty drapey stuff there.
Jeans - I think Tu or M & S but you need to try loads to get the right fit for you.
Workwear - that’s a little harder, I’d create a uniform that you like and just buy the pieces is several plain colours.
Shoes and jewellery can really make your outfit look current.
There’s a good duo on instagram ones a 8, the others a 16, they’re young and show how to wear the same outfits but to suit their shape
sophieandchristie, I think you’d love them

Well I think it would be useful to see some items that you like generally to get a sense of your taste ( regardless of whether it would flatter you etc ). You said “ floaty” which makes me think boho but then you like Uniqlo and I don’t really associate Uniqlo with floaty. Slouchy maybe yes. I think if you want to look more current then separates are going to be more useful than dresses at the moment. Midi / maxi skirts and trousers. I’m personally a fan of shirts but of course that might not be your style.

Don’t want to share my own wardrobe as that would be very outing! Here’s some vinted listings of either things I do have or things I’d buy! (Hope the photos work!) hopefully this helps with people recommending things :)

A few more photos in case it’s useful! Happy to add more if people would like

Abercrombie and Fitch are fantastic jeans. Both me and my best mate get them and she’s a 16-18 and I’ve been everything up to a 12 with a belly.