I need a new wardrobe; Anyone want to come along with me?

[Twodogsonthecouch]

I recently started a thread asking for opinions on my outfit, and I got them!
I’ll link the thread for anyone who’s interested.

I’m short, 5’2, just over 10st with big boobs and quite toned legs (run and hike). I’m 60 and stopped colouring my hair during Covid. I work 4 days/week. 2/3 clinical so wear scrubs, 1/3 post graduate clinical teaching and occasional undergrad lecturing/conference speaking in my area of interest. I hate formal structured “corporate” type clothes but do need to look professional.
For many years I was 100% clinical so was able to manage with scrubs and weekend clothes which was usually jeans, top and jacket. I’ve also lost weight recently so all my clothes are too big.
I don’t have an unlimited budget but I’m not very restricted either other than the fact that I do need pretty much a full wardrobe.
Heading into the autumn seems like a good place to start
Please don’t suggest a personal shopper. I know it’s irrational but I would absolutely hate it.

This is me yesterday; I think the jeans are much better than the ones in the original thread and I ironed the jacket so making some progress 😂.
I did buy a jacket suggested in the previous thread and really like it. I bought it in a size 14 though and it’s probably a bit big 🫣.

I was browsing online and liked this but it will be miles too long. Is it worth trying on and getting shortened?

Probably should actually go shopping and try things on but I’m busy and don’t enjoy it so prioritise meeting friends or my kids or going for a run etc when I have free time

https://www.baukjen.com/products/bridie-organic-cotton-field-jacket-sand?country=GB&gad_campaignid=20555597977&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACrTFARi2kLoBdMEuT1bw5USe2bVN&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkZfb_eWxlgMVPKaDBx3M-Q0BEAQYBSABEgJ2ePD_BwE&tmcid=20555597977&tmid=673933293505&tmkw=&tmsid=151879278605&tmsrc=googlead&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=78888&utm_content=Sub+Networks&awc=117651_1788675660_6e1b97c7522ad4241b5d9641032cad99

this is the jacket I bought

I did love some of the suggestions on that thread so need to get back to it. I was on holidays for a week, then back to work and now my DH fell off his bike and has been in hospital for the past few days with multiple rib fractures, concussion and a collapsed lung. This does mean I’m spending many hours sitting in hospital where I can be online shopping though to distract myself 🤯

I like those jeans on you. Might be worth trying the same pair in plain denim, maybe black?

I like the jeans. They look great on you. I’m not sure about the jacket though; dropped shoulders on big boobs can look a bit too slouchy. I think the jeans will also work well with trainers and loafers.

Would you have a look at Me+Em, or better still if you are near a store? It’s so easy to build a wardrobe with them over time as all their pieces seem to mix and match across the seasons. They have fabulous trousers though some will be far too long for you and would have to be shortened so much, they may ruin the overall shape but they have cropped trousers and also some shorter length.

They also have great shirts, blouses, knitwear etc and a big plus is that they have garment sizes for each piece which are pretty accurate.

Really like this jacket and like how the model wears it, dark jeans, white shirt.
Stone washed or faded jeans would also look nice. Maybe a navy thin knit under the coat, or a cream jumper. Think about a palate of colours, like white, beige, navy, brown and mix and match different tops, layers, jeans with the coat to get a variety of outfits.

I love the jeans/jacket/ white t shirt combination. Looks really cool. I think the sandals don’t look quite right with it : instead maybe ankle boots / neat trainers / flat shoes like Mary Janes or pointed flats.
i agree that Me and Em is great for outfit building. I also like plainer bits from Wyse London (although have to choose carefully as I am not keen on the tiered flouncy dresses), M and S and Jaeger at M and S, Jigsaw.

I remember your previous thread - enjoyed it.

Those jeans aren't my personal taste (I have a completely irrational dislike of any patterned trousers other than striped) but I still think they work with that outfit because they add a bit of contrast / interest.

I like the jacket you're wearing in the photo and the overlong sleeves. However I think there's a very fine line between oversize and too big and this might just be on the wrong side of it. (It's something I do myself so I notice when others do it too.) I wouldn't stop wearing it but maybe add to your shopping list something with more intentional volume, if that makes sense? Have you had a look at Plumo yet - not necessarily to buy but for ideas?

Is the Baukjen jacket the one you're thinking about getting shortened? I'm not sure if it would be necessary because, although it's long, it's quite slimline. I doubt you could shorten it by much anyway because the pockets sit quite low. Plus messing with the length would change the proportions and you might lose that long, lean effect. But you can always order and try it on. (Actually you might have bought it already? I'm not sure now!)

Take a look at Eleven Loves - small collection, but some gorgeous pieces that are on trend and feel good quality.

elevenloves.co.uk/

I love the trousers in the first photo. I don't like the jacket, at all in the first photo. I'd add a black blazer instead, and the sandals could be replaced with an flat black ankle boot. The sandals and the jacket read a bit young looking, given you say you're sixty. (sorry). I suspect the second jacket you've listed will be difficult to match with anything due to the colour, unless you already wear a lot of beige and chocolate brown? And the pockets and the drawstring waist, if you have a good chest, might just look matronly unless you size up. And the sandy colour might contrast against your hair if your hair is quite grey. I'd lean into that silver/grey vibe, if I was you. Dove, not charcoal. Slouchy knits, the quirky trews, t-shirts poshed up with blazers.

I’ve just read (some of) the previous thread. Trying to get a feel for what you like style wise- I gather you like clothes that are loose, not uber feminine, not corporate?

I think we have similar jobs, I found giving up on scrubs really helped me find my style as my weekend style is now a more relaxed version of my work style if that makes sense. I also like comfortable clothes and do find myself tending to wear things too big. I love the fact that elasticated waist trousers are now quite in style- I’ve bought a few smart pairs. I like to wear them with cropped boxy shirts. I also like jeans, plain t shirt and a blazer.

I do think it’s a good idea to spend some time shopping, trying things on. Don’t necessarily have to buy but photograph the outfits and decide if it’s something you like and feels like you or not. Also to get a better idea of sizing in different brands.

I like the jeans on you, the jacket looks slightly big, I would definitely try the smaller size. The second jacket style is nice could you find something similar in petite to save alterations.

Sorry to hear about your poor DH, hope he recovers soon

Thanks for the comments everyone. I’m reading away. I do like the look of some of the eleven loves clothes.
I need to sort out footwear as well 🤯.
This is a dress I saw online this morning that sparked the thread… what do you all think?

I would not buy any individual pieces until you have an overall selection. Its hard to see your body shape in your photo.

I’m quite fond of a hippy-ish dress myself, but that looks a difficult one to pull off.

I have also recently lost a lot of weight (dropped from 16-18 to 10-12) and if you want to learn from the many mistakes I made I’m happy to help!

When I started rebuilding my wardrobe I was still just delighted when clothes fit me at all so I couldn’t really differentiate what I loved from that sensation. Looking back I wish I had focused more on footwear and jackets. Footwear because when I started wearing different shapes in trousers and dresses I needed new shoes. Jackets because I tended to keep wearing things that were too large which looked sloppy. Next I wish I’d focused more on the basics- shirts, identifying the trouser shapes I like, t shirts etc. I’m less bothered about body shape and colours but I do know the colours which suit me.

I think if you fastened & then cinched in the waist on that jacket it would look a whole load better. The way you're wearing the items just makes you look block like. Loose layers on top of baggy trousers are fine but you do need some shape somewhere.

I like the jeans and the Baukjen jacket . I disagree with @paperbeak’scomment that the jacket and sandals are too young for you.

It looks like you might have a waist in there somewhere, but we can't really see it!

My rule of thumb is baggy/wide bottoms + fitted top (or vice versa but that's less on trend right now). If you must pair a boxy or oversized top with loose bottoms, there needs to be some waist definition - cropped top, bottoms fitted through the hips.

The very young and willowy can get away with baggy/oversized from top to toe, but the rest of us generally look better in clothes that show some of our shape.

Ah, we’re back to ‘showing off our shape’?

That may have been where I abandoned the first thread. Not sure I have anything useful to add to what I said there so I’ll leave you to your torturers, @Twodogsonthecouch!

The jacket for me takes away from the outfit- not the colour but the shape. I think the shape of the trousers are fab on you, you’re really lucky, I think you’ll look really well put together on any budget!

Don't let me stop you from leaving if that's what you want to do, but there's a difference between 'show' and 'show off' IMO. I'm talking about giving an outfit visual balance and a focal point rather than LOOK AT MY BOOBS or whatever.

I can also relate to the OP's recent weight loss and having a bit of a mental block when it comes to buying clothes that are small enough.

It might be worth looking up the first thread @Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice.