What do you think of my style? Photos on profile now!!

[eviz]

Stylish ladies, help me! I have no style!

None!

I'm 5"8, normally a 10-12 but currently nearly 12 stone. Feel ugly, unstylish and frumpy.

My style pre-children would have been skinny top, push-up bra, big flares and heels, 3/4 length fitted jacket. I am now more muffin top than skinny top, and I can't get my flares over my mahoosive thighs and my fitted jacket no longer fits over my breastfeeding bust

And I've totally given up on my unruly hair. I think I'm beyond help on that score.

I'm off to the shops tomorrow in a quest for a brand new casual wardrobe. I have no clue. Please be brutal. Please be honest. What would you do to me?

you look lovely
brave for posting your photo

you also look nothing like 12 stone!! )maybe 10_

I think you look okay (honestly? - not great but certainly not awful, just kind of 'neutral' and 'anonymous'). Your figure is absolutely fine so you are lucky; it is easy to change -you just need to get some different clothes to make you feel good.

You do need to do something with your hair, it looks frizzy and shapeless...(I sincerely hope this doesn't come across as unkind, I just figured you could use an honest assessment rather than just an ego soothe!)

You could look gorgeous; you have the raw materials (lucky you)

Incidentally my best friend would die laughing if she read this because my clothes are 'anonymous' and my hair needs work too! - funny how one can be more objective and 'certain' when it comes to other people

what do you look like with straightened hair?

jeans are nice but try other things too. what about these? or these?

hmc I wasn't ego soothing I don't think eviz looks anything like 12 stone (black trousers maybe?)

No need for ego soothing, fear not!

I wanted honest opinions, so thank you hmc

I've been shopping today!! I bought the jeans jewelsandgems recommended and a few tops and accessories. No pink in sight.

I'm not convinced I've got it right though. Will get DP to take some more pics and post them in a bit for your comments!

nappyaddict - hair looks ok straightened, but takes a very long time, because it is so thick. So it's reserved for nights out only

Yes, please show us pics! I am loving these makeover threads!

You need to find the right hairdresser I have lots of hair (!!!) that takes ages/doesn't do what it's told and have suddenly found a really good hairdresser who gave me a cut that still looks OK after 2 months, she did cut loads off thought and thin it out quite a bit.

Tell us when the pics are up

that new green top looks great .

Purple top makes you look very fat hipped (from the front)
green top looks nice but you're not smiling.

what does dp say? does he think you look lovely or that we're all nuts?

Like both tops but would wear the purple one with looser bottoms, say drapey wide legs trousers or a skirt rather than jeans which look too stiff/starchy with the top. The ruffles are v feminine. Sorry but think the jeans and high heel boots together look dated/not quite right.
The green top is good but don't think the scarf is the right colour, looks too pale for you.
Think you would look good in a longer necklace which ended midway between bust and waist, have a look in Accessorize.

OK.. pics are up ladies - be honest please

So my gut feeling about blue top being wrong is right.

Scarf was only £5 in H&M so it's not a total disaster.

What would you do with my bottom half then Pannacotta I wore the jeans with flats and they felt frumpy.

I am at a loss with colour. I kept muttering to myself 'ditch the pink, ditch the pink' all afternoon!

DP says they all look 'fine' (men!) Mum loves the blue top and doesn't know why I've gone off it.

Fine!![rolls eyes]

How helpful is that

I have a friend who says boots are the thing (but she did spend about £400 on hers in the sale!)

I'd either wear the jeans with pretty flats eg metallic ballet pumps or try looser trousers instead such as these
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/TROUSERS/Navy-Drapey-Wide-Leg-Trouser/7950

Could you dye the scarf? You look good in it just think the colour is bit insipid.

Think richer colours look better on you, both the tops look good colour-wise IMO.

Pannacotta, like those wide-leg trousers. HAve you seen them in the flesh? I wonder what the material feels like.

I take it the boots wouldn't be a good combination with them though..

I feel the need for new shoes..

eviz no I haven't seen them in the flesh but I do own several pairs of Principles trousers and the cut is v good for high st (I always try and buy pairs made mostly from natural fibres eg viscose/cotton as these look and feel better).
And agree you prob need new shoes, I find low wedges are bit more comfy and modern looking than heels, esp if you are pushing pram around.
I found some pretty flats from Gabor this summer in pewter, they go with everything and look v chic.

Hi there,
you've had loads of great advice.

Just to say don't rush to buy too many bottoms in bigger sizes.

I panicked and couldn't get any of my trousers beyond my knees post DS1 and 2.

Actually cried in one shop when only the 14 would fit and was previously 8-10.

Had lost the weight so that was not the issue.

I think your body takes a while to readjust - I found a-line skirts my best bet in the interim.

I also rushed to buy bigger tops because of bigger boobs but by the time DS2 was 6 mths they were falling off me.

Not saying don't get any new clothes, but just don't invest in loads of expensive ones at this stage - experiment with colour or pattern maybe instead?

Good point HaventSlept, eviz your baby is only 2 months is that right?
I shopped mostly at H&M for the first year after DS2, that way I could get things in bigger sizes and then give them away when they were too big, it also allowed me to experiment more than if I were shopping in more expensive places.

oooh no H&M make you feel ginormous. their sizes come up titchy and you have to get two sizes bigger than you usually would!!

asda is good for cheap, cheerful and fashionable as is new look.

You have a great figure and lovely face and hair just the clothes are a bit dated and you could definitely wear something youngier and funkier.Agree with all who said short har would really suit you

HaventSlept thanks for the advice. I did lose the weight after DD1. Can't remember how long it took, but feels like a lifetime 2nd time around!

With hindsight I wish I hadn't bought the jeans yesterday, sure I could have made do with my old ones

Love the idea of skirts, feel nervous about the concept of wearing coloured tights, but am adding this to my 'to do' style list. I liked the White Company skirts - anyone tried them? Are they any good?

Haven't worn White Co skirts but if you are nervous of skirts, why not wait until it is boot weather and match your tights to your boots? Is v flattering and looks good with seamless move from leg to boot if that makes sense!
I like Great Plains, Principles and Monsoon for skirts.

I'm loving the photo updates!

Maybe this, the navy top & pendant, especially as you have already have some brown boots.

The whole outfit should give you a nice shape.

heated glad to see I will still be able to wear my chunky brown boots this winter (1st link)

eviz I can definitely recommend the boots (but flat and comfy for everyday) and skirt combo - it would fit when your hips reduce down (mine did anyway).

Agree that skirts are easier in boot weather (which it felt like today - I was freezing in transparent tights and a skirt cold face)

Good girl, Eviz. Much better posture and presentation. Would never pick you out in a police line up now

monsoon skirt is very pretty and this is very easy to wear with long black boots

whitestuff but don't think they've got the rest of the outfit in yet.

whitestuff top & skirt can wear with flats/canvas or boots