small budget-what basics should I be buying to change my dull image?

[beanie35]

I have never been fashion conscious (was bullied for years at school because of it), as I have never had much money. I am 36 and fed up of looking dull in the same old (but always clean) jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts. I am a pear shaped sized 12, with a small waist but wide hips and thighs. Everytime I do get some spare money I either buy another pair of jeans, or a top which I wear to death, because I don't have anything else. What are the basics I should be buying?

Look for longer tunics that will cover your bottom and thighs , if these are the areas you are conscious of (altho at size 12, I don't think you have much to worry about).

Then you can buy leggings (are you up for those?) to wear underneath with some little ballet bumps. (I bought a lovely longer top that covers my bum in Matalan yesterday, great colours and pattern, beads round the neck, for £16 and it looks like something from somewhere much more expensive).

What about dresses? They are great for just bunging on, and you can wear them anywhere.Perhaps if you just look for diferent tops to wear with jeans, instead of long sleeved teeshirts al the time. My pc is really slow atm, but I will have a browse and get back to you.

this woudl look great over jeans, leggings, with bright red beads

you could dress this up or down

Thanks for your tips. Yes, I do like longer tunics and leggings. I have only worn a dress twice, my partner is always moaning at me to wear one, as my legs from the knee down are ok. Every dress or skirt I try on just makes my hips look huge, A-line are the only flattering shape, but I find it almost impossible to get A-line skirts and dresses.

You are a 12! Get thee into a dress, I bet you'd look fab in one. (Have you seen what most folk look like on the High Street?) Be brave, take a risk, buy one in a bright colour!

I really like both the dress and that tunic. good old dorothy perkins!

accesories can lift an outfit

earings, strings of beads - if your hair is long pin it up with nice looking clips etc

nice pair of sunglasses

I am very similar in terms of bunging jeans and a top on, but am a size larger .

I find I look and feel so much nicer in a tunic-leggings or dress and tights combo. I buy Primark ballet pumps only about £4 very comfy lots of colours. I second matalan, and also La Redoute do nice tunics and dresses and usually have good offer codes. (new customers 15 off a 20 spend!)

Primark do great 'control' leggings (I'm wearing some as I type, under wrap dress) that keep the wobbly bits encased .

Yes, I know size 12 sounds great, but my hips and thighs really look like they belong to someone else its a shame because even on the beach I have to wear long shorts over a swimming costume, just to cover up my very wobbly thighs, not good when your sweating like a pig!

You can change your proportions then, have volume up top with a loodser tunic and show off your legs with leggings/slim jeans. But I still don't believe you! I think if you wear something with confidence, it doesn't matter how big your thighs are.

great colours