HELP- hopeless case needs whole summer wardrobe!!

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

Right guys, I need help! I have never really ventured into style and beauty before as I have neither style nor beauty, so be gentle!

I am going on holiday to Gran Canaria in July with our family and our friends' family. Really looking forward to it, but have nothing to take/wear. My friend that I am going with is always dressed well, in fashionable clothes and I am a jeans-and-T-shirt frump.

I need new clothes, but I have no idea what to buy, and don't seem to like anything I see in the shops. I am 5'9"/ 5'10", and a size 12 (slowly trying to wheech off those last few pounds before I go!) I have small boobs, a bit of a tummy (but not TOO bad- mainly flabby skin , a biggish ass and chunky legs with horrid chubby knees. (I realise that as it will be very hot, I can't really avoid getting my legs out at all!)I am pale with red curly hair.

The long tunic-y things in the shops seem to make me look like a big long amorphous blob (think Dorothy from The Golden Girls!) and I am scared of maxi dresses as I worry the sheer length of me makes me look like a curtain if they are very patterned. I'd love to move out of my comfort zone a bit, but I know if I go out shopping myself I will come back with yet more plain coloured linen trousers and plain £3 T-shirts!

That's the other thing- I am very averse to spending money on myself, and end up buying cheapo things that make DH wince , but I can't seem to justify spending large amounts of money on things I will wear for 2wks.

Anyone any great ideas/ suggestions so I can put together a wonderful capsule wardrone, and not feel like a fashion disaster abroad??

Oh, and I hated 80's gear last time round (am 37!)

I know its a lot to ask, but all ideas gratefully received

Right jooly. You're lovely and tall so make the most of your height. I reckon a lovely mostly black/all black floaty maxi dress with little bright coloured cardi would love lovely and you'd be able to hide everything.
here with............
something like this and pretty sandals. Then something like this? ink{http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/casual/2/1?extra=sch&n=women&pid=496-148&exclude=00AZ00%7 c00A00&returnurl=%2fshop%2fgattgender%2dwomen%2d0%3fnxti%3d0%26nxtv%3d0%26isort%3dbst&bct=%26quot%3b Shop%20By%20Product%26quot%3b%26nbsp%3b%26gt%3b%26nbsp%3bWomenwww.next.co.uk/shopping/women/casual/ 2/1?extra=sch&n=women&pid=496-148&exclude=00AZ00%7c00A00&returnurl=%2fshop%2fgattgender%2dwomen%2d0% 3fnxti%3d0%26nxtv%3d0%26isort%3dbst&bct=%26quot%3bShop%20By%20Product%26quot%3b%26nbsp%3b%26gt%3b%26 nbsp%3bWomen

Perhaps a plainish skirt like [[http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/casual/81/2?extra=sch&n=women&pid=476-425&exclude=00AW00%7c00 A00&returnurl=%2fshop%2fattlength%2dcalflength%2dgattgender%2dwomen%2dcat%2dskirts%2dcat%2dshorts%2d 0%3fnxti%3d0%26nxtv%3d0%26isort%3dbst&bct=%26quot%3bShop%20By%20Product%26quot%3b%26nbsp%3b%26gt%3b% 26nbsp%3bCalf%20Length%26nbsp%3b%26gt%3b%26nbsp%3bWomen%26nbsp%3b%26gt%3b%26nbsp%3bSkirts%26nbsp%3b% 26gt%3b%26nbsp%3bShorts this} with some pretty tops.

whoops - all went a tad wrong!
here

The purple link above does work.

here

Worn with jeans and flip flops?

To be honest, fatface is really lovely and will give you a younger, more modern look. White Stuff too has some lovely stuff.

this whole outfit

this long skirt in navy which you can there wear with the top above

these are great in all colours

these will mix and match with everything so far

with your colouring this block colour dress will look lovely

goes with all

goes with everything nearly

Wow!- thanks guys!! I like lots of these! I especially like the black maxi dress- def not too curtainesque! And the blue dress is great too, and I like the long skirt and the

Also great to have some new websites to look at, as I do like to buy stuff online if poss- much easier than trying to drag small chidren round the shops, and stops me becoming intimidated by shop-assistants I have no confidence in my own decisions! loving the fact that you both picked out the same outfit for me!

Oh- can you tell me what websites measure big/ small? I am a size 12 in next, but know that may not mean I am a size 12 everywhere!

Next is pretty much spot on for sizes. Tops in Fatface can be on the bigger size but are pretty much exact. White Stuff are quite generous. Boden are smaller on the trousers but bigger on tops so whereas I'd usually go for a 14 in Boden, I might find a 12 okay but it's best just to order and try, although FF and Boden do charge for returns, unless you get good codes.
The black maxi dress was from marisota, from who I've never ordered before but although some of their stuff is a bit old fashioned, there's some okay stuff if you pick it carefully. LOL that Collision and I both picked same Next outfit!

well -what a big disappointment!
The black maxi dress from marisota came and you can saee right through it! How stupid.
Think I will now go with lvoely purple/blue one from next....actually no I won't coz lady in review says it clings to your every lump and bump. God - why is it so hard to get a nice maxi dress?!

Oh no- what a shame! I guess that is the downside of buying on line- pah!

I'm thinking I might be able to persuade DH to give me a whole day to myself one weekend, so I can scope out the shops and even (gulp!) try things on! I'm just not very good at shopping- no patience, not into it enough to "rake" about, hate queues...

God, it's hard work this, isn't it? Beginning to remember WHY it is I go around like a bag lady....

Jooly - I get really dispondant (sp) in the shops too. I love something so try it on and then find out it looks so awful that I go right off shopping for me and go shopping to buy more clothes for the kids. Plus, I hate all the 'getting undressed/find out it doesn't fit/ getting redressed to go and find another size/undressed again/diesn't fit/get dressed again thing'. Too much like hard work so I'd rather do all that at home!
Are you living near any good shopping places?
I only live 12 miles from Peterborough which has a huge John lewis and indoor shopping centre and 40 mins frm Cambridge and yet, I still don't go shopping!

Yup- I'm a bit the same! Get all hot and hassled in the changing rooms, always seem to be in a rush too. So even if it does fit, I'm left standing there wondering if it will really look good when I am wearing the right coloured bra/ don't have sock marks round my ankles etc!!

I have quite a few good shopping places near me (live near Glasgow, lots of big malls etc) but I hate them with a passion- the crowds, the "excuse-me's" as you try to manouvre bags etc around, the mindless walking for miles around this weird nondecript indoor town. Sigh.

Can relate to enjoying shopping for the kids far better- don't need to worry about whether or not their thighs will look massive, or their bellies will show!!

Still, the drawback of the internet is that you can't feel the fabric (and it's often different than it looked!), also some returns can be a hassle! Oh well! I think I'll do some looking, then come home with ideas and do the actual shopping at home!

hi joooly - can i just check that i understand your shape? you are tall, slim, neat boobs but your main "issues" are your bum, thighs and chunky calves?

Do you have saddlebags? do you have good arms and ankles? do you have a long body and relatively short legs ( for a tall woman!!)?

jooly - I have the purple maxi dress from Next and I don't think it clings to every lump and bump. It fits nicely on the empire line and then skims everything else - give it a try, I love mine and it looks great with a denim jacket.

kristinaM you have just described my body shape exactly! Is it because it is a type and you have tips for how to dress this shape? (hopeful!)

used to be - its the opposite of me - i am top heavy - big boobs, flabby tummy, small bum and skinny legs. I'm a lollipop - an apple on a stick.

i need to emphasise my bottom half to balance me out so you need to do the opposite.

puff sleeves broaden your shoulders ( like the top collision linked to)

maxi dress with wide straps and detail up top, not spagetti straps. perhaps like this maxi but not sure of diagonal pattern on skirt woudl elongate or widen

bow details, pattern, sparkle on top half

fitted top half to show of your neat waist and good boobs ( padded bra if necessary )

jackets with big lapels and wide neckline

statement necklaces

cropped jacket will look great over maxi dress and show off neat waist

wide legged flat front trousers.not clingy. no skinnies or leggings EVER.

structured skirt that flares out at the bottom in plain darker colour than top half

no chiffon dresses/skirts

chunky heels - even though i am a dress size 9, stilletoes make me look as if i am falling over

low front nude shoes extent leg length

You asked about being a " type" - according to trinny and susannah you are a skittle i think. They are greatly mocked on here on MN but i like them

Kristina wise words! I am a bit alarmed about the skinny jeans and leggings rule although sadly I suspect you are right.

p I am same shape as you (and same height)and that maxi dress would look good I think. Haven't braved them myself yet but may do.

A skittle, ooh I always had myself down as a pear but then thought my tummy isn't flat which rules that out I think. I am off to have look thanks Kristina.

Hi Kristina- yes, I have quite toned arms, slim ankles and apparently nice shouders! My calves are quite toned too, but my knees and thighs let the whole thing down!! My ass aint what it used to be either (although I am working on it!)

Thanks for the advice- yes, I shudder at the thought of skinny jeans and leggings! I do have quite a long body for my height, too. You are right about the stilettos too- pointy shoes make my legs look like they start hugely fat and taper to a tiny point!

Have been trawling websites tonight, and am starting to get a few ideas, but all sufggestions gratefully received

no one looks good in cheap clothes, they are a total waste of money. one expensive outfit that suits you will be worn at many occasions without looking tired.

donna karen
nicole farhi

PMSL at the "sock marks around your ankles" quote! Never a good look when trying on a knee length skirt!