Help me please get a new wardrobe from scratch. 5ft 2, overweight and VERY curvy.

[FuckingNinkyNonk]

I never buy clothes because it is just so depressing. I have a good figure, but my arse is double the size of my weight. My boobs are huge but my boob to bust distance is short so bravisimo tops show far too much cleavage (in fact not so much cleavage, more nipples).

I'm not 'petite'. I have no idea what size I AM actually, but to fit round my bum I'll probably be size 14-16. Hip clothes are useless because the waist is always larger, and because of my shortness, my waist is where they have allowed the hips iyswim so all in all a disaster.

My fat means I don't like tight-fitting, but otherwise lycra would be good.

grrrrr. I'm sick of jeans and baggy jumpers, ther MUST be something I can wear!?

sorry, meant arse is double the size of my waist

Long skirts can look nice? Something that sort of skims your curvy bottom?
www.monsoon.co.uk/Skirts/Flora-Skirt/invt/61208965&bklist=icat,4,shop,women,allwomsk irts
or this (which draws the eye downwards I would think;
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_028010270642_-1?breadcru mb=Home%7EWomen%7ESkirts

Any good??

Book a personal shopper at John Lewis or somewhere. They tend to know their stock fairly well, and will match your shape to a couple of brands that you may not have considered before. They are also very used to working with different shapes.

Ooooh. How much do personal shoppers cost? Do I have to wear some snazzy underwear or do my holey comfortable knickers suffice?

Do I have to spend a minimum?

take a look at this blog, the clothes the blogger wears will be a good inspiration to help you find things online or the shops, she'salso your height and curvy
blog

I had a personal shopper at JL once. It was free. She was good with colours that I hadn't ever considered.

The personal shopping service is free, and there is no minimum spend. You can either get changed behind curtains or she'll be in with you - up to you. By the time she's brought you 20 or 30 outfits you'll probably not be bothered about the curtains. They'll also tack up clothes or suggest alterations if necessary.

Usually you'll get a drink while you wait. My last session (last Saturday in fact) involved a 10-15 minute chat whilst she looked me over and we talked about what i was looking for and what I wanted to avoid. She went off with a clothes rail for 20-25 minutes and came back with a selection of 15 or so outfits. From there we went through a number of combinations and she went off again to get different sizes, and some different items. Whittled it down to about 6 outfits I liked. Bought 2, took photos of the rest. She also gave me an idea on stock levels and which items were still likely to be around for the sales...

I would also reccomend a personal shopper, I have been to a Debenhams one who was great.
There was no preassure for me to buy anything (although I did).

What was great was she could tell me why a certain garment would or would not suit me. & have been able to use the information whilst shopping for myself.

I strongly reccomend that you get a couple of great every day outfits, rather than special going out stuff, as you will feel great everytime you wear them. It can also be the boost that you need to start enjoying shopping for clothes.

Personal shoppers will also help with underwear as well. A great fitting bra can make all the difference if you have big boobs.

Good Luck

I have big boobs but am still breastfeeding (And likely to for another couple of years) so there is not much in the way of 'great' when it comes to bras, - but I'll definately give the personal shopper thing a go. Do you just call them up?