Anyone interested in a style thread for the short but not petite among us?

[suiledonne]

I am 5'2 and a 16-18. I love the style threads and would love to get some inspiration from those of a similar size/shape.

I am trying to lose weight but it is slower going than I hoped due to a knee problem and I am stuck in a fashion rut. I definitely lost my confidence with clothes after having my dds and becoming a SAHM.

I have already committed several fashion faux pas (according to some anyway ) because I am the proud owner of a maxi dress and some cropped trousers.

Anyone willing to join in?

Same here, suiledonne! I am 5'1 and a 14/16. Similarly, I feel I have lost a lot of confidence in my sense of style since having my 2 kids and am also trying to lose weight.

I did go to a fashion advisor at J Lewis last year which I cannot recommend enough, no need to spend a penny but I couldn't resist splurging as I knew what she's helped me choose for my shape/height/personality made me look a million dollars, honestly !

I would love to be able to wear cropped trousers but they do make me look even more munchkin-like than usual length trousers do.

Do you have a killer cleavage though ? That is a definite plus, my sister was always v jealous of me and vice versa cos she says she got the legs while I got the boobs

I'm here!

What is the problem with a maxi-dress? I have just bought one for a wedding - should I get a refund?

Hi mumofshortie, yes good cleavage although not what it used to be pre-babies.

What I am really struggling with now is being top heavy. I was an 18 top and bottom for a long time but since losing some weight I am a 16 on the bottom and look really top heavy.

The current trend of tunics and leggings does not suit me at all.

Hi leo, welcome.

I love my maxi dress - feel so comfortable in it but I have seen many posters here say they are not for the vertically challenged.

Yes, yes, yes!! I'm 5'1 and am 2.5 stone overweight. Have lost 2 stone so far but am cursed with a huge tummy which makes buying/wearing clothes a nightmare. Have no idea how to dress myself and end up wearing jeans a lot.

mumofshortie - would love to know what clothes you were recommended.

These babies have a lot to answer for huh !

I would still really recommend a personal shopper- seriously, they have see all sorts of shapes & sizes of women, and they pick out stuff you wouldn't normally choose for yourself. They know their stock inside out and they can judge your body shape and what flatters you straight away. Is a really good laugh too ! (I do not work for any of the following, by the way !)

John Lewis & Debenhams are two with good reputations and plenty of different styles of clothes.

Maybe I should be trying a maxi dress ....

bunjies- was a mix of White Stuff, J Lewis own brand, Phase Eight.. so nice, grown up but trendy, IYSWIM.

Well done you for losing that amount of weight, respect !

Jeans jeans jeans ...so boring but ever so comfy and easy ! I feel your pain, I too am a jeans addict.

Hi bunjies, welcome and well done on the weight loss.

I'm not in the UK so no John Lewis but could try Debenhams for the personal shopper.

I could do with a day away so might plan it soon.

I live in the middle of nowhere so not much choice locally. I do buy a bit from catalogues but send back more than I keep usually and it gets expensive as no free returns.

Another one not in the UK. Currently in France so usually wait til I visit to shop or use ebay which is very hit and miss. French clothes made for people with model like proportions or too expensive . My redeeming features are boobs, bum and waist BUT all ruined by 6 months pregnant looking tum. I just need to slice off the area below my ribs to just above my pubes.

Now there are a few of us lets talk clothes - what have you bought lately? Anything you have seen you think might suit us lovely ladies?

I really need some new every day tops - used to wear really casual 3/4 length sleeve cotton tops but want something nicer and a bit more grown up.

I have to wear v-neck or scoop neck. Anything high is awful. Plain t-shirts make me look huge.

Any suggestions?

I usually shop in M&S, Wallis, DP, Next and ebay.

I have a couple of these tops but I have them in chocolate brown and cerise which they don't seem to do now. Despite the pleating they are surprisingly flattering around the boob area and they skim nicely over my tum.

Also recently got a pair of these jeans in indigo. They do cut into my tummy as they are low rise (which I am not keen on) but if I cover the waist area with above top the legs look quite good!

I've become wary of bootcuts (even though I have loads) as I think they can make a short arse look shorter, and a tubby short arse even tubbier and shorter.

By the way, can someone explain how ruching (sp?) over a top is supposed to minimise a huge gut?! To me it just seems as if it would highlight it even more.

I´m 5ft & 55kg

I wear maxi dresses-have done for years-it´s a not taken up dress for a taller person!

I recently found that skinny jeans look fine-as do leggings & tunics!

bunjies I have an empire dress with smocking around the waist & it takes kilos off me!

Makes me look as if I have a waist & skims my wobbly not perfectly toned tum!

bunjies, liking your style, those jeans & tops from Markies are lovely ! Think I have the same jeans but in boring old black.

Golly, there are a lot of us 'petite & voluptuous' girls out there !

SugarMousePink- am with you on Asda, their cut is fairly generous. Today am wearing an A line black & white printed skirt, really light cotton material, black sleeveless vest top and sandals and think I actually look pretty darn good ! Is quite a scary thought when the nice weather appears, don't want to flash too much flesh and put anyone off their picnic

Does anyone else use Bravissimo for bras ?

They are my new best friend, I truly LOVE them.

I'm 5'3" and struggling to get down from a size 16 to a 10-12 after putting on lots of weight while ill.

I have always had massive thighs and they are super chunky at the moment as I can't do enough exercise.

I have recently bought shoes and not much else.

I can't tolerate the sun so I have to cover up my top half. Summer dresses are a good thing but I have tastes way beyond my budget.

I saw this dress while foolishly clicking a link from the guardian yesterday www.nicolefarhi.com/product/d1aa3/SCRIBBLED+BALL+DRESS.htm.

Love Bravissimo. Get myself measured every time I go back to the UK.

ThingOne - that style of dress would not suit me at all. I've found recently I need to wear more fitted clothes otherwise I look 10 sizes bigger. Also, A line no good for me as I don't need to highlight my hips any more! But other than smart work type dresses I haven't found anything summery and fitted. Oh, and can't do halter necks either. Need a nice cap sleeve, thank you.

Hello ladies. Was just sitting feeling miserable about my height, weight and lack of style and came across this thread!! Hooray!

I think I'm not as voluptuous as some of you - I am pretty much a size 12 - but I am only just 5' and size 12 for 5' makes me look short and fat! I also don't have decent boobs to make me feel grateful for at least something!

I never have any idea what to wear or what I actually look like. I can go out thinking I look fine then see pictures of me after and think "eeeeeeek!!!!".

I just spent £10 on a Caryn Franklyn e-book on being petite and pear-shaped that is apparently meant to tell me what to wear and I don't think much of it. A nice waste of £10!

So how can I look decent on a budget?

Can never seem to get it right with clothes either . . am 5'3, big chested, size 18 on top and 14 on bottom . . always end up buying something that fits but not really what I want.

Hi feedmenow. I'm also a size 12 (just) but my huge gut makes me look much bigger. I used to be a 16/18. What a pain about the ebook. I hate it when that happens.

I think I'm hourglass shaped, mainly because I've got big boobs and hips with a defined waist.

Has anyone seen the articles about the Start shop in London where Brix Smith-Start matches you to the perfect pair of jeans? I've been thinking about going along next time I'm in London. She, herself, seems to be on the short, tubby side so it would be interesting if she could find something for me. Trouble is everything costs £££.

desire - what do you think you want to wear and what do you end up getting?

Bunjies - have neglected myself in clothes department (and many other areas(blush)) over the last few years and end up buying ill fitting jeans, flowy tops.

Oh this thread could be made for me I'm 5ft and size 14 (struggling unsuccessfully to get back into a 12 at the moment)

I find it hard to find stuff for my bottom half in summer.
Linen trousers make me look like a rectangle, I have mahoooosive calves so skirts aren't great either
Mind you the top half isn't great either what with the bingo wings a-billowing in the breeze. Roll on winter!
I do have a decent set of norks though.

I love bravissimo too.

Hi - I'm 5'4 and a stone and a half overweight with big boobs, a tummy, and thighs. Can't linger now but will be back to read the thread in full and hopefully contribute something useful.

Orange - I feel your pain when it comes to linen trousers. I have a pair from Boden that I had to turn up and I know I shouldn't wear them but when it's so hot I have a 'fuck it' moment and just bite the bullet. I think skirts would be ok, even with large calves, if worn with chunky heels. My problem in the past has been to wear flat sandals (birkenstock style) which do nothing for height or calf issues. So I am determined to get some wedges this year. Someone linked to these on another thread and I love the metallic colour.