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A new me - help please

(50 Posts)
kittylester Mon 04-Mar-19 14:39:34

Every spring (ish) I get really fed up with me!!

I recently had my hair cut and had brighter highlights put in and I love it.

Now, I'd like to change from my standard uniform of layered tops and trousers or jeans. I did try wearing leggings and tunics a while ago but though I looked awful. I am, however prepared to try them again. I do not ever want to go back to dresses and tights!

Can I get advice please, on where to buy good quality leggings in a variety of colours, nice tunics and maybe trendy wollies.

I'm a size 20!!

Thank you!!

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 04-Mar-19 14:45:41

How about going halfway with jeggings, kitty? I get mine from Damart which fit nicely and come in different lengths. I'm in M&S bra and pants, Damart vest, jeggings and cardigan, Tesco socks and jumper. All in tasteful shades of beige and cream. A style icon or what?!

lemongrove Mon 04-Mar-19 14:50:34

How can that possibly be? You are a willowy size 12 in my head kitty smile
Only wear leggings that are thick and good quality otherwise they look bloomin’ awful, and not in warm weather (thrush! Not the birdgrin)
Nothing wrong with layered tops/tunics with jeans or trousers IMHO.
Maybe change the colours you wear? I find that I naturally gravitate towards blue, but a few weeks ago bought a Principles bright fuschia pink jumper, and it really suits me.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 04-Mar-19 15:00:41

kitty have you tried "jeggings"? Most shops have them, M & S, Next and Wallis.

They have a bit more control and tend not to bag around the knees.

Good luck with the new you ?

Teetime Mon 04-Mar-19 16:18:13

I beg to differ OP you are lovely!!! If you do fancy some changes how about going shopping with a good friend- Me!!!!

PECS Mon 04-Mar-19 16:26:55

Don't rule out dresses! www.yoursclothing.co.uk/Plus-Size-Dresses-Jersey-Dresses

PECS Mon 04-Mar-19 16:28:19

OOps! the drape pocket dresses are good..

Lily65 Mon 04-Mar-19 16:30:09

Marks and Spencer do some Jersey tapered leg trousers in navy and black. They would perhaps be a good start, then a top and a shortish jacket?

Tilletts have some weird and wonderful offerings and you can always enjoy the fb items!

kittylester Mon 04-Mar-19 16:49:42

Teetime, thats a kind offer but that would involve trying things on, in a SHOP! shock

Telly Mon 04-Mar-19 16:53:56

Years ago I was wandering around the shops finding it difficult to find something to wear. I noticed a lady on the escalator who had what I considered to be a 'good' look and I have had a variation of it ever since. So next time you are out and about see what looks appeal and aim for that. Masai have a good range of longer length tops, cut to flatter any shape. They are expensive but you will get your wear from them. I like straight leg trousers, much more flattering than wider cuts, in my opinion of course. Lands End have a variety of lengths and cut and I ususally but several pairs per year from them. (The lady on the escalator was wearing a white t shirt, pale blue denim shirt and navy trousers!). My current denim shirt is from the White Company and it has been on the go for at least years.

Telly Mon 04-Mar-19 16:54:47

three years, I really should read before I post.....

Teetime Mon 04-Mar-19 17:01:07

Yes... could be fun

J52 Mon 04-Mar-19 17:01:37

kitty from my memory at the meet up, you wear your clothes well.
White Stuff and Adini have lovely tunics and tunic style blouses. Your hair sounds a good look.

Jalima1108 Mon 04-Mar-19 17:09:14

I'd like to throw everything out of my wardrobe apart from a couple of pairs of trousers and a couple of tops
and start again
But I just don't know where to start shopping.

GabriellaG54 Wed 13-Mar-19 09:25:09

I buy lots of stuff at Primark along with H&M. That way I don't need to 'get my wear' out of them because of cost. Last week I bought culottes in the same tan/cream pattern as my palm leaf jump suit /£8, three stretch camis with adjustable straps in 2×red/white stripe 1× green/white, @ £1.80 each, a creamy yellow sweatshirt with white logo £5, a knee length white curved-hem short sleeved, cotton t-shirt £6 to wear over the khaki leggings £2.80.
I must have 8 pairs of their leggings in black, blue marl, navy and khaki and some are 4 years old, worn daily. Wash and dry overnight.
None have gone out of shape and no clothes have fallen apart. Oh yes...I also bought a pale-grey fluffy cushion £3 as a head rest when sitting up in bed.
When I'm done they are laundered and given to a women's refuge.

GabriellaG54 Wed 13-Mar-19 09:25:46

Primark do sizes from 6 to 22.

MiniMoon Wed 13-Mar-19 10:38:10

I wear jeggings with tunics or long length sweaters in the colder months. In summer, I wear jeggings or leggings with longish floaty blouses, and a cardigan if it's cool. I haven't worn a dress for years.?
All winter, I've looked for a maxi skirt to wear with my boots, all to no avail. All I could find were jersey skirts, and I'm afraid they would show up my 14/16 size lumps and bumps.
I shop for tunics in White Stuff, and a shop in Gretna Gateway, the name of which escapes me at present. My jeggings come from Sainsbury's.

dragonfly46 Wed 13-Mar-19 10:38:49

Don't buy leggings/jeggings from M&S they are poor quality and wrinkle easily. I like Mint Velvet clothes - they sell them in JL.

glammanana Wed 13-Mar-19 10:51:40

kitty Do have a browse in Next I have bought 2 x pairs of their jeggings for this year they are a soft denim in black and mid blue they are not skinny jeans but the fit is perfect,I bought the regular length but they also come in cropped length.Their new collection of blouses and tops in longer lengths are very nice this year and well worth looking at,all the stuff I have bought at Next keeps well when washed and I have t-shirts from them which are years old still looking good.

Panache Wed 13-Mar-19 14:44:06

Kitty one of the better ways around discovering and trying on new styles is to watch a programme such as QVC for some time.
Apart from the enjoyment of watching you pick up many tips along the way,all very helpful I have found.
Keep an eye on the models, especially those more your age and build,see what they wear well, and pick up favourite looks,then on sending for them you have a full month to test and try,even wearing garments out and about etc............yet you will have a full refund on anything you return that does not meet your expectations.
They have some "looks" that are for the cheaper purse, whilst there are some very upmarket styles with some top notch stylists.
Once you have chosen what look you like you can then mix and match,pay more for those pieces you will wear a lot,topped with cheaper or more expensive garments...........your own special look.
Good luck.

KatyK Wed 13-Mar-19 17:43:36

I agree with Panache re QVC. Ruth Langsford has a range on QVC and the clothes are lovely.

Maggiemaybe Wed 13-Mar-19 18:08:07

I don't agree that M & S jeggings are poor quality. I've had some that I've worn regularly for 3 or 4 years that are still going strong and haven't lost their colour or shape. What I do object to is the constant changing of M & S sizes, lengths, etc, so I spend ages finding new ones.

Shirleyw Fri 15-Mar-19 06:28:30

M&S leggings, jeggings are perfectly fine quality but like you say maggiemaybe the lengths have changed I'm sure...I always used to buy standard length but now I buy long, I don't like halfmast length ??
They have a new line of jeans now don't they? Was looking at them the other day, I prefer the highwaist these days in jeans....tucks in muffin top ?

dragonfly46 Fri 15-Mar-19 08:25:48

Maggiemaybe and Shirley I must have wrinkly legs then grin

gillybob Fri 15-Mar-19 08:32:15

www.whitestuff.com/womens/tunics-and-kaftans/

Have you tried White Stuff for tunic tops Kittylester ? I know they say they only go up to size 18 but most of their sizing is quite generous and many of the styles are quite loose fitting. There are always discount codes knocking around if anything takes your fancy.