Help to get out of style rut!

HELM

Hi,
As the title suggests I am stuck in a style rut and would appreciate some advice.
I haven't bought work clothes in ages as not feeling overly confident about my body (have gained about 1/2 stone recently and while am still size 12, am only 5ft 2" so it looks more like I have gained a stone. The extra weight is around my waist so I feel that I look like a telly tubby these days and it's getting me down )
I know that in the long term I have to shift the weight but in the meantime, I have to buy clothes, particularly for work and the dreaded upcoming nights out over Christmas.
Work dress code is business casual so I don't need suits or anything. I bought 2 pair of smart trousers yesterday but have no idea what tops to wear with them - all the tops I saw were either t-shirts or big chunky cardigans -the first too cold, the latter too heavy to wear to and from work with winter coat!
Ideally I would like to wear something other than trousers to work everyday so was looking for a casual dress or skirt that I could wear with boots but couldn't see anything and everything I tried on made me want to cry.
I don't think leggings or skinny jeans do anything for me but this is all I can see in the shops.
Feeling quite down about all of this at the moment but not so bad that I need to post in PI! Am in denial about party wear so we won't even go there!
Has anyone ever used the personal sylist/shopper service that some stores such as Topshop offer? I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions as to how I get myself from now to the new year as unfortunately I can't wear my tracksuit bottoms everytime I leave the house :rolleyes:

http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Trousers-&-Leggings/check-trousers/293523

http://www.oasis-stores.com/Welt-Pocket-Trouser/All-Trousers/oasis/fcp-product/3470049114

Thank you!

insert-gear

If your worried about your tummy best thing to do is invest in a good waist belt. If your hourglass or pear shaped, try make it 2 inches thick. That gives the impression of a waist, without it looking like youre overflowing above and below.

Gimme a quick sec and Ill check out some dresses you could synch at the waist and wear with black tights for work.

If youre 5'2 try wear boots that end a bit below the knee but above mid calf as this makes your legs look longer than knee high or ankle, and any added height will make you look thinner

With regards the trousers, try go for v neck tops as it draws the eye down and also makes you look thinner

Blouse for work:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Smart-Tops/plain-drop-bow-blouse/13368

Dresses:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Dresses/cutwork-lace-dress/13129
http://www.asos.com/Vero-Moda/Vero-Moda-Stretch-Jersey-Fitted-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=773996&cid=8799&Rf-100=Dresses%20-%20Day,Dresses+-+Day&Rf-800=-1,48.686&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Black

Belt:
http://www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20551&storeId=12557&categoryId=181487&parent_category_rn=157465&productId=1450342&langId=-1

Not the best of examples, but Im on a bus so the internet is crap!

sunnyside

Dresses are brilliant for people who aren't confident with clothes. Much easier than matching up tops and bottoms.

nicola09

I know this isn't really answering the clothes question, but I'd say invest in some good body-shaping underwear, like spanx! Makes you feel so much better in all your clothes and gok wan swears by it! The stuff in dunnes is worth a look to try it out!

carolinespring

insert-gear wrote: »

If your worried about your tummy best thing to do is invest in a good waist belt. If your hourglass or pear shaped, try make it 2 inches thick. That gives the impression of a waist, without it looking like youre overflowing above and below.

Gimme a quick sec and Ill check out some dresses you could synch at the waist and wear with black tights for work.

If youre 5'2 try wear boots that end a bit below the knee but above mid calf as this makes your legs look longer than knee high or ankle, and any added height will make you look thinner

With regards the trousers, try go for v neck tops as it draws the eye down and also makes you look thinner

Blouse for work:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Smart-Tops/plain-drop-bow-blouse/13368

Dresses:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Dresses/cutwork-lace-dress/13129
http://www.asos.com/Vero-Moda/Vero-Moda-Stretch-Jersey-Fitted-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=773996&cid=8799&Rf-100=Dresses%20-%20Day,Dresses+-+Day&Rf-800=-1,48.686&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Black

Belt:
http://www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20551&storeId=12557&categoryId=181487&parent_category_rn=157465&productId=1450342&langId=-1

Not the best of examples, but Im on a bus so the internet is crap!

You can help me shop anytime. Love the dresses. What wold you suggest for a size 20 5"9" mid 30's woman with a belly

HELM

insert-gear wrote: »

If your worried about your tummy best thing to do is invest in a good waist belt. If your hourglass or pear shaped, try make it 2 inches thick. That gives the impression of a waist, without it looking like youre overflowing above and below.

Gimme a quick sec and Ill check out some dresses you could synch at the waist and wear with black tights for work.

If youre 5'2 try wear boots that end a bit below the knee but above mid calf as this makes your legs look longer than knee high or ankle, and any added height will make you look thinner

With regards the trousers, try go for v neck tops as it draws the eye down and also makes you look thinner

Blouse for work:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Smart-Tops/plain-drop-bow-blouse/13368

Dresses:
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Dresses/cutwork-lace-dress/13129
http://www.asos.com/Vero-Moda/Vero-Moda-Stretch-Jersey-Fitted-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=773996&cid=8799&Rf-100=Dresses%20-%20Day,Dresses+-+Day&Rf-800=-1,48.686&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Black

Belt:
http://www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20551&storeId=12557&categoryId=181487&parent_category_rn=157465&productId=1450342&langId=-1

Not the best of examples, but Im on a bus so the internet is crap!

Thanks a mill for all the advice, really appreciate all the links. Love the lace dress for work along with black tights and the belt idea as I always thought wearing a belt would create overspill