I think the pants look great! They don't look too big to me. Perfect length. I think the sweater looks better buttoned all the way. It might be a tad too long. Can't you just scrunch it up a little higher. That should take care of that problem. Overall, I think you look lovely!

I actually like the sweater open with the red tank peeking up (great color on you!) and creating the V. Agree that it's a tad long. Have you tried it with a skinny belt? Might be worth a try.

Buttoned all the way at the bottom. I like it opened at the top as well. I didn't want you to think that I thought you should button it to your neck. Oh no, no, no. :)

I think it's too long. And my pants have a tendency to do the *exact* same thing, because my hips are proportionately slim compared to my waist, and I don't have much of a butt either.

I suspect they can be altered but it always seemed like too much of an alteration, because it would involve not just the side seams along the thigh, but also the rise. Usually I end up just living with baggy butt syndrome or going down a size, then covering up the muffin waist that develops because the waistband is then a tad too tight. :-(

Will be interested in Angie's advice....

... I just want to add that losing weight doesn't change a thing. *SOB*... I lost 20 lbs recently, dropping 3 or 4 sizes, but I'm still the exact same darn shape with the exact same darn fit issues!!!

I think that the pants are a tad too baggy. I like the swetater/top combo a lot! I like it both with few butons unbuttones at the bottom and also completely closed. I would also scrunch it a up a bit.

Sorry, I had misunderstood the question re: which buttons to leave open or close. I still would suggest leaving the bottom buttons unbuttoned; I think it's more interesting that way. I think all the way buttoned looks a bit too "nice" or "proper".

Your pants are the perfect length, Nicole! Love a boot cut style on you. Very flattering. They look superb from the front, but a tad baggy on the botty area. This could be altered. (Back to Mum you go).

I really like you in rose colours. Very nice against your complexion. The cardi is about 4 inches too long and I prefer it unbuttoned at the bottom. This accentuates your waistline. Really like the V that you created at the top. Nice!

The problem that Shiny encounters with going down a size and having to deal with “a tighter waist band and a bit of muffin top” is VERY common. 70% of my clients deal with the same thing. Wearing wovens instead of knits is the easiest solution. So is a higher rise, layering, and finding tops that float away from the tummy area. The easiest solution is to wear a tailored woven jacket, but not everyone is into this, especially if it’s hot. Problem feet and those little extras around the middle are clothing challenges that are among the most common in women. But it can be solved!

Quite right, Shiny. Whether you gain or lose weight, your body type tends to stay the same.