Could someone stylish and beautiful help me please?

[IBlameThePenguins]

Hi,

I've never posted in the style and beauty bit before, basically because I have no clue about these things ( and herein lies the problem!)

I am 25, and had my beautifull DD a year ago. Since I had her I have had NO CLUE how to dress. I have always been pear shaped, but I now have a mum-tum to contend with. I'm 5'4", and weigh 10st 11 lb (am losing weight, but verrry slowly, due to an underactive thyroid!)

Anyway, enough wittering, I think it's about time I accepted my new shape, get rid of the old wardrobe, and start from scratch, but I HAVE NO IDEA where to start. Could anyone advise me on a capsule type wardrobe? I'm fed up of always looking ridiculous, and would love to be one of those people who looks well put together.

I'm a professional so would need a few smartish, but am a bit skint so on a bit of a budget (Could possibly stretch to Boden!)

Thank You if you got to the end of this long, dull post. I'm at my whit's end...Any budding Gok Wans out ther??

TIA,

Penguins x

[IBlameThePenguins]

no one?

[PaulineCampbellJones]

Have you thought about trying personal shopping in somewhere like say Debenhams ( the larger ones have tonnes of outlets). Tell them your budget so you aren't forced to overspend.
Where did you used to shop?
Buy yourself a few magazines too so you can see what you like.

[IBlameThePenguins]

Oh Thank You for the advice! I'll try that.

I used to shop in DP, H&M, etc...but I have found that the cuts are not so good now I have a bit of bulk up front to worry about, so spend most of time still in my maternity tops Gah! It's hard work, this dressing lark!

[animula]

Don't get rid of your old clothes!

That's my most important piece of advice. Wait a bit. You may well lose weight, it happens. I lost masses after ds (though, sadly, not after dd!), though it came off after a year, by which time I had sent many of my pre-baby clothes into the world to seek their fortunes in various charity shops.

Also, part of what you may be feeling now may be the well-known "post-baby-loss-of -mojo", which is connected to this sudden sense of "who am I?" , "how are mother supposed to dress?". That's a weird thing, but it, too, passes. And you are only 25.

I'm (a lot) older than you, and would, rahter boringly, suggest that Gap is good for cheapish, acceptable, smart-ish work clothes.

After that, well, you have to re-connect with who you are, and how you like to dress, and then buy clothes, from all over the place, that match/express that. It's weird at first, but it does come back.

I'm a plump, middle-aged person, and basically try on lots of clothes, whenever I get a chance (which is, as I'm sure you know) not that often, and buy things (anything) that looks vaguely flattering. so I suppose I would suggest trying to go on a window-shopping trip, some time when your child will snooze through the experience. Don't buy, just try, and get an idea of what looks nice.

And someone on here once passed on the tip: wear make-up, so that you don't look utterly sleep-deprived in the fitting-room mirrors. Always takes the shine of the loveliest outfit when you look at your face and think "Blimey! I need rest. What am I doing here?"

And congratulations on your dd.

[HalfTermHero]

I agree that magazines are the way to go. You are lucky that this autumn/ winter is largely about minimalist classic items. So good, timeless investment pieces that will not be shunned come this time next year. Minimalist also translates to wearable. Not everyone can carry off extremes of cut or style.

So look in mags ( try Vogue for inspiration, then magazines like Grazia to see how the trends translate into more affordable high street pieces).

Good luck and happy shopping!

[TondelayoSchwarzkopf]

Go to the library and get all the Gok / Trinny & Susannah books out and read / read again so you know what colours suit you and what suits your body shape. There will be lots of stuff about looking at yourself naked, trying on all your wardrobe in full daylight in front of a full-length mirror and holding up clothes in different colours against your skin to see what makes you look fab or not so fab.

If the books aren't in your library they will be in the charity shops. I think it's best you know basics like colour / shape before taking too much note of magazines whose job it is to sell you clothes you don't need . Although magazines are important as they will tell you what the cheap versions are and what's new. Be reasonably strict about following the rules of your colouring and shape but then you can bend them to what's in fashion.

Also go shopping with a fashiony friend (or at least one who knows a bit about clothes) and get them to choose an item or two. It will surprise you.

[MarineIguana]

I'd hesitate to say I'm stylish and beautiful but thought I'd read this anyway! One thing that's made a big difference for me is changing my jeans. I'm also pear shaped and pear-shaped plus post-baby tummy requires different jeans (or trousers) - higher-waisted, heavy fabric with some stretch, and as structured as possible around the bum/waist area. You need to feel "held together". Gap curvy jeans are great for this. I don't really do work trousers but try applying the same principles. Plus longish, skimming/floaty style tops and long-line cardigan works for me.

[BitOfFun]

[animula]

@ BoF.

I did make it clear that I didn't fall into that category!

I just remember very well the awful feeling of wardrobe amnesia I had post-baby. I guess I see myself as a kind of weirdly-dressed, catcher-in-the-rye for all similarly sleep-deprived, slightly confused, new mothers, wandering dazedly around the shopping-centres of this nation.

[PaulineCampbellJones]

People even get snipey in style and beauty now.
I lived in leggings and big Morrissey cardigans after DD was born last Christmas. Took me ages to get any confidence to buy 'normal' clothes again.

[IBlameThePenguins]

Thank You all so much for your advice! It's a weird old time. I feel like I don't fit into the "new-Mum" catogory any more, so can't really excuse the maternity tops!

I feel like a year post baby I should be back to my pre-baby self, but like you say animula, I'm not really sure who that is anymore!

Thanks for the tips everyone, I will definately be hitting the library, and then GAP (fully made-up of course!)

[IBlameThePenguins]

the title was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek ...but I can guarantee that you will all be more stylish and beuatiful than I am right now!!

[ebojones]

The secret of a good capsule wardrobe is that less is more. Focus on classic items that you can mix and match rather than fashion items that will date. You can update classic items with fashionable accessories.
Every wardrobe (in my opinion ) needs the following:
Flattering pair of dark denim jeans
pair of smart trousers in a flattering cut for you
Knee length A line skirt that can be dressed up or down
white shirt
blazer
cashmere cardigan in a neutral colour
jersey dress
trench coat
knee boots
decent leather bag

Have a look at Next, Boden, Kew, Gap... for ideas

[jumpyjan]

check out this website

I am also a clueless person but just had the best shop ever thanks to this website. I had a look at what colours suited me (why have I never considered this before!) - stuck to 2/3 of the more neutral shades it came up with and only bought in that colour.

Also looked at the warderobe essential part of the website which was very helpful. I bought:

Longline cream cardigan
Neutral V neck jumper
Neutral knitted cardigan
2 v neck tees - neutral/autumn shades
A line Denim skirt
Neutral knitted dress
Smarter jersey dress
Cream/grey work shirt
Skinny rib roll neck top
Statement scarf

I put above with existing 2 pairs of jeans and black trousers that I had left after I gok waned my warderobe and I now have loads of outfit options.

My advice would be to write a really specific list before you go including colours/cut etc and stick to the list - oh and also don't buy anything trendy/fady - go classic.

Good luck.

[IBlameThePenguins]

Thank you so much ebo, that sort of thing is exactly what I need! DP is away, so I've had the lap top to myself, and have spent the evening doing lots of research!...Mission image overhaul is underway!

[IBlameThePenguins]

I typed so slowly that I x-posted with you jumpy. Thank You so much. What a fab website! I am comiling my list as we type!

[mw27pink]

You should try www.cmb.co.uk/directory_results.asp So your next birthday money you can visit one of their consultants and have fun on descovering clothes and make up. Or if you want to do it cheeply you can buy "color me confident ( or beautiful!!- cant remember!) on amazon. Either way have fun!!