my cheap clothes addiction is OVER! help me shop for a capsule wardrobe

[Heathcliffscathy]

I have always restricted myself to cheap clothes shops. H&M is my favourite.

I have cupboards and cupboards full of cheap clothes that have had very little wear.

When I have walked into a more expensive shop (rarely as I have felt intimidated) I always head straight for the sale rail and never even look at the full price thing.

(clearly there are issues here and i've been working hard on them!!!).

So enough already! I am done with buying loads of cheap stuff. I want to only buy beautiful clothes that I love that will last. I reckon I'll end up spending the same anyway!

I bought this DVF dress last week and it is beautiful. But I can't be going from H&M to DVF all the time!!!

I need to find out about midrange shops...jigsaw feels a bit old now, what else is there in that price range or a bit higher?

i like rock chic look. don't like the classic yummymummy look: boden and white stuff i don't like much at all. like boots/skinny jeans/batwing top. like dresses a lot (dressed down with boots). suit strong colours, acid orange is a favourite. love greys too.

I am size 10-12 (12 at the moment as am 17 wks postnatal). good bits are legs, shoulders, bum. very bad bit is belly!

will you help me buy a capsule wardrobe of really good quality stuff?

[brimfull]

love the VF dress sophable

[brimfull]

comptoirdessumat?

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

You paid £290 for THAT dress? It's hideous.

[Heathcliffscathy]

you're good ggirl as I do like comptoir stuff. that's the sort of bracket i'm looking for...where else???

[Heathcliffscathy]

the thing about taste is that everyone's is different.

I look fantastic in it. more so than in almost anything else I own. so to me it was worth it.

agree it is a lot of money.

comments like that will send me scurrying back to h&m!!!

[brimfull]

reiss?

[BelligerentGhoul]

Try Reiss or Whistles maybe. Glad the dress suits you and you're pleased with it. It must be better in the flesh!

Also try Westwood Anglomania for well cut classic jersey dresses that can be dressed up or down.

[Heathcliffscathy]

don't like reiss...nothing fits right (have v small back and v big norks: 30G which might explain it). thinking about it same goes for french connection.

whistles feels too sort of layeredy and dangly to me but will look.

[BelligerentGhoul]

Ah - I have a small back and big norks too (32E). I find it very difficult to find things that fit. Deffo try Westwood. Whistles stuff is made for tall flat people, I think.

[brimfull]

how about vintage stuff

[sandytoes79]

Fair play to you sophable, I think the dress is very individual and could look gorgeous on the right person. I'm sure that is you!

I have to admit that despite promising myself the same thing, I am still really finding it difficult to invest and do drift into cheapie shops on a regular basis. But have at least stopped myslef from buying anything there.

To help get you started how about a pair of skinnies from Levis (Curve ID?), JBrand or Nudie I hear are well cut.

Have you looked in Reiss? Maybe don't rule out slightly cheaper- Warehouse and Oasis have some great dresses this winter.

[Heathcliffscathy]

the small back big norks thing is a royal pita. closes LOADS of options off as have to wear a good bra. situation not aided by breastfeeding obv.

[sandytoes79]

OK, just seen your comment re. Reiss. How about checking out some of ASOS? Range of good stuff, often have ideas of 'look's which may get you going with finding things you like...

[duckyfuzz]

mint velvet?
jigsaw is worth a look I think
house of fraser has loads of decent brands

[TracyK]

What size would a Reiss Large be? A 14 by the looks of the size chart - but they have some nice stuff.

[Heathcliffscathy]

god does it look that awful online?

the colours are brighter irl. it's heavy silk so it hangs beautifully. it hides a multitude of sorrows but isn't voluminous at all.

maybe ggirl is the only one that's seen it in the flesh ;)

[Francagoestohollywood]

I love that DVF dress Sophable.

Have you checked sandro ?

[sandytoes79]

No, no I like it!! Sorry I didn't put that well, I think it looks great...I meant individual in a good way!

[Heathcliffscathy]

now if you like it franca, i KNOW it's good :o

how are you?

I liked the look of some of the mint velvet stuff, thanks for that...although would have to try to find out what the fit is like...

[Francagoestohollywood]

Zadig and Voltaire (I prefer Sandro though)?

Best skinnies I've ever tried on are Citizens of humanity, but it is difficult to justify 200 euros for a pair of jeans (they feel lovely though)

[Heathcliffscathy]

my other thing is that shopping properly is v difficult with a baby in tow!!!

[Heathcliffscathy]

I live in skinny jeans and leggings layered with long vest tops under shorter tops in boots iyswim.

no crotches in leggings showing!!!

[Francagoestohollywood]

I'm well thank you . ANd you and your recent acquisition? (not the dress, I mean the new gorgeous baby?)

[Heathcliffscathy]

i should make a list shouldn't i?

skinny jeans
some really comfortable shoeboots with a mid heel.


tops. i find tops so bloody difficult because of nork/belly issues. cannot do low cut unless layered with vest.

best at the moment is sweatshirt shaped over long vest

[Heathcliffscathy]

he is gorgeous. but i fear he has decided that he only likes feeding from me lying down!!!!

that is another thread, but how do you get a baby to decide that actually he likes bottles of expressed milk and feeding when you're sitting up when he seems to be dead set against (wasn't before!!).