Need style inspiration please

[cantmakecarrotcake]

I'm a 5ft 4inch, pear-shaped (12-14 top, 14-16 bottom) mum of 2 (4y and 4mo). Having spent the last 4 years doing grab and run clothes shopping either with children in tow or in my lunch hour at work and in the last year having only bought maternity clothes my wardrobe is looking pretty tired and uninspired (White Stuff/Fat Face/Next/Wallis mostly).

I have a clear idea of my style when it comes to home decor etc (mid-century scandi-ish with a bit of home/handmade thrown in) but when it comes to clothing I don't really have a style.

What I was hoping you could help me with please is finding someone in the media I could copy, some magazines or websites with something other than catwalk skinny looks, shops to try, looks that might work etc

My wardrobe needs to be mostly casual for chasing kids and pounding the streets with a buggy. When I go back to work we have no dress code although I do like skirts and dresses I have little need for smart/formal.

TIA :-)

[cantmakecarrotcake]

A bit more info so as not to drip-feed:

• I'm 40 - is this why I'm having a wardrobe crisis?
• I don't suit collars or scarves - low/wide necklines seem to flatter me more
• I'm breastfeeding so need clothes (for now) with access - dresses are out for a while as I don't like popping out the top.

[cantmakecarrotcake]

Bump

[Starface]

Hi carrot. Can see you've not had many responses. Can't be loads of help myself, I'm younger and not particularly stylish myself. There was a similar thread over the weekend. They linked to a blog and had various suggestions. Why not search for that, it will be more helpful than me!

[winterwalks]

As none of this comes naturally to me I booked a house of colour colour analysis and then style day. I soo needed both. It has really helped me. People have said how much better I look and I feel comfortable in my assessed style.
It wasn't cheap but I buy much much less and following my style can go into charity shops and find want I want quickly. Also I buy a few more bits of mor expensive the stylist recommended.

[cantmakecarrotcake]

Thanks, both. I'll take a look

[QueenCardigan]

carrot I think you need to narrow it down a bit more before we can suggest things. Who's style do you admire? Is there anyone irl you admire?Do you prefers trousers/jeans or dresses/skirts?

Pinterest is a good place to look at images or have a look at some blogs. Try looking at wearing it today, does my bum look 40 and Susie so so blogs. Even if you hate them it'll give you idea of what you don't want to look like.

I'm 41 and fairly casual. I get jeans from gap and tops/blouses from a variety of places-white stuff, fatface, zara, mango, uniqlo, banana republic etc.

[cantmakecarrotcake]

I'm struggling a bit with the 'who do I admire' questions. Although I wouldn't wear what she does I like that Kirsty Allsopp has a very defined style. I quite like vintage (or modern-retro) but don't have the time or confidence for selecting actual vintage.

I have jeans days (when at kid activities that require sitting on the floor) and love to wear casual dresses and skirts on other days. Trousers not so much other than my summer staple of white linen trousers (are these universally hated on here?).

I'll have a look at those sites, thanks.