Clothes recommendations please

[SallyRhodes]

I've just moved to England and I need my new autumn wardrobe. I'm a 45 year old mum with three boys- I don't want to look frumpy but it has got to be practical. Thanks for your help. Sally

[lilysmummy2007]

try dorothy prekins, next, marks and spencers or bhs. all good quality, not to pricey and stylish yet practical

[overthemill]

are you from a hot country or one with similar climate?

you'll need great jeans, great jacket - try debenhams/selfridges for designer, gap otherwsie or banana republic are good too
boots
jumpers/nice feelces/cardigans

wellies!!!get 2 pairs of stlish ones
raincoat - really practical one

[lilysmummy2007]

ooh yes, forgot debenhams, and banana republic have some great stuff!

[MrsBadger]

Principals also.

I would not recommend BHS, and go carefully in M&S - avoid anything that says 'classic collection' as this means '60+'.
If you have more budget than this try East, Hobbs and Monsoon; or Jigsaw if you are a bit edgier.
Department stores like Debenhams or John Lewis are good as they have lots of brands in one place.

If you are living in town you may not need wellies and certainly not two pairs - decent leather boots will be fine if you keep them polished. Long socks under jeans (I wear black school socks, v cheap) make a tremendous difference.
You will need a proper coat (wool or wool-mix is best as it can deal with light rain) and a waterproof, also gloves and a warm flattering hat so you don't end up wearing the first awful knitted one that comes to hand when it suddenly gets cold.

(NB I do not know where you have moved from but UK 'cold' means no lower than -10C so don't go mad with pricey performance mountain-type gear)

[overthemill]

ooh mrsbadger, you obv don't live with much mud! we need 2 pairs here all year round

agree that you rarely need flash performance wear - love it on the one day of snow when all the usually trendy mums turn up in s**t clothes to keep warm!

have fun shopping - lots of people use boden online on here but its gone downhill

[MrsBadger]

well no I live in a town

we have pavements and tarmac roads and everything

dead posh me

[overthemill]

you are so lucky! I have to go to station in my trainers with my work clothes on and change shoes on the train!!!

[bozza]

I would have thought living in the vast majority of homes in the UK one pair of wellies would be plenty. I would concentrate on a good coat and a good pair of knee boots as a starting point and take it from there. It obviously depends what you already have.

[overthemill]

oh well, 1 pair wellies then but still stylish ones i covet the leather hunter boots taht billie piper has hmm