Need a boost. Anyone help me find an outfit?

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

My MH is pretty rubbish at the mo. I haven't bought any clothes for a while so feel I can afford to buy a couple of new things. I could really use someone taking me shopping and insisting I try stuff but I don't know of anyone I can ask and have school holiday DC problems!
So, I'm medium height. Big legs, flabby tummy, medium sized bum and smallish waist.
I tend to wear the 'Autumn' colours so no black but brown, navy, green etc. I have long dark brown hair.
I'd love a smart casual sort of outfit I can wear out to the pub for dinner with DH, but dress up / down for a range of occasions.
What do people wear these days? I feel like I have no clue what I need to look for :(

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Anyone? What do people wear for an evening out at the pub these days?

[libertydoddle]

What about a midi length shirt dress with flared or A-line skirt? Get in a plain colour and you can dress down for daytime with flat shoes like ballet flats or converse style trainers. then get heeled sandals for evenings. Some belts that work with it to draw attention to your small waist, leather or canvas for day, something metallic for evening. Search on somewhere like House of Fraser or John Lewis website as they have lots of brands.

Hope you feel better soon.

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Thank you. I'll give it a try. II've only once tried one on and it looked terrible, but hard to know if it was just that one!

[burnishedsilver]

I can't help, I have no idea about autumn colours but I think a personal shopper in a big department store might do the trick.

[BagelGoesWalking]

A few people I know on FB have recently tried personal shoppers in Debenhams and have been very happy with the results.

Before you go shopping, I would look online at places like Zara, White Stuff, John Lewis and any other places you think might suit. Could you order stuff online to try on at home (esp. as your DCs are home at the moment). If you order from places which have branches near-ish to you, then you can always return for free. I hate all the palaver of crowds/heat/undressing/dressing/horrible lighting in shops so prefer to try on in the subdued lighting of my bedroom!

I also look on ebay. I don't buy much from there but I always seem to see things there which I don't find in the shops - which all seem to follow whatever the fashion trend is of the moment - like all the "cold shoulder" tops this summer. I only know that's what they're called because of my DD 16! Obviously you can't return anything if it doesn't turn out well, but you can always try and resell if you're willing to take the chance.

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

I get on well with eBay for work stuff, phase 8 dresses etc.
I might book in a personal shopper session. I had a very successful one at debenhams nearly 3 years ago and still wear some of the (work out!) items at least once a week!

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Despite a poorly DH and a wedding evening reception tonight, I've booked a personal shopper session at Debenhams. I think it's the same person I saw nearly 3 years ago who was fab and put me at ease (I hate stuff like this...)

[BagelGoesWalking]

Oh, that's great! I hope it goes well and you find loads of stuff.

I've been on ebay and bought 2 dresses (I never wear dresses or skirts, just jeans!). Only £6.50 including postage. Hoping they'll fit me and do for week's holiday in couple of weeks time (when it will actually be sunny). I'm also eyeing up a beach kimono and a couple of other dresses. I really don't know why I'm looking at dresses but there are some really nice ones and I don't mind keeping them just for hols.

Good Luck!

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

I had a great time. The sales on were amazing and I got 2 carrier bags stuffed full of clothes for £150! I was out tonight and wore a new outfit and felt great :)

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Trousers were just £8 and top £15! There's a new pair of shoes hiding under the trousers, too. The personal shopper took me to a make up counter and got them to do my make up, too, which was ace as I'm never brave enough to ask!

[Willsee]

Wow, that was quick action, well done! Lovely outfit! where are trousers from? I love wide legged trousers, they aren't easy to find. The little I can see of your hair looks swish too.
Hope dh and you feel better.

[Roystonv]

What a short, happy, successful thread!

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

The trousers are from Red Herring. A little long for a flat shoe wearer, but so comfortable. Made such a difference to my mood to feel like I didn't look my usual scruffy self!

[BagelGoesWalking]

Waaaay to go! 2 carrier bags full of stuff, that's amazing. Were you surprised at some of the things that the personal shopper chose for you, or would you have picked them on your own, do you think?

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

I was surprised at some things, and if I had to find the stuff I wouldn't have had the energy to find as many and try them on. I probably tried 40 items.

[everythingsgoingsouth]

you look fab:)
hope you post more of your new outfits as you wear them.
well done on the bargains too!

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Here are some tops. The top right was most expensive at a massive £15!

[rollonthesummer]

How did the session work-did she measure you? Walk around the shop with you?

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

They chat to you, ask you what size you think you are and what you're looking for, anything you like or dislike, then make you a cup of tea to drink while they gather armfuls of stuff! You can then comment on what you like / don't like, ask for different sizes etc and they dash about while you focus on trying on dozens of things :)

[2LittleMonkeysJumpingOnMyHead]

Willsee - here are the trousers
m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_046020645343_-1

[notagiraffe]

Those trousers are gorgeous OP. I'm going to see if they have any online.

[Willsee]

Thanks! What a bargain