Can you do the impossible? Look "classy / Expensive" when fat and broke.....

[MrTumblesbitch]

I know it has been done to death before, I have linked to other threads for people asking the same blumming question, but I am having an utter crisis of confidence and I need help.

Ds is at private school, I love it there but had a bit of a falling out with the queen bee mum and am really dreading going back to do the school run after Easter. I am a single parent, work, am broke / knackered etc where as predominantly the mums are SAH and don't have money worries.

So. Can you suggest me a few outfits that would make me be able to just feel like I am wearing armour for a while?

I have about £200 to throw at this (but that is everything I have!) and genuinely have very little clothes as a basis to start from. I don't even have a handbag (last one from tesco has just fallen apart!)

I am a size 14/16 with a mum tum and 34G boobs. Pale with blonde hair. I am 5ft 2. I will be fake tanning / eye lash extensioning and using my babyliss big hair so I will look slightly more groomed than usual.... I hope......

Please help me dread this less, I wish I had a magic wand some times!

[Mysterycat23]

Best cheat I was ever given is to look at the mannekins in shop windows and on the shop floor. See which ones you like and think will suit you. Pick out that exact outfit. Try it on. If you like it, buy it exactly as is, down to the shoes and belt etc. If you don't have similar at home already. If there's a hair style copy that too if it suits you.

Designers spend their entire careers creating looks, why waste your own time when you can just take their expertise for free!

[ninenicknames]

That is a great tip! I'm round and broke & generally shit at putting clothes together

[catscurledupbythefire]

Subbbing for ideas! I'm living in jogging bottoms, cardio and tops. I look AWFUL!

[Fairylea]

I am a similar size to you with similar sized boobs too. For me I ditched the skinny jeans as unless you are super skinny I find they can actually look very cheap. I like wide leg trousers or jeans, Asos and next have some. I think a boxy style t shirt in a neutral colour or stripe with a jersey blazer and superga type shoes always looks classy and nice (Kate Middleton was pictured wearing superga cream shoes the other day). Failing that a good nude ballet pump in a proper leather or tan feminine loafers go well. That's my go to outfit at the moment anyway! Sunglasses, good make up and clean styled hair always help too.

[starsinyourpies]

I would go for dresses, can be cheap, don't need lots of things for one outfit, look much more put together than jeans and too etc. I have a similar figure!

[Churchillian]

What do the other mums at school wear? How about a smart Mac/trench coat to go over your usual clothes - M & S have some nice ones between £35-45, a new handbag - Zara are good for reasonably priced ones and some new shoes. That's the basics covered. I always find a new coat is enough to make me feel smarter and the rest of my outfit feel new.

[Bluntness100]

I'd go in the other school mum uniform. Honestly if you get all dolled up you'll stand out like a sore thumb and you'll feel more uncomfortable in clothes you wouldn't normally wear. They will also know you have made a huge effort as they will know how you normally dress.

Jeans, decent jacket or fitted cardigan, loose top and some cool shoes and act like you just don't care..

[Churchillian]

I have this one in green - it's very flattering and I am a similar size to you - www.marksandspencer.com/buttonsafe-crease-resistant-belted-mac-with-stormwear/p/p22427670?image=SD_01_T49_3298_UL_X_EC_90&color=PEBBLE&prevPage=plp

Maybe some kind of blazer too for when it gets warmer?