Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

FASHION HELP !!!!

25 replies

LipstickMum · 21/09/2004 14:46

Ok, I think I am going through some sort of fashion crisis. Every morning I look in my wardrobe and HATE EVERYTHING in it, except my new Gap jeans which I am wearing every day .

When I was younger (in my twenties and single) I used to always know what to wear, what styles and colours I could wear (whether they were right or not!!), enjoyed shopping etc etc.

Now, in my early thirties, I seem to have lost that whole zest for fashion. I don't know what suits me, what colours are right for me, what I am comfortable wearing, what style or image I have, if any!! Every time I go shopping I get stressed and end up just going home, especially when I have dd.

I need to be Trinny and Susannah'd, or something.
To start with though, I would like to know what everyone else thinks is an absolute 'must have' in every woman's wardrobe i.e. a good pair of jeans, a plain black cardigan...?

I used to be teacher, now SAHM so I don't need any work clothes. When I shop I gravitate towards Gap, Jigsaw, Zara, Kew, Boden, M&S, that kind of thing, but it depends on the price. I think I like to look casual/smart/feminine.

Is everyone else happy with their 'look' and is it just me who's lost and confused??

Please give me some tips on what clothing items you can't live without

OP posts:
welshmum · 21/09/2004 14:54

Hello Lipstickmum, I've been going to Top Shop alot recently even though I suspect I should be past that stage by now....anyway who cares. If you just want to go and try on a few different things it's quite a good place to start.
My essentials are; boots, a couple of interesting skirts, a couple of plain skirts, ditto tops, and then I really like the more 'daft' stuff - a few bits of 2nd hand stuff that I've had for years but only occasionally pull out and a few bits of more edgy stuff - that I find in little shops. Sometimes I get it wrong, but I like to still try - it's fun.

Northerner · 21/09/2004 14:59

I'm not really happy with my look either, but that's only because I can't afford to buy as many clothes as I would like. I'm sick of shopping at New Look/Top Shop/Bay Trading etc.

PicadillyCircus · 21/09/2004 15:01

I'm confused about my clothes as well - have shrunk and changed clothes taste a bit since having DS - plus this time last year was in LARGE maternity clothes.

Plus have no money anymore and feel guilty about buying clothes.

So I'm not much help really

Chandra · 21/09/2004 15:04

I stoped buying clothes during pregnancy because I couldn't accept I was geting so fat, didn't buy anything in the last 2 years expecting I will lose some weight, now that I have lost some I almost get a panic attack in the stores, everything has changed so much that I can not even make my mind about what is nice and what is not , borrowed the Susanah and Trinny book from the library and it has been a good help and I have also started to pay attention to what other people is wearing specially to those person who have a style I like or a similar pear shaped body

It's becoming fun again, though I'm still very insecure...

Chandra · 21/09/2004 15:08

PS. But if I were to spend a lot of money in something I would get a very nice casual coat with some matching nice casual shoes, it has helped a lot during the last winter as if I'm out I'm normally wearing it, so as long as I'm wearing jeans (all the time) looks fine. Get a very nice haircut, that will put you in the right shopping mood

strawberry · 21/09/2004 15:14

You need a personal shopper! I recently went to Debenhams and it was fab. The shopper has loads of ideas and just kept bringing stuff to try on. She knew what colours went together and what would suit my body shape and colouring. I was there for 3 hours (plenty of drinks on tap to keep you going). My only warning would be to set a budget in advance as it would be easy to go mad. They even sort you out with the right underwear!

Original poster
LipstickMum · 21/09/2004 15:15

I think I need to stop panicking and slowly take my time to build up a wardrobe of basic items that I like. Then add more interesting stuff. I am a bad impulse buyer, that's what has got me into this mess, plus new baby, change of lifestyle...

OP posts:
Chandra · 21/09/2004 15:16

Strawberry, what is a reasonable budget fro Debenhams if you are almost starting from zero? I have been thinking about it for quite a while...

sweetheart · 21/09/2004 15:19

strawberry,

Do Debenhams charge for this service????

wobblyknicks · 21/09/2004 15:22

LipstickMum - I find that when I'm panicking about buying clothes I get bits and bobs that are never enough. Concentrate on getting one whole outfit at a time that fits with other stuff you've already got and then you'll end up with a good wardrobe.

Ie;

A nice pair of jeans, a vest top, a nice cardigan and a pair of trainers

Then a nice skirt and short sleeved top (that will work with the cardie) and a nice pair of heels

Then a really nice colourful shirt (that can be put with the jeans or the skirt), a pair of slightly smarter looking trousers (for evening and that can go with the heels too) and a pair of ankle boots, that can also go with the jeans)

Then you'll have a perfect capsule wardrobe built up where you can guarantee finding a nice outfit because you bought each outfit at a time, rather than loads of trousers and tops that you're not sure about putting together.

strawberry · 21/09/2004 15:25

Chandra - I went during the sales and specifically needed dress for wedding and one for a posh do.
I also got some stuff for wearing at home.
The shopper chose a variety of brands at different prices and also got money knocked-off for a missing belt. I spent £300 but a lot of that was on the 2 dresses. There is no pressure to spend loads or anything at all in fact. Go for it!

strawberry · 21/09/2004 15:26

Sweet heart - crossed posts. No Debs do not charge. Don't even have to buy anything if there's nothing you like. Although in practice I guess this is unlikely!

motherinferior · 21/09/2004 15:27

LipstickMum, you could be me. Except that I am 41. Want to go to Debenhams together?

lou33 · 21/09/2004 15:59

If you live inside the M25, Top Shop have Top Shop to go. You call them up, tell them what sort of stuff you want, they bring a load of clothes to your house for you to try. It's free. Would that be any good?

bonniej · 21/09/2004 16:04

I always end up in black trousers and black boots with a selection of tops. Really boring and would love a change of image as well. I think it would be good if someone else went and chose a whole new wardrobe for us because I know I always seem to go towards the same sorts of clothes in shops even though I go out intending to get something a bit different. My dh says I always look dressed for work and never casual enough (cheek). Maybe get a friend to go shopping with you Lipstickmum to give you some fresh ideas.

soapbox · 21/09/2004 16:04

Wobblyknicks - I need you or your clone to coming shopping with me. I'm very much lacking in confidence in the what goes with what thing!

wobblyknicks · 21/09/2004 16:12

soapbox - I'd LOVE to be a personal shopper, could choose loads of clothes but not have to buy a thing!! If you tell me what colours you like and your basic height/size I could go web shopping with you!!!

soapbox · 21/09/2004 16:14

Wobblyknicks - I still have 2 stone to lose (have lost 3 so far) so should be ready for the Jan sales. I will definately take up your offer as I am desperate to have a clothes splurge. I'm making do at the moment with clothes that are either too big or which I have saved from my pre-children days and are rather out of date

wobblyknicks · 21/09/2004 16:15

Oooh, would defo love doing that!! Love looking round clothes on the net and keep finding gorgeous stuff that I can't buy because I don't need it and haven't got enough cash to burn.

soapbox · 21/09/2004 16:17

Right we'll do that then - will also give me a good target to work towards!

Thanks

wobblyknicks · 21/09/2004 16:19

Am really excited now (you can tell I have no life!!) - come January I'll be on your back asking you if you've lost the weight!!

If you want to email me about it my addy is

wobblyknicks (at) tiscali.co.uk

Original poster
LipstickMum · 22/09/2004 08:11

Gosh, I'm glad it's not just me then! I like the idea of free personal shopper at Debenhams and no obligation to buy

Wobblyknicks you make a good point about buying whole outfits together if possible. I often just buy one or 2 items with a vague idea of what to wear them with. But as a result have a lot of stuff that I can throw together, but no outfits that are made for each other... Doesn't that making shopping a bit more expensive? Going out to buy a top, coming back with trousers cardi etc!! At this point though, I'm past caring!

Today I am wearing White Stuff slouchy pants, white, ribbed top from Marks, jade zip up cardi with hood from Jigsaw, casual slobbing at home, it's nearly Winter gear. Anyone else?

OP posts:
wobblyknicks · 22/09/2004 08:19

LipstickMum, sorry I didn't mean going out and buying a whole outfit at once (unless you want to) - I meant that if you say buy a top and don't have any trousers to go with it, next time you go clothes shopping you should deliberately look for trousers to go with it. Then next time shoes etc. And try and stop yourself buying anything else except something for that outfit (unless its something you're deeply in love with, something you urgently need etc). So then you won't be able to end up with a load of clothes that don't go together, because each piece of clothing you buy will have been bought to go with something you've already got iykwim.

Original poster
LipstickMum · 22/09/2004 09:25

Ahhhhhh! That would make more sense Wobblyknicks!

OP posts:
aloha · 22/09/2004 10:17

Personal shoppers are also at Selfridges, Harvey Nicks, John Lewis (surprisingly good), Top Shop, Dickins & Jones...all over really. Good just to give you a fresh perspective and introduce you to new shapes and colours that you might otherwise not think of. None of them charge and are really no pressure as they aren't on commission. You can also state your budget. I don't think there are any 'must have' items. What you need all depends on your size, shape, lifestyle and preferences.
I've never quite got over stopping working in an office and putting on two stone with ds. Now pg again, but did buy amazing DVF stretch silk maternity dress from Ebay and have never had so many compliments on one item.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page