So where DO we like shopping?

[DuchessOfAvon]

So Boden is a bit meh this autumn and Mint Velvet is all grey. This much have I garnered from S&B recently.

But I am a newly slimmed down size 14 (may not be impressive to the wise and avid bunch but hey - it a damn sight better than than the 26 that I once was!) and I have money to dispose of.

I need a whole new Autumn /Winter wardrobe having survived on charity shop finds for the last year. I am, however, intimidated by the High Street and haven't shopped clothes in years.

So where should I be looking?

Total budget spend £500 ish, size 14 bottom, size 12 top, will be 40 next year, LOVE shoes and accessories - SAHM mum so workplace glamour not required but casual gorgeousness is the goal.

No ideas though

LOVE the idea of casual gorgeousness.

No tips but will be watching this closely.

I've always thought White Stuff a bit meh, but I've just bought a few things in the sale and I think I'm converted. There's still lots to be had in their sale.

Gap? I think there are some really nice trousers in there at the moment.

(Is your name from GH? I have got MaryChalloner as one of my nicknames!).

Ooh BeattieBow - Playing Beattie Bow used to freak me out when I was v young!

M&S Autograph sometimes worth a look for muted and comfortable clothes that are neither too dressy nor all grey!

it was one of my favourite books Belligerentghoul!

Me too but it was still freaky! I liked Charlotte Sometimes even better though.

I would go John Lewis personal shopper. I have always found (OK on the one occasion I dropped a couple of dress sizes) that when losing weight I would always go for the things I went for when I was bigger so looked like a thin(ish) girl who still thought she was fat - OP if there was ever an occasion that calls for professional help, then losing 6 dress sizes is it.

Well done you and at the same time

i like Gap for trews/tees
kew are suprisingly good for work suits
( long legs) but am trying banana republic
marks for good cheap cashmere and the odd top ( ooh found a nice onin there looks shit online)
Zara for jacets
coats a BIG issue

new look for cheap stuff

Beattiebow - I am INDEED your Mil! Tiens!

Olivia - Casual gorgeousness can be universal - at least, it better be. I'm banking on it.

WAIR - No John Lewis nearby. What's that all about - I live in a realtively large city but nearest JL is a motorway hike over high hills. Gah!

AN - Coats ARE a big issue. I want something lovely as I shall be school-running like fury and will need to be weather-proof. I had an aged be-ootiful coat in a swirly pattern that strangers stopped me in the street to enquire about - from M&S of all places. It is gone now and I all I have is a baggy mac from Millets. Sigh. I am in need.

So - to summarise - GAP (where I tried on jeans last week and ended up weeping in the changing rooms - it will take NERVES to return), KEW, M&S, ZARA, JLP & NEW LOOK.

Not the revelations of on-line beauty that I was hoping for, people.

Oh - and thanks for the Big Ups re Weight Loss. Its been a hard year.

That's why the cash is burning a hole in my pocket. I want some new clothes - SOB.

I like zara and gap for everyday.Sometime marks limited collection has good bits.H and M for fashion-y things.Love kurt geiger shoes and sometimes all saints.TK maxx for coats and bags and vintage if I am feeling slim

I love Gap and Great Plains for basics, as for coats (and shoes) I think you should buy the best you can afford.
Can you budget up to £200 for a coat? I have one Nicole Farhi beautiful cream double breasted from about 6 years ago and a military black corduroy Calvin Klein which I got in a sale ten years ago and still going strong, looks v smart still! I love my coats, they are the only things that make winter bearable. I just need perfect boots now, sigh.
My tip for shoes is buy (eg ballet pumps or boots)from children's, but obviously this is dependant on your shoe size (am a 37). Boden kids ballet pumps/boots are surprisingly cute!

actually I second weepootle re Whitestuff - today I saw some pretty raspberry cardigans, perfect for a/w, reduced to £22.

Well done on the weight-loss.

Right - I'd start with a fab pair of jeans. I love these but they are £££. However they will look great and last for ages.

In terms of shops - I like whistles, comptoir des cotonniers, warehouse, new look, h&m, brora and keep an eye on the outnet and sign-up for their emails. They do have the odd bargain (says me stroking my temperley dress reduced from £585 to £1).

In terms of coats - I find I need more than one . So have a mac and a duvet coat - and I know they are derided on here but it was bloody freezing last winter. I then want to get a navy peacoat or princess style coat. I have a waterproof barbour rain hat as just don't really like hoods on coats.

A nice pair of boots and perhaps some easy knitted dresses.

Have fun - you've done so amazingly well.

ok you need nice jeans - I would suggest Not Your Daughters Jeans, they are amazing and make one feel willow thin.

a nice pair of everyday shoes pumps if you like flats - try mands or if you prefer heels go for a wedge shoe like these maybe

this is a great but expensive coat

hobbs also has some lovely coats

wallis does some great jewellery and accessories

and I couldn't live without these they make everything look so much better on!

White Company? Never bought from them actually, but I have seen things linked to their website on other threads and they were quite nice. Like this.

Also: if like me you spend a lot of time mooching in pyjamas at home, Hush has lovely ones and they do good sales and it's a nice online shopping experience, if you will.

I always recommend Brora sales to people. I am quite boring about it, but they do mark down really well if you wait long enough. I don't really buy clothes from them (don't buy clothes full stop at the moment as I am still on the post-natal weight loss epic journey), but I get a lot of scarves and whatnot, both winter and summer.

But then, I am a sucker for sales and never buy anything until sale time, at which point I go a bit nuts.

Jeez, tracey, a pound for a Temperley dress? How on earth?!

Try Ted Baker in John Lewis, I bought some lovely things from there this year.

I like to look at betty jackson and ben de lisi at debenhemas

she is showing off coz she got the Temperly dress in the Outnet sale

OP - i think you should shop slowly until you get comfortable with the new you. its easy to get carried away with things that fit you but don't necessarily suit you or reflect your personality

French connection have some good stuff sometimes too.

I think a potter around John Lewis is a good start -go without kids and ideally take a mate who will be honest and who will pick out things you wouldn't have touched. My best friend has a totally different style to mine, and she always spots things that I would have ignored.
That should kick things off, and give you some ideas. I like GAP, Ted baker, M&S, 7 for al mankind, Miss Selfridge, Top Shop, Hobbs, Phase Eight...I could just shop indefinitely