Following on from the Mumsy thread, can you help me?

[naturelover]

I read the thread with a feeling of despair.

I recognised myself many times over.

I'm only mid-thirties but have a preschooler and a baby and very little time and have let myself become frumpy.

I live in bootleg jeans (long enough though!) and safe knitwear or hoodies, trainers, long sleeved t-shirts, that kind of thing. Not particularly feminine.

My main problem is budget. I have about 20 quid a month to spend on clothes. And about 2 hours to myself a month to shop.

Post baby and still breastfeeding, dresses are out. I own the following that fit:
2 pairs bootleg jeans
3 hoodies
2 a-line skirts (I blame Trinny and Susannah for that)
1 pair boots
1 pair trainers
5 long sleeved t-shirts
5 cardigans
4 jumpers

I keep my hair nice with regular cuts and look after my skin too, but never wear make-up. I have more and more grey hairs but not enough money to maintain a colour or highlights. I am 5 foot 8, size 10.

I'd love to try a new silhouette - leggings, tunics, baggy knits - but don't know where to start because without being able to afford a whole new wardrobe those things wouldn't go with what I already have.

I desperately want to look stylish and chic, but how can I do it on this tiny budget? I'm a SAHM and money is going to be really tight for a few years yet.

I'd welcome any suggestions, thanks!

bump - as I could do with a bit of advice too !

What colour is your hair because if you're brunette I'd dye it at home - think people on here recommend clairol nice n'easy.

I'd say on that budget you want to scour charity shops and ebay and the sale rails of new look and h&m. Primark also good for cheap basics.

I think I'd perhaps buy a knitted dress the first month - I have this in plum and will wear with a skinny belt and its only slightly over your budget.

Also I'd add some accessories - a statement necklace (cheap as chips in h&m, primark etc) and a nice scarf - I love a bit of leopard print - again h&m or Dorothy Perkins worth a look.

Sainsburys and Asda and Tesco also have the odd good thing so worth keeping your eyes peeled.

Oh and you're tall and slim which is an amazing advantage in the style stakes

Take a look at the skinnies in primark too - bet they'd look fab on you.

Sorry just realised you're still bf so dresses are out for the moment. In that case definitely look at skinnies and perhaps a denim mini skirt to wear with opaques and biker boots??

I second what Tracey says re ebay.
Check out websites such as Kew,Boden,Marks and Spencer,Phase Eight etc and look on ebay.

Primark ok for long sleeved tees/camis,also cheap knits.
Peacocks have some chunkier knits too,plus cheap scarves and jewellery.

You could buy a pair of leggings in Next/Marks etc,long sleeved tee in Primark,chunky knit in Asda/Peacocks,add a scarf and bracelet.

Def dye your hair at home.
Grnier Herbashine is great,lasts 6 weeks or so,I used light brown colour in brunette hair and it is lovely glossy rich shade.

Oh,and a bit of mascara and lipgloss at least for day!

OP - I know what you mean about the jeans, I'm sure mine used to be the right length, yet now they all seem to skim my ankles.

I am a similar shape and breastfeeding, last year I bought skinnies in Dorothy Perkins on one of their 2 pairs of jeans for £25 (something like that anyway) offers and some jumper dresses in H&M for £15 each. I'm still wearing them this year.
I'm pretty sure I don't look mumsy.

You could pick up some tinted moisturiser from Rimmel or Barbara Daly at Tesco, and put on a bit in the morning. Then add a wee bit of colour to your cheeks with a creamy blusher. Finish with a dab of lip gloss (again Barbara Daly at Tesco do a good one). Total time taken - 3 minutes.

(Or mix a dab of moisturiser with a dab of foundation)

It's not about plastering yourself with slap - just feeling a bit more polished.

Forgot to add - you can perk up an ordinary jacket or top by pinning one of those bright silk/polyster flowers at Accessorise onto the lapel.

I also took Gok's advice and tied a silk scarf onto my handbag. Accessories are a good way of introducing colour into your wardrobe.

There are some great ideas here, thanks.

Will definitely check out home hair dye (with a friend's help, I'm not very brave!)

I just need to bite the bullet and dig out my boots and see if they are vaguely wearable with leggings or skinny jeans (they are at least 5 years old and may look very dated). If they are not then I'm pretty screwed as I definitely can't afford new boots.

[naturelover] you could get your old boots reheeled and polished. Unless they're white fringed cowboy boots (in which case you ARE screwed)

It's more a question of if skinny jeans would fit inside the legs of the boots - as they were bought with tights/skirts in mind.

boots

leggings
cardigan
another one
necklace

good start?