my cheap clothes addiction is OVER! help me shop for a capsule wardrobe

[Heathcliffscathy]

I have always restricted myself to cheap clothes shops. H&M is my favourite.

I have cupboards and cupboards full of cheap clothes that have had very little wear.

When I have walked into a more expensive shop (rarely as I have felt intimidated) I always head straight for the sale rail and never even look at the full price thing.

(clearly there are issues here and i've been working hard on them!!!).

So enough already! I am done with buying loads of cheap stuff. I want to only buy beautiful clothes that I love that will last. I reckon I'll end up spending the same anyway!

I bought this DVF dress last week and it is beautiful. But I can't be going from H&M to DVF all the time!!!

I need to find out about midrange shops...jigsaw feels a bit old now, what else is there in that price range or a bit higher?

i like rock chic look. don't like the classic yummymummy look: boden and white stuff i don't like much at all. like boots/skinny jeans/batwing top. like dresses a lot (dressed down with boots). suit strong colours, acid orange is a favourite. love greys too.

I am size 10-12 (12 at the moment as am 17 wks postnatal). good bits are legs, shoulders, bum. very bad bit is belly!

will you help me buy a capsule wardrobe of really good quality stuff?

Small back, large norks?

Please say you are short of stature too...?

I'm a 36FF so not as slim as you, but it is v.difficult to get things to fit. It's empire lines and things cut with a 'cup' that really irritate me!

I would go to Uniqlo and get some of their V-neck jumpers and vests in different colours. Cheap but they last well...and mix up easily with mid-range bits.

hello soph :). how about anthropolgie, gorgeous quirky stuff.

M & S. Since having DD, I've turned into my mother, she loves the place. I get it now. Per Una range is great.

hi hox! :)

anthropologie a bit too floaty for me...bit like whistles...need to look harder though that's only on first glance

what i need is the equivalent of matches but in the low or under hundreds rather than thousands budget range!

what do you all think of this one by the way :)

i am short of stature, 5'4" and a half. the half is very important obv.

anthro nicer in the flesh & the shop is gorgeous, i'm sure ds2 would love it . and then you can trot up regent st to liberty. echo the viv westwood reccommendation, LOVE her stuff, i have ummm, 3 or 4 dresses. i think the the dvf you bought is gorgeous, not so sure about the 2nd one, think the neck's too high. how about urban outfitters?

Am wearing my Westwood tonight - god, I love it! Will almost certainly buy another one in January - have been saving up!

I deffo agree that one good thing ultimately works out more cost effective than several cheap things. I wore it alone in the summer with sandals and for summer/Autumn parties with a denim jacket, stockings and wedges. Tonight I wore it layered with a striped top under and cardi over plus tights and boots - so it's deffo 'trans-seasonal!'

Not fond of the new DVF one you've linked too because I don't think the high neck and pale colour would be nork-friendly.

i can tell you ladies that it is stunning on! mega mega flattering.

so where is the best place to view VW stuff?

liberty is quite good. net-a-porter online, or my wardrobe.

Liberty have excellent sales at the end of the season, which should be soon. Usually 50% and loads of VW.

i like the look of the fortune dresses...

what does the sizing come up like? big small or on size?

M and S limited collection and autograph are really good for stylish well made basics.I mix these with vintage abd good shoes and coats etc.

I like Autograph stuff a lot but sadly, most of the dresses and skirts are way too long for me.

I used to like Ltd Collection but think it's gone really downhill in the last two years or so. I do still like the Ltd basic scoop-neck t-shirts though and just wish they did them in a better range of colours.

oooh yes, fortune nice. sizing is generous imo, you're probably a small?