Happy Birthday Wise & Avid Girls!

[blossoming]

New Thread

Hello lovely wise and avid ladies,
I am very new to mumsnet and have been too scared to even read the HUGE w&a threads until this new (more managable) one opened and I am hooked!

I am so impressed with all the style and advice you ladies collectively have and I am hoping I can join you a little if that's ok? I am not nearly as stylish as you but I am very interested in learning!

I am a sahm, 40yrs old and size 12, 5ft 9". I am in the process of revamping my wardrobe (coming to terms with the fact that I no longer need or wear all the lovely more formalish work clothes I seem to gravitate towards) and I have just done a huge clear out. I also bought a few things during the christmas sales which I am very pleased with, including a lovely black wool dress from Jesire and a black silk dress with blue feather print on it from Phase8, and the embellished knit dress froom boden, so I am fine for nice going out clothes for the moment (now need to sort out a social life next!)

Day to day I tend to wear a lot of nice tunic style dresses layered with long sleeved tops, skinny jeans and knee high boots. But I need to think about the spring - what trousers do you all recommend for spring/summer? I am contmeplating the boden gold galdiators too, but I can't wear totally flat shoes/sandals for long as I have a pelvic muscle issue from having dd...any other shoes suitable for summer trousers? Oh, I can't wear heels during the day either!

I am LUSTING after belstaff boots but really can't afford them this year. I am determined to have some next winter. But I have just one question please as I don't know anyone in real life who has them, are they very narrow legged? Despite being a tall, size 10/12 I find some boots tight in the calf (seem to have inhertited my mothers calves - thanks mum!) or are some models a wider fit than others?

Thanks ladies - I may not have as much to contribute but look forward to the chats!

Welcome milli!

You are tall and slim so no need to hide under tunic tops I think . If you are not sure about tops that are too fitted why don't you try some ruched tops? The dresses you got sound lovely. Also well done on wardrobe declutter. Couldn't you just ebay some stuff? Have heard that Boden things sell well and you could raise some funds for Belstaffs? I have a pair too and find the fit for the calves good but you'll have to try really. As for shoes that are neither flat nor heels, I'll hope someone else can help out as I live in ballerinas from spring till autumn.

Hello everyone. Am blissfully alone for hours as the boys have all gone to the car show. They were astonished that I declined to accompany . I love the Davina dress, and am breaking my no shopping fast to buy it. Def in red. Would love the suggested hand bag too in fact.

We didn't go away for the weekend due to a few things, but mostly because will prob visit friends in Paris next week, and also need to go to Rome shortly, so too busy.

vin, did you send me a whole load of stuff? Thanks! Love the black top and the obi belt. Haven't had the chance to try the rest. Are you interested in an Iro light grey sleeveless sweater dress? It's an S but quite voluminous. Good over leggings and roll neck with heeled shoe boots or the like for casual things. I've worn a couple of times but have to confess that the colour doesn't suit me at all (should have checked with bloss)

Likewise a v nice quality Wolford pink roll neck also free to any takers. It's a sort of dusky pink and for some reason def not my colour. Could be a handy garment. Anything bigger than a B cup def won't fit in it.

Now, to go to the MOAMU, I have to make an articulated plan. Eg get tickets for matinee of something for all the family in afternoon of 19th, then dh can take boys home, I can stay out, and he won't feel short changed. There's no way I can jet off to London to go to a party with some people I don't know (in his view!) and leave him with kids. he won't get it, and tbh nor would I! Any ideas or recommendations?

Ooh just saw notyummy's pm- think we have our meet up venue ladies!! Gave heard good things about thus one too (via dh's sociable work types)

All in favour say too whit to whooo!

Hello Millie .

Iro dress poss this one or at least rather like it

Have heard
This one

IPhone sorry, hence no group pm

Hi fritzigreeneyes!
Thanks for the welcome, yes, I am thinking for spring/summer I need to get back into some trousers and shorter tops too. I am thinking of a breton type top (love stripes but had to wean myself off them a year or two ago as it was getting a bit ridiculous!

Perhaps tunics is the wrong word - they are more fitted than that, more like short dresses but they are designed to be worn with leggings/jeans etc. They have nice fabric etc. And they are very comfortable for the school run - def a step up from the jeans/ mens jumper and trainers mostly seen round here

Although I am tall and slim I carry any extra weight around my middle and have become a bit conscious of that area iywim so I feel I look a bit boxy in some shapes.

I have 3 pairs of seven for mankind jeans - 2 pairs of ginger and one pair of stright leg all in indigo, as well as french connection skinny (very stretchy and side zipper but not nice with bum on show - def made for longer tops)

Maybe espadrilles with a low wedge for summer? I LOVE ballet pumps & they were my staple for many, many years but sadly just can't wear them for long periods as they give me SPD symptoms.

I will have to do some belstaff research - is there a shop that carries all the range?

Sorry for so many questions!

Welcome milli!

Roma, will ponder

ooh those shoes would lead to a broken ankle within a week or two for me. I had a pair not dissimilar once, and fell headlong in the middle of a street in Perth in front of loads of outdoor cafe tables. Quite possibly the last time I've ever had a big round of applause . I was on my own too, and the whole contents of my bag went all over the road

Good morning ladies and welcome to all the newbies. I think that means I'm officially not a newbie anymore.

Milli last Summer I lived in low-heel Swedish Hasbeens like these. They are so comfy for me but then I love clogs.

Can't wait to find out about the MOAM venue.

Everything your outfits (and your strength) continue to amaze me. Well done and good luck with the settling in.

Vin agree dress too floaty and voluminous.

DT I like the Reiss dress a lot and think that it may be more versatile than the other (could be worn in the day or dressed up for the evening). To me the colour of the other makes it a bit eveningy.

Hi everything,
Thanks for that link, it is very interesting - according to that I am warm autumn and mostly classical - you were right!

And funnily enough most of my clothes fall into the recommended colours, I have a lot of navy, plum, brown, clover, pewter, green and of course black.

I did fall into a fashion black hole when i gave up work a few years ago and no longer had the funds or need for the type of clothes I wore for work. I worked in a very creative field and while i never wore suits, i did wear very smart/casual/edgier stuff from places like Day by Birger, Jesire, LKBennett, Jogsaw, Whistles etc.

Apart from jeans and a few tops I had nothing for my life as a sahm. I have been slowly weaning out the old work gear (most of which I adapted or wore in different configurations to make it more causal for the first couple of years) and now I am actively rebuilding.

What sort of things do you wear on a day to day basis - I really like the sounds of your outfit today and sounds like something I would like

thanks again for that link, it has been very interesting really.

Vin I think the ruching issue for me is that it can be a geat big neon flashing arrow pointing towards my tummy, which is where I carry any extra weight. :)

DT the LK Bennett is gorgeous, and I also love that red one in the DM article. Will wait and hope they have some nice dresses still when I go back to work April 1.

Welcome Mili! While on maternity leave I do like to wear a lot of skirts, they always make me feel like I am not slopping around even if I am.

Three things I have been meaning to say for ages and are wildly out of date:

Reine am so with you on BLW mess. I must start putting newspaper under the high chair again, it does help.

Everything you are such a star, you sound so calm and together.

LTEC I have been wondering for ages what happens now your DD passes the Robber who Stole her Lion??

Bloss definitely go for the job- you never know, and it sounds to me like you're a bit ready to get out there again. Will save you either running pimps and hos a la Plum or mugging people, like me, for your fashion budget

Ok, that was four things.

OFf to persuade DS his pink cot is just as nice as his hammock.

Hi milli, I have the Phase Eight feathers dress too!
Day to day I wear Jbrand skinnies with polo/cowl neck sweaters in navy, charcoal or black. When it's warmer I wear long sleeve tops, normally Breton. I am mostly wearing a russell & bromley ankle boot which has a slight heel or since the end of November I've been in snowboots. I like a shiny riding boot too. I am also of the ballet flat brigade, but espadrilles are lovely, I may have to investigate for this s/s. Dead cheap too! You could go for the wedge type ones. Lovely.
For smarter days (I have a little teaching job) I wear knitted dresses (Boden, Laura Ashley) or jersey dresses (Phase 8 stripey janice or Autograph).

I loved those shoes yesterday ltec. You go girl! And before I forget, I am so envious of the natural beauties on this thread,(yes you zembo, fleecy, ltec) and however many more who don't need the expensive hair appointments and makeup that I do. Believe me, without all that, it ain't pretty!

I was horrified rather surprised to hear that DS had spent the night in MIL's bed on his sleepover. I am silently fuming very understanding that it is only me who has intimacy issues in this house.

NY I am up for your venue. Do you want to do the booking?

My thing was going to be good, managed to get min spend down by over half (around £20 rather than £60 each) at one of the flashier ones (hotel) but then looked at the menu and saw the prices of drinks!

We could have our own area, candles and no dj. But it would still be an expensive night if we actually wish to consume anything.

So if everyone else is happy with yours NY. I am too.

Hi Milli!

Dt- Have just seen your twin (nearly!) in the DM magazine wearing the red version of that LK B dress. She looked stunning. Buy!!

Meet-up: Ladies. Venue as PMed last night is booked. Only thing I need to query is whether we can stay as long as we like or not. Will give them a ring. Spoke to charming Scottish lady last night who was helpful and gave a good impression. There are several other vars close by should we need to move on, plus a couple if reasonably smart options in the hotel.

Roary- Will PM you.

o crap cocktails only a couple £ more. NY have pm'd you./

vin - you have the P&J in black don't you? I think that is probably more wow than that dress.

LTEC - forgot to say - I love the shoes.

I'm getting panicked about grooming for MOAM...who's doing the make up thing - I might join in? I feel like my normal 5 minute job may not suffice!

Had lovely lovely time with NCT friends. They aren't really the type to notice clothes as everyone is so different...but my Marant stripy jumper, jeans and flat biker boots were about right. DH is obsessed with this jumper though...he LOVES it. I think it's the combo of soft and tight!

And Marsha - sorry I didn't realise it was you - wonderful quote!

last post I promise..hello milli