Can anyone help with my fashion makeover?

[oxfordcomma]

Yikes.

Okay, I'm currently on maternity leave, and I go back to work in 3 months. I'm not exactly super-fashionable and have kindof relaxed into my maternity leave over the last 9 months. So, I think I need a bit of a fashion makeover - both for work and non-work (and not just to go into the same old shops and buy the same old things all over again).

I'm 32 years old, 5 foot 5 inches tall, a size 12/14, and I have brown hair, Scottish fair skin, and hazel eyes.

What I wear now...

Work:
Simple shirts / tops.
Vest / cardigan together. I really don't like my arms (or my legs).
Black trousers.
Ballet pumps.

Non-work casual:
T-shirts. I can ignore my arms at times .
Oasis boy jeans. I love these.
Converse trainers (usually).
Ballet pumps.

Non-work dressy (by which I mean weddings!):
Coast / Ted Baker dresses.

My workplace is relatively relaxed, and I wouldn't want to wear dresses etc to work (as I just wouldn't feel comfortable). But, I would like to dress a little bit more formally (and interestingly) for work. I guess it's because I feel different than I used to, and I'd like the way that I look to reflect that.

Hmm, budget... I think most of my old work clothes in particular are pretty done, so I'll need to buy quite a lot of things, so hopefully individual things won't be too expensive.

I usually buy clothes in shops like Oasis, Gap, Fat Face, White Stuff, Coast etc.

Frumpy bump.

I've recently been in the same dilemma and the first thing I decided to do was chuck out practically everything in my wardrobe and start from scratch - that way it's easier to see what you have and haven't got. I've also decided that rather than buying lots of cheaper stuff I'm going to buy less but more expensive stuff that will last longer in terms of quality and fashion. It means I'm going to have a pretty empty wardrobe for a long time but I'd rather build it up slowly with the right stuff than cramming it full of things at once. With work clothes I definitely think you're better off spending that bit more on quality.Have you looked at Reiss? It's really gorgeous, smart stuff, a little expensive but the cut and quality of the fabric is so good. I also think with your figure you should wear more dresses both casually and at work, dresses are more flattering and it's an easy ready made outfit rather than trying to match tops to bottoms etc.

Just a few ideas and I may be way off the mark but here goes -
Smart black Blazer - good for going on top of dresses or with trousers
www.warehouse.co.uk/cropped-blazer/Coats-&-Casual-Jackets/warehouse/fcp-product/304305
Black Trousers - could be worn day/night or casually/smartly
www.oasis-stores.com/7-8-Crop-Trouser/Trousers-&-Shorts/oasis/fcp-product/3450151101
Smart Blouse- would look nice with black trousers or dark rinse jeans
www.oasis-stores.com/Parasol-Print-Frill-Top/Tops-&-Blouses/oasis/fcp-product/4490097200
Day dress - could be smartened up with a little blazer for work or a cardigan for casual wear
www.oasis-stores.com/Floral-Tea-Dress/Dresses/oasis/fcp-product/4470082360
Another pretty dress
www.warehouse.co.uk/bird-print-dress/Day-Dresses/warehouse/fcp-product/304268

Thanks drivingmissdaisy, lots of very useful ideas ...

I think you're right - I'll try to buy a smaller amount of good cut / quality clothes, rather than a larger amount of cheaper clothes. I've bought some (for me) more expensive clothes before, and they have made me feel pretty fab, and they've also lasted very well.

I hadn't looked at Reiss before, but I've just had a quick look at their tops and tailoring sections. There are definitely some lovely things there, so that's a top tip. It reminded me that I've bought a couple of things (tailored trousers, lovely fine-knit jumper) from Jigsaw before, maybe I should check there again. Other than Reiss / Jigsaw, are there any other new shops that you think I might like?

Smart black blazer
Lovely! I really love little blazers / jackets. I think they're a great way to be smart, w/o going down the trouser suit route.

Black trousers
Hmm, I'm not keen on cropped trousers (I was once told that I had the ankles of a thoroughbred horse ). I liked some of the Reiss trousers a lot though.

Smart blouse
An excellent suggestion - I'd seen this online earlier in the evening, and asked DH if he liked it (he did). Having worn stretchy clothes for ages (t-shirts, long-sleeved t-shirts etc.), I like the idea of wearing more structured clothes. I think I'll definitely buy this.

Day dress
I like this a lot (and would love it on someone else), but don't feel quite brave enough to jump in at what seems the deep end of dresses. It's maybe a little bit ruffly for my first foray into wearing dresses in non-wedding situations.

Pretty dress
Actually, that's lovely. I love the print. I'm a little bit concerned that it might be too short, but I will try it on if I get the chance.

Thanks again, lots of food for thought!

How about booking a personal shopper at eg. Debenhams? That way you could try on hundreds of clothes ,and some that you may not have looked at. They should also give advice at to what colours suit you, or don't do anything for you.

Twooter - I might try a personal shopper when DS is a little bit older (and doesn't BF during the day!) .

Oops, I meant to preview that, not to post it .

Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks oxfordcomma, have a look at Whistles, Asos and Zara too. Have fun .

Also wanted to add if you want to look more structured maybe wear less from Fat Face/White Stuff.

So, I've ordered...

this butterfly top, this star top, this parasol top, and this bow top.

Hurray .

They're all lovely oxford, good for you! Might order the butterfly one myself.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions!